Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-18
FASHIONABLE MOURNING.

A writer in Once a Week gives the
following capital article on :" "fashiona-
BILE mourning"
This writer is supposed to live in Lou
don, and to receive commission from
a relative in the country asking him to
obtain the proper articles needed by the
widow of friend, just died, for the ap-
preaching funeral, designating the ar
ticles. He Immediately proceeded to
shop where the sable garments were on
sale, or intended to be so considered,
and found in it the sad habiliments Of
mourning. mo vulgar colors glared
from the shop windows, No gilt annoyed
with its festive glare the name of the
firm was scarcely readable in letters OF
gray on black ground-here and there
heads Of white set off the general gloom
like Grape piping of a widow s cap.
On pushing the plate glass door, it
gave way with hushed and muihed
sound, and was met by gentleman OF
sad expression, who, in the most sym;
pathetic tone of voice, inquired the
nature of my want, and, on my reply,
directed me to the inconsolable grief de-
partment. The inside of the establish
ment found to answer exactly to the
appearance without The long passage
| travelled was in white and black bor-
derings, like SO many mourning cards
placed on end; and | was becoming
impressed with the deep solemuity of the
place, when caught sight of little
figure rolling up some ribbon, and on
inquiring if / had arrived at the incon-
solable grief department, she replied in
gentle voice slightly shaded with
gayety, that that was the half.mourning
counter, and that / must proceed until l
had passed the reposity tor widow s silk.
Following her directions, | at last
reached my destination, room draped
with black, with hushed atmosphere
about it, as though body was invisibly
lying there in state,
An attendant in sable habiliments,
picked but with the inevitable white tie,
and with an undertakerish eye and man
ner, awaiting my commands ! accord
ingiy produced my list Scanning 1t
critically, he said;
Permit me to inquire, sir, if it is a
deceased partnerY
! nodded assent.
1--WE take the liberty of asking this
distressing question" he replied, "as we
are extremely anxious to keep the char
acter of this establishment by matching
at once the exact shade of athlctlon. Our
paramattas and grapes in this depart
meut give satisfaction to the deepest woe
Permit me to show you a new texture,
which we term the inconsolable.
With that he placed pasteboard Dox
before me, full of mourning fabrics.
us this it ?" inquired, lifting lu-
pubrious piece of drapery.
"Oh nor he replied "the one you
have in your hand was manufactures for
last wears Affections and was termed
the stunning blow serde it makes up
well, however, with our sudden bereave-
ment silk--a leading artiele-and our
distraction trimmings.
"I am afraid" ] said, my commits.
sion SAYS nothing about these novelties. =
Ladies in the country" he blsndly
replied, "are possibly not aware of the
nerfeetion TO which the art Of mourning
geuteelly is now brought. But | will see
! that YOUR commission is attended to, TO
the letter" Giving another glance over
my list, "Oh widows cap is men
toned, | see. | must trouble you, sir,
10 proceed to the weeds department for
that article-the first turning to the
Proceeding as l was directed came to
a recess fitted up with solid phalaux oil
Widows caps. / perceived at glance
,hat thew exhausted the whele gamut OF
Tr;ef from the deepest shade to that tene
gbich IL expressive of pleasing mel
anoholv. The foremost row confronted
mo with all the severity OF Grape folds,
In the midst Of which my minds eye
conId see the set features of many MrS
Clsnnau. whilst those behind gradually
faded of into the most jaunty tarlatan
and one OF two Of the outsiders even
breaking out into worldly feathers ana
the most haunty weepers.
Forgetting the proprieties OF the mo
ment. / inquired Of the grave attendant
n anv Of the latter would be suitable
a0b mo. sir, she replied, with slight
shade Of severity in her voice; you may
gradually work Up to it in a year or two !
INT anv Of these, pointing TO the front
row D1. Of weeds, "are indispensable to the
first burst OF grief -
Acquiesciug ia the proprieiy OF @ @tnis
sliding scale Of sorrow, ! selected some
wesds expressive Of the deepest detection
I eould fnd and, having completed my
commission. inquired whether could
procsre Cor myself some lavender gloves.
aOb. sir, Cor ihoss things, she saiai
in he voice Of Tragedy speaking 70
l Comedy. "yoa must iurn 70 yonr Eignl
and voa wifi come 70 the complimentary
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