The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-02-25

amongst the ornaments ana moululngs OF
the ceiling. Through this trap-door a
manikin, modelled with great care after the
figure of the Empress could be lowered at
will for that ladys inspection. 1t was
mounted on wheels, and when the toilette
was completed, one of the ladies-in-waiting
used to draw the manikin by cord around
the room, so that the Empress could judge
of the effect of the dress when its wearer
was in motion.
One of the dresses made up in this im-
perial work-rOom never was worn In public,
yet became widely celebrated. 1t had its
origin in bit of womanly pique. The
Countess Castiglione, that exquisite Italian
who was the reigning beauty for several
seasons at the court of the Tuileries, and
who was perfectly beautiful from head to
foot, was once heard to remark sneeringly,
respecting the Empress, that she had a
pretty face, but that her figure, deprived
of the advantages of crinoline and ample
draperies, would show to decidedly ill-ad-
vantage. This speech swas repeated to the
Empress, and she at once resolved to prove
to her lovely rival that she was mistaken.
A grand fancy ball was shertly to be given
at one of the foreign legations, and the
Empress set about concocting her costume
at once. She was to appear in the eharac-
ter of Diana. The material, ordered ex-
pressly for the occasion from Lyons, was a
heavy silken Grape of pale green hue,
interviewer in some miraculous manner with
flashes of silver The tunic, clasped on the
shoulder with that vast and peerless dia-
mond the Regent. was of the briefest.
The girdle was of diamonds and emeralds,
the bow and quiver of silver studded with
brilliants A crescent Of the largest dia-
monds in the crown jewels of France blazed
above the Empress's brow. In this guise
the beautiful Eugene entered her boudoir
on the night of the ball, as lovely and as
little clad as an antique statue, and pre-
sentcd herself before the gaze of her imperial
husband The Emperor took but one look,
but that look wasquite sufficient A scene
ensued. as matter Of course. The En-
peror vowed that she should not appear in
that dress in any ballroom whatsoever,
and the lady declared that she 'eoeld, or
that she would not appear at all. Finally,
the husband conquered, and the indignant
and bafied beauty, shrouded from head to
foot in loose domino of blue satin, fitted
twice or thrice through the ballroom at the
embassy, and then retired on the plea Of
indisposition.
The Empress Of Austria Is severely
blamed by her musie-loving subjects for her
passionate devotion to horses and riding
They complain that she cares but little about
the opera, and scarcely ever goes there, and
that instead Of showing attention or eoHrte-
sy to the great singers or musicians Of the
day. she reserves her eivilities for circus
riders The late Queen C Holland, who
was one of the most intellectual and strong
minded Of the royal ladies Of Europe, used
to solace herself in the intervals between
her literary and political occupations with
embroidery. There still exists at her sum-
al,sr palace, the House in the Wood, a com
pIete set Of drawing furniture worked
BY her, even to the bands that border the
window curtains The pattern Is scomPosed
Of groups Of cherries and leaves on back
ground worked in white floss silk. The
Qneen of the Belgians is said 10 be an
adept af initiating antique embroidery in
gold and silver thread, aud her daughter.
the Princess Louise Of Saxe-C Coburg-fSotha,
shares her tastes for this artistic branch Of
feminine employment. The Crown Prin-
cess of Prussia, like her youngest sister.
the Princess Beatrice, Is an accomplished
amateur artist, only she paints in oils, and
delights in military subjects, while the
Princess Beatrice Is devoted 10 water coloFsl
The present Queen Of Spain is one Of the
most accomplished ladies in Europe, apeak-
ing some half dozen languages with per
feet fuency, and deyoting her leisure mo-
ments to literature End muic The Dutch
ess Of Edinburgh Is renowned also for her
lingual requirements and for her skill in
music, being = brilliant pianist She Is
lady of remarkable force Of character, and
has cured her husband Of sundry very un-
princely defects. She is famed in the royal
family of England as being the oHlY men,
Der of it who ever successfully defied the
authority Of Queen Victoria, that imperious
lady having been eompslled ON more than
ONO VCestHiuu W fcNesit NSAiAiahN LSratu -
her TO her spirited Russian daughter-in-law,
The Duchess, despite her imperial origin,
is very simple in her tastes ind manners,
cares nothing for dress or display, and may
often be seen making purchases in the Lon
don shops without the slightest forInality
or ceremony.
Ii Is said that the eoOlness between the
Duchess and her royal mother-in-law took
its rise in true feminine fashion, In an ar
ticle of dress, namely, a bonnet When
the Duchess was to make her enhance as
bride into London, the Queen sent her as
present white bonnet, with the request
that she would wear it on the occasion Of
her first appearance before the British pub
lie Now, Queen Victoria, amongst her
many noble and estimahle qualities, does
not number that of taste in dress, and the
bonnet in question was simply hideous, and
unbecoming as well to its destined wearer
The Duchess wore the bonnet, and was
pronounced fright in consequence by the
spectators, who had expected to see lady
rivalling in loyeliness and grace their be-
loyed Princess Of Wales. Naturally, she
has never forgiven her Majesty for the H.
timed gift; and quarrels about precedence,
"Jingoisnl, and other exasperations have
naturally tended to widen the breach
But the bonnet and the unfavorable inn
preston that it helped TO create notwith-
standing, the Duchess of Edinburgh is by
no means misunderstanding. She has a
most lovely complexion, fine blue eyes, and
a welI-shaped intellectual brow, and but for
an undue heaviness in the mould of the
lower part Of her face, she would be n very
handsome woman.--LHcy H. Hooper. IN
Hdrper's B0zar.
Sketches in the Black Forest.
Most tourists bound for Switzerland have
skirted the Black Forest either on their
way to Basic, with perhaps days halt at
4