THE FANTASIES OF WEALTH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 21

THE FANTASIES OF WEALTH.

UNIFORMITY VOTED TIRESOME IN DINNER SERVICES. PRODIGAL EXPENDITURE. Speci:lto the New Zealand Mail. New York, Maich 22. The custom of using "place plates" in which to set the oyster and soup plates, or of bringing them on the table m the interval of certain courses, provides welcome entertainment for the guests, many of these "picture plates" being works of art, exquisitely painted, representing scenes from well-known operas and classics, so graphically depicted as to beat once recognised. indicate blue-green, pale ivory or shaded gold foim the groundwork, and. while the ' colouring is rich, it dotiacts not one whit from anything with which it is associated. Since there is an unlimited variety of these distinctive plates to choose from and no established rules to guide the novice in selection, grotesque combinations frequently result. II: often falls out that given soup is served up in a plate of Flaring carmine hue and roast beef in colours calculated to grate aggressively on the {esthetic soul of the partaker. It is here in America that these individual plates are most popular. In England complete sets of china are used almost exclusively, the main dishes being of silver and the plates and accessories for each course being the same pattern throughout. While acknowloding tho beauty of the entire uniform service, the fashionable dinner giver on this side of tho Atlantic turns disdainfully from the rare old of Spode, Colport and Minton, with their Venus pink garlands, gold sprays on a white ground and delicate borders of green, find chooses an assortment or individual plates for everyone of her carefully I planned courses, electing to use silver for the more substantial appointments of the table. TIRESOME UNIFORMITY. "1 have used a white and gold dinner sot until 1 am tired of seeing it," she observes as the salesman brings out a variety of " place plates" for her examination. '" I intend to get something different for every course, though evidently they must harmonise in a measure. 1 shall get my oyster and soup plates comparatively of simple design, and increase the elegance j and beauty of tho service as the dinner j develops. 1 think something leally artistic i in evolution can be achieved, if one tales. I pains. If elaborate china is used at fust, j and the display kept up all during the j dinner, (he eye becomes satiated and unap- | preciative. "No, I don't want anything in terra I cofla; if never accords with anything. j absorbs all (he light and is a perfect 1 weight on the spirits of a hostess. I have ) a friend who owns an expensive set of il j (think of it-a whole set,!), and it give; 1 her the horrors every time she has to use j i(. Hers i-. one of t hose dumpy, inartistic } looking sets, with the handles like humps of crude gold, :> ftcr the Chinese patterns,

but even in pretty designs this brick dust shade is never a success. "That is very pretty," she declared, relative to an oyster plate submitted for her approval, "but oysters to appear to perfection must look cool; almost any colour will suggest a certain degree of heat, so 1 will get my oyster plates as unobtrusive and colourless as possible—something in white, slightly gilded." " How about soup r" she was asked, as n variety of deep-bowled, wide-rimmed plates was gotten out. soil' AND l-'isu. "Olil not that indigo and gold, though it's a beauty. No, nor that green, and take the amber one away. IT! have ivory, a deep toned ivory and g'.ld, for my soup plates, and something blue green in tint for ti ih. That plain centred ph.le, with the li-h pictures scattered on t lie rim - 17.'. dol. for the do:: :i 'r Well, never mind, the.painting is admirable and worth it." For her game plates this customer giviv: fit)'.idol, but the raised rims in clear ivory and brown, lustreless, with unique carved pattern, makes a matchless setting- for the soft-tinted pictures of duck-, cools-', woodcock and grouse, painted in the centre, The breasts of the woo 1 pigeons have the iris-tinted bloom of life itself, the tawny brown of the partridge plumage is imitated exactly. Fach of the 12 plate:, is a w.ek of art. "Something dignified for the roast.." stipulated the shopper. "Tie- roast is substantially the main part of I lie meal. I think that rich, dark blue will do-the one with the heavy gilding in large scroll woi k Oil the edge." Then' we.s deliberation bet we ei a leak aad an ambei outre > pl.t! -. •■it ie-r ;■.;•;, ..r----big to advantage in the mid ! of its piede-ccs.-urs. Then she allowed her ta:;<-y to run riot amid I'm! wealth < f <l--'< r! plate-:, liisl selecting a sal id s -\, the i.iwailing note., f colour of which was exactly the same shade of rich mayonnaise dressing, the dainty gilding showing in relief on the fluted border. PINK AND 001.i.i l-'OII PASTRY.

For pastry, pink and gold plates were selected, the entire rim of each plate consisting of a wide band of pink. Turquoise plates, plates that look almost as if jewelled, and as though veritable opals glinted from the soft ivory groundwork of the border, are chosen to hold the crystal-clear, prism-like saucers of cut glass containing ices, and then a variety of royal Worcester fruit plates are added, and some extra beauties for holding crackers and cheese on occasion.

" I don't have as much wine on the table as I used to," says the fashionable dame, as she glances over the variety of rcekcrystal glasses brought out for inspection, "and not so many lands. I find it best and everybody enjoys the change. To drink all those different things, from sherry clear through to tho cordials, was really an ordeal for even the stoutest nerves."