Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-10-11
FASHION AND ART,
Hand in Hand at the Chicago Exposition
Western Supremacy Illustrated.
Wherein are Grouped Figures of Con-
srlmmate Taste and Beauty.
From the Chicago Times, Sept. 81,

The great waves of travel are surging
through Chicago, as the flood of visitors Cen
tennialward reaches the climax of its flow.
1t is pleasant to note that generous pro-
portion of all the travellers, whether rushing
toward or ebbing back from Philadelphia,
take the time to make the tour of our Chi
cago Exposition. Pleasanter still is the fact
that only good words in behalf of the dis
play down by the lake shore are heard from
all such visitors. The grand exhibit at
Paramount Park presents the condensed
richness of the whole world while the
showing here claims modestly to represent
only the capabilities of the west. Yet we
have our points of supremacy, and oddly
enough they come in just where, at first
thought, one would hardly have looked to
see us excel.
Think, for instance, of the great phase of
art involved in the designing and finishing
of feminine attire. Think of French pre-,
dominance in this line; OF the fact that Paris
is the conceded fount of every blessing,
from whence flows all that is new and auto
cratic in modes, and then think that French
fashions have peculiarly conspicuous
showing at the Centennial After remem-
bering all this. is it not matter to make
even dull masculinity tingle with wonder
ment and pride to know that the Chicago
Exposition presents an exhibit of toilet and
dress goods considerably more elegant than
is made by any single exhibitor at Philadel-
phia?
The writer, dweller for three months
during the summer in the Centennial city,
and an almost daily visitor to the assembled
contributions of nations, took turn through
the less pretentious display in Chicago early
the present week. 1t was a revelation to dis
cover in the spacious and airy or ystal apart
ment. blazoned with the name of Charles
GosSage u Co., was grouped more cOmpre-
hensive, varied and beautiful showing of la
dies costumes and dress material thar could
be remembered in connection with an ex-
hibit at the great Philadelphia bazaar. Know
ing the facility with which individual judg-
ment is apt to tumble into unconscious er-
ror, the writer took pains to fQrtify the
opinion thus formed by obtaining the ideas
OF lady friends, art connoisseurs and Others
who had wandered through the corridors of
the great Exposition. There was solid com
fort IN recording an unvarying verdict III
behalf of home sovereignty.
Within the charming precincts of this
Chicago boudoir may be counted some 20
complete toilets. These embrace every va
riety of costume, from the rich and sub
stantial promenade suits for fall aud winter
wear, to dazzling evening robes fit to grace
the salon Of an Empress. Robes for the
house, for the OPERA for the soiree and for
the altar are shown, each complete, distinct
and supremely artistic. In richness of ma
terial, elaboration of trimming, classical de-
sign and finish harmony of colors, and
| that final indescribable something summed
up in the word "style," there are at least
half dozen full-dress toilets in this en-
chanting glass house of Gossage 81 Co.'s,
which the visitor to Philadelphia display
will vainly search to equal. Better than all,
there is culture and refinement shining
in every fold, every detail of ornamentation
in these costumes which commend them to
the uuerring instinct of womankind as
robes in which lady would feel herself
more of lady than ever.
Of the aesthetic judgment which has guild
en- the grouping of these superb costumes,
hardly word seems requisite The most
untutored art soul finds an enjoyment, even
if it cannot tell why, in the stately elegance
of these silent figures; the accurate blending
of hues; the unerring taste which has SO
placed each figure that it heightens the eff
feet of its sisters; the display Of uncut goods
magnificent in their scope and richness, and
the careless yet carefully-planned strewing
of cioaks, India shawls, costly fans, laces,
et dt., which serves as an admirable foil TO
| the studied grace and imposing sweep of
| the ompleted toilets. To the lover Of the
beautiful, the understanding admirer of the
artistic, the display is as substantial treat
| as is afforded In the art gallery itself.
Viewing this superb exhibit in its match
less beauty, one does not marvel to see lady
visitors from abroad continually catch up
the cards OF the firm who conceived and
contributed it in order to send them in lau-
datory letters to distant friends, or to per-
sonally visit the great establishment from
whence all this magnifcence emanated.
This noble display, which, we learn, is to
be supplemented on the 9th inst, by still
| larger and finer one at their own establish
ment, is hereby commended, in all sinceri-
| ty, TO every lover of true art and faultless
costuming sojourning permanently or tenn
porarily in Chicago.