The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-04-14

They were half dOne!-yOu understand
How, then-though now the works bore -
The lilies grew beneath her hand
On slippers that are seen no more!
A WOmanss vvhins.
The Empress Josephine had 600, 900
francs for her personal expenses, but
this sum was not sufficient, and her debts
increased to an appalling degree. Not
withstanding the riches Of her husband,
she could never submit to either order
or etiquette in her private life.
She rose at 9 o'clock. Her toilette con-
sumed much time, and she lavished un-
wearied efforts on the preservation and
Enlistment of her person. She
changed her linen three times day.
and never wore any stockings that were
not new. Huge baskets were brought to
her containing different dresses, shawls
and hats. From these she selected her
costume for the day. She possessed be-
tween 300 and 400 shawls, and always
wore one in the morning, which she
draped about her shoulders with un-
equaled grace. She purchased all that
were brought to her, no matter at what
price.
The evening toilet was as careful as
that Of the morning then she appeared
with flowers, pearls or precious stones in
her hair. The smallest assembly was al
ways an occasion for her to order new
costume, in spite of the boards of Dress
es In the various palaces. Bonaparte
was irritated by these expenditures he
would fly into a passion and his wife
would weep and promise to be more pru.
dent; after which she would go on in
the same way.
It is almost incredible that this pas
sion for dress should never have ex-
hausted itself. After the divorce she
arrayed herself with the same care, even
when she saw no one.
She died covered with ribbons and
pale rose-colored satin.
Girl Dressmakers.
Why do not the girls of to-day be-
come their own dressmakers? They
would find an extraordinary stimulus
and pleasure in the occupation. and
there is nothing that would do more to
take the nonsense out of them and put
sense in its proper place. Paper pat
terms and the shortening of skirts have
made the task easy, and once undertaken
it would not be given up, for it would
be more interesting than clancy" work.
Probably the inducement to many would
bemuch greater if the custom of giving
girls an allowance for Dress money
was common here as it is in England.
But unfortunately it is not, and the ma
jority of the daughters of well-to-do
fathers feel that the effort would not be
appreciated and would bring them no
compensation. Young women whose
parents occupy high position in England
frequently do all their own sewing in
order to make their allowance (Which
ranges from $50 to $3.50 per ann1m) do
it's work. They have one dress in sea
son made by a dressmaker, not more;
and this will probably be superintendent
by a dressmaker in the house, who oc-
cupies her time in cutting and fitting,
while the young lady herself, with, per-
haps, the help of family seamstress,
does the sewing. There is great ad-
vantage in thus becoming acquainted
with methods and personally convers-
ant with ways and means, with the ex-
igencies and necessities of work, it's linn
itations as well as it's possibilities. A
good servant would infinitely rather
work for mistress who was thoroughly
acquainted with the duties to be per
formed, and therefore willing to make
allowances; and, on the same principle,
it is easier in making dress to satisfy
one who knows than one whose ignor-
ance makes her at once exacting and
non-appreciative.- Jenny Jaeae.
Matrimonial Superstitions.
In the South of England it is regarded
as highly unlucky for bride on her
wedding-day to look in the glass WREN
she is completely dressed, before start
ing for the church. Hence very great
care is usually taken to put on a
glove, or some slight article of adorn-
ment, after the last lingering and reluct-
ant look has been taken in the mirror.
The idea is that any young lady that is