Many of the old houses of George III.'s time still wear the silken hangings put up when the houses were built or modernised, in his time, such hangings relegating the old leather to perdition. Sky-blue silk or satin, or rose-pink, which has now faded to a beautiful silver grey, or pale green which goes admirably with old Sevres or old Dresden china, and a little gold and silver varied in colour, as was fashionable, by the gold leaf being laid on a light impression of green, vermilion, etc, an effect we see so much of in the Palace of Fontainebleau.

What paper would have lasted as long as that old wall-silk, looking well to the last worn thread? What modern silks, too, would last as that did on chairs and couches, and only fray a little at the edge?

Modern French connoisseurs line walls and ceiling alike with silk or satin, the doors protected by closing portihes of the same. Victor Hugo's charming rooms are thus covered, like a magnified bonbonnikre in which we are the bonbons. If materials are used for walls, they may be either hung flat or in folds; festooned, or even plaited like a vallance, and supported on nails or a rod and rings. If they are hung flat they usually require some kind of panel or framework to fix the edges, but they could never be too firmly fixed to admit of removal.

Figured poplin would look very rich, and would wear very well, if procured genuine from a respectable Irish firm.