The Portland daily press., 1890-04-30
BOSTON IN THE sPRINc-TIME.
A Breezy Sketch of the Hub In Late
April.
BosToN, April 2Sth. 1890.

BOSTON, April 18th, 1880.
To the Editor of the Press:
Boston is rather quiet just now The vari-
GUS operas have held their sway, and the
world Of amusement and of society is pre-
pairing for the summer recess. The Condo
liers at the Globe is we'll attended. the eho-
ruses good, and the Venetian setting always
picturesque and fetching. Mrs. Stetson /
found lovely in face and in grace, though did
not.fancy the dancing, in the opera; ques-
tton de gout, no doubt.
The Public Gardens are in their hyacinth
and pansy dress just now Tulips are being
set out, and all the shrubs are in early
bloom, or misty with budding. 1t is pleas
ant to walk about and feel that winter has
ne,though the climate is very much assort-
ed to be sure; cold rain, hot, sultry day. a
cutting wind, moist sunshine. One will
not sigh over monotony Of temperature.
The shops are full Of pretty things, and
very, very full Of people. The loyal Port
lander knows quite well that just as dainty
articles may be found at Forest City coun-
ters. 1t is only that in any very large center
the variety Is greater and ones sense OF
newness is gratifed.
The liking for silver mountlngs in toilet
and decorative notions continues. Here is a
silver half egg shell, with silk netting, a
drawing string to make it into little purse
for coin and an emery bag Of dove-eolored
chamois with a sterling top of acorn shape,
thousand pretty trihes, all with their share
Of oxydizing.
AS for that theme Of never-failing interest
the fashions, | hardly know. The main
success seemS to lie In new combinations
aud original schemes Of color and modelling.
Bonnets are very small, narrow, somewhat
more pointed in shape than last season, and
higher trimming, though pretty oval wreaths
of flowers or berries are used as outline, just
filled in with bit Of tulle and velvet. Round
hats are large and fairly loaded with 0rna-
and 0pen-work brim.
Children'S greenaway gowns are OF white
cashmere with Vandyke points in white
guipure or strawberry cashmere, with dark
myrtle green velvet or Of soft waSh-silks in
pale tints or of tan, brown and black wool.
| Style and quaint effects are greatly con-
| sidered no v in baby costumes.
In ladies, dresses there is every sort ol
| material of exquisite fineness is particularly
| delicate. Tee fashionable petticoat fol
| summer, to quite displace white cambria
| frills and embroideries, is OF fine quality
| but very light weight black surah silk, with
| pinked ruffie and ribbon strings.
Parasols have altogether run wild this
spring. Not only have we the steady going
silk sunshade, but every variety Of mousse
line de sole, or c0lored crepe and gauZe,
fuffed and puffed into small or large round
ing or fiat tents of slken fnery, with fantas-
tic handles Of impossible design.
All this trickery of toggery, and super
fluffy Of haughtiness in attire, makes us
realize that summer is at hand, and bye and
bye these flower bonnets and marvellous
wraps and odd gowns and tiny kid shoes
will be disporting themselves, made
effective by girlish wearers and set off
by rosy cheeks and trim figures at Bar Har-
Dor and the Mountains. And the old story
will be repeated Of filtration and fashion,
while here and there genuinely happy sum
mer or an old. fashioned love affair. Let us
remain optimists, nor allow ourselves to fear
that love of finery and display, extraya-
gance and worldliness are to set too success s.
full traps for American youth. "Ah," says
my German friend, 81 do love America and
love to live here, and l believe in your
country and am one of you, but you do think
so much OF things to wear. We are too busy
TO dress WELL | know you say We look like
frights and are what you call 'dowdy,' but
we have music and our books and all, and
how can we take the time!"
So beware, young lads and ladies that par
ty gowns and dress suits and tailor made
jackets and even lawn tennis novelties do
not crowd out Of your trunks and boxes,
books and needle work and useful belong
inps Nj, b. j.