The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-30

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y dress, their trifling aids to
the toilet, and the thousand and one
bagstelles that go to make a feminine
personality chic and attractive. Let any
decisive and widely copied fashion make
its appearance, and ten TO one, if it hasn't
been invented by royalty. it has origi-
mated on the stage.
In Europe it invariably happens that
the great dressmakers who cater to the
world of fashion exercise their genius
| first upon Creations" destined for ac-
tresses, and aristocratic DANES do not
hesitate to trail over the parquet of their
exclusive salons the identical styles Of
costume that grace the beauty of Nine.
This or Nile That, of the Coincide Fran
caise. If a really novel and beautiful
gown is seen behind the footlights it is
sure to appear later in the drawing room.
This is not at all astonishing when
one considers the prominence enjoyed
everywhere by the theatre and its repre-
sentatives. Look in our daily papers,
and where you will find a column of
meager details concerning the affairs of
the nation you will discover two columns
devoted to the stage. with additional
personal notes Of actors and actresses
Nobody objects to this. At least do
not. For my own part would sooner
read about some leading lady's Paris
wardrobe than about the presidents cab
met or the gambols Of Baby Mckee.
The stage represents the amusement Of
the people as well as the legitimate ex-
ercise of a fine art, and it is certainly
entitled to as much space" as the other
fine arts of baseball horse racing and
smuggling matches.
Have you ever observed how little
attention women in society really pay to
each others dress, although cynics will
have it that they think of nothing else,
and are in consequence given over to
envy, hatred, malice and all unchari-
tableness? The fact is. where crowds
and conversation, or what passes for
conversation, are in evidence nobody
has either the time or the inclination to
notice whether Mrs. Asterisk wears silk
or satin, or whether her gown is draped
or plain, or what sort OF shoes she affects.
You are too much occupied in puzzling
your weary brain as to what reply You
can possibly make TO Mr.. Jones when
he stops talking, and therefore the mi
mute details of your neighbors' fashion
able fxings escape you. But let cele-
brated actress step from behind the
wings and pose for your benefit in 8
blaze of gaslight, with an accompani-
ment of pizzicato music, and arrayed in
the sublime glory of costly Partisan
toilet imported for the occasion, and l
defy even you, madame, to so home and
sleep the sleep Of the just, untroubled
by fascinating visions of furbelows and
chiffons-you cannot help it. 1t is of
the weaknesses that belong to feminine
human nature.
Without doubt the most artistic
dressing TO be found anywhere is seen
on the stage. An actress. if she have
not genius or even the mildest sort of
talent, can nevertheless charm the eye,
and thus indirectly the senses, by the
mere possession Of good clothes and jew
els. When Mrs. Langtry first came to
America it is possible that the profess
sional critics thought only of her acting,
but it would be safe to assert that every
woman. old or young. ugly or pretty,
who attended her performances thought
only of her-her gowns the curves of
her figure, the exquisite tints of her
complexion. the precise manner in which
the jeweled pins were thrust into her
hair, and so forth. Milliners and dress
makers focked to the theatre. and in an
inconceivably short space OF time we
had Langtry hats and Langtry cloaks
and Langtry perfumes and heaven knows
what else besides.
When Mrs Potter played Cleopatra
all New York went mad-over what?
Her impersonation of the III fated queen?
Not at all You, my dear girl, know as
well as do what was the cause of the
Egyptomania that spread like wildfre
through the feminine part of the metro
politan community. We're ever such
robes seen before: Were they not enough
to make the soul of woman sigh itself
out with envious yesrning? That ele-
CANT reptile the asp came into fashion
at once. Gold and jeweled girdles and
scarabei were to be seen everywhere.
The rich auburn tints Of Mrs Potter's
hair strsightway created perfect furore
for rudy locks, and tie market was
flooded with al sorts Of dyes and washes
warranted TO do the business after few
applications, If you hadn't auburn hair
you were nobody.
Then came Jeanne Hading, whose
tresSes were also Of this color, and the
red dyes and washes were in greater de-
mand than ever. Dear me. When
think of the Haling oonnets. and above
all the Hading veil which made our
womeR resemble An army Of Men with
the Iron Masks. nv head positively
whirls. The worst Of il was that the
Hading wells were becoming TO nobody.
not even 10 the fair Jeanne herself
They were q histrionic fad and nothing
more.
Perhaps 10 artist who has achieved
fame On the stage has given so many
varied and continued hints 20 women q
fashion as Sara Bzrnhardt. Her original
genius has betrayed itself IL a thousand
vays, frem the minUtest shade cf facial
expression 20 the TIP 81 new tangled
slipper. ThTouxhoGt tee civilized w0sid