THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET, 
199 
rushes, coiled around in the shape of a wooden-bowl, 
are given a puffed lining of crimson satin, and a little 
shirred pocket and a needle-case of the satin are tacked 
inside, A band of satin-ribbon fastened across the top 
of the basket and tied in a flat bow is to be used for a 
handle. Although these baskets have a heavy look, 
they are very light, and when fitted up in this way are 
ornamental. 
Spanish lace embroidery, though not new, is very 
pretty. A pale blue scarf for a stand has a strip of am¬ 
ber-plush across the ends, on which was placed black 
Spanish lace, five inches wide, of a pattern in which Roses 
and leaves formed the border. The entire lace was then 
worked with colored embroidery silks indifferent stitches. 
A standing card-receiver shown at Bentley’s had its 
frame made from three reeds bent so as to spread out 
at the bottom for feet, and at the top to hold the re¬ 
ceiver, but joined in the middle and tied with a satin 
bow. Three triangular pieces of card-board, covered 
on the outside with cardinal plush, and inside with 
amber satine, were joined together by two edges of each 
making a three-sided case; on each corner plush tassels 
were fastened, and on the point, at the bottom of the 
case, three tassels in half-moon shape. c. 
CHILDREN’S FASHIONS, PARASOLS, ETC. 
Dresses for small children are generally made with 
deep square yokes. A pretty little nansook to be worn 
over a blue or pink silk underdress which serves as a 
lining, has a scant flounce of very deep embroidery 
for the skirt, and the long waist to which it is attached 
is formed of two medium-width strips of embroidery 
extending from the flounce in front over the shoulder 
to the flounce in the back, with the embroidered edges 
placed so as to turn towards each other, and where they 
naturally spread apart to go over the shoulder-tip, a 
finely-tucked yoke underneath filled in the space. Little 
embroidered close-fitting caps with full, wide ruffle 
about the face, are worn again this season, as they seem 
the most appropriate covering for the heads of wee 
girls. Little boys wear rather broad-brimmed white 
straw hats caught up to the crown in front, and held with 
silk pompons, or small ostrich tips ; a ruche of lace is 
placed around the under side of the brim, where it will 
border the face, and the hat worn far back on the head. 
Hosiery is plain and in dark colors; black silk stockings 
and black kid shoes are often worn with white dresses. 
A simple little dress suitable for either boy or girl is 
made in loose sacque shape with front and back box- 
plaited the entire length, the bottom finished with a 
hem two and one-lialf inches deep, above which are four 
one-half inch tucks, and is adapted for thin wools as 
well as Chamberys and lawns. 
For girls from six to eight years, dresses made in 
English blouse style are popular. They have deep 
square yokes to which the skirt of the dress is gathered, 
the fullness is then confined below the waist with shir¬ 
ring and a broad sash tied at the back. Three gathered 
ruffles trim the bottom of the skirt. 
Boys from four to eight years wear kilt skirts with 
deep jackets showing but five or six inches of the kilts, 
or else sailor blouses. Colored flannels and fine ging¬ 
hams are used for every day; ribbed pique and white 
linen for dressy occasions. White flannel suits made 
with sailor blouses and kilted skirt are also very 
pretty. 
For older boys suits made of dark brown or gray 
plain cloths are most appropriate. Straw hats can be 
obtained in colors to correspond with the suits, and 
come in sailor shapes. 
New parasols are nearly flat, resembling the Japanese 
in shape and are of medium size, with rough knotty 
sticks, the most rustic in appearance that can be procured, 
some even retaining the natural bark. The most desir¬ 
able ones are covered with satin woven in two colors, 
for instance, black on the outside, and crimson on the 
inner. Changeable silk is also used, but as almost all 
silk will cut very soon, satin is the best economy as a 
good quality will stand wear and look well a long time. 
Seamless parasols are meeting with considerable favor. 
Parasols for elderly ladies are of black satin edged with 
escurial or Spanish guipure lace, and have ebony or 
carved wood handles. 
Lace scarfs are little used for street wear, as the style 
at present is to dress the neck very plain; straight 
linen collars with embroidered turn over corners being 
the choice. Other straight collars are fastened in front 
with a narrow ribbon passing through a button hole in 
each end, and tied in a cravat bow. For those to whom 
a straight collar is not becoming there are jetted net 
scarfs to take the place of those of Spanish lace form¬ 
erly used. 
HOUSEKEEPING. 
Methods of Cake-Making for the Inexperienced. 
Having secured the best materials, it only remains to 
exercise care in measuring them and in baking, to in¬ 
sure perfect success. Cream-tartar and soda should 
always be purchased at a drug-store, and not in very 
large quantities. They should be kept in tin boxes 
tightly closed. We remember the mortification of a 
young friend whose reputation for delicious soda biscuit 
had proceeded' her visit at a friend’s house, and who 
was asked as a great favor, to make a tin of biscuits in 
one of those emergencies which will occur in the best 
regulated households, when the “help” leaves without 
warning and company comes without invitation. The 
soda was faultless, but the cream-tartar had been pur- 
