were put to rest in heavy mahogany cradles, which had a sort of roof extending over the head to shield the child's eyes from the light.

" The parlors or drawing-rooms were laid with Turkey carpets, and round mirrors hung on the walls. They were topped with brass eagles, and fitted with branches for holding the wax candles used by the rich. Other mirrors were oblong, and divided by a gilt moulding about a foot and a half from the top. In some cases the upper division was of glass ; but more frequently it held a picture. I have one the upper compartment of which displays a group of military weapons, drums, etc., with a female figure mourning the death of Washington. Mantel glasses were separated into three divisions by strips of narrow gilt moulding. Small tables, with claw feet holding a ball, were used, and mahogany stands, with tops that turned ; these could be placed in the corners to occupy very little room.

" Tall eight-day clocks in mahogany or ebony and gilt frames were found in all households of the better class. One that was stolen from the Van Cortlandt manor-house during the Revolution was cased in gilded ebony, and above its face was a painting of the Queen of Sheba on her way to lay her gifts at the feet of King Solomon. If these big time-pieces were not decorated with a figure-painting, a marine view or a landscape, they bore the sun and moon between the dial and the top of the frame.