Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-12-09
THE HUB "
PROSPECTS OF A BITTER WINTER
One of the Regular OId-Fash-
Toned Freezers.
FURS ALL THE FASHION
Boston's Latest Sensation---A Msm-
moth Na,atorium to be Erected
---Archibald Forbes Lee
lures on Two Subjects.
CHRISTMAS AND OTHER BOOKS

Special Correspondence State journal
boston, Dec. 6 -Ouly the first of
December and we are given such severe
snow storm that the roads are blocked the
streets only passable by rubber boots, and
not soul out of doors who can possibly
stay in the house! What a tremendous
winter seems opening before us Que of
the regular old-fashioned freezers that it
makes one shudder to think of. Even
Thanksgiving Day was ushered into the
Hub draped Ill q mantel of snow, but the
few inches that fell then, disappeared in a
few hours, while the present storm seems
capable of lasting all winter.
1t makes the fur dealers happy, how
ever, though they were not miserable be-
fore the cold snap" for the fat had come
from Paris with the first batch of fall i'm
portations, that of all fashionable
materials for the season. furs were to be
the most sought and used. Doubtless the
cold winter Of last season In CAV France
had much to do with this boom" in furs.
l went to our principal furrier the other
day, to get the latest points on the sub
ject and found him 80 busy that he was
able to give me precious few minutes
conversation, though a cordial invitation
to look around and help myself to news,
went far towards meeting my wants and
filling my note book.
Long rows of elegant seal cloaks and
dolmans, proved that this long favored
fur still holds its own in the feminine
heart and on the feminine form, but rival
rows of fur-lined and trimmed garments
showed that one Is not actually corfned
to seal skin by way of Hobsou's choice,
as was once the case These rich and
beautiful garments are favorable for very
many reasons, not the least of which is
that they are made to differ from each
other in pleasing fashion, there being
many varieties of styles and shapes, which
vary, shade by shade, from the regular dol
man with its full wing sleeve, to the circular,
which Ia now only fashionable as a wrap.
great deal of passamentsrie and Jet is
used on these garments, usually being
placed down the middle OF the back, thus
reducing the apparent breadth All sorts of
triu ming furs are used to border these
garments. from the costly otter, seal,
beaver and chinchilla down to the many
pretty fox, coon, lynx and other kinds of
which large variety are now made from
the soft fine fur of the Hudson bay hare,
which is either used with the long hairs.
or sheared, when it closely resembles
chinobilla fur, to initiate which 1t is fire.
quently died a lovely notified gray. These
garments are made of various lengths, they
nave one or three back seams, aud have
either the regular dolman sleeve, or new,
pretty half sleeve, deeply bordered with
fur
Fur sets" are the rage, and everybody
is buyiig them, or else having old furs
made over in this seasons style. great
number of American ssbles are being thus
renovated, for it is extremely fashionable
again. The set consists of small muff
and collar-the real, genuine, sensible,
collar-of greater or lesser
size. the shapes varying considerably
according to taste, and all kinds of furs
being used, from the valuable to the
cheapest grades, besides The fanciful tiger
and leopard skins, the dainty grey lyux-
which is one of the latest fsncies-and
other freaks of the day in this line.
Boston is to have new sensation In the
way of a swim ming -school-a natatorurl.
1t is called-a large lot of hind having
been leased in central location for the
erection of the buildings. The stock is
already nearly all sold, and it is expected
that the school will be ready by next
spring. There are to be two fresh water
tanks of $50 by 36 feet area, and with a
depth of 81 to 10 feet, one of wh,ch is
tor each Sex, aud salt water tank 81 by
Az feet, to be used on alternate days by
tie s, xas. Some fun is to be anticipated
from this new departure, aud it certainly
ought to be well pstroniz-d in these days
of wholesale travelling on land and water.
As for learning to swim during migratory
stays at the SEA shore in the summer. 1t is
not very practicable I'm sure, I've
irled, devotedly and repeatedly. summer
after summer, TO learn to
SWIM, but it was never
of the least use. While some kind friend
would hold up my chin with his hand, 1
would swim delightfully."-, but Just let that
hand be removed and after couple OF
desperate blunders with feet and hands,
down would go my head like lump of
lead, and q pair of kicking feet only would
be left of me above the surface, till the
kind friend should right me, with mouth
full of singing salt water, ears singing
and small streams of water trickling from
my countenance. 1t was always just so and
it was never very good fun. But now I
shall try it scientifically when they open
the school and see If can do any better.
One of the most interesting things in
the lecture line during the past week has
been the lectures given in Horticultural
Hall by Archibald Forbes, the English
war correspondent, whose letters TO the
London Nens have been well known on
both sides of the Atlantic. The topics
upon which he speaks are both very well
chosen and excellently wrought upon, and
the crowded audiences and frequent ap-
plause furnished conclusive proof of his
success, The Inner Life of War Tor
and Royal People l Have
Met" are his subjects.
Christmas books are now being rapidly
issued from the publishers. / have only
space to mention few from Lee &
5hepards. One of the prettiest books of
the season is the 'Home, Sweet Home"
which is pro:usely and exquisitely illus
rated with designs by MISS L. B Hum
phrey. Surely the familiar verses of John
Howard iPayres were never before given
30 beautiful setting, being pictured,
printed and bound in the daintiest fashion,
"a Strong Arm and Mother's Bless
ng," is the latest of the Rev. Elijah
ksllogg's books for boys, which are
always so popular with the youth OF the
lay, aud 1.-The Silver Medal" by j. T..
rrowbrldge, is another very interesting
story which will also be welcomed in every
youthful library. Both volumes are
Illustrated and well gotten up. Three
title volumes of illustrated verses for
children will be well received They are
New Songs for Little People," by Mary
.. Anderson; ''B ,by Ballads" by Uno;
md Little Songs, Mrs. Eliza Lee Follep.
The Boston magazines for December
ire all representative Plumbers, The
atlantic has its usual happy variety of
,apers, stories, sketches and poetry. Mr..
lanes Portrait of Lady" gains greatly
n interest with that number. Kate
i4nnett Wells has we'll. written paper on
The Transitional American Woman"
With the views in which some of her read
RS will probably differ, however. Emma
Brown has paper on "Childten's
! b W." 60. DO.
Wide Quake is fully up to its usual
merits, In matter as we'll as in illustrations.
The interesting story 1.-TWO Young Home
leaders" is completed in this number.
The Huacai Herald for D, cember Is
me of the best numbers yet issued, being
lied with valuable reading matter, all Of
which pertains to the higher interests Of
he science of which 1t is so admirable an
xponent, aud the music which 1t contains
'eing, as usual, of the highest order.
The number completes the first volume of
his publication, whose success is now
,eyond question. ROBIN.
Appreciative sympathy: Herr Bogolu-
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