The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-11

It is a noteworthy fact that the use
of gas or candle-light at luncseons or
breakfasts that are given in the day.
1ight-hours has completely disappeared.
This is particularly true of spring
luncheons Nothing seems more n
suitable than drawn shades and gas
light Illumination at the room and table
upon which are spring blooms ar1 the
appetizing spring foods, and to which
guests come from the welcome spring
sunshine. Another evolution at lunch-
cons which has BEEN gradual but none
the less marked, is the change in the
gowning of the woman guests. Time
was when an elaborate reception gown
would be worn, and worn correctly. so
far as custom went, at these affairs.
Now tailor-made costumes, worn often
with shirt-waist, are net unusual.
The difference between doing thing
and doing it perfectly was eXemplified
recently at a basket luncheon OF a
woman'S organization. In addition TO
the Individual luncheons which each
member provided for herself, the COM
mittee asked for a dozen or fifteen ex-
ira luncheons, to be prepared for the
guests of the day. The latter were
seated at one table, and the lunch boxes
were handed round unopened to each
guest. All the boxes were neatly packed
and filed with good and palatable
1uncheons, deserving the description ex-
oellent. OF one or two, however, more
could be said. One woman drew as her
lot dainty, artistic prize that made
her wish she could meet and know the
woman whose taste was so evident in
its preparation. The box was large
enough to hold it's contents without any
crowding. 1t was wrapped neatly in
white paper and tied with a bit of mar
row white ribbon. through which sim
gle twig Of apple blossoms was thrust
On taking off the cover the recipient
found first a japanese napkin, whose
white ground was decorated in one
corner with a bunch of apnle- blossoms
This bit of thoughtfulness in the way
of napkin, it was noticed, was the
exception, rather than the rule among
the boxes in the immediate vicinity. On
removing the napkin a bunch of water
cress was the next thing discovered It
was placed ON a piece of waxed-paper
that covered the. rest Of the luncheon
There We're four dainty sandwiches.
each a small double triangle of perfect
sandwich bread. prepared without
crusts, the filing delicious compound
of minced chicken, cream cheese, and
chopped almonds. The sandwiches
We're so dainty that the four were just
enough-more would have been too
much; less, hardly enough The cress
eaten with them gave the finishing
touch to their appetizing quality. A
slice of delicious home made white
cake. cut from a loaf that had been
baked in two deep layers, with an ice
filling and top, was part of the DESSERT.
and several sections of a choice orange
each section peeled and deprived of the
tough outer skin, before all were neat
~ folded in wallpaper, We're the rest,
two marrons-glaces finishing the dainty
meal. As hot coffee was served by
the ladies of the reception committee.
this little luncheon, with a cup of fra
grant Mocha, was completely satisfy
ing
A New York woman who became uer-
vous after the numerous disastrous fires
of few weeks ago got one of the Off
Gals of the neighborng fire stations to
come and inspect her cellar. He gave
her several good points that are worth
passing on to other housekeepers He
condemned first the movable gas fix
ture. This, he said, should never be
put in cellar, where it may be knock
ed against by careless servants. and its
lame brought near a beam or upright.
The plan of storing newspapers, excel
sior and other infiammable rubbish in
cellars he also declared to be very I'M
safe. The cleanliness of a cellar adds
to its immunity from fire. Dust webs
UIlictSlV inf m M a t1a apd Io1,o hoo,,
known to blaze up from the swapping of
a parlor match The top of a furnace,
too, the official said should be protect
ed. The latest and most approved fur
naces have safety cover, which pre-
vents the overhe8ttng of. the beams
above them. Where furnaces are not
supplied with these safety coverss a
good substitute is to cover the top to
the depth of two or three inches with
wet clay, particularly when the fires
are started in the autumn During his
inspection of the fiues of the house the
fireman made the statement that New
York residence that permitted a fire to
be built ON an upper floor was the ex-
ception- AS high the second floor
the chimneys are usually properly lined
and protected; above that they need in
spection before a fire can be made
For some time the special value of
cotton fabrics for country house SER
vice as hangings and draperies has been
known. Their growing excellence in
manufacture, which has brought design
and finish almost to perfection, has pro-
NOTED these fabrics to quite general
town house use. The fact that moths
pay no attention to them makes them
popular with housekeepers, particular
" in a moth ridden city. 1t would.
perhaps, be a surprise to one who has
not given the matter recent attention
to discover what excellent effects can
be produced in hangings furniture COW
erings and even rugs that are made of
cotton.
Floor and ceiling of q room should be
as pretty as the walls and in like
scheme of color. Some summer art
students who have a mountain cottage
have made it's walls of rough plaster,
colored a dull brown which shades on
the ceiling into a grayish green Along
the walls at the hight of the picture
rail are narrow boxes. made of birch
boughs, full of wood earth. In these
are German ivy roots. the tendrils train
ed in spider web of green wires, which
spreads across the ceiling. Another
room has been arranged by its owner
as sort of mermaid's cave, the walls
of stucco, covered with cl am shells
pressed into the plaster ard tinted a
soft green The ceiling is tiraped with
fish nets hung on snearS A whaIer's