“The drawer on the left hand has two divisions, the hinder one lined with green cloth to hold plate, etc., under a cover; the front one is lined with lead for the convenience of holding water to wash glasses, etc., there must be a valve-cock, or plug, at the bottom, to let off the dirty water; and also in the other drawer, to change the water necessary to keep the wine, etc., cool; or they may be made to take out. The long drawer in the middle is adapted for table linen, etc.
PLATE LVII
“They are often made to fit into a recess, but the general custom is to make them from 5½ to 7 feet long, 3 feet high, and 28 to 32 inches wide.”
He also gives designs for “sideboards without drawers; the ornaments to the front of which may be carved, painted, or inlaid with various coloured woods.” This kind is merely the old sideboard table.
Of pedestals he writes:
“Pedestals and vases are much used in spacious dining-rooms, where the last-described kind of sideboards are chosen; at each end of which they are placed. One pedestal serves as a plate-warmer, being provided with racks and a stand for a heater; and is lined with a strong tin; the other pedestal is used as a pot cupboard.
“The vases may be used to hold water for the use of the butter, or iced water for drinking, which is inclosed in an inner partition, the ice surrounding it; or it may be used as knife-cases, in which case they are made of wood, or of copper japanned. The height of the pedestal is the same as the sideboard and 16 or 18 inches square; the height of the vase about 2 feet, 3 inches.”
Of the knife-case, he says:
“The universality of this piece of furniture renders a particular description not necessary. It may be made of mahogany inlaid, or of satin or other wood at pleasure.”