Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-10-06
OPENING DAY.
A glimpse OF the Land or Cos.
samer.

-
Ifthere is any time to which the
ladies look forward with the keenest
of pleasurable emotions, it is opening
or exposition day. As early as nine
o'clock this morning they began to
pour into the various dry goods houses
like bees into a hive, and the feast was
equally as sweet. Explanations of
delight and surprise were heard by
the reporter on every hand as he
passed about through the throng,
Among the places visited was the old
house Of
B. LOWenstein a. Bros,
where the display was magnificent.
The exhibition of costly fabrics was
profuse, and a promenade through the
various departments was like a visit to
wonderland. The line of ladies'
ready-made costumes is superb, and
comprises all the latest Partisan styles,
rich in color, design and material.
ANY attempt to note the most con-
spicuous costume would be futile, as
all were SO graceful, but one costume
Of black satin, shirred and founCed
to the waist, with a basque Of the
same material brocaded, came in
for a large share of admira-
ton. Special attention had been
paid to the hosiery, glove and
underwear departments, which are
unusually large and attractive. The
real feature is the silk display. This
is separate, a lovely bower, suggestive
Of an Eastern houri's department, and
is the design of Mr.. Mckay. Festoons
of the costly fabric are caught up with
bows Of exquisite lace about the walls
and ceiling of the room, the floor Of
which is a waving sea Of glossy silks
and satins. The exhibit of fans
attracted much attention, and the
cloak department was throDged with
admiring visitors. White opera
clcaks, dolmans and plush clOaks
in every variety we're shown. An
other house visited was that Of
Menken Brothers,
which was thronged with elegantly
dressed ladies. This house had a gen
eral opening several days since, and il
the opening to-day makes a specially
Of infants, ch~ildrens'and misses cloth.
ing and underwear. That the thrOnl
was so large to-day when the opening
is partial is a proof Of the popularit,
Of the house. Here the most painstak
ing mother can fDd something exaCtl,
to her taste. The display Of infant.
clothing is lovely, and hat Of littl
misses exquisite. A speciality is mad
of corsets which are found in ever
conceivable size and variety Of orno
mentation, from plain to embroidere
satin, in white and eolors. A novelt
is shown in underskirts, something
bran new and destined to take tn
place Of all others for winter veal
They are knit in one piece and ar
either white, hesh-colored or tinted
The shoe department has been move
up stairs and comprises all the lates
most elegant and durable styles. gh
ladies' underwear or lingerie depart
ment is replete with novelties as ais
the department of knit goods, compri
sing hoods, jackets and cloaks.
p. e. Hopkins d Co.
1 was also visited. a throng Of admir-
, ing customers were present who too
the keeuest delight in surveyiH
the new and beautiful bonnets jul
received, the variety Of handSom
t pushes aud trimmings OF all kind
E One of the latest acquisitions in tn
: bonnet department is the "feathe
turban," seemingly composed Of tw
wings of a finely feathered birC
brought together in a point behind
something uniqua, novel aud YER
beautiful. The feature to-day is tn
I trimmed hat and bonnet department.
! with its accompaniment of gorgeou
plumes and elegant ornaments.
/. Mrs. L. McAnaIIy's
display is costly and extremel
attractive. One table is devote
to fine bonnets, custom-made, {
white plush, crimson satin an
other costly materials Of Pari;
I ian designs, with hat and bonnie
trimmings tastefully arranged. !
glass case OfhandsOme shaded plumei
silk and velvet plumes, forms a cor
siderable feature Of the display, as ais
the case Of hair goods in which al
many pretty novelties. The artifcii
flowers are much admired, and ii
untrimmed hats 10 themselves r,
> oeived much notice. Mrs. McAnall
makes a feature Of mourning mill
merry, and the table devoted to thu
purpose is very attractive.