The Washington times., 1905-11-20

No matter how deiiciously a simple
dinner IS prepared unless II IS properly
and appetizingly served fully half its
pleasure Is lost We are not all fortu-
nate enough to possess original. costly
naintinzs but we can be educated in art
by good photographs OF the unattain-
able srt treasures. and with good, even
II cheap. reproductions at our easy com
mand. there is no excuse for lack OF
them or for ignorance of good pictures.
So it Is with the appointments Of 4
vveII-set table. says Men and Women
Magazine We cannot all own costly
siIverware, cut-glass ard hand-decorated
china. but We can make our table at
tractive By using cheaper articles that
are in good taste When these are brok-
en- there IS not the heartache which
usually accompanies the breaking of
valuable piece OF glass or china that
cannot be replaced.
We cannot all afford TO order expen-
sive American Beauties from the florist
for our table decorations. but We can
20 into the garden and find something
green and cheerful. the glossy leaves OF
the little perrywinlkle. the nasturtium
leaf and flower. the bright sunhower. or
4 these are not within our reach, the
vine which grows on some OF onr houses
the plain Virginia creeper Even the
grape leaves from an arbor can be util-
lzed. and with very little trouble our
tables can be made attractive.
Every thrifty housewife now and then
hnds time for a little neediework. and
ean enbroider or outline on linen sew
eral centerpieces for table decoration.
On these stand your vases OF flowers.
The Mt. MeiIick embroidery, which is so
fashionable at present. is simply an ov-
srcast stitch. in graduated length. en-
broldered 70 form a design on a square
Or round piece of linen. ana Is worked
All in white. with heavy mercerized cot
ION. This is a very serviceable decora-
lion. because II can be boiled when laun-
aered. as there is no color TO fade.
Every housewife takes pride IN her
linens. and there are many nice stand
ard patterns which can be bought at
reasonable prices The old-fashioned
solka-dot and clover patterns are al
WAYS in good taste. and are cheerful
booking. and there are innumerable 9th
RS as good You can always buy nap
tins TO match these. but II is not essen
.iaI that tablecloth and napkins be the
same In pattern. II you have time you
san hand-hem them in leisure moments
md en1brOider or outline IN each. a
lingle initial TO beautify and identity
hem. The more expensive tableclOths
md napkins come hemstitehed.
Underneath the linen tablecioth should
be one OF thick canton flannel. which
protects the table from hot dishes that
would otherwise take on tEe Varnish.
This canton flannel also gives the linen
heavier and finer appearance and
ieadenC the sound OF placing dishes
Then place your linen centerpiece IN
he center Of the tabiecloth. and If you
ave two smaller linen pieces put them
Il opposite corners. right at the edge
Il the table. Now place your vase filed
gfth fresh water and garden flowers. or
wen wild striped grass or ferns IN the
enter OF the middle linen piece and two
mailer vases Of you possess them) on
ne smaller corner pieces. At the edge
II the opposite corners, place at one
nd a small bowl filed with any fruit
fou have in the house. Apples, bananas.
ranges and grapes make pretty
howing A pine board may be piacsu IN
he center Of the glass bowl ana the
mixed fruit nicely arranged around II
rhe fruit and the flowers give "A festive
tbDearance TO even the most simply laid
able our eyes should be gratified a 8
aueh as our palates. At the edge OF
he other corner. place china tiles upon