The daily gazette., 1879-11-25
The american Bon M0rche.
FACTS AND FASHIONS.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 24.-Doubtless
the propriet0rs of the European Bon
Marche would be very much surprised
# they thought only about an average of
one TO every million OF American ladies
had ever heard of their world-renowned
establishment, but that fact does not
seem near SO strange as to hear a lady
from Pittsburg, Pa, say that she "nevcr
heard of the Grand Depot !"
"What never heard OF John Wana-
makers ohderful palace OF fashion ?"
"Oh yes. I've bought clothing at both
street house-fIr my boys. Is the one
you refer to clothing store toow
"rhe Grand Depotp Why, I at con
tans forty departments, including all
articles necessary for gentlemen's ward
robes, from the merest toilet trifle to the
complete outfit at all prices from the
cheapest to the most expensive"
"But certainly there are other things
in the sore besides clothing, if the there
are so many departments?
ayes. Materials and garments for la
dies and children, alltoilette accessories,
and also every conceivable article for
household Ornamentation and conven-
fence can be found in the rooms of the
Grand Depot"
81 should like most sincerely to see
that wonderful store," continued the
lady from Pittsburg. "Can you tell me
something about its arrangement ?"
"The description for to-day very like
ly should be changed for tomorrow,
''for," said lady fashion writer from
" ,,rly t,hn uta aitnh N 4 nd
every day for two weeks as mere mat
ter OF curiosity, 81 never saw such a place
in my life as the Grand Depot; they are
cons antly springipg new mines upon
me. A few days ago | examined small
stock of toys down stairs, this morning l
am invited to inspect the children's gal
lery, which presents already festival
appearance, a regular fairy scene of MINI
ic horse races, revolving pictures, various
mechanical toys, doll furniture, houses
and all manner Of toys, besides dolls of
all sizes and nationalties, enough, in
truth, to set an ordinary child wild with
delight. And again | am told the art
gallery is open for my approval, and am
shown into gem of a room made beau
tiful with rare specimens in furniture and
household ornaments, together with cas-
els and pictures of all kinds and antique
pottery fuch as quaint vases and other
odd pieces. Indeed,your Grand Depot is
perfect marvel of artistic beauty, a ba-
zaar superior to the Centennial Exhibit
| ton, because the stock is not standard,
and every hour novelties from all parts
of the world are brought n,so that some-
thing new is constantly inviting and at
tracing attention." And then the lady
| fromNew York described some fthe cos
tunes and evening dresses which had
charmed her. for even literary women
have feminine vanities, and set as much
store by new bonnet or suit as the fash
ionable society dame.
A skating costumes merits descrip-
tlon for Its simple arrangement. The
| skirt il of black velvet, perfect rlain;the
upper garment, a kind Of double lale
tot, has both skirts bordered with beav-
er iur, sprinkled with white stars; the
| mutf and boa match the fur trimming
while the jaunty cap is of velvet, with a
border OF the fur.
| A very elegant reception robe is a
combination OF green velvet and mastiC
colored silk. The velvet on lower skirt
| is arranged IN three slightly gathered
ruffies, above is shirred drapery edged
this crosses the front, and Is headed by a
ruffle of velvet; then comes another
fringe trimmed shirring of the site
silk which Joins the printed waist OF
green velvet, which opens in front over
full shirred stomacher of silk, and is
finished on each side with rich lace,
which Also decorotes neck apd sleeves
Tue back drapery and train are of mas
| tic silk >. the edge of tram being Ornamen
| TOD ,p,th III 40 md Mai n npa pf the han,
w mastic silk.
An evening dress of iceberg blAe silE
is particularly charming. The back dra
perry and train are composed en'irely OF
the silk, edged with lace and rrimme
with shells of the silk, interspersed with
loops and ends with blue and silver rib
bon. The side decorations consist O
jabot cascades of bretonne lace from tht
waistline down to edge of skirt, gradua
ting from the smallest possi BILE size TO {
large fan like plating. Over The front Ii
an exquisite drapery OF silvery gauZe
through which tho blue ofthe sill show
dainnty, and this overgarment is trim
med with plaitings of lace and knots ant
ends of the blue and silver ribbon. Th'
low corsage and short sleeves are finish
ed with the lace and knots of the ribbon
With these costumes the gloves shoult
be perfect, OF only in color but in finisl
| anu fit. Lace mitts are still worn, an,
will be throughout the winter but Xii
gloves are favored by the majority of tn
ladies'. The Foster kid glove seems t.
be exactly what has been needed by s.
many of our ladies whose Wrists Wi
not allow them TO purchase shapel
glove for respectable hand. The Fo,
Ter glove laces at the wrist instead G
buttoning therefore the pressure O
strain may be regulated by the wearel
20 there will be perfect tit and no teal
:: ing out as in the unmanagable buttone
{ gloves. Tie hosiery, too, forms a spe,
! ial feature of a finished toilet, anu |
!. BrettIes' silk hose, all colors, can be pc
fectly matched in either plain or en-
: broidered novelties.