St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-07-07
REVOLUTION in MEREANTrsI
GayIy CoIored Coats at the Coun-
tess de Kersaint's Ball.

GayIy CO1Ored Coats at the COun-
tess de Kersaint's Ball.
New York World.
The noble FaubOurg st. German has
again proved that it still exists by
sending forth a commando de-
cree-that hereafter all seigneurs,
illustrious by their birth, shall
abandon the simple black evening coat
and adopt the habit de cOuleur. This
is not the first attempt to free men from
the tyranny of the black coat that makes
them all resemble crOquemOrts, or, in
the opinion of artists, magpies. Twenty
years ago, it seems. cry of revolt was
heard in all France, conspiracy was
formed, all whose word was considered
law in the fashionable world enrolled
themselves as members, the FaubOurg
and the Tuileries promised cooperation,
and the journalists announced to the
world the condemnation of the black
coat. The choice of color was left to the
taste of each member of the conspiracy.
but only twelve or fifteen men had the
courage to appear at feteS in any color
but black. After some weeks these
found their number sadly diminished,
and the following season all resumed
the traditional black coat.
Since the jeuneSSe dOree has tried
''plnk" coats and brown coats, and it
was thought a few years ago. Whe II
the young Duke de Morny was
married, that he had influence
sufficient to introduce the blue coat
for ceremonious occasions, but his fash
ion. instead of being followed, was ridi-
culed. 1t is risk to attempt any trans
formation at the present day, but the
Countess Raoul de Kersaint, nee Mailly-
Nesle. sure of her position, beauty and
wealth, invited all her friends to ball
at her residence in the Boulevard de la
Maubourg last Monday evening,
and stipulated that every man should
wear coat of color. Gen. de Gallifet
and a few ambassadors only had per-
mission to appear IN simple black, but
seventy of the most prominent French
men, many of them past middle life. re-
sponded to the request of the charming
young hostess. and for once the marvel
Gus creations of Worth, Felix, and
MOrin-BloSsier passed unnOticed.
The Countess de KerSaint wore [
know not what gown. but the Count de
Kersaint had a coat of the most delicate
shade Of lilac. The Due de Luynes
wore pale mauve with pearl gray revers;
Count de Nalbonne led the german and
was much noticed for his terra Gotta
coat; Count KoZiebrodski and Prince
Schonberg, attaches of the Austro-Hun-
garian embassy, were in dark chestnut;
Count Potocki in salmon color; Prince
Radziwell in pale blue; Prince de Cys
tria, sky blue: Due de Mouchy. blue
coat with gold buttons; Comte de Luz
cinge-Faucigny and Comte de Polignac,
fraise ecrasee; COmte de Puiseux
in bleu de France coat, with sill
yer buttons like those worn by officers
attached to the person of Charles K;
VicOmte Gaigneron. blue coat; Marquis
de Castellane in chestnut, and his sons
in pearl gray; Comte de MensdOrff in
pale blue; Prince de Sagan In snuff-col-
ored coat; Marquis de Croix, black coat
with red collar and cuffs; Due de Lorge,
violet coat; Prince de Leon. brown coat
and gray trousers; Baron de Villamil,
magnificent old-gOld coat with the most
wonderful shades and reflections.
Each costume was completed by knee
breeches. silk hose and low shoes with
diamond buckles. We might have be-
lieved ourselves at Trianon ball, but
alas it was court ball without court.
Will this caprice last? Will it prove
contagious? Women now monopolize
the right of spending fabulous sums in
dress. Is the costume of man to en-
Joy its day of extravaganza? Are
we to return to the fOllies of the last
century, when mans toilet was much
more costly than than of women?
Nine. de MaintenOn, arranging the eX-
penseS of D'Aubigne's household, al
lowed him 5000 francs year for his at
tire, and to his wife only 1000 francs
year. We look with envy on the brill
liant costumes and magnificent stuffs
worn by our ancestors and criticise Sc
verely the cylindrical hat and ungrace-
full dress of the present generation, but
who will have the courage to wear lace
iabots, satin knee-breeches and velvet
coats?
In former times costume was the eX-
terror sign of social hierarchy now i'm
possible for any one to revive. 1t was
the mark of caste for high dignitary of
the court, or an ambassador, had cos
tune far SURPRISING in magnifcence
that of an ordinary courtier, who,
in his turn would not cOndescend
to the comfortable velvet coat of the
country gentleman. Revolutions and
changes of fortune broke down barriers,
reversed the order of things. and mer-
chants and magistrates insolentlye
clipsed the splendor of the most noble
families. The despair of the mobiles
reached its might when little shop