Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-07-18
Matrimonial Felictttes.
III DAARY GRAY.
l broush, a new bonnet home t.

BAlaY GRAY.
l brOuah, a new bonnet home t. my wife,
Now. if there ia one thing more than another
which my wife likes to have me bring home to
her, it is a new bonnet. A new bonnet in a
house 10 an unfailing source of delight for at
least one Sunday. After it has been TO church
and your wife's female friends, and, perhaps,
others who are not her friends, have admired
and cast snyious glancss at it; it ceases to some
extent, to possess its pristine charm. Still
with = little management on the part Of the
wearer, a new bonnet, if it be a very elegant
one, may be made to do good service, not only
at churcn but at the opera, one or two con-
certs, and lecture.
don't know why it is, but so far as my ex-
perience goes, think ladies take very kindly
to new bonnets, they seem to appreciate them
much more than any other portion of their
wardrobe. Perhaps it is because it can be
shown to greater advantage than many otrer
articles. In crowded assemblages the bonnet
can always be seen. The furs, the shawl, the
rich dresses, and the jewelry are ott-tlmes hid
den from observation, but The bonnet rises
above all and in church can be seen tor pews
around.
1t is very gratifying to the husband to mark
when he informs her that he has bought her a
new bonnet. That smile, in nv opinion, is
worth more than many new bonnets. 1t re-
minds me of my courtship days, end wish, at
sucn moments that ! could be always bringing
nome elegant Mt " bonnets to my wife.
l know Of no other artlcie of ladies' apparel
which is so subject to changes OF fashion as the
bonnet. Every month witnesses an alteration,
90 that ou may safely take new bonnet home
to your wife each month without fearing that
she possesses one in The least like it.
For man whose experience in he matrimo-
NAL arena is OF an inielicltous character, l can
imagine surer way OF his making 1t iellcitou.
than BY a monthly gift to his wife OF a new bon
net. Even though, IN the parlance of the world,
be can't afford II, YET he should do it for the
sake of domestic peace. Wisely hath a latter
day Solomon said =" Better is a new bonnet
on the head OF a wife, than shoes and stock
ings on the feet OF children
In my case fortunately for my purse and the
comfort of my little ones, this necessity does
not exist. The new bonnet which, Two or
three times year, take home to my wife, is
not given as a peace-offerinI. l sometimes
think, TOO, that enjoy that new bonnet quile
as much she does. | experience great
pleasure in seeing her open the square greer.
Dox, on which the name OF French milliner o!
reputs, in gilt letters on white enameled card.
appears, containing it, and observe her looS ol
IcsoiOs iaetc, III tue h"ttci
OF selecting a bonnet, as unequaled-W hen
her glance first falls upon it. Then placing ner
hand carefully under it, che lifts ii up as ten
derry out OF ths box as II il were an lntan' anu
gaI=s at 1t with admiration. Size takes, oe ore
speaking a WORD, front, side and back vie " o!
IL, tuning II quickly around on her hand. and
sometimes, have remarked, like connolsseur
before plc,ure, win hali-ciosed eyes and heao
little one side, reminding me OF tue acting ol
canary bird, 80 as TO get ialrer view "o' A.
and TO better appreciate its contour and style
Iren chs daintlly re-arranges bud or zeal
on the outslde. putting the bud over The ieat
" the leaf under the bud, as 1t may be. She
gives little twist, too, 10 a cluster OF howers,
which seemed InnarmonIously put together saLu
1 confess, that even TO my eyes, II assumes d
moie artisuc appearance.
Tnen she shakes up, In liz airy way, lie
plume, but imme Lately thereafter proceeds 10
smooth il down sue ruffies and smooths IL
several Tunes, indeed, before she has IL to pie
ner. linen she closely scTutlnlIes the quai y
OF the velvet, the texture of the ribbons, and
the character of the lace. Then, speaking ioI
the hrsI time, and in somewhat OF conhuen-
thai tone she remarks that The lace Is reai thread
lace, chantlly, or vaienclennes, or whatever II
may be. By this time she is preparing TO per
form the great act OF trying 1t on.
Getting before the mirror, where she can OF
tain a tar ves OF herself, the dear woman
proceeds TO smooth down her hair, where IL
pain on her head ; eevate- the curls a
Il dc, If there oe curls lift up the putfs i
little, where there are puts. Inen, after as-
suriug herself by repeated lances al the n Z
ror, that her hair is IN good order, she places
With due solemnlty, the bonnet on her heac.
IL takes about Ten minutes TO set that bonnes
into the exact position which she deems the
most becoming, and to tie the strings IN a suit
able manner under her cniu. Inen she turns
to you, with a most ravishng smile, and archlug
her eyebrows and making her lips look like a
half blown rose, gives you glance which plain
ly asks you to express your opinion as to the
bonnet and the wearer.
1t is always safe, on these occasions, to say
that you never saw a lovlier bonnet one more
becoming, or-and here you can make a low
oow-a moment when the wearer looked
younger and fairer than che does now But
you must not seek to kiss her, for she would
instantly frown down any such attempt on your
part Wait until the bonnet is taken off, an
laid into the box before you do the, and then
-wsll then it is a good thing to do; and that
day, if you stay at home, will be a white day IN
your life.
Within one week, my wife's new bonnet at
tended church, a concert, a lecture, and the re-
cep,ion at the National Academy of Design
course of treatment most satisfactory to the
wearer.