bly cherished for its beauty.
Like other highly finished woods it takes on a bluish tint in damp
weather, and if not well protected, will demand attention more
frequently than other materials. But if its purchase can be afforded
the care given it will scarcely be begrudged. The eggshell (dull)
finish requires less attention than the higher polish.

Next in degree to mahogany, oak in the golden, weathered, or fumed
effect is handsome and durable, while it is somewhat less expensive.
The moment one drops below genuine mahogany, however, a wary eye must
be kept upon construction. There are shifts innumerable to make cheap
furniture that has an alluring appearance, and the variety of design in
the moderate-priced materials will lead to confusion for those who do
not exert a Spartan discrimination.

SUBSTANTIALITY

To insure satisfaction there must first of all be substantiality--a
quality which affects both comfort and appearance. A chair may be
beautiful, it may be comfortable, at the time of purchase, but if it be
not substantial its glories will soon depart. A superficial view
cannot be conclusive. The carefully made article built upon slender
lines is often quite as strong as a more rugged creation hastily put
together. The chair that is properly constructed may be almost as
solid as if it were of one piece, and still not require a block and
tackle to move it. The strongest article is made entirely of wood, and
we find some of the old models so sturdily built that no rounds were
required between the legs. In chiffoniers, dressers, or side-boards a
handsome exterior should not blind us to cheaply constructed drawers.
The latter should be of strong material, properly fitted, and well
sealed. There need be no sagging, jamming, or accumulation of dust in
drawers that are well constructed.

SUPERFLUITY

California, with its pretty little bungalows, not only has pointed out
to us the possibility of living satisfactorily in a small number of
rooms, but has shown us something in the way of simple furnishings.
Not until we see what may be "done without" do we realize how much that
is superfluous crowds our floors.

A pretty good rule is to test everything first by its usefulness; if it
is not useful, we may dispense with its purchase. Even at that, it may
be necessary to demand that the article shall be not only useful but
absolutely indispensable, for between the beguiling advertisement and
the crafty