Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-23

A BUDGET OF SOCIETY AND FASHION GOSSIP FRoI
THE FRENCH CAPrrNL.
PARIS, FRANCE, Jan. %. 1877.
To tha Editor of the Free Press and Tfues.

i \
| THE FRENCH CAPrrNL-
PARIS, FRANCE, Jan. %. 1877.
| To the Editor Of the Free Press and Times;
| France leads the world in fashion and when
all other countries are seemingly undergoing
| n season of rest. the manufacturers III the
| Provinces and the modistes of Pa: is are all
| at work creating new wonders for the admi-
| ration of the fair sex. The tendency seems
to run to all the most perfect shades n gray
this spring. Many toilettes have already
| been made of it, some exclusively in gray,
the different materials producing the desired
nuances of color, while in others it is COM
| bined with hunters green, ink blue or deep
claret, as the effect is not as pleasing with
brown.
| There has been much gayety in French
| diplomatic circles, and certain amount in
| the American colony, although ten and toast,
or in other words the kettle drum, seems to
| have been the f4yorite and rather cheap
amusement.
Frenchmen are still hoping for war, and
| while expressing their almost slIke for and
distrust of Bismarck, cannot he ep wondering
| what his policy is.
| Recently there has gathered at the Cham
ber of Deputies much of the rank and beauty
of fashion all zen grande tenue." Among
these is one lady who ranks high in the poll
| tical world and whom certain journalist
| calls female Richelieu, who spares at least
sufficient time to her toilette to present a
very charming appearance. At recent
| gathering she was attired in II costume of
iron gray faille and satin relieved by cherry
eolored satin. The skirt was cut with a
| demi-train of gray faile. In the front were
| seven narrow hounces of gray faille held by
| bands of cerise satin and finished with u
! MI tod NJ
cerise. These hounces only passed to the
sides and were there finished by Il rich
passementeri. The train was of gray flille
trimmed around with Bruses lace, above
| which was o design III heavy gray and cerise
| cord A scarf started from the left shoulder
where it was fastened by cerise cord and
passing over to the right side forms pocket.
| The over-dress is in princesse form of
gray faille and was left open on the side
where the pocket came, being turned back
with cerise satin revers- \ chenille netting
Of cerse and gray chenille trimmed this all
around. The outside wrap was Il large pc
lisse of gray matelasse trimmed with mari
mot. The hat WAS simple t1que o. gray
flille with band of the marimot fur, gray
| .eathers and cerise wing perched upon the
most beautiful golden hair in Paris.
Mdlle r. wore an extremely elegant cos
tune OF black velvet. This was trmnied
with rich white lace. and over it was u
network of chenille. There was no overskirt,
the princesse robe sweeping in magnificent
curves from the neck to the edge OF the train.
| \ velvet pocket covered with chenille was III
the side. With this WAS worn demi-iOn3
parlessus, which had reyers OF green and
| black damsssi on the front and the sleeves
| 1t was also finished with melted chenille
fringe, single pocket was on the left side OF
the chest. The hat was the NOtlavian shape
| and was of black velvet with Il scarf % green
plush wound around it.
Mile II. was III an elegant costume OF seal
brown damassi and cashmere. The train
was of the cashmere and trimmed with wide
damassi galoon and plissi tlounce. The
pli,strin was of damassi buttonsd into the
Train open sleeves with long gloves and II
hat trimmed with cocks plumes. \ long
! veil was also wound around 1t, then passed
around the neck and fell t the back. The
! hair was loosely waved and caught IN net.
Madame de 5. wore Il long princesse robe
Of Nacarat velvet without trimming. Her
pelisse was of the same material with revers,
collar and cuffs of ermine. Her hat was
topue OF velvet with band of ermine.
The perruquiers OF Paris are by no means
a body to be overlooked. They now hold an
exhibition at which jury give prizes to the
most original and elegant styles OF couture.
This ends with ball at which certain OF
the invited guests, wear the accepted cOitlrre.
| As it gives All idea OF what will he the pre-
vailing mode, all the beau monde of Paris
are interested in hearing about it The last
one came off on the eighth Of January. The
jury had allotted the gold medal 10 the origl-
nator of coiiflre winch was Il modernized
Louis Seize. Gold colOrrd HAIR had little
bits separated aud carried back so as to form
little scallops In front large undulating
| of hal t1rn pl n Ne Eel
decided scallops and were carried back in
light fluffy masses. At the back We're en-
lacing coils from which fell three long eurls
terminating in frizzed ends. At the sum-
NIT, slightly inclined. was placed a pout of
blue feathers fastened by diamond nigrette,
while five stars were placed in the form of o
horse shoe around the pout
A second couture also III the Louis Siezs
style has obtained an honorable distinction.
This was formed by separating the harr, IN
tertwining 1t with curls and decking 1t with
gold chains. On the top OF the head a frs
ette of hair formed u sort of uuance in which
WAS placed n diadem of COLLEEN buttons sur
mounted by golden aisrette.
The musical dilletante have been enjoying
the sublime symphony of Felicien David a:
the Chatelet under the direction OF NJ. Col
onne. The orchestra executed the music
with admirable precision and emphasis. The
| fhntuses We're particularly nue.
We have young and very pretty piani|ie
here who is creating quite y sensation by the
manner in which she iuterprets the different
masters. but more particularly Chopin.
We have recently introduced n pretty GeY-
| mtn custom which they call the tree of Noel.
This is covered with candles and placed in n
room with long table ON whichiS an abund-
aNce of pens, paper and ink. Towards eleven
O'Clock the candles are lighted and every "ne
approaches the table. old and young, little
and great, and here slips of paper each
writes few lines. These contain his most
secret wishes which he concealed IN the
depths of his heart, and which he carefully
cuards from intrusive eyes. When midnight
strikes ench makes with his slip Of paper to
the tree and consgns it to the flames Of the
candles. 1t should be completely consumed
during the time in which the candle is strlk-
Twelve This is n sisu that the wishes, the
hopes of those are trying their fate will be
realized. But If there should remun be-
tween his fingers the least bit of unburned
paper then alas , you may we'll give over
hoping for your wish will never be realized.
Your readers may like to try thus German
custom on the eve of st. Valentine, and If
they should they each and all have my earn
est hope that fate will prove propltious, and
each obtain the desire ct his or her heart.
Within the memory OF The oldest inhab-
taut Paris has not had so mild winter it
/ now enjoying. Thus far there has been .
T really cold weather, and throughout January
,t temperature has been high that fli,s
and June bugs have made their appearance,
and the trees show signs of budding The
storks have not yet migrated, and the wild
ducks and goose have remained in their sum-
mer quarters.