Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-02-22
THE DEMkMOSBE OF PARIS.
How They Set the PrahIops-rhefI
Extravaganee and 8plendOP.

As to their dress, IL is we'll known
fact that many leading fashions are frs
introduced to the gay world from the
boar8s Of some leading Parisiau theater
whore the society drama ia the order o.
the day The ladies of the Gymnase and
OF the Vaudeville might vie with thoss
who pay their fsspscts 70 Mile McMshor
on her reception days 10. the matter Of
elegant toilets, The dresses worn By
Blanche Pierson. in a recent revival 81
La Dame aux Camehes, were said tC
have cost $500, exclusive Of the isce, .
price thstawould represent 8 cost Of a,
least three times 90 much in New York
Aud her Brussels lace aouuces, held
back by garlsnds Of white camelias on a
train OF white satin, wouldnot have been
disdaioed by a royal bride The pourre
of diamonds which she wore in the sane
play was magnificent. oSchneidsr'a dia-
moDds have been estimated at $l20 0O0
her necklace alone being valued at $50.
600. and her solitaire earrings at Sl0,.
600. ..uq- "
Mile Fromentiu, in the comedy OF
Gilberte," at the Gymuase, last year,
changed her dress three times, each cos.
tune being more exquisite than the last.
The beautiful Angelo in the same piece
wore two superb costumes, and M lie
Delaporte had on Japanese toilet that
was a very marvel Of richness and orig.
nality. Aud by the laws of Partisan
thesters all costumes OF the present day
must be furnished by the performers
themselves This fact, combined With
the very low rate Of salaries paid to
members of the theatrical profession in
Paris, is powerful incentive to vice.
1t is recorded that Aimee Descee, the
most popular French actress Of her day,
received at the very hight Of her fame a
salary Of 5000 a week Out Of that she
had to furnish her dresses for such 30.
ciety plsys as Frou Frou" and "Le
Dame aux Peries" And poor Mile
Desclee, whose untimely death is still a
matter Of regret even to the tickle public
Of this most cspricious Of cities, was
that rara avis of the French boards, a
woman Of undoubted purity of conduct,
so that she had no opportunity of sup.
plying her wardrobe from outside sourcep.
The ranks of the demi monde of Paris
receive large reinforcements from for.
eign countries and from the provinces
ldleness, home troubles, the temptations
OF luxury and Incidence lure many q
young French country girl to her ruin.
Many Of the impure celebrities of the
day are foreigners, and ! ,egret to say
that among them are to be found several
Americans Cora Pearl. as ia well known,
is an English woman. The celebrated
Mile Mpsssrd is an American, as ia also
the heroine of the Russian diamond
scandal, at present one of the leading
notorietieS Of Paris With her may often
be seen a beautiful woman, once well
known in fashionable circles Of New
York. Another American lady Of great
beauty, once a reigning belle in the mosl
exclusive circles Of one of your large
cities, has been installed by the gene
rosity Of compatriot in a very elegant
hotel of her own. A lady OF title, the
member Of one OF the noblest houses o
England, is the chere annie Of spanish
noblemsn residing not stone throw
from the Champs Elysees.
The luxury and splendor displayed By
some Of the reigning queens of this eyi
society are almost beyond belief. | have
already spoken of the diamonds of Mile
Schneider, Her superb hotel on the
Avenue de lin psrstrlce is just 6nished
The diamonds Of Mile Duvergsr, which
were sold by their possessor at auction
last winter, brought her sum Of ove,
$200,00O. The apartments of Mile
uosseoy, an actress OF small celebrity
situated on the Place Vendome (tht
most extravagAnt quarter OF Paris, BY
the wsy), we're devastated by ERE last
spring, This lady saved her Jewels, bul
ber less on furniture, dresses, etc was
estimated at $4,000. Among other
objects destroyed we're enumerated pic
lures by Gerome and Meisssonnier, a
counterpane OF fine Mechin lace, cell,
ing formed of antique tapestry and val
ued at 10000, and thirty dresses of the
most gorgeous description. And sad to
say the chef d'euvre OF the lamented
Henri Regnault, his celebrated "Sa.
lone" is ia the possession Of one oil
these ladies and is in consequence los
to the lovers OF art at large