Morning journal and courier., 1880-02-09
India slayvIs and How They are Used.
 [From the Evening Post.l


 An India shawl possesses, for most women, 8 charm that is scarcely surpassed by that of an Oriental rug. Whether it is because they are associated with thoughts of Oriental lux ury or because of their intrinsic value and beauty, India shawls are always fashionable, and, in spite of the continual introduction of novelties in wraps, are more or less worn. Moreover, they are a good deal like dia- monds in this particular, that they will al ways bring a fair proportion of their real value.
 India shawls of the medium and better qualities are, it is said, selling now at @ con siderable advance on the prices of last season. The shawls designated as ''Valley of Cash mere" are among the finest ones imported to this country and those imported this season are marked by rich but very subdued color ing. They show what is termed a Russian ground, in which magenta and white are em- ployed most sparingly, and the design is in fine tracery work, including considerable black and mixture of hues. ''The Valley of Cashmere" wraps were originally made for the Russian market by which they are to great extent monopolized, so that genuine and fine grade specimen is, in this country, one of the costliest and rarest of India wraps
 Umritzur shawls differ from others of this class in their brighter coloring and larger pat terms. What is termed 'sHilr' shawl is of medium price, and in it's texture, coloripg and general pattern resembles the ''Valley of Cashmere" {" which it is designated to initiate. Valley of Cashmere Deccas are fine variety of the usual shawls made in the Deccan. The finest qualities of these shawls are generally used as wraps only. They are now sometimes worn scarf-fashion with the ends tied togeth- CT below the waist. Less expensive qualities are also devoted to 8 variety of other purpos- es. The Deccas, for instance, are sometimes cut and fashioned into dolmans or sacques at once elegant and unique, or are even con verted into luxurious dressing gowns, for which their rich and harmonionsly blended hues are peculiarly suitable. Coarse Deccas are frequently embellished by ladies with ap- pliques of velvet outlined with gold braid on the large figures, and are transformed into table covers or made to serve in some simi- lar manner as an article of household decora- ton.
 Soft, delicate Rhampour Chuddas have been of late a favorite material with Parisian mod istes for overdresses and drapery for elegant toilets. They come in clear and rich solid colers of white, gray, blue, scarlet or black, and are so pure and durable in texture that they may be cleaned and re-dyed when soiled. Being very long and of double width, they furnish ample material for the purpose men tioned. Leading dry goods houses are now selling many of them to be made up for the coming spring. The Chudda shawls are much employed for opera wear. Striped India shawls are furnished in many qualities and prices, and are used for many purposes. As lap and carriage robes they are both elegant and comfortable. Handsome furniture is up- holstered with them in luxurious and splen- did fashion, which is said to date, in English houses, from Lady Blessingtons time. Two of these shawls are frequently made to serve as window drapery, for which the length of three and half yards, in which many of them come, is suitable. They also furnish an especially elegant material for graceful por- tieres. Upholstery of this kind imparts @ pleasing atmosphere of luxury and comfort. The quality of the shawl employed for such purposes will, of course, vary with the fancy and taste of the purchaser. Certain grades of shawls are, however, provided at prices which render their use no more expensive than that of other handsome materials and, while they possess the advantage of an exqui- site fitness of design, the colors are such as may almost be said never to fade.