EVEN at the best, securing a provision of table linen is bound to be a heavy expense. Whatever economies the housekeeper may practise by purchasing Japanese or stout English porcelain, and pressed glass, she will never find that it pays to buy cheap damask. It does not look well even at the first, and it is worse after each washing. No matter how handsome may be the china, silver, and glass put upon it, a sleazy damask will give a cheap appearance to the whole table.

On the other hand, really good linen pays by its wearing qualities for the original outlay. If it is not allowed to become so dirty before it is washed that hard rubbing is required to make it clean, it will last for years. The first tiny breaks must be carefully watched for and repaired at once. By such precautions even a cloth which is in daily service may be made to last several years. Above all, no washing-soda, no bleaching preparation of any kind, must ever be used upon it. It may whiten the linen at first, but the small holes with which the damask will soon be riddled will tell more plainly than words the harm the fabric has sustained from the alkali. Should the linen become yellow, it may be whitened by being laid on the grass in the dew or rain first, and afterwards in the sunshine.

Linen should never be put away damp, as it is almost certain to mildew. These spots may sometimes be removed or lessened by boiling the stained linen in buttermilk, or by the use of Javelle water, but it is a difficult and doubtful task.

A young housekeeper does not need a large supply of table linen at the beginning of her career. Of course it is very delightful to her to feel that her sideboard drawers are so thoroughly stocked that they will not need to be replenished for years to come; and if she has had a long engagement in which to make her preparations, or if she has followed the wise old-fashioned custom of beginning a linen chest while yet a young girl, she may be able to rejoice in a generous assortment of table-cloths, napkins, and doilies. Or possibly some kindly relative or friend has given her a check to be expended in this fashion; or she may have a wealthy father whose liberality relieves her from the necessity of economizing in this direction.

Taking it for granted, however, that every dollar counts, the young wife must consider seriously just what she will need. If she expects to entertain a good deal of company, she will have to lay in a large supply of linen. But if she intends to live in comparative quiet, not giving many luncheons or dinner parties, even although always ready to receive her own or her husband's friends, she will find that she can manage comfortably without a large quantity of napery. In a family where there are few children, and where ordinary care is observed, it is quite practicable, barring accidents, to get along easily with but one white table-cloth a week. In this case, of course, a colored cloth must be used for breakfast and lunch or for breakfast and tea. If the bare table is used at lunch, the housekeeper may manage to make shift with one breakfast cloth, with the accompanying dozen napkins. If she can possibly afford it, however, she should buy two colored cloths and two dozen colored napkins. For dinner use she must provide two white cloths with the napkins to match. These cloths may be about two and a quarter or two and a half yards long. Besides these, she should have one handsomer white cloth a little longer, to use when she wishes to entertain several guests. There is no reason in her purchasing the long table-cloths that range from twelve to sixteen feet in length, unless she has a very large dining-room and anticipates an occasional family party, which will oblige her to use the table in its most extended form.

To buy table-cloth damask by the yard is cheaper than to purchase the cloth in one piece. The designs are often very pretty, but the separate cloth is usually more satisfactory. Large flaring patterns are out of place on a small table. Such designs as the old and always pleasing snow-drop pattern, or a little block or diamond, or ivy or fern leaves, or small stars or shells, one does not weary of so soon as of something more showy. It is not worth while to purchase a cloth chiefly on account of its attractive border, for this is seldom seen. The centre figures are those which receive the most attention.

In doing up table-cloths there should always be a suspicion of starch used, but there should be none in the napkins.

With the provision of table-linen described above and a set of fruit napkins, the housekeeper will be able to manage very easily. Of course she will desire tray cloths, sideboard covers, centre-pieces, doilies, and the like, but these may be made by her own fingers. The costliness of these consists in the work bestowed upon them, and they can be made at home for half or less than half the price asked for them in the shops. By working them herself play is given to the ingenuity of her fancy, and she may have the pleasure of knowing that she has something different from what every one else can buy.

The housewife can hardly have too many doilies. Not only are they useful to put under finger-bowls, and to lay on cake and bread plates, but they are admirable to place under hot dishes, to lay between a scallop-shell and the plate, under pÂtÉs, etc. And when the home mistress has enough of these, she may set to work to provide herself with carving-cloths, corn and biscuit napkins, and the many other pretty pieces of table linen that are always in demand.

There is very seldom a bride who does not receive enough small silver, such as forks and spoons, to supply her own table. If she is not so fortunate, however, she should, if possible, try to buy solid silver, even if she can afford to get but half a dozen pieces of each kind. Should this be beyond her means, she will find plated silver in neat designs, although it will in time wear out, while the solid silver will last a lifetime or longer. It never pays to buy thin silver, for this bends and dents easily.

Some people who own solid small silver lock it up except upon rare occasions, and use only plated ware when en famille, affirming that the peace of mind thus gained is worth more than the luxury of using real silver. In this matter every one must judge for herself; but if a vote were taken the chances are that those who use the solid silver would testify that its care costs them very little time or thought. The simple expedient of counting it two or three times a week is generally sufficient to insure its safety, and the duty of carrying it up-stairs at night is too trifling to deserve mention.

Those who have ever been so fortunate as to possess plated silver vegetable dishes or a soup tureen would never willingly use those of china. Not only do the silver vessels keep their contents hot, but they are not breakable, and a dent may be remedied at a small cost. They are not hard to keep clean. A plunge into clean scalding water, and a quick wiping afterwards, whenever they have been used, with an occasional rubbing with a piece of flannel or chamois-skin, will generally keep them bright.

Whenever silver, solid or plated, needs a thorough cleaning, electro-silicon may be used; and after the scouring has been done with a brush dipped in the powder, the pieces should be rinsed off in scalding water containing a little ammonia, and well rubbed with flannel. Even the most tarnished silver may be brightened by this means.