The electric light is much used, now that it can be so
easily adapted to every kind of lamp or candle, as by the
new method of supplying the fin de Steele light it is not
necessary to have any wires at all, and therefore no marks
are left on the cloth. For myself, I think there is nothing
like wax candles for lighting a dinner table, with shades on
them to match, or contrast with, the floral arrangements ;
the sides of the dining-room should also be well lighted by
candles in sconces fixed high against the wall, or by care-
fully shaded lamps on side tables.
Napery should always be of the best, and the table-cloth
laid with as few creases as possible. The monogram worked
at the corners, and the serviettes to match, always look well.
White linen is superseding coloured napery, which delights
me ; for though often lovely effects are produced with
crumpled up silk and brocades, yet one has often seen
tawdry, tinselling things placed down the centre of the
table, which have quite spoilt its harmony.
ON ENTEKTAINING
69
After the ladies leave the dining-room, it is the fashion
at dinners for cigarette boxes and cigar lighters to be
placed on the table, also little old pocket honhonnieres
filled with either violet or rose cachous for gentlemen to
take before joining the ladies, so that they may not be
annoyed with the smell of tobacco. The paraphernalia
for fumants is so varied, and such lovely things are
made, that it will be impossible to describe more than
one or two, which strike me as very charming. A cigar
lighter in the shape of a hot-potato oven, with a little
muffineer and knife attached ; a gondola fitted up with the
requisites for the smokers ; the facsimile of a four-in-hand,
fitted up with every convenience required for smokers is a
very favourite arrangement; also a silver organ-grinder with
monkey — the organ holds cigarettes, the handle of the organ
a tobacco pin, the monkey smokes a pipe, forming the lighter,
the man's hat opens for fusees and matches, and the monkey's
sword is a cigar cutter, a grindstone to hold matches, and
to strike a light the handle is turned. Another very
fascinating one has two kittens holding a skipping rope
between them, over which a mouse is jumping ; the lighter
is in one kitten and the matches in the other. One of the
nicest conceits for the smokers, where lemon squash and
cobblers are in request, is the straw and rummer all in one,
the straw made in silver, the end terminating in a trefoil
leaf to stir with.
The cafe noir cups and saucers are now made very small.
Those in plain white Worcester china are great favourites,
and the liqueur bottles and glasses sent in with the coffee are
most delightful ; those made of the reeded glass with silver
rims are the favourites, and the little Sevres china coffee
spoons are little gems of art.
Carving. — The carving of fish requires great care, or the
flakes will fall to pieces. A piece of the back and belly of
salmon ought to go to each portion. The head pieces of
all fish are considered the most delicate. Where there is
roe or liver a piece should be given. Fowls must be held
firmly, breast up, and the wings and legs should be removed
with a sharp knife without turning the fowl. A piece of
the breast should be attached to each wing. The breast-
bone should be cut in such a way as to leave it covered with
70
THE housewife's EEFEEEE
Page 46
Presented as published in 1898. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
The electric light is much used, now that it can be so easily adapted to every kind of lamp or candle, as by the new method of supplying the fin de Steele light it is not necessary to have any wires at all, and therefore no marks are left on the cloth. For myself, I think there is nothing like wax candles for lighting a dinner table, with shades on them to match, or contrast with, the floral arrangements ; the sides of the dining-room should also be well lighted by candles in sconces fixed high against the wall, or by carefully shaded lamps on side tables.
Napery should always be of the best, and the table-cloth laid with as few creases as possible. The monogram worked at the corners, and the serviettes to match, always look well. White linen is superseding coloured napery, which delights me ; for though often lovely effects are produced with crumpled up silk and brocades, yet one has often seen tawdry, tinselling things placed down the centre of the table, which have quite spoilt its harmony.
ON ENTERTAINING
After the ladies leave the dining-room, it is the fashion at dinners for cigarette boxes and cigar lighters to be placed on the table, also little old pocket bonbonnières filled with either violet or rose cachous for gentlemen to take before joining the ladies, so that they may not be annoyed with the smell of tobacco. The paraphernalia for fumants is so varied, and such lovely things are made, that it will be impossible to describe more than one or two, which strike me as very charming. A cigar lighter in the shape of a hot-potato oven, with a little muffineer and knife attached ; a gondola fitted up with the requisites for the smokers ; the facsimile of a four-in-hand, fitted up with every convenience required for smokers is a very favourite arrangement; also a silver organ-grinder with monkey — the organ holds cigarettes, the handle of the organ a tobacco pin, the monkey smokes a pipe, forming the lighter, the man's hat opens for fusees and matches, and the monkey's sword is a cigar cutter, a grindstone to hold matches, and to strike a light the handle is turned. Another very fascinating one has two kittens holding a skipping rope between them, over which a mouse is jumping ; the lighter is in one kitten and the matches in the other. One of the nicest conceits for the smokers, where lemon squash and cobblers are in request, is the straw and rummer all in one, the straw made in silver, the end terminating in a trefoil leaf to stir with.
The cafe noir cups and saucers are now made very small. Those in plain white Worcester china are great favourites, and the liqueur bottles and glasses sent in with the coffee are most delightful ; those made of the reeded glass with silver rims are the favourites, and the little Sevres china coffee spoons are little gems of art.
Carving. — The carving of fish requires great care, or the flakes will fall to pieces. A piece of the back and belly of salmon ought to go to each portion. The head pieces of all fish are considered the most delicate. Where there is roe or liver a piece should be given. Fowls must be held firmly, breast up, and the wings and legs should be removed with a sharp knife without turning the fowl. A piece of the breast should be attached to each wing. The breastbone should be cut in such a way as to leave it covered with
THE HOUSEWIFE'S REFEREE