The age-herald., 1900-01-19
Excelsior Steam Laundry
 EXQUISITE WORK. George A. BIinn q Son, 1897 Second Avenue. Phone 222.
1897 Second Avenue.

they looked so different that as whole wardrobe they were eminently satisfactory. A black silk looks we'll upon anybody For slim person it is capable of reatment to produce shape, such as fulled fronts, epau- lettes, yokes, vests and panniers. For fleshier people It seems the best of all ma terials; and for embonpoint there is no argument. Nothing but black should be worn.
 A woman dressmaker of New York city, who makes her living, not in making gowns, but in designing the small things of ale toilette, has been known to take one wel-rade black silk and from 1t to achieve one dozen gowns. Her various successes cannot all be mentioned, but the greatest was accomplished with black silk skirt trimmed around rhe foot With one deep flounce. The waist and oversk.rt were made toge aaer in a Princess tunc, long all around and opendng invistoly in the front.
 With many a clever pin and hook she arranged velvet belt of amethyst color so that the waist and oversktrt seemed sepa- rate. The belt was Ugh in the back, and very low and pointed in front. Then With the same velvet she arranged yoke, over laid with lace. In the center of each hole of iule lace she tackled d silver scqun Over the sleeves she slipped chiffon sleeves of white, all sfh.rred and neatly finished; and at the shoulder she fastened rosettes Of the amethyst velye. to match the belt and yoke. The overdress was covered Wi.h chiffon overdress of the incest cut, With auff1e of chiffon around it. The whole was not at all expensive, and could oe trans ferred to another gown at any time, leav- ing the black silk free for future experi- ments.
 The tea table these days is very pretty. Tlhe fashionable New Year and birthday gift in Go,sham Is a starser for the tea ta- ble. If your fr.end has no o'clock tea ta- ble you start her out in life, as it were, T5y presenting her w1tn tea cloth. Mayoe some one will will her a table, CT in lieu, of that a Cairo stand, which answers the purpose well. Then some friend gives her a cup, another teapot, a third plate, and so the table is made up of souve1Lrs. At the first tea the whole may not De complete, but so much the better
 The English way of giving o'clock tea Is the best. They Ihave the right of 1t in many things over there-and we are coming to see it, if the Boers are not The hostess has her tea table always ready at 5; ready three days a week. You call ana remove wrap if you desire, or if it is op- pressive. Then you chat and the. tea comes along as a matter of course. It ds not itae objective point of the call by any means, but the means to an end, the end being a social afternoon, and the cup of tea helping it along. The hostess need not scald herself making the tea. It was really ludicrous last week to observe poor little debutante with a tea ball. She
 
 thing and had wagged it through the boil ing water in the cup. Then she had sugared it and drawn out the ball. But how was she to get the leaves out to make a fresh cup? A servant came to her res- cue, but noticed that the little debutante was holding her finger for some time af- ter that
 Let the tea walk in, like the guest, ready to cheer you. Let the plate of cakes set handy. Have all underneath the table on a tray; or on top if you prefer. The top is the prettiest way after all. Let the guest have some freedom in selection and above all, do not make too much fuss pouring the tea.
 Don't wear loose gown at tea. The hostess dresses in snu house gown which may be amy afternoon dress. It could do for calling, even. Remember that a tea gown, so called, is a morning wrapper, never a gown to be worn at 5 o'clock tea. Remember also that your guests may bring their husbands and brothers and sweethearts; and let your gown be modish and dignified.
 BEATRICE.