The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-05-07

pressed like wise on tho head; broad black
satin stock. 80 high and stin that tho wearcr
could not drop his chin or SEQ his feet n sharp
pointed standing shirt collar. trusscd in
which tho neck could not be turned nm
inch to tho right or to tho left:
black frock coat. n miracle Of disprOpor-
ton and discomfort short -waistcd. narrow
chcstrd. with long. narrow skirts, and sleeves
so tight as seriously to obstruct the circulation
Of tho blood: back panH,loon1. tight to tho
skin and 10 securely fastened by straps be-
Meath the boot vs. to comp etoly frustrats the
action OF the knee. and to rcnlor prolonged
sitting posture uncomfortable. Tho discomfort
was materially enhanced by pair OF yelling
ton boots. high-hsoel narrow. and pointed.
which could onlv bs got into after u deal OF la
Dor. assisted by boothooks and soap. Black
gloves and black cNno completed the costume
of n Knckcrbocker exquisite.
Tho Knickerbockcr belle was a littlo less rc-
strcted in the choice Of colors. but she top was
permitted small scope for tho display OF
individual taste. especially when walking.
The conventional bonnet was a hidoous
contrivance. which. both in size and shape.
was not unlike coal scuttc. and
which was usually trimmed with full
blown pcony or a prodigiou5 bunch OF roses
displayed upon its ample crown. The anti
quuted, prim appearance impaired by such a
bonnet. and which only the brightest eyes
and rosiest checks could bear was in wise
relieved by tho plain cloak or shawl which hun.
ras-like and unal Drned. from the shoulders.
and which totally concealed any charm al figure
grace Of outline which the wearer might
possess. plain untrimmed skirt. reach
ing only to the ankle disclosed the young
,.t,,'u CT nt,V,v u,i
not colored and at tho same time hooiless.
Hat slipper. kept in place by black strings.
wound around the an le. and which. accOrdiag
to tho author was not n fascinating object A
ponderous paraso!, edged with deep. heavy
silk fringe. and having carved ivory bandIo
and a beaded bag OF gay-eolored silk or velvet.
as large as II modern travelling satchel.
were Indispensable for full dress. The most
important article. however OF the Knckcr-
booker bellies equipment. was tho handker
chief. This was boidered. as a rule. with lace.
the quality Of which was supposed to tx tho
financial status Of the family. and that its full
glory might bo displayed it WAS carried By its
exact centre between the iore6nger and thumb.
30 that no inch OF its size or jot Of its Value
should be hidden from the eye Of tho feminine
expert.
Tho drawing room in which the young mon
and women SO apparolled were wont 10 dis
course. in language which probably was
as stiff and formal as their dress. is
thus described by Mr. Dayton: There
were ranged ut precise distances. plumb
against the wall. a lot OF straight. high backed
| armloss mahogany chairs. covered with shiny
black haircloth fastened by brass-headed
! nails: there was a long narrow. hard sofa. with
| seats so round. unyelding. and slippery. that
| it Afforded capital coasting ground for young
| etp and with nnmnlly IN m prp aihln rolls
which did duty for pillows. stuffed in APP
! propriRte inches at either end. The carpet
was OF tho highly prizod Lilly pattern" with
| struggling vines and over-developed leaves of
| the brghtcst possible green. The high broad
nlayttei tree was OF gayly variegated Italian mar
bic on which were placed the following orna-
mcnts. to wit: china vases filed with
artificial roses. and tall. highly polished
silver candlesticks aankod by snuircrs
! and tray rubbed bright to match. At the eX
tremes Of the room were stationary pier tables
! on which were deposited tho family Bible. a
volume or two Of some we'll authenticated COM
mentaries and II copy OF Wattss hymns. There
was also diminutiye thn-logged. whoesy
! piano purchased during some paroxysm OF
| thoughtless extravaganza. but seldom opened
save on busting day. This. with tho inds-
| pensHble rocking chair and footstool, n worsted-
| worked sampler. commemorative OF some
| churchyard "Reminiscences. and tho portraits Of
| grandfather and grandmother as they pre-
sented themselves in youth to the eye of some
| strollinG painter. completed the furniture and
udornments OF a Knickerbocker salon.
| We have been able to offer but random
glimrscs ofths interesting book. which is really
n magazine Of local anecdotc and "Reminiscences.
We would commend specially TO the reader
the chapters devoted to the theatres. the
churches. the shops. the drives and tho men
who frequented them. and particularly an &C
count of the BloominGdale road us it was hall
q century ago.