it is still in
vogue; and when a lady has had sufficient patience to successfully
accomplish the feat of covering every portion of the handkerchief with
thick filoselle work, there is no doubt that she has produced a piece of
embroidery not only handsome and durable, but that will justly hand her
name down to posterity as a real worker, and not one who takes up the
whim of the hour and throws it on one side as soon as it bores her. The
squares made of these embroidered handkerchiefs are shown more
effectually when they are lined with quilted silk and used as
banner-screens than when they are bordered with wide plush and used as
table-cloths. The pattern in the latter case is never seen as a whole,
and the beauty of the work is often marred by water from flower vases
spilt over it, or wet teacups and saucers put down on it. The small
screens now so fashionable make another admirable place for mounting
Breton work. These screens are made of two compartments only, in height
about 41/2 feet. To each panel, 21/2 feet from the ground, a ledge
that can be put up or down is fixed, and that is used for holding a book
or a teacup. The panel below this ledge is merely filled with a little
curtain made of coloured Oriental silk, and arranged in very full folds.
The panel above the ledge, that is fully displayed to every eye, is
filled with the embroidery stretched quite tightly across it and
displayed to its full advantage. The back of the embroidery is
concealed with a satin or silk matching the little curtain beneath. Two
Breton handkerchiefs are required, one for each division, but they
should not be selected both of the same design. The little screens are
made of oak, mahogany, and ebonised wood. They are a simple framework,
an inch and a half square, and any working carpenter would make them to
order.

Breton embroidery is too laborious for many people, and those whose time
is much occupied with household matters, and who cannot devote much of
it to the task of making their drawing-rooms pretty, we recommend to try
crazy patchwork in its place. We have lately seen this easy work carried
out most successfully, and used as mantel and table borders, covers for
footstools, and as the centres of small table-cloths. The work is one of
the least expensive that can be tried, and can be put down without
derangement of effect at any moment (a great point in its favour where
interruptions are frequent). Before commencing any piece of it,