The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-27
The Paris Fashions.


We published yesterday another of those
sparkling and entertaining fashion letters o
our Paris correspondent, in which there were
some novel and interesting descriptions of the
celebration of Independence Day in the gay
capital of France and of the new arrival from
the eastern coast of Africa, Fatouma Djombe,
Queen Of Mohelie There was quite a brilliant
assemblage of patriotic ladies and gentlemen
at the Pre- Catalan on the glorious Fourth, and
the clerk of the weather acted as stage mana
ger on the occasion. He raised the curtain of
Aeecy clouds that hung over the Bots and per-
mitted the sun to come forward with his
most cheerful rays to smile on the crowd Of
bright-eyed American girls that met to cele-
brate their national holiday. This was very
considerate of the gentleman in charge of the
Temps, and we hope that his editorial repre-
sentative in Paris and others of the same craft
will be equally well disposed towards our fair
countrywomen and their mustached co-patri-
OTIS on all occasions It would have been
pity indeed, if this curtain of threatening clouds
had not been removed; for then there would
have been sad havoc made with some OF the
call lace" toilets We are very glad to hear
that independence in dress was one OF the fea-
lures of this festival and that tears of patriot
ism were substituted for pluvial tears, which
are never welcome at an open air fcte. The
latest fashions were disregarded only so far
as they were in accordance with good
fac to kbo ttv
for their sensible ideas on fashion.
1t is indeed gratifying to find that American
ladies both at home and abroad make taste and
adaptability the criterion in their selection Of
toilets. In this city we have remarked the
tendency among them to tone down in every
particular the extravaganza of fashion, so that
none but the most becoming and attractive
features are retained. The last sensation in
Paris is the arrival Of a genuine African belle,
the little Queen of Mohelie, who, so far from
displaying any savage attributes, is an adept
in all the arts of fascination. High-heeled
boots are the only extravaganza of European
toilet she has 80 far INDUCED in; but her ORR
entail costume is very striking and becoming.
AS our correspondent naively remarks, she
purposes commencing civilization from the
lowest extremity upwards. A strange sort of
animal which she met in the street scared her
considerably. She would not have objected to
meeting lion or an anaconda, but dandy
mounted on velocipede was too much for
her. Her lips are beautifully formed, her nose
en- regle and her complexion olive, so that our
reconstruction friends need not go into costa
sizes about her as specimen of Intelligent
contraband." The Empress did not display
much skill at social shooting party which
took place lately near Paris Her eyes are
more effective behind fan than behind the
sights of rifle. The same may be said of the
Princess Metternich. Light attire seems to be
entirely composed of lace, and diademed fan
chons are still reigning favorites. A royal
marriage is on the tapis, niece Of the Empe-
ror and duke being the principal parties
interested. The approaching season at Kis-
singer is looked forward to with interest, and
excruciating toilets are being prepared for it.