, 1877-01-28
Something Concerning New
Styles of Goods and an
Adorable Toilet.
Costumes for Old Ladies-..The
Wedding Of a DoIl---Fash-
ion Notes.
Grand Reception at James
ville---Pleasure-Seek-
ers in the SUBJ
urbS.
The Grand-Opera Ball at Paris--.
Marriage of Musicians
Daughter.


A&A6AN~As
CHICAGO.
TEE USHER At FASHIONABLE WEDDINGS.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
CHICAGO, Jan. 25.-Your generosity in afford
iug space to my last communication emboldens
me to attempt still further criticism OF the pc
cuarities OF social life rs have seen it, and If
rou think my opinions worthy OF publication, I
Till gladly send you my views On matters that
tave attracted mv attention.
Hare you ever noticed the usher at the fash
tanab!e wedding Of the day. Have you ever
considered him in his bearings, separated from
lis duty Of finding you seat speedily and with
uat undue osteutation! II you hare not, let me
shox him to rou, commencing your society man
10 the study Of the bird as atfording him. per-
hips, an avocation to whicl, he is better adapted
Cshers at weddings are essentially the de-
relopment Of civilization. In the early history
pt the world there Il no mention Of them, and
twas not until society had been formed on its
present basis that the absolute necessity Of the
ushe, at the nuptia1 ceremony became manifest
i laborious search through the account Of Adam
md Ewes wedding fails to discover the exist
eoce Of ushers, and. had there been any, it would
probably have appeared, as the chroniclers Of
that day, like those Of this, are minute in their
description Of the BRIDES costume Nor do We
ind any mention of the ubiquitous usher in all
history, down TO the establishment Of society rs
hat present exists, when 1t Vas asccrtaiucd that
ama7aEe was not binding upon either of the
parties unless the bidden guests had been pre-
rous}y seated hr . band OF gentlemen, whose
liter functions were 1narching up the aisle, with
re.y stiff backs and remarkably rigid arms, just
advance Of the bridal cortege. The invention
d the usher is shruuded III mystery. but it Is
supposed that he came in with tEains and low
r.ykcd dresses. /: Is lamentable that his first
appearance is not recorded, but since there is
10 satisfactory explanation Of his arrival, it will
Be necessary to accept him, and examine him as
h is and rs he should be.
The usher Of to-day appears at the church
door in solemn black, except as to hair, which
s generally Of golden hue, and parted square
i in the middle as Indicative Of his impartiality
h the reception OF guests and utter ludiscr1ni-
nation in the seating thereof. His neckttc is OF
E1oEy silk, emblcnatic Of his motives and the
MODERATION Of his. nature. His coat is OF the
hsindulEcnccs In lawful avocations are sufli-
dently rcmuncrative; aud tue latter when the
lace Of the earth neglects to yield to him what
be considers his fair abundance His ieet are
small and shapely, and his gloves tit or not, in
proportion to his irugality in purchase. As a
mle he wears mustacbc, moro or less clearly
Defined. and ais cicrks arc shaEen closely, and
powdered with cure. Ordinarily, he is youth
1n', and generally he Is supposed to have COOL
careful ere to the wants OF the large community
whom he is supposed to mold into shapefy
audience. II he be an usher Of incxpcricncc,
he assumes an ease mud grace which
mike him the most interesting Gle.
mcnt OF the performance, while, il
he be IN usher Of experience. he succeeds in
lmpressing strong recollection OF himself upon
the minds Of all with whom lie comes in con-
ture, hts prcfosative is TO rub the palm OF bis
glove upon that Of every especially young and
pretty lady who approaches, bearing always in