Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-08-01
THE WORLD OF FASHION.
Sly les ~ the watering Places.
[FRON OUR OWN CORRESPONDkNr

IL is conceded by all that this IL the best sea
son Saratoga has known for the past ten years;
nor Is il wholly due 20 the fact that Saratoga
WAS chosen the scene of the University boat
race, though this Of course has had its effect In
bringing large numbers OF persons to this charm
ing spot.
But apart from this, Saratoga faldls more
than any other ofour summer resorts the condi-
tons Of the great American watering place. IL
is central; IL Is high Its air clear aud tonic it,
waters are numerous, never-failing and mos;
varied in their qualities and properties, il II
liked by almost everyone and brings together
people of the most widely diversified hsblIs
customs, nationality and class associations.
Ii is also ready made Tor the purpose. IL has
lovely walks and drives-not many of them,
but one does not tire of them-the finest hotels
in the world and numerous small, well-equipped
hotels and boarding houses IN addition 20
large amounts of capital have been invested,
and which furnish treatment for every known
disease, as well as a scale OF prices for every
pocket.
MODERN IDEAS.
Undoubtedly there Is room Tor improvement.
Hotels and their surroundings are based too
much upon the habits of former times, aud
have not as vet adapted themselves to the ideas
OF the present. There are still the monstrous
sr-rooms extending the length Of the different
hotels, but underneath and comparatively out
of sight, and there is still the same dearth OF
resources for women.
In oldeu times, when ladies dressed four and
II
which would not admit OF extended locomotion,
| the opportunities they had were sufficient for
| them; but the case Is different now. One
change Of dress rs enough. The costume is
found TO answer all purposes. 1t lie suitable for
| morning wear; II Is convenient for driving; it
| answers for dinner, and il is gradually-in va
| rious forms md materials-beiDg applied -
these varied uses; 20 all occasions, indeed, ex-
| cept ceremonious evening wear.
The Introduction OF this modern idea in dress
has done more to give women eass and freedom
II lectures
most conservative fall into It, and unconsciously
| find themselves shSnRg in larger life, to
Undoubtedly il robs us of many bright and
picturesque effects. chilly day q rainy
| day puts sll women, young and old, in suits OF
| sober brown, gray or black, and either the uni
| rious effect st making the elder women look
younger and the younger women older; at any
fore determining the age of lady; nor is 1t
| always possible 70 tell even then, few young
| women having the look OF youth or freshness
| which simple girlish toilet and innocence OF
cosmetic art can give.
PROMENADE CONCERTS.
The occupation OF dressing being to a certain
are needed, aud some methods might be sup
| piled without increased expense-in fact, with
| . saving 10 the proprietors OF hotels. For
| example, what is the use of each of them
| employing a costly band of music, when a band
stationed in general park or pleasure ground,
like Congress park. at certain hours during the
| answer every purpose? Moreover, instead OF the
| hops, which only half dozen boys and girls at
tend, promenade concert could be given, for
which Congress park. with its lovely winding
walks and deep green vistas, is admirably
adapted, aEd which would be a most welcome
resource in the evening, when gentlemen are in
duty bound to be in attendance, and certainly
| get very tired of the monotoDy Of walking the
| same plank on the great piazza. SHOULD
Congress park not prove available, IL would be
worth while for the proprietor Of the new United
M mil M nj ana ,rkat,-
sive grounds for some such purpose, IL being the
| only use mot being on the 'front.' 10 which they
will be Likely to be put.
THE OLD REGIME.
| The United States, by the way, deserves a
word of mention, as il Is understood 10 have
been the purpose Of the proprietor % restore
the prestige Of fashion aud influence which it
has been the custom TO say was leaving or had
LETT Saratoga Certainly tue cream colOrsd
stone suggests delicacy and refinement, the pate
blue satin and white lace OF the psrl0r uphOl-
stery seems meant for the pressure only Of six
and lace, for white embroidered peignoirs, for
loft tissues and transparent muslin. The Grim
son-c0vered, throne like steps leading 20 the
dining-room seem made for tue ascent or those
stately danes whose trains swept the halls, and
who would have looked the contempt they felt
for the busy, busting, business ways OF the wo-
man OF modern times.
Those days, however, cannot be restored. nor
| is it desirable they should be. We have now,
less than ever, an acknowledged acrist0crscy
whose wealth ana leisure formed the basis Of
an exclusive social life. Old families are dying
out, the slaveholding power has disappeared,
and IN their stead appear the Representatives OF
capital, Of industry. of ideas; busy. restless men,
the outgrowth of the people and of the actiyi-
ties of the time, whose domestic relations SAVIOR
OF their early associations, their pursuits and
individual tastes.
The representatives and admirers OF the old
school cannot understand this. They consider
modern tendencies as something which can and
ought to be eradicated. and not as part of sys-
tenn of eternal growth, progression snd decay.
which must last as long as the world lasts, for
hese are the only conditions OF its existence.
EATING AND DRINKING IN SARATOGA.
Nothing can be more senseless at this season
| than the method of iving-of eating and drink
| iDg-which is forced upon one at this famous
cluded from the bill Of fare as strictly As IL il
did not grow and summer was not the season
for it. Meat, fish aud poultry, on the contrary,
hot and cold, or all kinds, and accompanied by
the inevitable " Saratoga" fried potatoes, are
| supplied three times day, or at every meal, 10
| delicate women, who take no exercise, who DO
| upon digestion by adding TO their solid comesti
| bles every day dish Of ice cream and drown
| ing the whole in ice water. Common as salads
| have found its way 70 an ordinary Saratoga bill
| of fare. Occasionally you may be reminded OF
the existence Of the succulent tomato or the
more questionable cucumber by seeing them at
| your neighbours elbow, but yon know It is there
by favor or gratuity, and you wonder why the
proPrietors, by excluding such articles from the
printed lists, should seem to offer premium to
dishonesty on the part OF the walters.
NEW ELEMENT IN SOCIETY.
The regatta brought new element into Sara
| toga society, staid, sober, New England ele-
meIt such as is not often found there. Ii con-
sisted of the fathers, mothers and sisters of the
college boys; and their style and general APP
pearance formed q marked costrast TO the bellies
of society proper and their fashionable mamas.
The young ladies, as general rule, we're not so
pretty or sparkling as New York city girls, and
lacked that indefinite something which the
French call chic and which we call "styie;" but
many possessed what Is better. Pdir distingus
and looked 1T for the wives of professors or
presidents. Their dress was quiet, black silk or
black grenadne, but they wore more false hair.
had il mere deliberately dressed, and displayed
much more hustle and panier than the regular
"society" girls.
WIDE-AwAKR SIMPLICITY.
1t 10 singular with what ease and absolute
ness revolution in fashion lie effected; with
what military strictness and precision IN order
which "tRkes" or which comes from an author
tative source is obeyed. Two years ago the
bellies Of Saratoga were performing all the eyo-
buttons of the exaggerated "Grecian bend"
Moving about, they looked like . company Of
girahes suddenly gone into mourning; they At
fected curious ansularities Of the elbow, walked
mincingly, and spoke In an Affected voice.
All that has disappeared ~ II by magic. The