The first thing to strike the casual observer was the fact that 
in almost every case little consideration had been given to the 
stipulation that the tables were to seat four people. The regula- 
tion tables used are round, five feet in diameter, not too big for 
the number named, but in their midst were set towering center 
pieces too high to see over and too big to dodge around. Certainly 
the first essential for a pleasant and successful parti carre is 
ease of communication and an occasional view of fellow guests. 
With twelve or more at table general conversation is not easy 
so imposing floral decorations are permissible, but four people 
must be able to talk together, and this they cannot do with a bar- 
rier, however beautiful, set up in their midst. The dinner tables 
were the chief offenders in this though some of the luncheon 
tables demanded unusually long necks. As a general criticism it- 
might be said that the center pieces were in most cases good 
flower arrangements but unsuitable table decorations. 
Another fault was the noticeable effort toward unusual and 
frequently unhappy flower combinations. Lemon-yellow Sweet- 
peas or minglings of yellow and bronze or yellow and mauve are 
a fad just now with the New York florists but they do not grow 
that way any more than do green carnations, and are not nearly 
so pretty as the many other yellow and bronze flowers so plen- 
tiful in spring. A big green glass bowl filled with Calla Lilies, 
Acacia and sprays of yellow Orchids seemed to combine textures 
badly. The Callas and Acacias would have been well enough but 
the exotic Orchids were very much out of place in such company. 
Another table was set with Primroses, Hyacinths, Iris, Delphin- 
ium, Rose and Snapdragon. It was like a dress in which were 
combined velvet, satin, silk, tapestry, silver lace and turkey-red 
calico. An example of well combined flowers was the Philips - 
town lunch table which won first prize. In the center bowl were 
Iris with rather short stems, on each side a drooping cluster of 
yellow Freesia and tucked in to fill out the other two sides, stiff, 
irregular little bunches of bright blue Bachelor Buttons. It was 
just right as to flower texture and color, grouping and suitability. 
More noticeable than the flower combinations were some 
notable attempts at originality. One white porcelain basket of 
beautiful purple and white Grapes had Tulips and other flowers 
among the fruit, the impression was not altogether pleasing. 
On another table swam gold fish shadowed by sprays of flowers. 
Still another dinner table would have been more suitable for 
lunch, since its decorations were pewter, with mauve and flame 
color Sweet-peas. 
A charming dinner table that did not get a prize was set with 
bronze and ormolu candelabra and old cut-glass dishes with 
rather formally arranged mixed flowers. The cloth for this was 
old fashioned damask, dyed ecru. All Victorian writers 
insist upon damask of a dazzling whiteness and to my 
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