The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-06-15
NO. 46
AUSTRIAN LADIES.
Their Very Sensible Drcss-rhe
Chef'so Cooking Glass
of Girls.
From European Breezes.

LFrom European Breezesl
L could not but contrast often the
the simplicity of manner and attire
of these ladies, some of whom traced
their lineage back to the times of
the knights, with the arrogance and
self assertion of some of the noveaux
riches of America, W ho talk loudly
of exclusiveness while dressed
IN satin, lace and diamonds at a
watering place casino in the MORN
ing. If the European lady has not
always the perfect taste which char
acteriZes the American in her
dress, she certainly knows one thing
better-tO dress suitably for the
occasion. She does not wear her
diamonds and French gowns to
church; F.; she does not go shopping in
black satin and pearls; but at ball
or dinner party she is regal in fine
clothes and costly ornaments. An
American girl would have stood
amazed at the fashionable lawn-par-
ty which | once attended, where all
the ladies were in the simplest of
prettily made calico and cotton
dresses.
Ladies whose family jewels would
have stocked a shop. and whose in
herited laces were priceless value,
wore in the streets and on these oc-
casions dresses that the American
girl would scorn to wear on the
beach at Newport on summer
morning, because of their simpi-
city; but when the occasion
demanded elaborate dressing, thew
were dazzling. In Vienna | went
with a young baroness to try on
dress she was having made to wear
at the afternoon bali to be given at
the emperor's school for the ednca-
ton of officers sons. She was twen-
ty, had million florins III her own
right, had been brought up with the
emperor's children for time. when
ber father had been aide de camp
and the jewels she had already inher-
tied, and which were to come to her,
had dazzled me when spread out for
my seeing one day. | had iaDcied
her dress to be something very ele-
giant. Imagine my surprise when il
proved to be dainty cotton satine,
fifty cents yard in America, with
which she was to wear simple tHr-
quoise jewelry. But she was the belle
of the ball. Later | saw her at a
christening, where she was godmoth-
er; and she was resplendent in satin
and jewels. Elaborate and expen-
sive dressing is reserved by young
ladies for really great occasions;
and forty yards of lace and dia.
monds are not seen OH girls i'll
European horse cars as in New
York. The higher the position
abroad, the more simple the attire
III public.
The Austrian lady of station who
does not know how TO cook, | NAV
almost say does not exist. Every
detail of the cuisine she is acquainted
with. A story is told by Vienuese
ladies of another, who, having neg
lected this branch of her education,
allowed, at great dinner party
which she gave, two dishes OF the
same color to be served in success
sion, fault tor which she was
hardly to be forgiven. The prin-
cesses of the royal households attend
a course of lectures from a chef en-
tirely upon the ord er of serving.
Young ladies do not learn the art
of cookery at cooking clubs, or from
public lessons, as here in America,
aud they rarely learn in their own
kitchens. 1t is the custom to 60 to
some great house, the house OF
princess, or to d very rich bankers,
where there are famous chefs, by
whom they are taught. When
chef engages to cook for nobleman
he is to have the privilege of teach
ing as many young ladies as he
chooses. These young ladies need
not even know the mistress of the
house, and they make their arrange
ments with the cook only.
For course of lessons lasting
through tie winter, each pupil pays
the cook thirteen guilden, which is
about fifteen dollars. This includes
instruction in every particular. If
a banquet is to be given, grand
breakfast, or an elaborate supper,
the young ladies are notified, and
are there to see the dishes decorated
and to learn the order of serving.
They watch every process. Were
you to descend to a kitchen at such
time, you would no doubt find
these girls sufused with bushes, for
these lessons always foretell mar
riage, and are the last and finishing
touches of a maiden's education.