not anywhere in europe have i seen finer silver ; the candelabra were heavy and well embossed with designs each place had its lace-trimmed napkin , and the chairs themselves were well upholstered with the finest velvet , replete with fringes , and above the table , a great square wooden fan hung from a hinge , moved back and forth by means of a rope , threaded through hooks across the ceiling and down the wall , at the end of which , in the far corner , sat a small african child .