Evening star., 1896-12-12
FOR CHRISTMAS CANDY

The Christmas bonbonnieres have already
arrived from Paris and are even more
beautiful or charmingiy quaint than usual.
nowadays even the candy boxes must be
up 70 date. and as a result the bicycle ap-
pears In many of the novelties. 1t Is a 80
machine, too, with well-filfed tires and all
the latest improvements. 1t is also equip
ped with bell and with the cunningest of
miniature lamps. The bonbonnere bicycle
IS hfeke4-piated from end to end, and comes
Tor either gentlemen dolls or for their bet
ter halves. They ara mounted on the boxes
destined to hold the sweets in a variety of
ways. On some the box cover is made
to represent a velvety lawn and has the
toy wheel attached to it, On others the
bicycle seems to be gliding along a WELL
kept dirt road, while the bonbons repose
In the heart of grass-grown mound at
one side.
1t is evident that the useful tricycle. built
Tor the carrying of parcels is much used in
the French capital, for this is a favorite
design for the Christmas boxes. and any
thing more cunning could scarce be imag-
ined. They are absolutely true to their
models, and although but eight inches long
show every Improvement that has yet been
thought of. These also are nickel-pla ted.
and have two styles of boxes for holding
their sweet freight. Some have baskets
made of gilt wire, and others have the large
brown house-shaped boxes SO familiar on
cur streets.
Very old styles of conveyances seem to
be almost as popular at the confectioners'
as the newest device. Thus side by side
with the bicycle are Roman chariots. They
are made either of combined nickel and
gilt or Of exquisitely enameed wood. In
both cases the seat serves as the recep-
tacle for the goodies. The shape is of the
most graceful possible, and they make very
pretty little Christmas gifts. Venetian
gondoia, not painted black after the usual
mournful practice but decked with bright
colors for a festive occasion, is another
pretty bonbonniere. A gay awning covers
the little boat; the oars are tied up with
ribbons and flowers are everywhere.
Vehicles and Furniture.
A Sedan chair, such as our great-great-
grandmothers rode in when they went to
routs, is still another vehicle that has been
pressed into service as a bonbonniere, and
a very charming one 1t makes too. Phe
chair is made of gilt and enamel and
squares of looking glass represent the
windows. 1t is supported on the shoulders
of two little mannikns dressed in faultless
livery. The roof serves as cover to the
candy box concealed within the chair.
A little French wine merchant is seated
his cart, dressed in SerNiceable plaid
ginghams and wearing a broad-brimmed
straw hat. The horse he drives seems to
have no trouble in pulling the heavy bar
rels with which the cart is loaded. Each of
these, although bearing in large letters the
ir scription "Vin de Bordeaux is in real
ity filled with nothing more Intoxicating
than fancy bonbons.
Empire furniture in miniature is pop
uiar at the confectionerS as it is at the
fashionable art dealers. There are chairs,
buffets, dressing tables and corner cabinets,
all in the best style, with lovely little
landscapes, picturesque figures and wreaths
Of lo1 than
finished, too, with marvellous daintiness.
One of the prettiest examples of these is a
grand piano. 1t is exquisitely painted, and,
as you lift the cover to help yourself to
one of the candies that fill the satin-lined
receptacle, soft music starts up. This
comes from g. little music box concealed in
one corner.
A bonbonniere that will be an equal de-
light to children and to lovers of the gro
tesque is called the "Renard marchant.
A fox, most cleverly made and with an eX-
preston of intense cunning stamped upon
his countenance is standing on his hind
legs In his right paw he holds a chicken
he has just stolen. 1t is wonderful little
chicken, made of real feathers. Strapped
onto his back is a basket filed with bon
bonS. Concealed in NJ. Renard'S long fur
is a little spring that winds up like a
cock. and on being wound up he walks
along in very amusing fashion.
Toys and Dolls.
Another mechanical toy bonbonniere is
the rabbit in the cabbage. Bre'r Rabbit
raises his white head and looks about him
meditatively while he chews turnip, keep
ing time 10 the tune played by a music box
concealed inside the cabbage leaves. At in
teHyals he appears to be startled lifts his
ears, gives a frightened glance about him
and sinks down into the heart of the pie
beian vegetable where he makes his home.
Little dolls perched on other bonbonniercs
move. One of these is an enerSetic-looking
little Parisienne, who waves her gold UNI
brella about vigorously, and another is a
gendarme who presents arms.
Really beautiful French dolls form part
of some of the new Christmas boxes Thus,
q Normandy fishwife, who sits on pile of
stones, dressed in the quaint costume of her
country, is an exquisite sample of the doll
makers art. She has fishnet in her hand
and on her back is a basket of chocolate
fish. Another lovely doll is posed as an
Alpine climber. She stands upon a rock
in a tailor-finished travelling suit. In one
hand she holds an alpenstock and in the
other a pair of ivorymounted field glasses,
the case for which is strapped across her
shoulder. The rock is hollow and is to be
filled with candy.
A rustic bride and groom make twin bon
bonneres. Each sits upon a miniature
cart, decked out in gala attire, and each
drives cunning little donkey. The brides
wagon is filled with grass and flowers, but
her more practical spouse has evidently
filed his with provisions for the wedding
feast. They both adorned with bou-
quets of orange blossoms.
a French student, represented by another
fine doll is shown riding pig. The pig,
true to his nature, Is stuffed full of goodies
A little lady doll is gracefully perched on
the back of ST. Bernard, who also serves
as a receptacle for sweets. Another new
bonbonniere that has the advantage of be-
irg very inexpensive is the ball and cup.
1t is practical toy, but the ball opens and
Is filled with candies.
~
4 Dream Dispellcl.
From the Detroit Free Press.
The two sweet things were standing on a
corner waiting for a car when 1hey sa W q