The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-06-13

time, no matter how old it may be, see
a great many novel things which are
! either not notieedo OF have been forgot
ten by the residents themselves; and
when they. refer to them they are re-
swarded for their pains by the remark,
sob yes, you are like all the verdant
visitors, who invariably speak of things
familiar. TO us as only curious to Them"
And yet I think that even a .cockney
win Be amused ifI ftankly put down a
few, Of my sensations during my first
month in London,
Let me talk a little about English
women. Although they claim to be the
greatest walkers in the world, they have
none of the grace of the Americans.
Their feet are larger, and they step out
like men. They have none of the ex-
quisite and delicate taste in dress for
which my gcountrywemen are noted, and
no, idea OF, the harmony of colors. l
have strolled along Regent Street, Bond
Street, Oxford Street, end the Strand,
and, judging by the female professions
have met, conclude that encounter
ed specimens of every class and condi-
ton, and my verdict is clear that the
average Englishwoman is very plain
and unprepossessing. At first thought
that the porcelain classes-that is, the
nobility and gentry-scorned to walk
the streets of London, and that the
handsome women were all kept for
show in tie big houses; but the other
day, as l was walking through St.
James S Park, came plump upon a
long line of aristocratic carriages, laden
with ladies in their court regalia, on
their way to the Queens Drawing-room
at buckingham Palace. did
not fear to look and lingcr; and
although there were some fair faces
of pure English type, my early
impression was confirmed, viz, that fe-
male beauty in England is neither so
frequent, so refined, nor so delicate as
tits in the United States. have yet to
1, see the women of the Continent, but so
far the palm rests with my sisters at
home. Yet, the shops are exquisitely
adorned in the fashionable streets; and
rhapsodized over the sweet bonnets,
beautiful costumes, dainty gloves, and
shoes and boots I say / rhapsodized
over all these till I saw the En- lish la
dies wearing the things by which I had
been so much attracted; then the whole
illusion Vanisheds Again I was disen-
chanted by the English shop-girls re-
turning home after their days work.
Hard faces and common, careless cos
TUNES, nothing bright in walk or talk /;
and what a contrast between the CAV,
fresh, winsome girls that pour along the
streets of New York, Philadelphia. Bos-
ton, or Baltimore, vending their way
every evening toward their humble
homes! And the difference might have
been followed up and perhaps explained
by the much higher wages paid to the
work-women of the United States.
just here let me give you little OF
my own experience in regard to dress
making. was recommended to first
class fashionable dress-maker in
London, whom engaged to "build',
for me handsome costume of silk
and velvet in the latest Partisan
style, asking her what her charge
would be if supplied all the materials
livery well knew that she, like all Euro
: pean milliners, would prefer finding
them herself. She replied: 81 can moi
give you the exact price; it will depend
upon the time required to make it, /,
E however, left my goods, and within five
days she returned to me an exquisite
princesse of eau de Nile gros grain, fit
ting very closely the figure and hips.
ptatecE OF bpttlesgreen velvet formed
the front, while the center backs of the
waist and skirt were of the velvet.
slightly pulled just below the waist line,
and extending to the extremity of the
long. train. On either of the side back
cores were placed large square pockets
OF velvet, piped and ornamented with q
tasty little bow of silk. Around the
: edge the entire skirt was a deep fac.
ing OF velvet cut out in squares, which
were piped with fine cords of the gros
: grains Between each of these SQUARES
were placed kilt-pleatings of the silk.
On the sides We're outstanding folds of
rich point applique. The waist was ex-
tremely high and close to the throat,
while the sleeves of velvet and silk were
quite q short elbow, edged with frill
of point applique. and inner ruches of
crepe Iisse. The entire effect of this
costume was recherche and classic. |
dreaded to see my bill after examining
the neatness and elegance of this dis
tinguce toilette. What was nv amaze-
ment when l discovered the bill present.
ed for making was only $3.50 Ameri-
can money!
Such robe made by sush Dress
maker in either Philadelphia or New
York would have been $50; so that you
see there is another and better side to
my London experience. A reasonable
knowledge Of this wonderful metropolis
arms you, with ability to find out the
3 cheapest places. IfaYou rush into mr.