The Donaldsonville chief., 1877-05-19

to any one having common liking
for the noblest kind of brute, hardly
excepting the horse. The Rev. Mr..
M'Donna, the celebrated English au-
thority on dogs, kindly crossed the
ocean to attend the show, and brought
dogs with him of the highest breeding
known in the world. Other English
| lovers of dogs sent their pets, and
noble animals they were, though not
handsomer to the uneducated eye, and
not more intelligent looking, than
many not valued so highly, belonging
to American owners. Contrary to the
general idea, the st. Bernards of pure
breed are not black and white, but
red, and fawn and yellow, with not a
single black hair upon them. The
larger part of entries were of sporting
dogs, some of which were sent from
Michigan, Missouri and Virginia. The
dark Irish settlers, and field spaniels
were the handsomest exhibited. The
pet toy dogs, though costly, were the
ugliest of their race. There were
pugs, which nearly drew scream of
disgust at their horrid ugliness, ter
riers, bred in and in till there is moth
ing in them but enough black coat to
shiver with, and greyhounds that
looked like skinned chickens, blue
and starved. The pets lay on satin
cushions and had lace on their collars !;
but one honest Newfoundland or
spaniel, with most of my readers
would outweigh in interest the whole
weakly, expensive set, representing
though they did value of thousands
of dollars. There were very large
number of these monstrosities valued
a thousand dollars each, and for which
that price is actually asked and OBJ
tanned and it does seem as though
the uglier and more frightful the
beast, the more money a fashionable
woman is willing to give for it. The
show was instructive as well as pleas
ant. There were dogs trained to a
degree of intelligence that very many
humans do not possess, and the use
fulness of the animal was demon
strated in very many ways. The pro-
ceeds of the exhibition goes to the
founding of hospital for disabled
dogs, under the charge of Mr.. Bergh.
Curious that dogs should have hos
pital when so many humans are un-
sheltered.
Taste in the small accessories of
the toilet is more cultivated year By
year among our countrymen. Ele-
giant silk stockings, delicate, fanciful
handkerchiefs and neckties, to say
nothing of the extravagances under
the name of lingerie, take large
share of fashionable woman's spend
ing money. Of course those who have
less will not be satisfied without at
least approaching the luxuries of
others above them. Embroidered silk
stockings are hardly called for SO
much as the Lisle thread, in shades
to match those of the dress, light blue,
rose color, lilac and violet, the same
being repeated in stockings for chill
dren. Clicked stockings are no longer
in first taste. Handkerchiefs in lawn
with fine, thin silk borders almost as
sheer, in rose, sky blue and pale vio-
let are pretty, cheap and refined look
ing. Smyrna has the same run that
cluny did ten years ago, and is seen
everywhere, from the inner garment
of lady to the parasol, and the col
lar about her neck. But it is no way
| fit for the finer uses of the toilet, and
should be confined to useful under
clothing, and in finer qualities to
trimming linen lawns, on which it is
very well placed. The extravaganza
with which children are now dressed
is startling. The writer saw led into
a large store the other day boy of
five years, wearing an overdress of
light blue velvet, bordered complete
ly with the expensive silver fox fur
which adorned toilets of the highest
cost last season. Another boy in vio
let velvet wore his coat and sleeves
trimmed with very heavy point. 1t is
possible that the carnival shows and
tableaux in which children have been
SO conspicuous lately have fostered
this love for finery where it is hardly
best placed. It looks very pretty to
see boys and girls dressed like the
| oo,srf oh;Idror, IL, a,,fint1n f,iefIfraS hnt