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recommended by a father to his son, as a means of success in life, tohave his table covered with a clean cloth. A large prayer-book, one ortwo of the chronicles, a “ sholven borde,”* a “ payr of tables,”f and ahawk’s perch, with, occasionally, pieces of armour, will complete the listof furniture usually found in halls.

<©f tbe ©frambu*.

This apartment being devoted more immediately to “ the lord and hispeers,” the furniture was of a higher order than that of the hall. The tablesand cupboards were sometimes on trestles and folding, at others framedon massy turned legs, and always spread with carpets, or embroideredcloths,^; on which, as well as on the “ cloth of estate,”—anotherappendage to this chamber in the royal mansions, and those of greatofficers—the family arms were displayed. Curtains were hung bothat the doors and windows; and the window-seats covered with carpets,cushions, or pillows. The movable seats consisted of a few high-backed chairs—frequently not more than two—long forms, and joinedstools,"with cushions of gorgeous materials and workmanship; to thesemay be added footstools. The manner of lighting was similar to that ofthe hall; and the fire-dogs or “ andyrons,” of silver, brass, copper, orsteel, which, with a fire-fork, shovel, and tongs, and folding screenshaving tapestry cloths thrown over them, form a tolerably correct list of

* Or shuffle-board—a table for playing “ shovel-board, or shove-groat”—a senseless,vulgar game, played in those times, and not yet entirely out of practice 'in pot-houses,although it was prohibited by statute as early as the 33d of Henry VIII .

f For playing games of trick-trac, cribbage, dice, &c.— Hist. Hengrave.

I The cloths to cast over the tables at Hardwick, were embroidered and embossed withgold, on velvets and damasks.— Walpole.