Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-08-15
339CgIGAI9OT3.
The Triumph Of Hoops.

a lady correspondent Of the New York
Dispatch consoles herself with the reaec-
ton that, amid the general depression OF
trade, hoops still maintain there supremacy.
She gives the following account of some
new inventions, which will be interesting
to our lady readers:
new skirt called the "CryStle,' is
the most perfect in shape and the most
graceful in style Of any which have pre-
ceded it. 1t is very light and has created
a furore wherever il is known. A still
later novelty called the "opera" skirt, is
made of muslin, with light whaIebone or
steel springs, to which is attached an 'ad-
lusted buslIe' made expressly 10 wear
with the deep basques in vogue. The
principal feature, however is the opening
down the entire front, 50 that II can be
folded over in a crowded assembly, thus
taking up no more room than an ordinary
skirt. AT first il seems as II tins might
injure lis grace and symmetry, but ii is
found not TO do so in the least if two full
skirts are worn over, as should be the
case always with hoops Of any descrip-
ton, so as to prevent any trace of the
ridge formed by the springs, and 10 en-
sure ease and elegance Of carriage.
The perfection of grace which the con-
tour of the skirts of the empress have at
tanned, has been a matter of envy to all
the ladies' of the French Court. Numer-
Gus have been the efforts TO combine The
soft airy ightness which always dstin-
guish the imperial toilette, but always
without success. Hoops by the same
makers were worn, and skirts piled upon
them, each of finer texture than the last
that being the way in which il was said
the Empress attained the desired result.
But alas the same result did not follow
and the ladies' were in despair, until the
waiting woman of lovely and new made
Countess succeeded in obtaining the Sc
cret from the tire woman Of the Empress.
1t was simply the placing Of innumerabIe
founces, of Mlie over very graceful
hoop, composed "a springs Of light steel.
One days wear Of course rendered them
entirely useless, and they were then re-
moved and their place supplied by others.
This idea is decidedly excellent when ap-
pied under robes of light tissue, but could
only be Of use in form Of fine crinoline
under heavier materials, as ii would re-
quire much more substance than fule
possesses 10 resist the pressure.
A serious innovation is contemplated by
the New York stage PrOPrlctors, and has
already been acted upon IN one or Two
instances. On one Of these occasions the
consequences were so nearly akin 10 the
seriously ridiculous that it may deter
them from trying it again. During the
past two weeks placard has been placed
III some of the uptown stages, with LA
DIES WEARING HooPs IL CENTS" print
ed upon it in large letters. On a very
wet day, six ladies found themselves in
side of one Of these coaches, and deter
mined as they had 10 pay double price, 10
take the comfort Of it. As most Of them
wore tho new "opera" hoop a sudden
collapse accompanied their sitting down,
leaving plenty OF room for half dozen
others, they occupying no more space
than the ladies without hoops. This the
driver observed, and as il rained hard ,and
he thought The women would not dare to
camplain, although he had taken the IL
cents from them on entering the stage, as
is the custom, he determined TO try his
chance and making grand haul by put
ting in the usual number lon rainy dsys)
of twenIythree, making the ladies' pay
doub'e. In very few moments. several
drenched individuals OF the masculine
gender, rushed up 10 the door, and were
about entering sans ceremoHie, when
they were tod by the female occupants
that the stage was "lull." Glancing at
the empty seats, and then al their fair in
formsnts, whom the gentlemen evidently
thought slightly crazy, one Of them said,
politely, he thought the ladies were mists.
ken; there seemed TO be plenty of room
and he and his friends. were becoming
soaking wet. The ladies' regretted sin
6niiely" but could not help il; pointed TO
The plaeard and then al their number,
when the gentlemen saw the joke, and
Withdrew, the driver swearing al them
The same Thing was re-
Peaed many times along the route, with
the same result, until the driver became
almost insane with rage. and The Hoops
were in conyulsions al their success.