The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-17

sraisrrtsl Correspondence Baltimore Americana
PaRIs. July 2S.-Thc stranger ia Paris
finds n neyer-failing source OF entertain
meat in strollng along the boulevsrtls IN
fine weather ut tho times when the popll-
lace takes ITS airing. The shops and cafes
are brilliantly Illuminated, and the broad
rnvements. not less than thirty feet IN
width. are thronged with pedestrians, and
fbe broad carriagcways filed with passing
vehicles, all Of which are compelled by
law 10 keep their lights burning. There
Is no special section OF The city,
except in the vicinity OF the Place dc
y Opera, where these brilliant scenes are
not visible on the boulevards. whilst
they are equally as attractive on Rue de Ia
Paix, Rue de Riyoii, Rue Vinccnne, Rue
Richelieu, and Rue st. IIonore. Palais
ROYAL and the hundreds OF stores that line
The interior colonades OF its garden, though
not SO grand rs in former years, are SIN
Thought by some 10 be the best I'm Paris for
iewelry and fancy goods. The Bon Marche
and Louvre adhere rigidly to the "one-
prlcev system, but I'm most other establish
ments there is an opportunity for bargain
ing.
THE PARIS CAFES.
The nvmber Of cafes in all parts OF the
".
surprising 10 the stranger. The Partisan
prefers 10 cat and drink I'm the open air,
where he can sec the moving throng OF pc
destrians and carriages, and view what is
going on around him--if the weather per-
mits. There are CATS for all classes, and
before each OF them there are always three
or four rows OF tables on the payements,
surrounded with customers, eating, drink
ing, or smoking, enjoying their ices and
coffee, or taking their meals. This rem
ders a brilliant illumination both inside
and outside necessary, as when the out
side tables are all taken, which is gene
rally the case, the inside IL resorted
TO. The innumerable gas-jets are still
kept up, whilst the electric light
flashes everywhere, both on the outside
and interior of these establishments. But
the fact Is, il can be said OF Paris what can
be said Of few other cities, tfIt 1t is always
becoming more bright and beautiful. The
bouleyards are all attractive in the day
time. and their brillancy and elegance are
multiplied at night by every device pociI-
ble. The scenes are so stirring and pleas
ing TO the eve that the Parisians seldom
spend their evenings at home, but are out
enjoying themselves. Good order and
quiet prevail everywhere, and whatever
may be the true condition OF affairs NOR
ally, little or nothing OF evil is visible on
the crowded thOroughfares. In this re-
spect London would be supposed by the
stranger to be den Of vice in comparison,
while the very reverse is probably the
case.
TIE PARTISAN DREssMAKER.
The American ladies in Paris insist upon
their husbands and fathers accompanying
them to the dressmaker, to most OF whom
il Is q very annoying intiction. Your cor
respondent was induced to visit one of
these great temples Of fashion yesterday,
and was rather interested with his expert
ence. One can scarcely look up at the third
story of any house on the boulevards with
out seeing the sign OF q dressmaker, so
numerous are they. The one we visited
yesterday was located near the Place de
7 Opera, and was reached by two
flights OF stairs. 1t consisted OF four
large and elegantly-furnished rooms. one
OF which was occupied by the cutter and
filter, and the other three for the reception
Of visitors and the display OF dresses and
goods. At the present time no dressmaker
in Paris of any pretensions TO taste or skill
in her profession will make dress unless
she furnishes both the material for the dress
and the trimmings. They always have on
hand large stocks OF samples-Of silks,
satins, and yelvets--from which selection
is made. They then propose to make the
dress, trimmed in the way desired, for q
certain price, just rs our tailors do with
their customers. III lady was to take the
goods to one OF these dressmakers and ask
to have dress made ii would be regarded
as an insult. This was not the case
seven or eight years ago; but the
dressmakcr is now considered as an
artist who must be well paid for her
services. The floors Of these rooms are
~tesselated and waxed and polished, and
the furniture rich and elegant. The lady
and her attendants were all arrayed in
black silk dresses, one OF the latter with
an extensive trail. We afterwards found
that it was her special duty to act as lay
figure for the exhibition of dolmans, man.
tillas, and wraps Of all kinds. Of which she
had an extensive assortment ready made.
An American lady and gentleman having
inquired for wrap, this assistant retired
TO another room and soon appeared with a
very elegant dolman on, and after gracefully
striding up and down the room for inspec-
ton, retired, and in few moments returned
with another. She kept this upfor more than
half hour, and would probably have
gone on for the balance OF the day had not
the parties retired. They certainly were
the most elegant garments imaginable, and
the style and variety of trimming rich be-
yond description. Any one OF them would
create sensation on Baltimore street
There was real art in their designing. The
madam herself could speak English very
well, and was very lady-lIke and courteous
TO her visitors. The price Of these man
tiIlas ranged from $50 to $3.50, some Of
them being so rich and elegant that they
could only be worn by a lady in full dress,
with everything else OF corresponding ele-
gance. Considering the quality OF the silk,
velvet, and trimmings, the prices seemed
to be moderate.
The dressmakers all complain that Ame-
ricans buy so lightly, compared with what
they once did. They would formerly buy
trunks full Of dresses, while they now sell
dom go beyond one dress. The rigid en-
forcement Of the tariff at New York is
given as the reason. They, however, do a
good business Notwithstanding, as the
number OF American ladies who visit Paris
has so largely increased that one dress for
each amounts to more in the aggregate
than a half-dozen did In former times.
They certainly take great pride In their art,
as they will on no account allow dress TO
be delivered until 1t has been tried on nj
their rooms, and alterations made, il ne
cessary, TO make 1t fit perfect.
THE GRAND OPERA.
We attended the opera last night 70 Wit
ness and listen TO the performance Of The
spectacular opera Of Aida. The SINGING
ana actIng we've good, bus the scenic and
spectacular features OF The opera We're
given with magnifcence that is never NJ.
tempted IN any other opeSa-house in the
world. In the first DIaoe fba &C. =: