(in private life it did duty as a mop-handle), wound with pale-green and white ribbons. At its base, it was fitted into a block of wood, concealed by the flowers. At the apex were two white pennon-shaped flags, and a foot below was a wreath of white flowers. The invisible support for the wreath was an embroidery hoop (a foot in diameter) attached to the pole by stout gilt wires, like the spokes of a wheel to its hub. From each of the spokes hung a rope of flowers-stock-gillies and deutzia, wound by short lengths of florists' wire about cotton ropes. These, with the wreath, were kept in water until within an hour of serving the luncheon.

The name-cards were tied to twigs of paper cherry, peach and plum blossoms-blooming most naturallyevidence of deft Japanese fingers. On the reverse side of the cards were quotations in praise of spring-among them Browning's dramatic couplet:

"Such a starved bank of moss, till that May mornBlue ran the flash across, violets were born! "The apple trees in May, whose green leaves make a little tender night, with flowers for stars." The favours were bunches of violets, and the ices were served in "May-baskets."

JUNE

The young girl who had the good fortune to have the "June luncheon" made a veritable "feast of roses."

The centrepiece was a leghorn garden-hat, filled with pink roses, suspended from the drop-light of the chandelier by its ribbons of pink satin, and the drop-light wreathed with pink paper roses. Candle-shades and name-cards were of rose petals, and candied ones filled two small dishes.

The ices also were roses with natural stems and foliage.

JULY

The event of July being, of course, the "Glorious Fourth," the young hostess taxed her wits to suggest it at her table, which glowed with the tricolour. The candle-shades were of small paper flags, pleated fanwise. A nougat cannon was at one end of the table, a plate of round chocolate bonbons piled pyramidally, to represent cannon-balls, conveniently near. Other chocolate sticks were wrapped in red paper to resemble fire-crackers. The centrepiece was of white carnations in a low, flat basket, and among the flowers tiny electric lights-red, white, and blue-were placed as nearly as possible to represent a wheel of fireworks. The white iced cakes were in the form of Liberty Bells, and the icecream in that of a statue of the Goddess of Liberty, with a spread eagle at the base-a favourite design with caterers.

AUGUST

August-"ripe summer's queen"-was prettily suggested by soft, maize-coloured table furnishings. A large sheaf of wheat holding a bunch of pale-yellow roses formed the centrepiece, a tiny sickle at its base. Candle-light, filtered through shades of yellow tissue paper, gave an effect of sunshine appropriate to thoughts of August, as were the favours.

At each place was a round fan of gilded straw, to the long handle of which was tied a bunch of yellow rosebuds by a corn-coloured ribbon, upon which, in gilt letters, each guest read her name. The ices in the form of fruit and flowers were held in a horn of plenty, made of the straw-coloured candy that looks like spun glass.

It was decided that the season should conclude with a merry little subscription dance, to which each hostess should invite half a dozen guests. As costume balls

were greatly in favour, their girl friends were requested to come "in character," but they held the men excused, since they presumably would object to the trouble.

The twelve young hostesses appeared as the months of the year, recalling in their costumes what they had tried to do at their tables.

June, rose-crowned; August, in corn colour and wheat; July, in white with field flowers-poppies, bluets and daisies; January, in glistening white tissue; December, in scarlet; May, in pale-green-as they say in France, "Each was prettier than the other!"

ANNOUNCEMENT DINNERS AND LUNCHEONS

The customary way of announcing an engagement in our own day is for the betrothed pair to write personal letters to their intimate friends, asking their sympathy and congratulation in their newly found happiness.

Many, however, feel that this prosaic manner of acquainting their friends with a fact of such transcendent importance and thrilling interest is all too tame and fails to satisfy. Some want to make the announcement with a little éclat; others think that it would be a pleasure to see with their own eyes the effect of the news upon those who hear it. Others again fancy it an occasion to call in their friends and neighbours to rejoice with them.

A favourite form of entertainment is a luncheon, given by the engaged girl to a coterie of her intimates.

The flowers, decorations, candle-shades, etc., should all be of blushing pink-the couleur de rose-typical of the atmosphere that surrounds the bride-elect and tints her outlook upon life. A tall, slender vase holding a few pink rosebuds makes a centrepiece that for daintiness and elegance is not easily surpassed. Only their own leaves in abundance, or mignonette, should accompany

the roses, unless it be desired to introduce the note of white, when Roman hyacinths may lend their grace and supplement any lack of prodigality-being less costly than the roses. Close under the chandelier may be fastened a white dove with spread wings, and gathered about its feet the ends of narrow, pink-satin ribbons, strands of which are carried over the edge of the table near each cover. The dove may be hired of any florist.

Decorative dainties, such as heart-shaped pink peppermints, little cakes of the same form iced in pink, and the small meringues known as "kisses," should alone be upon the table. The name-cards, cut out of pink cardboard, should also be in the form of the traditional seat of the affections.

At each cover may be a tiny heart-shaped bonbonnière filled with rice, with the interlaced initials of the betrothed in gilt on its cover. The boxes may be of pink satin or only of cardboard. The shops are full of such things and home talent may easily achieve the initials. For this lettering, a little outfit, with full explanations, may be bought for a trifle at the art shops.

These initial boxes will naturally give rise to comment and speculation among the guests, and when curiosity has reached its height-and its conclusions-the blushing bride-elect may "admit the soft impeachn.ent."

Instead of the bonbon boxes and place-cards, the visiting-cards of "the happy man" may be used, blank side uppermost. Some one in the secret may turn her card over, or perhaps the unusual size and shape may lead any one of the guests to look on both sides. What may then appear at first entirely as an inadvertence and furnish subject for a bit of teasing will shortly be understood, and the secret will be out!

A very simple little luncheon may be the means of

conveying pleasantly the information that two mortals have found the clew to happiness. A few red carnations for a centrepiece, place-cards of red cardboard with tongues of gilt flames issuing from between the lobes, the names written in gilt, crimson paper candle-shades, like glowing rubies-all together will make a pretty effect on a winter's day; and, red being the colour of the heart's blood, its choice adheres strictly to the traditions of the day.

A ring at the door, and a telegram may be brought to one of the guests, who smilingly imparts to all at the table: "A bit of news that will interest you all. So-andso is engaged to Mr. -!"

A dinner is sometimes given by the parents of the girl to the near relatives and dear friends.

The presence of the young man among them, seated by the daughter of the house, prepares the guests for the announcement, which is made by the father at the close of the meal-saying that he has the pleasure of acquainting them with the news of his daughter's engagement to Mr. —, with the full approval of her parents. He may then propose the health of the young couple, and all offer congratulations and good wishes.

A relative is more often the one who gives a complimentary dinner to the lovers, asking their favourite friends to meet them-which invitation is in itself an announcement. Or the secret may be kept until all are met at table. For this, St. Valentine's Day would be an appropriate choice of date. The decorations, being natural to the season, would not precipitate the news prematurely. The centrepiece may outline a heart in flowers or foliage, or be formed of a heart-shaped mound, transfixed with a small gilt arrow. If any bits of bric-àbrac of which Cupid forms the decoration can be "begged,