Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-04-06
EVENTS OF YESTERDAY.
GraRd Opening Bsy-Ths Spring Trade
Crowded SaIasrooms-Ths Women
IN ECsta0les.

The grand opening Of the spring trade,
at the great dry-gOOds house OF Menken
Bros, was a historical event in the
story of Memphis prosperity Sixty-one
statesmen, from morning till night, were
busily EMPLOYED in supplying the wants
and ministsring to the fancies Of great
throng which, throughout the day, went
in and out Of the dry goods emporium at
the corner of West Court and Main
streets. This magnificent establishment
has i've saiesrOonls, each 25xl4s19 feet,
and the basement, 5OXl60 feet, IS vast
depository Of wealth, in which are stored
boxes and bales of goods from every
quarter of the globe. There is hardly
an article of which human want
dreams that may not be found in this
vast establishment. One hoOr, 25Xl6O
feet, is filed with boxes and bales OF
clothing, in which peasant or a noble
man might find any article b6httlng his
wardrobe. During the ipast year the
house has purchased million dollars
worth of goods in the East and in Europe.
On the second door the display of staple
dry goods attracted tradesmen from all
psrts of the valley Of the Mississippi.
Everything that is wanted by farmers is
here heaped up in vast quantities and sold
at prices not greater than are demanded
in large cities where rents are higher and
expenses necessarily much greater.
LADIES DEPARTMENT.
Checks and stripes prevail. There is, how
ever, no fixed law of fashion. Paris is
silent. and issues no DEGREES of fashion
such as the Messrs. Menken have been
accustomed to obey. Goats hair fabrics
are as fashionable as those of silken text
ure. and among these Col. John II. Taylor
is buried. He has a taste for the fine arts,
and cannot be expelled from the
women's department, in which he
and McEwen, like ROmulus and Remus,
reign. Tunics snd double skirts
are the prevailing modes; and here we
find them OF faultless designs, and sdap-
ted to the tslIest or shortest of the sex.
Ruching, of the material of the dress, and
black lace were eagerly sought after yes
tsrdav by ladies of taste. White and coli
ored iDigtse, trimmed with guipUre en-
broidsry, is much sought after, and the
Messrs. Menken have an endless variety.
Children's dresses and dress g0ods-White
null, trimmed with Valen ciennes butter
fies. Swiss tunics are much worn over
muslin and silk dresses. Skirts, chemises,
night dresses, robes de matt abound in
Msnken's emporium of taste aud fashion.
Ladies' chemises from 75c. to 81 %. Chill
dren's dresses and aprons Of new designs,
SOC. TO g. Parasols Of marvellous beauty,
having in the handles q kerchief-hOlder
and perfume boxes, cost S6 80. White
pique and Msrseilles are twenty-five per
cent. cheaper than last year, and here at
AIenken's the most magnificent bridal
trousseauq sFe sold ever seen In this OF
any city,
OVER THE WAY
there is a space equivalent in erea to
an acre, 6fty by one hundred and fifty,
devoted to clothing. Naked IS Dabomey
and districts Of AlcOrn's doniniOns may
be, there are coats, breeehes and shirts
enough at Msnken's to oivilizs the whole
race of human kind. Go to Menken's, If
not to buy, to behold at a glance the
massed dry goods splendors of the COM
mercisl world.