e of the Pizarro paper and may have been the
work of the same designer." (The so-called "Pizarro in Peru" paper is
shown in plate 34 and 35 of the same book, and is in Duxbury, Mass.)
Pizarro's invasion of Peru was in 1531. The colouring of Mrs. Brown's
paper is white background with foliage in vivid greens, while figures
of Peruvians wear costumes of brilliant blues and vermillion reds, a
striking contrast to their soft, brown skins.

This paper is now in the market, but let us hope it may finally rest
in a museum.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE REVIVAL OF DIRECTOIRE AND EMPIRE FURNITURE

The revival of Directoire and Empire furniture within the past few
years, is attributed by some, to that highly artistic, and altogether
illuminating publication, the _Gazette do Bon Ton_--Arts, Modes and
Frivolities--published in Paris by the Librarie Centrale des Beaux
Arts, 13 rue Lafayette and contributed to by the leading artists of
Paris--the ultra moderns.

There was a time, fifteen or twenty years ago, when one could buy
Empire furniture at very low figures, for in those days there was many
a chance to pick up such pieces. To-day, a genuine antique or a
hand-made reproduction of an antique made sixty years ago, will
command a large price, and even in Paris one has difficulty in finding
them in the shops at any price.

Empire furniture ceased to be admired in America when the public got
"fed up" on this type by its indiscriminate use in hotels and other
public buildings.

The best designers of modern painted furniture are partly responsible
for the revived interest in both Empire and Directoire. From their
reproductions of the beautiful simple outlines, we, as a people, are
once more beginning to _feel_ line and to recognise it as an intrinsic
part of beauty.

PLATE XXI

A Victorian group in a small portion of a very large parlour, 70
x 40 feet, one of the few remaining, if not the last, of the old
Victorian mansions in New York City, very interesting as a
specimen of the most elegant style of furnishing in the first
half of the nineteenth century.

We would call attention to the heavy moulding of ceilings, the
walls painted in panels (painted panels or wall paper to
represent panels, is a Victorian hallmark), beautifully
hand-carved woodwork, elaboration of design and colon carpet,
woven in one piece for the room; in fact the characteristic
richness of elabor