Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-28
MILDRED RussELL's LETTER


lspecial corr<pcndenceo Of the Dispssch.I
PARIS, June /, 1885.
We spent the greater part Of our last
/. few days in tho Riviera in the open All
and made the most Of our good luck IL
being surrounded with fields OF roses
and groves Of orange-trees 10 blossom
AZ the same time We gave plying
thought TO friends IN London and Paris,
who were complaining Of bitter cold
winds and even snow. Besulieu, .
charming spot between Nice and Monte
Carlo, was our last hating place before
starting for Paris. II is village con.
sisting Of few groups Of villas, and
showing signs Of developing into afash-
ionsblc resort for which i has Che same
general advantages OF all the Riviera
towns and the special one to gourmands
of Bouillsbaisse. Some Of the resi-
dents add materially 10 their income
by growing flowers, principally roses
and pinks, for the winter market in
London, Northern France, and Ger
many. They raise many palm-trees
also, and other ornamental plants,
which they dispatch northward fol
house and conservatory use. Even
ladies devote . great deal Of time Ia
gardening, and are rewarded by being
pictures Of healthfulness, though in
some cases their domestic arrangements
suffer from lack Of supervision.
"GARDEN-MAD."
One house we visited, which was
owned and inhabited by some Germans
of rank, amused Us very much. The
whole family, including several dogs,
lived ont Of doors almost exclusively,
and were absorbed in gardening. The
garden was kept in perfect order, and
contained many choice kinds OF roses
pinks, and other flowers destined Tor
market. In doors everything was in
confusion, though 8 good library and
several pretty and artistic objects show
ed that refined taste was not absent.
Dogs of all sizes followed the hostess
up and down stairs in spite Of her having
recourse to the evidently unusual pro-
ceeding of shutting the front door on
them. She spologized for the untidi-
ness of the rooms by saying she was so
much occupied with her flowers and
that none Of the family came into the
house except to eat and sleep, and we
quite agreed with her that it was foolish
70 waste time on housekeeping in such
Q climate. There was an atmosphere
of attractive simplicity around this
idyllic life. and it was plain these
charming people had slipped into 1t
from a conventional one, as their man
ner and general style showed they had
been used to the forms Of polished so
ciety. We took leave Of our amiable
host and hostess more than half in love
with the Arcadia they had made for
themselves.
STARTING FOR PARIS.
Bidding adieu TO the Riviera we
started for Paris ria Marseilles, and
made the journey in twenty-five hours.
At first the country is picturesque, as
the roite lies between the Mediterra-
mean and high ground. The rocks
running cut into the sea are redder in
tone ant more barren than those on the
other side Of Nice, but sn abundance
Of vegetation inland, and in many
places down to the waters edge, gives
a luxuriant aspect. Bright yellow
broom, acacia, and hawthorn were in
full flower, and the scent of orange
blossoms came pleasantly now and then
in at the carriage windows. Cannes did
not look as interesting place from
the railway as its reputation had led us
to expect, and, as sort Of compensa-
ton further on, both Toulon and Mar.
settles seemed much cleaner than might
have been supposed by any one who be
lieves cholera comes partly from dirt.
We saw the last Of the Mediterranean
Just before reaching Marseilles /; and on
leaving that city we came on the mouth
of the Rhone, stretched out wide. The
river itself for distance is not unwor-
thy OF an American one in size.
COMMENTED TRAVELLERS.
We bolted hurried dinner at Mar.
settles station, and afterwards envied
two sensible travellers, an old lady
and her daughter, who had brought
theirs with them. After eating it a
leisure, they told their beads. said theil
prayers, and wen, TO sleep with the ut
NEST unconcern as to on-lookers. Tn,
daughter woke up in a quarter Of al
hour to inquire if we were in Paris, ant
being pshawed at by her mother, re
signed herself to sleep again. Both o
them slept like tops and presented al
unruiiied appearance next morning
They made an early breakfast on brea'
and wine, told their beads again
and brought out their knitting. SooI
after we left Marseilles il became dark
and after innumerable dozes we foun'
ourselves at daybreak in fat, bleal
agricultural country, well cultivated
but not beautiful. After passing Fon
tsinebleau and other noted places W
were in Paris in time for late break
fast. It was miserably cold and wind
for the first two weeks we were i
Paris, and we felt we had come north
ward . little too soon as regard
weather, but not too soon for Paris
which is rarely caught In anything bu
reception dress.
PARTISAN TOILETTEs.
Our minds were at once at rest rs I
high hats and bonnets and obtrusiy
tourmeres being fashionable. All al
Q stern necessity in Partisan toilettei
and are at times somewhat suggestiv
Of odd comparisons. Seeing two prett
French women, wearing bonnets wit
fiswers and plumes piled high in tn
sir and talking rapidly and excited
together, cannot fail to bring 70 min
Tho Tower Of Babel and the conf
sion Of tongues TO not yer
quick-eared foreigner. Worth sti
reigns over the world Of fashio
with the despotic sway to which veal
Of success have entitled him. In 81
pearAnce he is like retired Englis
priEe-Aghter, who, for some mysterio,
reason, has chosen to grow FrenC
moustache. He shows what q tou,
subject nckle Dame Fashion is IN real
" when she needs such . strong bar
70 manage Der. Worth makes use
his combAtiys powers in defeating Il