The Portland daily press., 1877-03-07
Men and Women.

Whenever clever New England woman has |
nothing else to do she witches the Boston
"Woman's Club with paper on some pro- |
found subject. Miss Elizabeth Stuart Phelps
has just done this
Helen OF Troy WAS recently unprecedented
at the Authors Carnival by the daughter OF
Judge Howells of the Southern Claims Com
mission. Her classical costume came from
Paris.
Buloz of the Revue deS Deu1. MondeS was for
short time manager of the Coincide frah-
caise. He was one day reproached for making
an actor play the day after his fathers iuneral.
Buloz ingenuously replied, "Why, gave him
part in tragedy"
Mr., George Bancroft has occupied seat on
the floor of Congress during every joint session
of the two houses. A historian could have no
better opportunity to gather material. His
snowy head is conspicuous landmark among
the yellow desks and the grizzled, red and bald
heads of the statesmen he is mentally taking
note OF. Two secretaries aid him. writing at
his dictation, searching musty books and
papers and preparing matter for the press. MIR.
Bancroft entertains often. His hospitality
consists chiefly in dinner parties where the
wines are the choicest and tho conversation
most profound.
Mr.. Joaquin Miller has burst like beaute.
ons star across the horizon of Washington, and
one letterwriter thus POLITICALLY mentions him:
"He was an intent listener during the reading
of the returns and one had fine opportunity
for studying his appearance. His soft, fine
hair is of richly golden hue, his beard tawny,
81 g h~s- To-, 1tnhf
Joaquin is perfect picture that an artist would
despair of reproducing. One who saw him
standing on hill near Santa Barbara at sun
set, looking out over the golden waves Of the
Pacific, said that the vision could never be eff
faced from memory. The lion locks were long
er then, the beauty of his face fresher and
younger, and the figure shown in its perfection
by the picturesque costume he wore before he
left the Sierras and the sea to receive the lau.
rels conventional society heaped upon him. In
his appearance there is nothing Of thetop boots
and red shirt that sensational reports have
credited him with. A bell-crowned felt hat,
military cloak, silver-head cane, and large
solitaire diamond studs and ring are the only
noticeable features of bis dress :.
La Belle Gabrielle (Henry Tvs mistress)
was dazzlingly fail, with brilliant dark eyes and
an abundance of beautiful hair, which she wore
as was the fashion of the day, brushed back
from the forehead and temples and encirclins
the head the plaits or rolls twined in witt
rows of pearls or studded over with diamonds
etc. We hear of her rich brocades, of hel
marvelously fine laces, of exquisite Flemish
and English point, the latter being then il
great renown. Her figure was perfect in sym
metry, and enabled her to wear to advantage
the long-waisted, close-ftting corsage then ir
favor, which, with the addition of the uncom-
ifeEtaAAe and dis6guring Elizabethan ruff, was
in her portraits and diHHaef s&a is represented
distichs in praise of her beauty. She was foni
OF wearing black satin and embroidery. At
christening at which she and the king wer
sponsors, her robe and train Of black satin ar
described as deliberately trimmed over will
pearls and precious stones which had a YER
brilliant effect and admirably set off her beauty
The embroidered handkerchief she carried on
that occasion had been displayed the prevou.
day as marvellous piece OF skilled needle .wori
at the house Of the brodeuss of whom it was
bought Its price had been 200 ecus; but Ga
brielle, by a little bargaining and by paying
ready money, had got it for 100.