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Dinner- Table Decorations . 
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be constantly varied with the season), took the place of these tall glass vases, 
filled with many colours. 
At the present time, table decoration has assumed the dignity of a fine art; 
and it is difficult to conceive anything more beautiful than the appearance of 
a really well-decorated dinner-table. China, glass, drapery, vases, and flowers 
are all made to contribute their share to a thoroughly harmonious whole; 
with rich yet subdued colouring, sweet (but not oppressively luscious) scents, 
with plenty of the soft lace-like greenery of maiden-hair fern, Asparagus 
A MODIFICATION OF THE INDIA TABLE DECORATION. 
plumosus, selaginella, and flowering grasses to set off and harmonise the 
rich tints employed. 
Four distinct styles of decorating a dinner-table may here be mentioned, 
i.e., the plan of draping the centre of the table with soft silk, of a suitable 
colour to harmonise with the china and glass, flowers being added to complete 
the harmony ; secondly, the use of the new art tablecloths, in delicate tints of 
old gold, crushed strawberry, olive green, and heliotrope, which are super¬ 
seding the drapery, and when used with suitable flowers, have a charming 
effect. The third system is that which is so well carried out by the native 
servants in India, either on white or coloured tablecloths ; which does away 
with the necessity of glasses for the flowers • wreaths of exquisite beauty being 
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