The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-16
EurOpeau Fashions.

Our Paris fashions correspondence, dated
on the 30th of July, sets forth in very agree
able style the disorganization of toilet prevail
ing at the European watering places during
the unusually warm weather; and in conse-
quence of the congregation at those centres Of
physical renovation of many Of the imperial
originators of dress styles, as well as the
rulers Of their aristocratic and wealthy con-
frsres for the time being, who so readily, imi-
tate or adopt their whims or taste in costume.
The presence of the Empress of Russia at
Kissingen and the expected arrival of the Gear
brought the Russian aristocracy in large num-
bers to that fashionable resort but in this in
stance the aggregation of hereditary autocracy
appeared to produce really sort of liberty, If
we may 80 term license to put on what
person pleased, sit up at night just as long as
one liked and rise from bed to drink the waters
at any hour from daybreak to noon, as the in
valids and fashionables found agreeable.
There was no particular style of dress preva-
lent, but concentrated fashion was evidently
seething in its apparent incongruties to the
development of some strictly original idea
which is likely to assume shape and form
in the hands of the Paris modastes before the
fall.
An English lady of chameleon like propensi
ties, a very fitting representative of the cos
mopolitan taste of the subjects of an empire
on which the sun never sets, attracted much
attention in consequence of her frequent
change of costume, from the DOMINIC of her
morning robe just before visiting the mineral
reservoir at Kissingen to her hour of first out
door walk, the moment of her taking exercise
in the forest as the Russian Empress drove
evening" when she appeared in the Kursaal
in white underskrt and headdress Of
mauve flowers. The scarlet liveried Cossacks
who attended on the wife of the Gar pointed
to the insular representative of the fashions
in embryo as curiosity" but the female
citizen of the 'sacred soil, promenading in
her Regeneration" and ''disenthralment,S
paid no more attention to their remarks than
did her warlike brethren to the sneers of the
soldiers of Nicholas when they asserted that
the cross of St. George ''went down. in the
Redan.
The same sense of abandon prevailed at
Luchon and the ''serious" waters of Caute-
rets. Luchon, however, had set forth the new
and dashing Valois hat, while some magnif-
cent toilets, complete and in order, in corah
foulard, white foulard, and laitown rejecting
blue and pink, were seen on its grand pro-
menade the Alice d'Eligny.
Paris was slightly disarranged in conse-
quence of warm weather. PATHS return as
matron, and Eugenie's appearance as President
of the French Council in Cabinet costume of
'Iovely" light gray satin foulard, black laco
mantilla, o rice straw toquet, or small hat, with
white feather, a white veil tied over her face,
chignon, and green parasol covered with
lace to match that on the mantilla. This, how
ever, was Imperialism in sort of elegant,
endurable, dynastic tyranny, in which there
may be said to be nothing, but which in reality
portends everything. In conclusion it may be
asserted that in the Old World fancy was in
the ascendant. An admiring bewilderment
prevailed in matters of dress, but in the end
the exacting goddess of fashion was likely to
be propitiated in excellent style. While
Europe fingers, however, it would be emil
nently meet and proper that the New World,
represented by the taste and talent of New
York, should place an original, and conse-
quently acceptable, sacrifice on her altar.