Cupboards, Cabinets, Corner Closets for the Display of China 
cupboards with doors designed to keep out the dust. 
Indeed, the lower part of each buft'et was generally 
a closet, designed for storage of treasures, and there¬ 
fore dear to the children’s hearts. It has been 
truly said that the Salem cupboards are endless in 
number and variety, and that they possess, to this 
day, a charm which is peculiarly their own. Through 
the closed doors under the buffet, one can still 
smell a spicy fragrance that suggests a rich plum 
cake; and mingled with this appetizing odor, comes 
the unmistakable aroma of preserved ginger, brought 
home in the hold of some loreign-faring vessel, 
when commerce was at its height. 
The shelves above show the real, honest, blue 
TEAPOTS DISPLAYED ON OPEN SHELVES 
A square closet for china, the door of diamond panes of glass with 
wood muntins. Residence of Mrs. George Adams, Salem, Mass. 
Canton china, with its thin and delicate edge. 
There are squat pitchers, and great cups that are 
large enough to serve as bowls. Broken pieces of 
the best china were bestowed upon the children, 
who looked upon such a treasure as the greatest 
possible gift, and played house with it most enthu¬ 
siastically. 
There were cupboards with tiny diamond panes 
that glistened with frequent washing. Inside these 
could be caught tantalizing glimpses of great, round 
blue jars, protected by a network of bamboo, and 
containing the delectable and amber-hued ginger. 
Cheek by jowl with the ginger-jars, reposed flat 
boxes of guava jelly and miniature casks of tama¬ 
rinds, which, when properly diluted in water, made 
a very pretty drink in the old days, before there were 
soda-fountains to dispense all manner of tempting 
liquid allurements. In close juxtaposition, stood 
cut glass decanters, full of amher liquor, which, in 
those days was considered an appropriate refresh¬ 
ment to be offered to any guest, even to the minister 
upon his frequent calls. With it were served thin, 
crisp seed-cakes, cut in the shape of oak-leaves, and 
carefully kept in a plump jar beside the cut glass 
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