It goes without saying that parents want to teach by
example as well as precept, and though it may be some
trouble and require much patience to teach children how to
conduct themselves properly, it is something that ought to
be done, and had much better be done sooner than later. It
is hard to teach an old dog new tricks. There is no patent
on refinement, and all who will may cultivate it, to their own
satisfaction and to the delight of all with whom they may
come in contact. The term "country boor" is a reproach
which none should be willing to stand for in this age of
progress for all.
Special Table Decoratioiis
( SEE ILLUSTRATIONS )
No. I — A very simple and easily managed decoration for
the Christmas supper table is shown in the illustration on
another page. The cloth is white and the holly ribbons,
green on a red back-ground, can be of silk ribbon or cotton,
with the real leaves appliqued, or of crepe paper. Two long
strips should be crossed at the center of the table, allowing
the four ends to come to the edge of the tablecloth. In the
center place a tiny Christmas tree decorated with small red
candles and bright bits of tinsel, but do not hang anything
heavy on the tree, nor dress it too elaborately. The tree
should be firmly fixed in a wooden brace or stand, painted
green, or concealed with green branches. Put red candles
in the candlesticks and shade them with any appropriate
shade you can buy or can make, but be sure they are placed
on straight, over a wire frame, the upper edges protected
with a strip of asbestos. The shades can very easily be
made of crepe paper.
SPECIAL TABLE DECORATIONS 215^
No. II — For a Fourth of July luncheon or supper, the
decoration suggested in the illustration would be most
appropriate. The ribbon, as in the case of the Christmas
table, can be of silk, cotton or crepe paper, and the centerpiece
is simply composed of a tall vase placed in a fern dish, and
both decorated v/ith ferns and flags. The latter can be of
silk, cotton or paper, and two of them should be crossed at
the head of each plate. The napkins might also be of crepe
paper, with flag designs.
No. Ill — For uny special occasions, such as a birthday cele-
bration or wedding anniversary, occurring during the season
when blossoms are plentiful, the decoration suggested in the
illustration would be most dainty. Use blossoms in profusion,
let the ribbon streamers be pink, and the butterflies made of
gaily colored crepe or tissue paper. The whole decorative
scheme should be light and airy, suggestive of, and in harmony
with the sweet spring season.
No. IV — In fall, when dahlias and chrysanthemums are
plentiful, a very handsome centerpiece for the table can be
built up with a tall vase filled with flowers of gorgeous color-
ing, and pliable green stems or stripped branches to hold
small, gaily-colored Japanese lanterns. Between each plate
place a beautiful chrysanthemum on four pressed autumn
leaves of maple or oak, as suggested in the illustration.
Page 144
Presented as published in 1907. 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
It goes without saying that parents want to teach by example as well as precept, and though it may be some trouble and require much patience to teach children how to conduct themselves properly, it is something that ought to be done, and had much better be done sooner than later. It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks. There is no patent on refinement, and all who will may cultivate it, to their own satisfaction and to the delight of all with whom they may come in contact. The term "country boor" is a reproach which none should be willing to stand for in this age of progress for all.
Special Table Decorations
( SEE ILLUSTRATIONS )
No. I — A very simple and easily managed decoration for the Christmas supper table is shown in the illustration on another page. The cloth is white and the holly ribbons, green on a red back-ground, can be of silk ribbon or cotton, with the real leaves appliqued, or of crepe paper. Two long strips should be crossed at the center of the table, allowing the four ends to come to the edge of the tablecloth. In the center place a tiny Christmas tree decorated with small red candles and bright bits of tinsel, but do not hang anything heavy on the tree, nor dress it too elaborately. The tree should be firmly fixed in a wooden brace or stand, painted green, or concealed with green branches. Put red candles in the candlesticks and shade them with any appropriate shade you can buy or can make, but be sure they are placed on straight, over a wire frame, the upper edges protected with a strip of asbestos. The shades can very easily be made of crepe paper.
SPECIAL TABLE DECORATIONS 215^
No. II — For a Fourth of July luncheon or supper, the decoration suggested in the illustration would be most appropriate. The ribbon, as in the case of the Christmas table, can be of silk, cotton or crepe paper, and the centerpiece is simply composed of a tall vase placed in a fern dish, and both decorated with ferns and flags. The latter can be of silk, cotton or paper, and two of them should be crossed at the head of each plate. The napkins might also be of crepe paper, with flag designs.
No. Ill — For any special occasions, such as a birthday celebration or wedding anniversary, occurring during the season when blossoms are plentiful, the decoration suggested in the illustration would be most dainty. Use blossoms in profusion, let the ribbon streamers be pink, and the butterflies made of gaily colored crepe or tissue paper. The whole decorative scheme should be light and airy, suggestive of, and in harmony with the sweet spring season.
No. IV — In fall, when dahlias and chrysanthemums are plentiful, a very handsome centerpiece for the table can be built up with a tall vase filled with flowers of gorgeous coloring, and pliable green stems or stripped branches to hold small, gaily-colored Japanese lanterns. Between each plate place a beautiful chrysanthemum on four pressed autumn leaves of maple or oak, as suggested in the illustration.