Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-09-27
The Latest Folly.
HOW WOMEN TATTOO THEIR LEGsLTHB WAY n
Is DONE IN PHILADELPHIA

The Latest Folly.
HOW WOMEN TATTOO THEIR LEGs-THB WAY IT
Is DONE IN PHILADELPHIA.
The item which was published In the London
country, relative to the eopement Of the dauyh-
ter Of nobleman, in which occurred the sen
tattooed on the right leg, just below the knee"
has served to cali out in this country, from the
press, a general condemnation Of the practice
which was known to be largely INDUCED in by
English and French women.
. In order to learn whether the tattooing was
carried on to any extent In this city, an Item
reporter last week made tour Of discovery, in
which he was very successful. Among the first
visited was young physician, who said "The
leg mark referred to In reference to the clipping
young damsel, would be poor means Of iden-
tity In this country, for know of a number of
young ladies In this city who have their limbs
decorated in a similar manner During my brief
time OF practice can say that have met with
very many cases. Two young wives whom 1
ATTENDED recently had crosses tattooed on their
limbs, and one young lady Of whom know had
the Initials OF her favorite sutton pierced in the
skin just above the ankle. A young practi-
tionor said he had met with numerous cases
lately. Among the most favorite devices are
serpents with their tails In their mouths, FORM
knee"
Among the denim monde he had seen .sany
number of cases." He stated that most of the
female tattoo1ng was performed at the house
OF the patron, by woman whose name he did
not know: He was of the opinion that tattoo
graph about the young English woman had ap-
peared.
Being anxious to gain all the Information
pc SSible relative to this barbaric custom, an
Item reporter started out In search of the woman
referred to. who was finally found in an unp:e-
tentious but neat house In the Vicinity OF 9Th
brought a'colored servant to the door, and tle
scribe was invited to seat In the parlor, While
his card was taken up stairs
Flyem nute5 afterWard. pleaSant-floed lady
attired in plain silk unrelieved by adornme1ts
of any kind, entered the parlor, and smilinsy
extended her hand the fingers Of which were
black with india ink. After stating his blS-
ness the lady, after some hesitation consented
to talk on tue subject, providing her name and
residence were not published.
:. have to maintain much secrecy, said the
lady, "for many Of my patrons belong to the
best families
In adswer to the query whether the practice
business was dull, but now have more than
can attend to-
81 do not know how shall describe the op-
Grafton" said the lady, " for 1 am not very apt
at such things. But If l could so arrange it that
you could see the modus operandi yourself, will
you pledge me secrecy in case you know Dr. re-
The scribe willingly gave his word to be num-
and he was taken into room up stairs wntch
adJoined the operating room, and where he
could observe without being seen. The operat-
Ing room bore the appearance Of a dentists
Office A large. comfortable chair, in which an
aspirant for tattooing honors was seated, stood
patients leg was bare and exposed nearly to the
knee, and from its appearance it was evident
that the operation had been suspended when
the lady came down to welcome the reporter
Work upon 1t was resumed without delay, and
every time the needle pierced the skin the
young woman WINGED perceptibly, and 1t was
Several times the leg was Jerked back con-
vulsively, which drew out an angry comm Ind
to keep quiet" At last the work upon The
cross was completed, and the young wo.nan
departed.
The next patient was well-known leader of
the demi monde Of this city, who had come to
rate design. She laughed and chatted through
the operation, and before she left concluded
10 nave the other limb decorated at an early
AS soon as she had left the India Ink artist
'sWell, am now ready to continue our inter-
Reporter-From what 1 have seen an led
to believe the operation painful one. Am l
correct?
Artistic some it Is, to others not. Ihaye
known some to faint while undergoing the tat
tooiDg,while others will laugh and joke through
out the entire operation, evincing no uneasiness
Reporter-Is not the practice injurious?
Artist-No l have never hehrd of it being
so at least. 1 know Of one young lady VIII )5e
limb was inflamed and swollen for two or three
days. so that it was impossible for her to use 1t;
but the swelling went down, and since thea she
has experienced no trouble. But did not Won
Reporter-Why?
Artist-She wanted too much. She actually
insisted In having tattooed on her limb, from
the knee down, no less than eight devices,
including monOgramS, crosses, half-moonS, &C.
RepOrter-Who are your best customers?
ArtistIThe demi-monde. Lately they have
become almost crazy over 1t. Still have quite
a practice among respectable women. Spe TX
ing Of the demi- monde's craze over the matter
recalls little incident. Last week was called
upon by one Of them to tattoo the name of a
well-known politician on her limb. which l
did. The next day another woman of the
same class called for the same purpose. re-
marked to her the coincidence. Turning
around In the chair, she said " Ii any other
woman bears his name tattoo it on the bottom
OF my foot, so that l may express my contempt
for him."
Reporter-What are your charges?
Artist-They arrange from S. to s25, and for
more elaborate designs as high as $50. Most
Of my customers, however, are OF the S. Glass;
for which sum will tattoo crosses, monog roms
and circles
his arm, the reporter withdrew, thoroughly
satisfied that the rumors of the prac Ice OF this
art were not without Oundation.-( PhiIade phia
Item.