Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-10-17

/ toilet FOR latlies, too. was. We should think,
extremely scanty. Will, cambric or
"mull" muslin was the only material used
for dresses, even in winter. no lady who
had any pretenSiOns Ia "Ion," ever wore
anything else, except for balls, where
colored gauzes aud silks were allowable.
These thin fabrics were made into short
wasted "SllpS," with very narrow gored
skirts. These were never starchcd. aS IL
WAS considered desirable lo have them
cling to the igure. and to secure This
some extremists actually dampcd the
dress alter putting ii ON. O course Vita
such fashion prevalent warm under cloth
inc was out uf the question One ilau.
mel and one cotton petIicOat we've all
which the style permitted under the lrock,
even in winter. and this wuolcn garment
was omitted 10y ultra lsShionablc,. Em-
Jrojdery was the prevalent trimming Tor
these white ruhes they were wa n very
short, Ito the anklob0nc" being lhr dress
makcr- rule, and silk stockings aud slip
pcrs were the only ,tyIi-h covering Tor
the feet. even tOI Walking.
After The wedding of Mis-, pulcr ,nn
and jerome BonapSrlr. Mr.. Thomas
Ilogg, 4 wealthy Southern gentle man
who hld been present al II. was one
evening at 4 reception Al Mr. LynchN,
where hc hcc,unc The ccnire oi ~ eager
Ihrong of qucStionrrs lie described the
brides dress somewha, after this fashion :
''Shc wore an embroidered Frcncl,
muslin that was extremely transparent.
vcr> low ia The neck. sleeveless except
for d, narrow hand aCr,,s The shoulder,
aud very short in the >kiit In fact.
think could have put all the clothes she
had ou in my waiSlcoat pocket"
This stylc of classic simplicity, which
came in during the first empire, held sway
with various notifications Tor many
years. and woman blessed with a fine
figure WAS under NO necessity for con.
ceaing amy ol Its graceful outlines. One
of the bellies OF that time described 10
me her walking suit Tor one winter. |
think 1920.
Over the white c'lmbric dress She wore
crimSo2 cloth pclisSc, - long scnnt
garment with light sleeves, and a small
cape Her head MAS adorned with a
! hinge white hat OF coal >cutlle" shape
set off with crimson ostrich feathers. a
large boa Of white fur shielded her throat,
au,, her feet were of course fashionably
displayed in thin stockings and hid slip
pers
This last foolish and even dangerous
abSurdily ur dress NC find Saiirzcd in
many OF the publications ol the day - q
dag in which Miss Buucy's novels were
still fashionable. Lord Byron WAS the
new poet and Sir Walter SCOTS roman.
ces were looked for ~ the literary ScuSa-
I tons OF the season.
The fashionable promenade then was
ON Broadway, rs lar a> tho Hospital in
winter and on the Battery in summer,
not then rs drcary a. it j. now. but neat
I ly kept, and with seats under the way-
ing trees, from which one could look out
over the sparkling waters OF tie bay.
Caslle Garden was then the fashionable
hall for balls and concerts. There Gal
cia enchanted the New Workers with his
wonderful voice. and later his gifted
daughter, Madame Malabran, Won hcr
first triumphs and began that career
which led her To the throne OF queen OF
song and gave her Worldwide celebrity.
Up Broadway, near tho Park, stood
the old Park theatre, Ahcrc Kemblc de.
! lighted the play-going public, where
Edmund keens first displayed his abii-
ties. and where Mrs Odmixon WAS for
many years the lavorite stock actress.
Very sketchily have tried 10 describe
somewhat the fashions aud surroundings
OF fifty yeary ago. At best it can be but
hallingly done The whole scene and
people can no mole be recalled than can
the forgotten sunlight oi those vanished
summers. A touch here and there. an
outline OF some story oi passion. is all
that il is possible TO give now, imperfect.
ly too and only by hints and suggestions.
can be told those heart histories, once 50
full oil eager life, so throbhng with the
keen interests Of love and despair of joy
and sorrow.
Among the bellies who rcigned III the
"lwentes !" were two sisters. Jane anu
Anne l.. In these days they would be
Jennie" and "Annic." but the fash
ion then cared not for such sottening of
good plain names. Jane. the elder took
society by storm when she returned from
Madame Provost's School. and fairly
"came out" rs Young lady. She had
soft hazel eyes. prolusion of auburn
hair, which she wore -; Ia mule" comb.
cd high from the neck behind, arranged
on The top of the head in numerous curls
and bows Her figure was remarkable
for symmetry of proportion, a grace all
important in those days. when every out,
line of round waist and shapely limb
was visible through The scant dress. OF
course such fair lady would have plenty
OF admirers. and for two years she reigned
undisputed in New York society; then
her younger sister, Annie, in turn came
home from schnol. Il is relnted of the