In the process of elimination the bachelor with his own menage may be " cut out." He knows what he wants — and if he doesn't, then his butler does. For the others, and the impecunious bachelor mentioned in another chapter, a little gratuitous advice may not be amiss, particularly since it is contributed by scores of bachelors who are guilty of various degrees of house- keeping and by some artists who have the science of hiding a complete housekeeping outfit behind a Japanese screen dow^n pat. " Blessed be nothing " so far as possessions are con- cerned; for there is nothing like starting on a "clean slate," as it were. The bachelors who live in a flat are hard people to deal with when it comes to furnishing the kitchen, for each one has his own pet ideas, culled from nothing In particular, as to what the furnishings of kitchen, dining- room and pantry should include. My sympathies are with the " ballroom boy " who has limited space, limited means, limited acquaintance. To him, stocking his cupboard often becomes a tragedy, because of his inability to distinguish In his blessed in- experience between necessities and luxuries. Some there are who decide that they can do without neces- sities but must have luxuries. Supposing then, that he is " the bachelor Impecunious " who has his quarters 20 A BACHELOR'S CUPBOARD Stocking the Cupboard nicely fitted up for permanent occupation, save the things necessary for that closet which he will have for his " kitchenette and pantry " and is going to stock up on the utensils and supplies necessary for his use in providing his own breakfast, and an occasional Sunday spread or little supper for his friends. The stocking of the cupboard may be divided into three classes: the service, the utensils for cooking, etc., and the supplies. In ordinary cases the following list will be sufficient. The bachelor should remember if the first cost seems a bit large, although it eats a tremendous hole in his week's salary, that it is the first cost that counts ; for the dishes w^ill last, likewise the condiments " and sich," most of which will keep indefinitely. THE For ordinary use, he may follow his own SERVICE taste in china; but it is well to expend a trifle more in getting something that is artistic, and will always be in good taste. Willow ware is always in perfect taste, and, being heavy, has the added ad- vantage of " toughness," which is a good point. Sup- posing then that one decides upon this: ^ dozen large plates 2 covered vegetable dishes J dozen small plates i sauce boat i dozen bread and butter i salad bowl plates 1 cream pitcher i dozen cups and saucers i dozen sauce plates 2 platters i dozen soup plates 2 bowls This will be enough of the Willow ware. For des- sert or fruit, a half dozen china plates will be needed, and half a dozen glass jelly plates as well. For his 21 A BACHELOR'S CUPBOARD Stocking the Cupboard tumblers, he would better have them uniform and may have inexpensive ones of blown glass, or beautiful cut glass ones at a wide range in price. If he elects to have liquid refreshments, then he will get the correct thing in w^ine, cocktail and lemonade glasses, with the beloved steins of his college days answering for such beverages as beer, ale and stout.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

In the process of elimination the bachelor with his own menage may be " cut out." He knows what he wants — and if he doesn't, then his butler does. For the others, and the impecunious bachelor mentioned in another chapter, a little gratuitous advice may not be amiss, particularly since it is contributed by scores of bachelors who are guilty of various degrees of housekeeping and by some artists who have the science of hiding a complete housekeeping outfit behind a Japanese screen down pat. " Blessed be nothing " so far as possessions are concerned; for there is nothing like starting on a "clean slate," as it were. The bachelors who live in a flat are hard people to deal with when it comes to furnishing the kitchen, for each one has his own pet ideas, culled from nothing in particular, as to what the furnishings of kitchen, diningroom and pantry should include. My sympathies are with the " ballroom boy " who has limited space, limited means, limited acquaintance. To him, stocking his cupboard often becomes a tragedy, because of his inability to distinguish in his blessed inexperience between necessities and luxuries. Some there are who decide that they can do without necessities but must have luxuries. Supposing then, that he is " the bachelor Impecunious " who has his quarters Stocking the Cupboard nicely fitted up for permanent occupation, save the things necessary for that closet which he will have for his " kitchenette and pantry " and is going to stock up on the utensils and supplies necessary for his use in providing his own breakfast, and an occasional Sunday spread or little supper for his friends. The stocking of the cupboard may be divided into three classes: the service, the utensils for cooking, etc., and the supplies. in ordinary cases the following list will be sufficient. The bachelor should remember if the first cost seems a bit large, although it eats a tremendous hole in his week's salary, that it is the first cost that counts; for the dishes will last, likewise the condiments " and sich," most of which will keep indefinitely. THE For ordinary use, he may follow his own SERVICE taste in china; but it is well to expend a trifle more in getting something that is artistic, and will always be in good taste. Willow ware is always in perfect taste, and, being heavy, has the added advantage of "toughness," which is a good point. Supposing then that one decides upon this: ^ dozen large plates 2 covered vegetable dishes J dozen small plates i sauce boat i dozen bread and butter i salad bowl plates 1 cream pitcher i dozen cups and saucers i dozen sauce plates 2 platters i dozen soup plates 2 bowls This will be enough of the Willow ware. For dessert or fruit, a half dozen china plates will be needed, and half a dozen glass jelly plates as well. For his Stocking the Cupboard tumblers, he would better have them uniform and may have inexpensive ones of blown glass, or beautiful cut glass ones at a wide range in price. If he elects to have liquid refreshments, then he will get the correct thing in w^ine, cocktail and lemonade glasses, with the beloved steins of his college days answering for such beverages as beer, ale and stout.

A bachelors cupboard