Illustrations 268 and 269 show two work-tables owned by Dwight M. Prouty, Esq. The legs and frame of the upper table are of mahogany, the box being made of pine and covered with pleated silk. The lower table is more elegant in shape, with a slide, the front of which simulates a drawer, and to this is attached the work bag or box, in this table made of wood, silk-covered, but sometimes made of silk alone. Illustration 270 shows a Hepplewhite dining table, the drop leaf serving to increase the length of the table, when raised and held up by the extra leg, which swings under it. Up to 1800 the dining-table had been made in various styles, in all of which the table legs were more or less in the way of those around the table. In the “hundred-legged” table there seemed to be a table leg for each person. Then came the cabriole leg, also in the way, and finally the Hepplewhite dining-table, which was made in sections, with rounded ends, and four legs on each end. [Illustration: Illus. 270.—Hepplewhite Dining-table, 1790.] About 1800 the pillar-and-claw table was invented, which made it possible for several persons to sit around a dining-table without a part of the guests encircling the table legs with their own. These tables were made in pairs or in threes, one after another being added as more room was required. [Illustration: Illus. 271.—Pillar-and-claw Dining-table, 1800.] Illustration 271 shows a pillar-and-claw extension dining-table, of mahogany, owned by L. J. Shapiro, Esq. of Norfolk, Virginia. The telescope extension (the same method in use at present) was invented by Richard Gillow, of London, about 1800. The end tables pull apart upon a slide, and extra leaves may be inserted between the ends, held in place by wooden pins. The pillar and claw design was most popular and was used for centre tables, bases of piano stools, and even for piano legs (see Illustration 292). A pillar-and-claw mahogany centre table with drop leaves is shown in Illustration 272. The feet are lion’s claws, and from this date the lion’s or bear’s claw foot was used for furniture with carved feet, instead of the bird’s claw-and-ball which had been so largely used during the previous century. [Illustration: Illus. 272.—Pillar-and-claw Dining-table, about 1800.] A splendid dining-table of mahogany is shown in Illustration 273. It is in three sections, each with a base. The legs have a bold spread, and are simply carved in grooves, ending in lion’s claws. This fine table is owned by Barton Myers, Esq., of Norfolk, Virginia. Illustration 274 shows a mahogany dining-table now in the Worcester Art Museum, inherited from the late Stephen Salisbury, Esq. [Illustration: Illus. 273.—Extension Dining-table, 1810.] [Illustration: Illus. 274.—Accordion Extension Table, 1820.] The method of extension is after that of an accordion, and necessitates an astonishing number of legs when not extended, ten in all. [Illustration: Illus. 275.—Card-table, 1805-1810.]