Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-28
Fashions in PerSuanerY.

Ruskin has said Of color that its true beauty
hes in the moderate use Oft. The same may be
said OF perfume. especially as applied to per-
sonal use. The unmitigatcd burst of some par
ticular scent with which our senses are assaied
when vulgar fop or his equally vulgar eqniv-
alent of the weaker sex draws forth and flour
ishes handkerchief, is an offence. and not to
our noses only. 1t is an infringement of those
rules of politeness that require of civilized
beings that they shall do nothing to revolt the
senses Of their neighbor. 1t is however. an
offence Of ignorance. The owner of the hand
kcrchef, revealing in the pronounced qualities
OF his patchOui, his eau de cologne or other ter
rlhle compound. is of the opinion that satufat-
ing the atmosphere with it ls an amiabe action
and one that not only grattes his own tastes
but also those of his companions. Who knows!
His gr"sser sense may be unable even to per-
ccive the suggestion Of delicate OdOr that per-
vades the garments of the woman Of refine
ment. Not for her the perfume a Ia mode: Al
phonse karr says of Il woman who changes her
toilet scents according to fashion. that she is
Jtna',te rarfo,nee. and of her who remains faith
full to one special perfume, that she is a femme
ot;criterante like the rose, the lilac or the car
nation. This distinction is anice one, and infers
q very decided difference.
Perhaps the most perfect OdOr vet discovered
in the sense OF delicate, insiEuatng fragrance
as opposed to the overpOwering is produced
from pot-pourf1, loved Of our grandmothers but
all too rarely seen or heard of nowadays. OF it
the od-fashOned china punch bowls could tell
a tale. Diverted from their original use of hold
ing the strong yet mellow brew" of the 'grog''
that is now displaced by claret. these bowls left
the dining-roOm and found their way to the
drawing-room. Every summer they receivedin
their capaciOus embrace handfuls of dried and
speed rose leaves; every autumn a fresh INSTALL
ment OF the blue gray ears of lavender; every
winter additions of dried and powdered CHINA
mon and cloves; every spring the hay suggest
ing leaves of the Woodruff, with those of the
lemon thyme and the understanding blOssomless
Verbena. AS the bowls became full their con-
tents were drafted off into small silken sachets.
which lay costly tucked away among the laces.
lawns and linens Of which the chests and
shelves OF old held such goOdly store. Not only
articles of dress. but house and table linen were
thus lmpregnated with their delicious. COM
pound perfume. This is attanable by every
body who cares to devote to it's manufacture the
very Slight trouble necessary; and scattered in
glove-bOX, handkerchief sachct. lace drawer,
and throughout the wardrobe. it's results will
soon be apparent in refined deiicacy of spice
like Odor that suggests itself to the senses, and
is never impertinent or obtrusive, though always
present.
Among the most successful of those manufac-
tured perfumes borrowed from nature are the
white rose. mignOnette. stephanotis and new
mown hay. They are, however. very evancscent.
Those who love violets find it difficult to obtain
perfume that does more than suggest their
favorite flower for a few f1eeting moments. TO
these it may be useful to mention that silk bags
OF the best violet powder, If splaced among
dresses handkerchiefs ard laces, are much more
effectual and more pleasing than any liquid
preparation from the flowers, especially when
the fragrance is called forth by heat. It never
becomes excessive. but the contents of the bags
must be frequently renewed. Bunches of violets.
if laid away when fresh in the pockets or sleeves
OF dresses, fmpart u delicious odor OF the flower.
The blossoms must be quite dry, and should
be removed when they become sGentless. 1t is
impregRated to this day with the odOr of vio-
lets, owing to the quantities of that flower with
which the room was kept constantly supplied
London Truth. o.