The Portland daily press., 1865-07-29
a nArR1Mon1A1 Au,rron

To the Editor Of the Press:
Mostpeople have been accustomed to consid-
en- the New York baby-show gofup some years
ago under the auspices Of tie irrepressible
Barnum, as the most completely vulgar ana
disgusting exhibition which it would be posi-
bic for men to devise 1t seems, however, that
we were all mistaken. 1t ha been reserved
for our English friends over tie water-not the
common people, but that uper-retined and
cultivated aristocratic class Who arc SO apt to
be shocked at the coarsenesso Of our republican
manners-to invent an exhibition which for
hopeless yulgarity and ingrained .coarseness
surpasses everything ever seen in civilized
country. This was show of young girls, en-
tered in competition for a number of valuabe
prizes, awarded to those who were found to
most excel inipersonal beauty and elegance of
attire. The exhibition took place in the gar
oens OF the Kensington Horticultural Society,
which institution is almost exclusively patron
lied by the aristocracy of Great Britain. The
correspondent of London paper thus de-
scribes the affair: a 4 i.saia aoisoa !,
Looking down from some high terrace, the
exquisitely dressed girls seemed SO intermin-
gled with aponicas, roses, lilies, and so on, that
one was at some loss to know whether the girls
were flowers just liberated from stems, or the
flowers were folded and spell bound maidens.
Among these palpitating plateaus of human
hues, there walked, unrecognized as an official
parsonage, a man with iron-gray hair, and
cold discriminating air--one who, to borrow
phrase had"an appearance ofbeing as thorough
-ly married as any man in England He
glanced without seeming to glance; he feasted
ed his eyes-invincible dogi He was not al
all in hurry to make his decision. At last.
at wave of his terrible hand, the music
approached his throne, each with her darling.
A graceful bow, a distant hint of the existence
of Mrs. 49,, Ia pretty woman III warrant,1
and the judge lays before him the three prize
to be awarded. The first prize was an ex-
quisite bracelet, encrusted with diamonds and
Eopals, value 1925. OF how many diamond
eyes and opalescent fushes there were! Alasl
only one gotit. MARY c., calmly calls the
Judge, "born June, 1847; exhibited by Lady
c., of o., Manor Hants.D Glowing,
blushing, snow pure complexion; chestnut
locks, all flushed by tint of sunrise beaming
rom the cheek; eyes that might mislead the
day; Of height that woulu just bring her
forehead up to the lips of fellow standing six
feet in his shoes. Such was Mary C---, on
whose fair arm the Judge clasped the bracelet,
with feeling which made one wonder if Mrs.
-, was present. The second present is a
very fine white lace shawl, value 1925, to re-
ceive which the Judge calls forth: Lady HalS
riet D., Born. August, 1916; exhibited by
the Marchioness of 7--n Stately queenly.
as if bodied forth from one of -Tennysons
ldylls, came forth this young lady, Worthy
she was of the Ohio poet Howeips delicate
line: III .fsF Ftf-srnrf ,siWaA .e .
"The curved stalk of the lily hath not her slender
grace"
The third prize was jeweled bouquet hold
er, value $345, which was awarded to Laura
NJ, born May 1S4S; exhibited by Mrs.
M, Of Windsor, va brunette,s with great
luxuriance of tresscs exquisite tou1'nure and,
as to eyes: nrreI 4 NJ frrf b 4rra...r