The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-04
NV Dear Salhe:

NY Dear same.
The breath OF spring is in the air. the
buds on the trees are beginning to swell
q bit, the crocuses are thinking about
making their appearance in their spring
costumes Of yellow and ere long al
nature will be donning garb Of beauty.
At this season the lunch parties, after
noon teas. whist parties and the like are
approaching the beginning OF the end,
and as you may have become little
tired Of the usual ways of decorating
your table, will tell you Of some OF the
pretty decorations / saw in Washington
recently.
At recent whist party the table was
covered with white cloth reaching
nearly 70 the floor on all sides. On each
end and on the sides OF the cloth. ex-
actly in the center, was q small design
cut In the shape Of a shield. The CEN
ter OF each shield was cut out. showing
underneath a contrasting color. On one
end the center Of the shield was cut out
in the shape of heart, showing piece
OF red cloth underneath. On the opposite
end was shown a spade, with black un-
derneath. One side showed club. and
the other q diamond. made in the same
manner. The shields themselves were
made Of unglazed paper Those showing
the diamond and heart were made of
black paper. and those showing the spade
and club were made of red.
Miniature spades (shovels) and clubs
(shillalees )were attached here and there
where the cloth was caught up. and in
the folds were seen. now and then, tiny
hearts and diamonds made Of sugar.
Across the table were laid long red rib
bons. and the candelabra were fitted
with red and black shades and candles.
The young ladies who poured, and
those who assisted them, were gowned
one in red and her companion In black.
On leaving. the guests each received
q dainty souvenir, In the shape Of heart
thrust through with q spade (shoveD,
the heart being made Of sugar and the
spade OF white wood In its natural state.
Among the oddities noticed about the
rooms was one particularly unique fea-
ture, viz: long mirror laid upon table
and banked on all sides with flowers,
representing lake. Floating about upon
this miniature lake were sugar mer-
maids.
On the bank sat Cupid "a tiny doll),
with fishline in hand, and beside him a
heap OF hearts. On the opposite side was
another doll. dressed Gs a policeman,
with an enormous club in his hand. In
one corner was another tiny figure, dig
ging hole with spade, and beside him
hshpole and a can. labeled Bait"
1t is needless to say that the spade was
the largest object In this corner. In a
little cave Of flowers sat q tiny miner,
with large rhinestone in his hand, rep
resenting diamonds. At another func-
tion, very lovely decoration was car
ried out The occasion was an afternoon
tea, and showed many beautiful flowers,
all in yellow, end giving one pleasant
promise OF spring. by means of the great
number OF crocuses used. An Easter tea
Is to be given there during the Lenten
season. when the decorations will be
entirely of white. One noticeable thing
about it. however. IL that no Easter
lilies are to be used. The decorations
are to consist entirely of pinks. hya-
cinths and Gala lilies.
White ribbons are to be used the ma
terial being watercd silk, instead OF the
regulation satin. The cloth is to be of
sheer muslin underneath which is a
cloth OF silver tinsel. Eggs OF silver are
to be very much in evidence, and the
souvenirs are 10 be sterling silver book
markers. In the shape OF small Roman
daggers. know you will like to hear
about these artistic successes in table
decorating and II Will give you many
ideas FOR your own table, even IL not
carried TO such an elaborat. extent.
1 am, yours culinarily,
COMFORT JONES,
Doctor OF Cookery.