Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-14
The PRlNCESs,S CLOTHES.
PeeD at Royal Demonstrations Of
Laces. silks. and Embroiderie~.

lSt Petersburg letter TO the Pall-Mau Gazettol
Visions of tlmy laces, silks, embroide-
ries. ribbons, satines, furs, and pushes rise
now before my eyes after an inspection of
the rousseau of the Princess Royal OF
Greece, the wedding present of the En-
press of Russia 10 her niece.
Two of the salons Of the Winter Palace
were required to hold 1t, which is nothing,
however, TO be wondered az when one re-
members il has cost over 100000 rOubles,
about $50. 900 of English money.
In the first sdiOn-which happened 10 be
the famous White Salon of the palace
We're arranged all round the enormous
trunks, bound in red morocco leather with
handsome brass mountings. u royal pres
ent in themselves, which were to hold the
frOusseaif. and under a white linen covering
on side table were piled the dainty
pillows TO he used by her Royal
Highness. These were all sizes and
shapes, from the wide full-length
pillow 70 the charming little ghost If q
pillow about the size of ones hand. which
Russian ladies find 1T impossible to sleep
without, and which rest just under the ear,
reaching to about the middle of the cheek.
They were of ciderdown, softer than any
thing have felt before, and We're enclosed
IN Slip of the finest Chinese silk OF per-
fectlv-delcious shcll-pink cOlor-a color
TO make one dream of the ethereal clouds
and the dawn.
Opposite these. on another table. in
long. waddcd, satiu-lined box of rosewood,
were the furs-a circular cloak Of magnlh-
cent black sable, faced with rich ruby vel
vet a boa of the same, which. even when
tied. must reach 10 the toes Of her Royal
Highness. and dainty muit.
Beside these were the travelling dressing
cases of silver. one holding all the dozen
of trihes necessary for "a lady's toilet, with
a handsome. oval-shaped mirror repOsing
on the blue velvet lining and wltha drawer
underneath, which when opened, dis
closed toilet-basin and Jug. with nume-
rOus little sOap-dlshes, all or silver; the
second case containing the silver spirit
lamp for heating water, tea and coffee
pot, and hOt-water iug-all, too. of silver.
In the second rO0m-the famous Golden
Salon where the Empress holds her recep-
tions-were all the gowns, dresses, shoes,
fans. Undertaking. cloaks, and nantes
of all descriptions.
The first gown we looked at was, of
course, the all-important wedding one. 1t
was simply dazzling. 1t was being made.
Of course, after the style OF all Russian
Court gowns. the entire train, several yards
long. being of wonderful cloth OF silver
manufactured at Moscow, and worked all
over in silver also with IA magnificent high
ly-raised embroidery. 1t was cut low at the
neck. with wide, long sleeves 10 the wrist,
where they were narrowed and fastened,
being open, however from the shoulder
10 display the inside of the arm, the only
relief to all this magnihcence being tiny
ruching of white swansdOwn all around
the sleeves from the shoulders and around
the bodice.
Another court-gown, quite on the same
pattern. was of rOyal-blue velvet, and with
the same wonderful embroidery, only of
gold roses and trails of leaves and buds,
being heavily raised all over the entire vel
vet train and bodice.
Among the evening gowns was one spe-
cally beautiful from Worth-apale salmon
pink silk and tulle, with "A wonderful ar
rangement Of asters of the same hue and
green leaves. One was quite bewudered IN
fact over the gowns, for they were Of all
hues and STYLES, the laces being especially
handsome. A deep salmon pink with heavy
ruchings Of silk frayed at the edges was
very beautiful. SO was another pink, with
exquisite tulle trimmings and pearl en-
broidery; and still another pink OF rich
sheeny satin, made severely plain In the
front, with baby bodice and wide sash Of
the same material as the dress, was quite
lovely.
Then there were blue silks and satiSss -
all shades. whites which were varlously -rn-
DEOlOtItu kOlAis HllNtIs anu ~ OIL - = "
silk with pretty pink bows, some greens IL
all shades, and q heavy gros-grain silk in dull
brick-red, with handsome trimmings OF jet.
Browns and creams were the only two
cOlOrs we missed. Among the unmade
gowns were black brOcaded silks and tulles,
spaugled with tiny dots in silver and gold.
The opera cloaks and wraps were all OF
them perfectly superb. Some were of
plush, Others of silk, but al trimmed with
handsome embroideries and long trnges.
One rich white silk was almost covered
with exquisite embroidery in gold. another
in heliotrOpe and a soft pearl-gray plush
was covered with a wonderful Persian de-
sign in gray, red, and blue SILK, something
like the ircOmprehensible idea YOU see IN
Paisley shawls; one small mantle in pale
heliotrope silk, with handsome lace trim
mings. being delicious In its daintlness.
All OF the mantles had jewelled clasps, the
clasp for the fur cloak being gold heavily
studded with diamonds.
On one long rack reaching the entire
length of the salon were arranged the pet
ticoats. We noticed two only of flannel,
one. white one. being trimmed with two
founces of lace. and the other. red one,
embroidered after a Russian design IN
royal blue silk. Then there were white
silk and satin petticoats without end; de
lcious petticoats in lawn. some covered
with lace and ribbons. Others with tiounces
and frills of beautiful Valenciennes lack
and the finest possible pleats and tucks.
while other petticoats were Of rich pale
silks and satins. one beautiful one being Of
a beautiful crimson with cofee-colored
lace.
The morning-gowns alone were sight
in themselves. some of the white lawn
ones being perfectly delightful. One very
handsome gown was of pale rose--pink
plush, with broad MORE ribbons and Brus-
sells lace, and az unusually long tram OF
plush edged with lace. Another lovely
one was al rich blue silk, and still another
of white foulard, with dainty sprays OF
pale pink rosebuds stamped upon 1t.
The Princess herself supplies the bon
nets and hats. SO these werc not on view
but on two tables running along two SIDES