We all know that there are colours of which a little is enjoyable when a mass would be unendurable.

Predominant scarlet would be like close companionship with a brass band, but a note of scarlet is one of the most valuable of sensations.

The gray compounded of black and white would be a wet blanket to all bubble of wit or spring of fancy, but the shadows of rose colour are gray, pink-tinted it is true; indeed the shadow of pink used to be known by the name of _ashes of roses_.

I remember seeing once in Paris--that home of bad general decoration--a room in royal purples; purple velvet on walls, furniture, and hangings.

One golden Rembrandt in the middle of a long wall, and a great expanse of ochre-coloured parquetted floor were all that saved it from the suggestion of a royal tomb.