Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1853-08-19

1t is now two-aul-thirty years since was
f0rc-woman with Madame Iaycllc. Times
are much changed since then and Mr. Jones
and have had our own troubles. bringing W
and settling dcccntly in the world three girl,
and two boys. not to speak of keeping Il
general shop; but still sometimes think OF
strange occurrence which happened one
busy night in the work-room. Madame
Iavcllc'S establishment, was in Piccadllv
and better business could not he found in
London. She had secured the patronage of Il
certain marchioncss, who then led the court
in her train and no dress was thought pre-
Scntablc that had not been made at mudamc'S $
During the season. there were always ten
first. and twenty second hands kept besides
madamc's pprrnticrS-ncvcr under II dozen
and she took none who were not clever with
the needle.
The house had four floors and the base
mcnt 1t was Il double one. running from
lfccadilly backward to Woodbinc Court
The front of the ground-iloor was nearly oc-
cuplcd by Il warc-roDn fitted up in the French
fashion with immense mirrors, sofas covered
with rosc-colorcd velvet. glass wardrobcs. and
beautiful lay-lgurcS Of wood and wax work
standing. sitting, and in dancing posturcs, to
ShcW madamr's cut to advantage. Hard BY
was handsome hall door, always attended
by loot-man in blue and silver: on the
first floor was S0ion. for what madame called
consulting customers, with the newest French
prints and novels on the table to amusc them.
There We're drcssing-roomS on each side, with
all sorts of glasses and toilet wares. Behind
were madamc's family apartments, for her
self and two niGccs. On the second floor
slept the iorewomcn, the apprentices, and tho
first hands; and in the attics six servants
1 l.,,,. l.. ..l... 1
sleep, be the hour what 1t would. But all
Scwcd together in the great work-room.
which, excepting space for a back-hal and
the house, and looked out ON Woodbinc
Court.
| cannot say that ever woodbine grow in
Woodbinc Court. The house was altered
long ago, and the court is gone but when |
was iOrcwoman, the latter was small square
of little crazy brick houses, with nothing but
pump in the middle it was said to be the
oldest corner Of May Fair. That quarter is
still fashionable, but then it was the very
hight of fashion: none but the tiptop fami-
lies lived there. Throughout the season.
with their balls and parties, there was moth
ing resembling night and when the season
closed every house was shut up. and every
body off with the king to Brighton. The
people OF NOodbnc Court were one and all
quiet attendants of fashion; there were
darncrS of lace, clcar-starchcrs. and fine
scourcrs; among the last mentioned were two
elderly women, whom we called the Misses
Carey Some said they had been ladies in
their day; but think they Snulled and liked
something stronger than hySon. However.
their equals for inc-scouring were not in the
West End and madame had occasion for
their services at times ON old stock, for which
reason there was II back-door to the court.
1t was wonderful what ribbons, white satin.
and embroidery were brought out quite new
with their help.
Madame Laycllc had an eye for every
siNpencc, though her stock was generally in
surcd at E3O, 900, and rcplcnishcd twice in
the season from Paris. She was a brown.
solid little woman, with high color, for she
wore trlile Of rogue. Her dress was al
ways as highly fashionable as that of one of
the wareroom waX-works and although she
had been twenty years in business, no mortal
could perceive any difference of age between
her and her two nieccs. All three were
laced, roughcd, capped, and curlcd exactly
the same They were all widows too How
that happened, | never heard, maybe it was
from the war. But three smart women were
they for this world never of the watch for
profit, never cold, never tired. | have seen
them IN gauzc dresses and silk stockings at