quality which is not always reliable, rather than a poor
quality, which never is.

The good old lace curtains that were the pride of the housekeeper's
heart and the jest of the masculine members of the household seem to
have had their day. It has been a long one, and any article that holds
sway for so lengthy a period must have had some merit. But the soft
chintz, linen, madras, or muslin is now the vogue, and there is much
good sense in the innovation. No lace curtain ever made could be both
artistic and serviceable; some persons go so far as to say that they
never were either, but we have too much reverence for tradition to be
so iconoclastic. However, they certainly were expensive if they were
good enough to have, were difficult to wash, and usually caused a dead
line to be drawn about the very choicest part of the room. Linen
curtains, costing from 50 cents to $1.25 a yard, may be had in a set or
conventional design or plain applique. Chintz and muslin cost less,
and some remarkably pretty effects in madras are obtainable. Curtains
now sensibly stop at the bottom of the window instead of dragging upon
the floor.

Besides shades and curtains the window question involves not only
light, ventilation, and artistic relations, but such details as screens
and storm windows. These latter matters come under the jurisdiction of
the architect and should not be carelessly settled upon. Each room has
its uses, to which the window must conform as nearly as may be, and
then the outward appearance of the house must not be forgotten. It is
often made or marred by the character and placing of the windows.

LEADED PANES AND CASEMENTS

Leaded or art glass is attractive if not overdone. Small panes are
difficult to keep clean, of course; but we can probably endure that if
all else be equal. In living rooms the upper sash should be made
smaller than the lower, so as to get the median rail above the level of
the eye. In some parts of the house a horizontal window gives a fine
effect, besides affording light and air without affecting privacy.
Casement windows have their points of excellence, and are additionally
expensive chiefly in hardware. The frames are really cheaper, but they
must be very accurately fitted to avoid leaks.

Casement windows seriously complicate the screen and storm-window
problem, and expert planning is necessary. The durability of screens
depends mostly upon their care or abuse, but if it can