Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-09
THE REALM OF Beauty

The custom of fashionable milliners, modistes
and manicures serving tea to their patrons has
long been in vogue in England and France put
has been practically unknown In America unti
within the past two weeks.
1t remained for Mr.. and Mrs. Cassidy, the pro-
prietors of the London Toilet Bazaar,
in New York City, to introduce TINS
steaming custom in this country.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cassidy, by the way, are former
Pittsburgers. and make it very pleasant for any
one claiming this city as an abiding place.
Their parlors are a delightful place in which to
spend an afternoon if one is interested in peo-
pie and their idiosyncrasies for dropping IN at
all times are actresses. opera singers and peau-
tiful society girls, with and without their mann
mas who desire their compilations improved
and their nails manicured.
The series of teas which commenced stimuli
ttneouslv with Lent are proving so enjoyable
that doubtless other professional people will
initiate the example set by Mr.. and Mrs. Cas-
sidy The cards Issued by them to their Gus
toners informed them that they would be
served with Ceylon tea by native Ceylons in
costume, and every one was curious to see the
foreigners.
arrived on the scene bright and early so
that nothing might be missed, and was there
when the little Ceylons made their appearance
They were dressed in American clothing, but
hastened to the dressing room to don their own
loved costumes. The little lady-they were
husband and wife-kIndly permitted me to
watch her make her toilet, and the process was
4 very curious one.
She was tiny, with Jet black hair and eyes,
regular features and the loyeliest little teeth
imaginable. Her expression was childish in
the extreme, loving and contidinC; her age
about20 An undergarment of pure white wool
was the only one worn, and then II yards of
changeable silk, combining the colors of old
gold, crimson and green, with fancy border
of the mixture, formed her gown.
/ watched her very closely as she draped her
little figure in that long piece of silk. but If
Russian banishment was the penalty for not
doing likewise with similar piece Of silk my
self, should have to be banished. Over one
shoulder and around the waist, up diagonally
to the other shoulder and back again, the up
per part of the gown was formed, leaving the
pretty plump arms and neck bare, and, with
the remaining portion of the silk, the lower
part OF the costume was completed
sfs
Cunning little sandals of red leather en-
cased the very small feet and massive gold
anklets encircled the little brown ankles. A
gold pendant was next placed coquettishly in
one side of the little straight nose three sets of
rings were placed in the ears and wide jeweled
bands extended from the top of each ear to the
closely braided hair that was coiled fiat on the
back of the head.
Three necklaces and three pairs of bracelets
all of Ceylon manufacture with the exception
OF one American bracelet, which was presented
the little Ceylon belle by an ardent New York
drummer of her own sex, completed her fan
tastic and much-ieweled costume One of
Titfany's bronzes stepped from its pedestal and
have have thought had the HA; vision daWned sNUusd
upon me suddenly. Exquisitely beautiful was
the little mortal, and as I watched her exceed
inGly graceful movements the idea of slavery
for the first time found Judgement in my mind
and thought would like to be the possessor
OF that doll in flesh and blood.
Her husband emerged in trousers, red
sandals and an elaborately embroidered
Jacket of silk similar to a smoking Jacket
worn by the American, with a turban on
his head that looked as if it might
weigh any amount from 10 to 25 pounds but
which in reality was as light as the same
amount of swansdown would be. He was pic
turesque and very handsome, but she was
beautiful
Together with the dainty little silver trays
bearing the hot Ceyion tea that is served in the
royal family in England, they passed in and
out among the guests, forming one of the
strongest combinations ever seen either
on or off the stage. The flavor of the
tea was different from ANYTHING
had ever tasted, but royalty delicious of
thing that Queen Victoria honors with her ap-
proYal and use, but seriously Ceylon tea is
much like olives, improves on acquaintance.
The little natives are both well educated and
speak the English language f1uently. They are
among the first of their nationality to visit
America and express themselves as much
pleased with the country and people, but they
are charitable with the people am inclined to
think. when remember how some of the New
York ladies investigated the wardrobe of the
little lady, very much as if she were a statue
devoid of feeling. | wonder how we would
feel were we placed in Ceylon parlor and the
Ceylon ladies should do likewise with u.s.
THORNE BRANCH.