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R us tic A dorn merits . 
effect should be aimed at, but with the softening aid of a certain happy ease 
and negligence. Let us again take up the story of the requirements. As we 
are to sit for some time at the table, and may frequently look at the decora¬ 
tions, perhaps even talk about them, the more choice and beautiful the flowers 
and fruits the better. A good effect in the whole grouping is undoubtedly 
the matter of highest importance. Weeds tastefully grouped are to be 
preferred to orchids clumsily heaped up, and as it were thrust upon us. But 
given a couple of vases equally tasteful as to arrangement, one filled with the 
commonest flowers of the field or garden, the other with rare and costly 
flowers, the last must have our preference certainly. We require in the first 
place a good general effect; for these decorations constitute a part of the 
visible welcome which a table spread for dinner should offer in every one of its 
several features. But when we have been seated long enough at table to 
take notice of the sorts of flowers and fruits that are there grouped, the 
more individual beauty and interest we find amongst them the better. As to 
suitable subjects, to enumerate them is impossible ; their name is Legion. 
But almost anything and everything that the garden or the field will furnish 
may be employed, provided the decorator has the taste and judgment requisite 
for the task. We have seen such things as hollyhocks and dahlias, which, in 
truth, are “ lumpy ” flowers for this sort of work, employed with the best 
effect ; and we have seen delicate grasses and fuchsias which are pre-eminently 
adapted to the purpose, so badly set up as to have no grace at all, but rather 
as if to hint to us that an angel when its wings are crumpled is but a chubby 
child after all—perhaps a clumsy one of his sort. We must, as a rule, be 
content with what the season and our resources place at our command; but 
in selecting from our stores, whether they be great or small, a few more of 
the requirements of the case must be kept in view. Let us once more return 
to first principles. 
In the majority of cases the table is arranged by daylight, but is to be 
seen by artificial light, whether of electric light, gas, or of candles, The par¬ 
ticular light under which they are to be displayed is a consideration of the 
first importance. Usually delicate shades of lilac, such as we have in the 
Chinese primula, have the appearance of dirty white by artificial light; some 
shades of blue, such as we have in Plumbago capensis, change to a washed-out 
slate; and all yellows, from deepest orange to the palest primrose, undergo 
considerable change, rarely for the better. White and most shades of red are 
least influenced by the quality of the light, and if duly proportioned with 
