Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-29
71r antwerp LADY AT HOME.
or,GEAPH OF HER AND
a PhI-R SURROUNDINGS.

The Ma Queen Turns and Dyes Her
NheIo ,.-Dressss Passed Down from
0ld uV IN 70 GsHeratiOn-Whas is to
Gsne ~ the Exposition of 1850
be '. STYLES FOreshadowed.
con, ,.,pp Aug. 25.-The blending of
~ .ool ave ia perhaps the most strik-'
YOU. s Of these modern days; there
ins 's" ,ongar anything old, there is no
plO onvthing young. Children know
Nns', man their parents, and age counts
more .siog unless it is antique enough to
i0l u'' curiosity. Ehere is nothing which
DC ora with a keener sense of dlsap-
su'a.1 than this absense OF the ven
p0'n''1 hat we look for, where age, and a
sa St ngst. had commanded reverenhal
p'"' II is something like rouge, and
e'Pu,o,ts and an afectation of youthful
Ol1- With the gray hairs and bent form
nos ,onerable grandmother. And it is
W ,ime before we can reconcile our
'' Us with the change, or understand
So "a not affectatiOn-not age trying
tnA,.'ceaI lis wrinkles, but new growth,
10 ounultsbIa birth of the active. growing,
Aa.,,oornrising present at the hearth-stone
o. . .nf ys' is at once both young and old.
a,oritime city in communication with
90 nation over the face OF the earth, 1t
WI Sasiizss it's position and proudly accepts
he rasponsiDilities. It's splendid system
w STs the money spent on public inn
Oh 4, u"! on the making and mainten-
prCor its miles of park and garden and
I
o5ormine of residential cities, as it is one
oftba most active and growing from a
Srsiness pOint of view. in many ways
!.aoI,Id we'll teach New York lesson
ilst5orougbness in regard to cleanliness,
tnrsvamDle. and in the wise and liberal
nso n the city's money for substantial
nubic purposes.
Socially. and looking at the habits of
bonaouie In detail, one finds differences
which are not so apparent on the surface.
An Antwerp lady going to market, or to
make a call. looks as New York lady
mint under similar circumstances; there
il hardly any variation in the costume,
lHtn in the manner or appearance. The
ooiy difference perceptible, and this to an
eY6erienced observer, is the absence of
strain. which is so obvious in the dress
and habits of New York women. The
iatter always seem to be trying to look
eoual to the occasion, or to their own idea
NJ what is expected of them. No other
woman anywhere give this impression
TO the same extent, least Of all English
women and their neighbOrs of Ant
werp. They will 20 out in the morning,
and even make a call, in a cotton dress,
and dress more for convenience, less for
fashion. This is particularly the case
hn n NWN in
their own way ana according to their ow n
ideas, dress with great taste and ele-
gance. They are very decided in regard
to what is CONNIE IL fdUt, and will not
adopt a style that is vulgar or pro-
nounced, though it should be introduced
from Paris. France, in fact, is not the
authority in Antwerp that it is in Amer
lea, and especially in New York. 1t ex-
cites a certain interest ard curiosity in
regard to its novelties; but the desire tor
these is secondary to the respect for
their own traditions, and the
possession Of that which is permanent
and a part OF the heritage of the family.
THE ANTWERP LADY AT HOME.
Fashion in America is made, and al
most controlled, by American girls, who,
il they do not work for q living, have no
duties, and are almost always on the
street. Abroad, girls are rarely seen upon
any public promenade or thoroughfare,
and never without chaperon. Their
dress is modest, quiet and designed not
TO attract attention, while that of older
women uniformly sober-tOO much so,
Tor 1t becomes absolutely common place.
Yet the quiet, rather dOwdy woman in
black or grey, or brown. Is perhaps the
possess0r OF stores OF household linen and
beautiful lace, and has old jewels and
carved furniture, every piece Of which is
atreasure one would give anything rea-
sonaOle OF unreasonable TO possess. The
Antwerp mother and daughter stay at
bone TO take care OF these things, to &C
qllre the knowledge of the duties Ofhouse-
vile and perform them; and they are not
afraid OF undertaking any duty that
wife.
ms habit OF staying at home and SUBJ
Oloinaung the making OF calls and the
various duties Of social life, upon which
.ue american woman lays so much stress,
70 ualy household occupations, and the
cLains OIL home, husband and children,
eAsIoises an enormous influence upon the
nagI1s OIL Qfess and restraints the tendency
" frequent changes in fashion. The most
"lll Us Is Tor the street. The important
part with an Antwerp lady is to be in
possession Of certain elegancies of cos
IlIle' particularly laces and furs, which
WIN give distinction to her dresses of cere-
mosy Ior the house. Fine lace is the
l P',oe Oh tae Antwerp lady, the modern
a. 80 le-nade limitations she stigmatises
udsn' And this lie one OF the reasons
va! Lle true Antwernian looks down
, gtp,u J arls novelties. She acknowledges
MY! afe elective, but they have no per-
.1aueIl value, and are ''pOssible" to every
ole' Lace Is a valuable family heirloom
49, - ohlY left 70 the member OF a family
"uo VIII take care OF 1t.
LACE AS AN HEIRLOOM.
cat Lsce IN quantity is never seen in the
F F'.e5t az Antwerp, unless it is worn by
ieJiSilsu or Americans; for no Antwerp
So. "oa1d wear her rich lace In the
cbeo, or allow herself 70 appear in
60 4. illl ttllon. These rules still hold
Grraa, enoush there Is less rigidity than
md i'' ,tl{{, ana young girls wear contrasts
'uei mammss designs 10 form and
IA 40 u4eh they would not have dream
so. ~. ven Years ago. The domestic and
n,eoiys' however, hold good, and are
y,','saliled Hs a matter Of pride by the
vas'5uI,.l aules Of Antwerp. One Of these
bayeT3 Guild, and would naturally
laoe 'Hnsflted magnificent collection OF
mclb, s9'4ered and inherited by her
worl buJ she was not inclined to
agai,s,.uen the needle, and rebelled
lesrr, ,' 'He necessary condition imposed of
laca "."s now 70 mend and actually make
coBdi.io'' 10 3e able 80 keep il in perfect
i61, ~ simply told her thai the lace ON So
b. i.e,tse would never be hers but would
ord w., o some member OF the family abie