House and Garden 
A very beautiful old shell top buflet in the jobn Hancock l avern, 
Hamilton, Mass. 
decanters. The attractions ot the old-tinie buffet 
were sufficiently varied in their scope to appeal to 
almost everybody. There were closets with semi¬ 
circular shelves ot rich dark wood, against which 
were shown rows ot sparkling glass, gracetul pitch¬ 
ers, delicate wine glasses, and sandal-wood tans. It 
is hard to leave these artistic old collections, to con¬ 
sider their mode ot displav m our modern homes. 
The one idea, to-day, seems to be to intrude all 
sorts of odd niches into our rooms. It is really a 
very good idea, too; as it breaks the monotony ot 
the lines with that little artistic touch which adds 
so much to the beauty ot a room. The disposition 
of corners and cupboards is now studied as caretully 
by the architect as is the house itselt; and the 
results are mhnitely pleasing. 
Sometimes we see an alcove, where a marble 
statue or a bronze ornament mav stand, outlined 
against a tancitul window just behind it. 
Beside the fireplace, there is fine opportunity to 
introduce shelves for books; but these should never 
be too high or too deep. It too high, the hand 
cannot reach, without effort, tor the favorite author; 
if too deep, we waste room. Sometimes the same 
cupboard can extend into both rooms, on opposite 
sides ot the partition, which serves to cut the closet 
in two, thus allowing an opening, with its set of 
shelves, upon each side. 
Did you ever think how convenient it is to have 
the hollow in the partition made into a closet for 
kindling-wood, on one side of the fireplace, and 
closed with white wood doors ? This keeps the 
litter made by kindlings quite out of sight, and 
gives more room about the hearth. 
An imitation ot the old-time buffet is excellent. 
The original model can be so changed that, while 
the upper part is rounded, and furnished with 
shelves to show fine china, the lower part can be 
glassed in, to save the china from gathering dust. 
-f ■* ''. 
A very rare and beautiful china cabinet, with old Chinese and 
old English ware 
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