“To the right of the _Salon_ is a billiard room of a shape appropriate to its use. Ornaments, mirrors and pictures rarely form part of the decoration of this kind of a room on account of the accidents incidental to this game; and the walls are simply covered with large panelling. “This billiard room leads into a room which in turn leads into a _chambre en niche_; it may be ornamented with tapestries above a wainscot. As for the _chambre en niche_, its walls should be covered with carpentry work all the way up. This will preserve it from the humidity it might have, being on the ground floor, and which always attacks apartments that are not constantly occupied. The decoration is perfectly symmetrical. To combine pleasure and convenience, I have arranged close to it a small _garde-robe_ that is lighted from and opens into a little court. On each side of the niche that contains the bed, there is a door; one serves as a passage into the _garde-robe_, and the other opens into a recess for keeping the linen in and keeping under key whatever the master desires. [Illustration: PLATE XXXII] “The little court communicates with the kitchens. “The dining-room on the right of the vestibule is of an irregular form. The chimney-piece faces the two windows; the angles of the superfices on which it is placed are rounded, and in them I have placed niches for marble tables, on which can be set the silver, crystal and dessert, during the repast, and afterwards be put away in the closet next to this room. “On the other side of the vestibule, is the common room in which the servants dine. Next to it come the kitchens.” When the dining-room is separate from the suite, it is usually situated on the ground floor, near the large stairway. The architects of the day insisted that it should be well lighted, and, if possible, open upon a garden. The floor was of parquetry, and the walls wainscotted in oak and sometimes carved; yet it was not unusual to have the panels carved, painted white and gilded. The buffet with its fountain and wine-cooler was the centre of attraction. The curtains were of silk, the chairs were upholstered and the floor warmed by a carpet or rugs laid. On the mantel-piece stood a clock and candelabra, and sconces and chandelier holding many candles brightly illuminated the rooms. One of the changes of this reign was the appearance of the _petit salon_ and _boudoir_, smaller rooms beautifully and comfortably furnished, which were more adapted for intimate social life. “In order to find useful furniture,” says Jacquemart, “we must pass to the reign of Louis XV., the king who deserted the state apartments for by-places with secret doors and back staircases.”