214 
A DISH OF NUTS. 
[Nature and Art, December 1, 1866. 
a pretty large size, they present a greater oppor- 
tunity for the display of tasteful enrichment and 
complicated ornament than the ordinary shields 
possibly can. 
Having briefly touched upon the most important 
points of our subject, we shall now conclude by 
giving a few directions as to the construction of the 
decorations we have recommended. We shall do 
so in distinct paragraphs, alphabetically arranged, 
for the sake of reference. 
Arcades. — The ground-work for arcades may 
either be constructed of light timber or wire, to 
which the evergreens may be attached by tacks, 
string, or tying- wire. When the arcades consist of 
interlaced semicircular arches two kinds of ever- 
greens may be used, one on each set of arches. 
Rosettes of holly-berries or everlasting flowers 
should be placed at the points where the arches 
cross each other, and rich bunches of leaves, flowers, 
&c., should be fastened where the arches spring 
from the uprights. These bunches are intended to 
take the place in the decoration that the capitals of 
the columns do in true arcades. Arcades com- 
posed of pointed arches may also be wrought in two 
kinds of evergreens, the standards being in one 
sort and the arches over in another, the points of 
junction being treated as above described, to con- 
vey the idea of capitals. Where very rich arcades 
are required, their standards, beside being covered 
with evergreens, may be further enriched by spiral 
wreaths of flowers attached to tapes, and their 
arches may be studded at intervals with rosettes or 
bunches of holly berries. 
Bands. — The open bands which we have recom- 
mended for wall and column decoration should be 
composed, when for the latter purpose, of wire or 
narrow bands of perforated zinc soldered into the 
form required. When for walls, they should be 
composed of timber or perforated zinc strips as 
before. These are to be covered with leaves in the 
usual way, and may be ornamented, as shown in 
Plate II., with rosettes, <fec. 
Banners.— The most suitable material for ban- 
ners, and at the same time the most inexpensive, is 
thin white calico, and their fringe, cords, and tassels 
may be either of silk or wool. The symbols or 
monograms may be of applique work, or painted on 
the calico in distemper colours. The borders may 
be of ribbon or paint. The design in the centre of 
Plate II. shows the best shape for banners and the 
manner in which they should be suspended. 
Crosses. — There are three kinds of crosses suit- 
able for Christmas decoration, namely, those com- 
posed entirely of foliage and flowers, those of 
coloured grounds surrounded with evergreens, and 
those which are in colours without any evergreens. 
The last-named should never be of a large size. 
Floral crosses may be formed on wood, wire, or 
perforated zinc foundations. The crosses which 
have coloured grounds should be made of dressed 
timber painted in oil, or of card-board painted with 
distemper colour and secured to wooden stretchers. 
The evergreens may be attached to the wood-work 
or to independent frames of wood or wire, made to 
fit the outline of the crosses. The small crosses 
may be made of card-board or wood. These and 
the card-board ground are to be had, printed in 
gold and colours, from the publishers of this 
journal. 
Diapers. — The diapei’s shown on Plate I. should 
be wrought on wire frames, the evergreens and 
rosettes being attached to them by thin string or 
fine tying- wire. The smaller drops in Fig. 10 are 
composed of holly-berries, threaded. 
Medallions. — The outlines of all the medallions 
shown in our plates, and altogether of a similar 
nature, should be constructed of light timber, to 
which the holly or other leaves can be readily 
secured. The inner portions of the medallions may 
be constructed of timber, cardboard, or wire, as 
experience may direct. 
Monograms. — The monograms shown in Figs. G 
and 7, Plate I., are best constructed on wooden 
foundations, with the evergreens attached in the 
usual way. 
Scrolls and Texts. — The inscribed bands and 
scrolls which we have recommended to be used, may 
be made of a white calico stretched on light frames 
of wood, or of thin wood merely painted or covered 
with paper. The letters, cut from thin cardboard 
or paper, should be fastened to the bands or scrolls 
with glue. In preparing the letters for this purpose 
great distinctness and effect should be aimed at. 
Shields. — Shields may either be of wood or 
stout cardboard, painted in oil or water colour. The 
gilded portions may be done in the proper way 
Avith gold leaf, or Avith bronze dusted on moist gold 
size ; but gold paper may be used for the cardboard 
shields, if neatly cut out and smoothly pasted on. 
Stars. — Stars may be formed of wood or card- 
board in the same manner as the shields above 
described. 
A DISH OF NIJTS. 
By W. B. Lord, 
A N autumn offering within the reach of rich and 
poor, and Avith Avliich Ave shall find bound up 
whole hosts of home thoughts and pleasant memo- 
ries, not the less dear from hanging garland-like 
round the Christmas-hearth of both the peasant 
and the prince. 
Royal Artillery. 
The contents of our dish are known to all, being, 
in fact, every-day acquaintances, needing no formal 
introduction ; but yet, like many good and stanch 
old families, having scraps and jottings of historical 
lore, old verses, songs, superstitions, and quaint 
sayings, associated with them. Hazel-nuts, chest- 
