Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-13

Once we Americans were very sober III
taste respecting our turnouts. l recolect
the mild wonder with which we read OF
Bastien La Pages design for the funeral
carriage at Gambetta's funeral. IL had low
wheels streaked with silver. But all the
world is cosmopolitan to-day, and we can
not tell which from t'other any more when
II comes to fashions. Our coaches grow
constantly brighter. OF late | have seen
there a landau with body OF blue and
wheels cf golden yellow. To know the
proper hues for the coming season Will in
terest every pretender to style. They are
permanent blue with pale blue hines
maroon-lined with yermillion, and olive
streaked with pale green. One New York
beauty has a ruby-colOred COUPE, and hap
pen TO know that il has been repainted
three times already this fall, each time
little brighter than the last. The conser-
vative manufacturers protest, but stlll IL
Will be. for III these matters we are fast be-
coming as Frenchy as the French, Our
carriage-gowns also used TO be plan ana
even ugly. If you asked an American
woman in those days why she wasso dowdy
in her carriage and did not wear something
bright and pretty the reply invariably was
II don't want TO he taken for deni-mo"-
dame"
Commiseration should be extended to a
class Of persons who, with millions AT com
mand, vet cannot have what they might
fancy in the way of carriage colOrs or or
gowns. OF these are the families of Aston
and Vanderbilt. The fierce light that beats
upon the throne of Mammon obllges them
to deprecate attention. whatever they 90
il noted and copied in exaSgeratlon, ana II
they we're not moderate one shudders to
nicfure the consequences. Think you that
a lady from one Of these families could go
10 a vaudeville if she took within, or
could even so much as cut her nails short
or than ordinary Impossible. They are
nloced like the Prince Of Wales. or our own
Berry Wall who complains that he cannot
put on an old coat when he chooses. nut
must wear what the town expects 10 see
him in. And so, when stating the correct
new colors in eQuipage, it ~ but right 10
tell that these lords Of money choose often
est olive or black. Their selection i made
not necessarily from choice, but IN sell
defence. And so, also, Mrs. Twombiy, nee
Vanderbilt, goes out Ottenest IN a close
co,ipf of black with sable hyeries, clad in
black gown and a simple black fitted jacket.
As to autumn styles IN carriage costumes
there is no shadow OF doubt that New
Yorker, Mrs. Russell Harrison, has the
lead in the possession of gown absolutely
unioue in this or any other country. The
Gown in question was created by Felix, OF
Paris. for exhibition at the French fair,
and there entered into competition with
the naodistes designs Of the whole world.
The pOssessor OF tins coniec-
tior imported it through White q Howard.
aud lives now III the rapture OF knowing
that il will be one of the models Tor the
coming season. II is of tan-colOred eloth
and rovalc silk Of the same color. embroi-
dered With gold and black. The skirt OF
cloth has no draperies, but is III small
plaits about the waist. The front ~ OF the
,.ouoe. embroidered over with black and
cold. Al each side of this front Is broad
straight revcr, embroidered also. lhe
waist Of cloth has "A waistcoat or vest OF
royale. embroidered, and rover on each
side 10 match tie skirt. The revers OF
both skirt and waist may be folded for
ward over the embroidered front, one
reyer Tapping over the other, the outside
one fastened at the side, thus entirely con-
cealing the embroidery and giving the APP
pearance of a perfectly plain cloth street
gown. so that the same garment serves TOT
a carriage and visiting dress. or for PLAIN
street wear. In this arrangement lies the
novelty Of the design.
A superb French gown Just arrived
through the same importer Is OF dark
Green iadv's cloth trimmed with black as
frakan fur. The under-petticoat IS Of
green velvet. The polonaise has the back
of cloth and the entire front OF astrakan
overlSid with a fine applique pattern OF
the cloth. outlined with black silk en-
broidery.
Nothing that comes under the fashion
tonic is more interesting than the fact OF
tbeeradual lessening Of difference between
English and French designs. Formerly
they were wide apart and each had diff
ferent ideal. The English had learned GER
tain aesthetic rules; they knew that beauty
consisted in forms aud proportions, ana
being yet in sehool-dsys they stuck close SO
nreftinesses. The result was a style whose
character was severe and lacking in grace.
A charming carriage, reception. and visit
;no-gown il of dark green velvet and cloth
trimmed with golden otter fur. The skirt
- 20 alvat hordered with fur. Over this