Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1865-09-30
An English Exhibition.

Shop of Girls al The Kensington Gardens.
London Correspondence Cincinnati Gazette.
We all remember Barnum's baby show,
don't we? and also some grave rcproofs re-
ceiycd from our decorus mammaland here.
Yet Barnum's idea seems to have taken
root In this country, and on Sunday last
bore its fruit in an exhibition which dare
say is unique in the history of the human
race. II was nothing less than prize OK
hibition of young girls-a q little over the
age that Barnum babies might be, If liv-
ing at this time. 1t occurred at the gar
dens of the Kensington Horticultural So
ciety, most aristocratic place and institu-
tion. II was at the close of grand flower
show. The splendid band Of Her Majesty S
LIST Regiment of life Guards discoursed
sweet music to which the hundreds of throh-
bing and expeotant hearts bent time. Look
ing down from some high terrace, the eN-
ouisitely dressed girls seemed so intermin-
cled with japonicas, roses, lilies, and so on,
tbot one was Mt some loss TO know whether
the girls were flowers just liberated from
stems, or the flowers were folded and SPELL
bound maidens, and one feared to speak or
cough lest suddenly the fairy troop should
hide back in the thousand buds and calyxes
from which they seemed to have emerged
at the mystic invocation of the music.
Among these palpipating plateaus of hui
man hues there walked, unrecognizcd as an
official parsonage, man with iron grey
hair and cold, discriminating air-one who
to borrow n phrase, had "an appearance OF
being as thoroughly married as any man
in England He glanced without SEEM
ing to glance; he feasted his cyes-invin-
chile dog He was not Mt all in hurry to
make his decisions. At last, at wave OF
his terrible hand, the music ceased; the
crowd of eager mammas and aunts ap-
preached his throne, each with her darling.
A graceful bow, distant hint Of the exist
encc of n certain Mrs., IA pretty
woman, I'll warranty, and the judge lays
before him the three prizes to be awarded :;
The first prize was an exquisite bracelet,
encrusted with diamonds and opals, value
1926. OF how many diamond eyes and
opalescent fushes there were! Alas! only
one can get it. "Mary -" calmly
calls the Judge, "born June, l847; exhibit
ed by lady c., of o. Manor, Hants." "
Glowing, blushing, of snow.spur compex-
ion; chestnut locks all flushed by tint of
sunrise beaming from the cheek; eyes that
might mislead the day; of height that
would just bring her forehead near the lips
of fellow standing six feet in his shoes.
Such was Mary c., on whose fair arm
the Judge clasped the bracelet, with feel
ing that made one wonder if Mrs.--were
present. The second present is very
fine white shawl, valued 1926, to receive
which the Judge calls forth "llarriet D;
born August, 1876; exhibited by the March
ioness Of -" Stately, queenly as if
bodied forth from one of Tennyson's ldyls
came forth this young lady. Worthy she
was of the Ohio poet Howard's delicate
line:
"The curved stalk of the lily, hath not her slender
grace }"
The third prize was jewelled bouq quet
holder value $3l5, which was awarded to
"Laura NJ born May, 1848; exhibited
by Mrs. M of Windsor"-a brunette,
with great luxuriance of tresscs, exquisite
tournure, and as to eyes,
"Sweeter eyes werc never seem
Eyes so fiery and serene"
1t was not in human nature that there
should not be few moist eyes and pout-
ing lips; and there was general regret
that there were no more prizes, but the
Judges DEGREES were universally approved.
When all were about to disperse, the Judge
called fourth young girl to him, and, TAX
ing q small morocco case from his pocket,
spoke as followsi
1t was my duty, as you are aware, to
consider not only the beauty but the taste
of our fair young friends as shown in their
attire. have discharged that duty to the
best of my judgement, but must now re-
mark that have been more struck by the
cost than the display. Not but that most
nay, all of the competitors are dressed ele.
gantly, but beg you to look around and
see what uniform you are all in Where
is any sign of individual, original taste
Certain elementary laws Of complexion and
color being satisfied, the rest is left to one
of half dozen milliners. Of that, how
ever, will not treat now-only TO hint
that, if you did exercise your own taste n
little more, the taste of Mesdames Roger
Elise, and the rest would be less of mon
opoly, and its prodigious price would come
down. say prodigious, for, thinking my
duty would be imperfectly performed if
did not take the cost Us we'll rs the beauty
of the dress into consideration, made in
quiry on that point in some cases. The
answer astonishes me. To indicate the ex-
act nature of my astonishmcnt, have re-
solved to add another prize for the lady whose
dress is least costly in proportion to its
richness and elegance; and ] consider my
self most fortunate in finding one altogeth'
er worthy of the distinction. That lady is
as we'll dressed as all but three or four per-
sons in this assemblyI and yet am assur.
ed that the whole of her attirc-l need
hardly say exclusive of iewels-cost nc
more than forty guineas, sum which bars'
ly equals the income of her gallant father
for fortnight
Upon which the blushing ,Gdy received
thimble of gold. And tho exhibition OF
taste and beauty was over
R.K. Gillett, the counsel associated with
Charles O'Connor in the trial Of the rebel
a. r. a. II. a.