Of the purchase of silver there is little to say. Unless her friends
have been very generous in their gifts of solid ware, the mistress
usually acquires it a little at a time, contenting herself with the
plated for general use. Here the souvenir fork or spoon frequently
steps into the breach, but in default of any other, good shining plated
ware presents just as good an appearance as the solid and serves every
purpose until the plate begins to show wear, when it should be renewed
without delay. The plainer the pattern the better. Medium-sized
knives and forks of the best Rogers triple plate sell for $7 a dozen,
teas for 10 cents less, fruit knives for $3. Teaspoons in the dainty
Seville pattern, with only a beaded trimming around the handle, are $4
a dozen, dessert spoons $3.25 a half dozen, and tablespoons $3.75. A
gravy ladle costs $1.25. The infinite variety of odd forks and spoons
for various uses is best acquired with the other solid silver. Plated
ware ought never to serve acids nor top salt shakers, since both acid,
and salt when damp, corrode the plating. Solid salt and pepper shakers
can be had as low as $1 a pair, cut glass with solid tops for $1 and
$1.50. If individual salt dishes are used, they must be accompanied by
tiny solid salt spoons at 35 cents apiece and up. Very nice though not
altogether necessary accompaniments of the bread-and-butter plates are
the individual butter knives at $10 a dozen.

If steel-bladed knives are preferred to silver, the medium size, with
composition handles of celluloid and rubber, are $4.50 a dozen, with
accompanying forks with silver-plated tines at $7.50. The carving
knife, broad, long, and strong, with its fork, good steel both, can be
had for $2.75, with a game knife, its blade short and pointed and its
handle long, with its fork, $2.50.