TABLE DECORATIONS 13 



be in all cases put on the table first ; these are 

 necessary, and if the table looks sufficiently fur- 

 nished when they are on, no fruit or silver should ( 



be added. Nothing looks so vulgar as a table 

 overloaded with fruit and flowers and the family 

 plate. The sideboard is the proper place for silver 

 and fruit too, unless it is felt that the table is a little 

 thin. 



No florist can possibly accommodate his work to a 

 display of silver and other ornaments already placed 

 upon the table with conventional regularity. 



It is not necessary when contemplating the 

 colour-scheme for a dinner-table to pay too 

 much attention to the mural decoration, as the 

 light should always be concentrated on the table, 

 when the outside decorations of the room will 

 not count for much ; but it is a duty all hostesses ; 

 owe to their guests to avoid using glaring and 

 aggressive colours on the table, as, in the first place, 

 there is a possibility of their really annoying people 

 who are highly sensitive in matters of colour ; 

 and, secondly, they may utterly ruin the gowns 

 worn by some of the ladies. The importance 

 of this latter suggestion is very evident when it 

 is understood that florists frequently have patterns 

 of hostesses' gowns sent to them to ensure the Floral 



