Richland beacon., 1881-12-10
CHANGES IN MEMS CLOTHING.

CHANGES IN MEMS CLOTHING.
1t is curious to note how great are the
changes in mems costume. Looking
only at one detail, the waistcoat, which,
last century, was the canse Of endless
extravaganza, we find that it is now of
the utmost simplicity AMI is, for the
most part, hidden by the coat. But the
waistcoat had its day. There was time
! when dandies made it a matter OF pride
TO have dozens-nay, scores-of waist
coats. In Germany, during the last cent
ury, the luxury was considerable, and
the love of display incalculable. One
Of the Ministers under Frederick the
Great used to boast that he had 800
waistcoats and 800 wigs. $50 many
wigs and So little head" said Frederick
the Great, speaking Of him. Men Of
positions were required to have posi-
tive museum Of waistcoats in the eight
eenth century. There were cloth waist
coats, silk waiStcoats, waistcoats in vel
vet, waistcOats in cloth of gold. The
waistcoat was work Of art, painters
canvas filled with subjects. 1t was COW
cred with admirable representations Of
hunting episodes, Of court scenes, of
famous fables, Of village festivals. The
w.istcoat Of the gallant Of the period
was enlivened with the pictorial history
of the loves of Mars and Venus, the
Marshal's waistcoat was embroidered
with military scenes, while one of the
court dandies acquired fame (Which he
would not have otherwise enjoyeO by
reason Of the illustrations of popular
plays to be seen on his manly breast.
The rage for these Illuminated waist
coats lasted till the end Of Louis XVI. Is
reign. The buttons by which these gar
ments were fastened were not less
worthy of notice. They were, for the
most part, of about the size of our sill
YER dollars, and were in steel, in silver,
IN precious stones, sometimes even in
diamonds. The Count dArtois, after
ward Cherries X, was celebrated
for the magnificence of his but
tons, some of which were in
enamel, and embellished With
miniatures Of the celebrated beauties, Of
classic heads of the gods and goddesses.
Some men of lower type wore on their
buttons the portraits and initials of the
queens of their hearts. The revolution
brought about some changes. The
waistcoat was shortened, and its buttons
bore the portrait of Robespierre, who
was known among the dindies as the
man with the best-powdered hair in
France or of Saint Just or Fouquier-
Tinvi!le or others. But this fashion
soon disappeared, and the waistcoat has
gradually lost its Importance as an arti
ticle of masculine apparel, and is now
i considered useful as q depot for the
watch. but as an ornament is none.
"THE vast strides which have been
made in the commercial growth of VIM
nipeg during the past three months. "
according 10 the Montreal Gazette,
"have surpassed the dreams of the
most sang,rins believers in present and
future prosperity. Within that period
property in and around Winnipeg, which
has deservedly been styled the Chicago
of the Northwest, has advanced in value
to the astounding extent Of from 200 to
800 per cent. Such is said to be the
craze for the possession Of lots around
the city that auction sales are being
held every night with the greatest sue
cess. The extensive scale upon which
building is going on there is real
ly wonderful. In all directions new
stores and residences are going up as
fast as the trowel and hammer can rear
them, and in very few years Winnipeg
will undoubtedly become the great
magnet among the cities Of the North
vaaA"
4-nr- ~nn AVN