The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-09
ROUND ABOUT GOTHAM.
GOSSIP OF THE WEEK IN THE
GREAT METROPOLIS.
Overground and Underground Changes
Regular Arsenic Eaters-soeistv as I
.Hsve Found It-Fashion's Fanciss and
Chat for the Ladies'.
NEW YORK BUREAU
RICHMOND DAILY TINEs,

Oyerground New York within very few
years has under gone an almost complete
architectural reconstruction, aud the same
may be said OF the under ground building.
The higher the building is the deeper 1t goes
down 10 the centre OF the earth. Larger and
larger vaults are constantly being built.
The streets are continually being torn up
repairing and improving sewer mains, gas
pipes and the like, and now the laying OF
the telegraph wire subways keeps the streets
in pretty bad condition. The exact period
at which New York will pass from her torn
up stage has not yet been announced.
ARSENIC PURCHASERS.
Many drug stores have regular set Of
customers to whom they supply arsenic
regularly. II is nothing uncommon to hear
a Young woman asking for ten cents worth
Of arcenic. The clerks, as a rule, refuse TO
sell it, but a. one proprietor said, speaking
of customer: Il do not want TO refuse her
because she buys on an average 80 worth or
things week. and ii | did not sell her the
arsenic would lose her custom. She uses
it to improve her complexion" The same
druggist has many calls for nitric acid.
which is used for whitening the teeth. This
he refuses to sell be cause, though II whitens
the teeth for a while, il causes total decay
in very few years.
SOCIAL SALAD.
Every one is talking about Ward McAllis-
ter's book. " society as Found It," On
the outskirts of that mysterious social
circle, known as the -Four Hundred" are
rumblings OF the coming dethronement of
1.-The leader" His book has been the straw
b break the camers back, and the older
families. whose positions are assured, posi-
lively refuse 10 have anything to do with
him. The subscription dances at Sherry's,
which were so successfully managed last
winter without his presence, are 10 be re-.
peated this season. and the list Of guests
viii prescribe a circle from which the pre-
tentious McAllister will be bauished.
Every man. it is said, must make one
great mistake in life, and there is no ques-
tyn about the triumph Of Mr.. McAlllster
i'm this direction. Personally, he Is "A man
Of sturdy physique, with strongly-lined
and rather handsome face. and his manners
are uneXceptiOnable. In all OF the things
pertaining to "A gentleman Of leisure he il
an adept, but as "A maker Of books he Is
monumental and imposing failure. Stuyye-
SAINT + ish is avenged. and has complete
answer 10 the ancient wish. "Oh, that mine
enemy would write "A book
McAllister's book is "A source Of endless
comment and speculation. Ii seems in
credible that "A man Of so much knowledge,
such wide experience, and extended ac-
quaintance with men and manners, should
he guilty of placing himself in such an eX-
traordinary light before the public As thai
book places the leader Of the Four Hun
ured. In the comment of the book from
people Of position in New York there is not
4 word Of praise. The literary value of the
volume is not of particular consequence one
way or the other Its personal revelations
are, however, unpleasant 10 degree. IL N
not too much to say that any man who as
sumed TO do what Mr.. McMcAllister has
done and failed, would be read out OF So
ciety in any other city than New York.
There must always BE- some man who
will do sOciety's work, tnr balls, dinners
and receptions require fUrethought, energy
and work, and for several wears MIR. Nc A.
lister has shown "A disposition 10 devote his
unrestricted leisure 10 smoothing the paths OF
society entertainers by taking care OF all the
details OF their social celebrations. lie was
looked upOn as man of ample culture,
who sought 10 amuse himself by attending
10 these things. Mr. McAllister's book
seems 10 stamp him as a dealer in social
lebutants, proie ,siOnal manager of par
ties and balls, and parsonage who ac-
cepts money from fathers for his services in
pushing their daughters IN the social world.
The majority of New Workers have always
regarded the comment on Mr.. McAllister
and the interviews with him as the out
come Of journalistic fancy, railery and fun,
but his book il q disagree able confirmation
of the very stories which have been at
trbuted to the man who bears Il name
which has now become a household word.
FASHION NOTES FOR THE LADIES.
An appropriate name for the bodices OF
evening costumes would be, judging from
the fashion plates, "South Sea ISLAND cor
sage"
Fashion authorities do not agree as G.
what the STYLE Of the winter bonnet will be.
When millners fall out it is best to wear
hats.
Ii is stated that New Workers devour
-. 900 gallons of ice-cream every day.
The art Of hair dressing - considered OF
such importance in Paris that the Town
Council has voted large sum for free in
structi0n. 10 be- given during the winter
months. The disposition Of this money has
been entrusted % the halr-dressers' syndl-
cate, which will commences the winter oan-
paigs with ball, previous 10 which there
will be a publ; exhibition 0f hair-dressing.
Bracelets are in fashion. and bangles hold
their own, especially silver and com ones,
they must be of foreign coins, Of course.
Some women well as men wear the REFER
or double. breasted Jacket, but stout women
ought never get inside such garment.
A new fan Of pink and white ostrich tips
ia so made as to show only one of the two col
Ors, but can be instantly changed.
Some men are trying 10 substitute black
for white ties with evening dress. The one
thing in favor Of black is, il Is cheaper than
white.
We used 10 call them breaches. but now
the name is blossom buckel," because that
was what they nsed to be called IN Eng
land.
Fat women should rejoice over the return
Of the cuTasse basque, which tits smoothly
over the hips. and il simply stitched Oi
bound with narrow silk braid. sleeves FOL
! ladies above the average weight should moi
be of exaggerated height, as they are in
clined To look awkward upon too redund
dant form. The leg OF mutton seems TO b.
| the regulation sleeve for both gowns for tul
dress and morning. The fancy sleeves
with puliings and ruiiles, are confined Il
house toilets and tea-g0wns, and often have
an oyersleeve hanging in medigval fashion
almost 10 the bottom Of the dress.
A lovely gray velvet toque, with the old
name OF NiyOt inside (tbat being a sOrs u
| II al lll1lk vi III 'PAAt W Ah' A'~'
that Nine. NiyOt has long since gone out o
business on this EARTH, had the great wings
Of an owl spread OUT on each side anC
across the irOntOf a knotted white scarf o.
crepe.
What with feather bOas, oapes, and head
gear rifed from the birds OF the air, The
fashionable dame or damOiselle bears {
close affinity 10 a species OF the feathered
tribe. There are big gray or black Van
dyke hats beat into all sOr.s Of Ouir shapes
and loaded with ostrich tips or birds. There
are the closer ones in which OriOle or black
birds wings arranged 10 somewhat resem
| Bile those on Mercury's helmet, or there art
stia bands composed Of the piumage OF tiDl
| yellow or red sOngsters set ON TO pufiini
4 OF dark velvet. A hat which imparts
dashing air TO the young debutante, Is thu
picturesque Duchess Of DeyOnshire, with il
/ long Amazon plume, which caFesses The
/ throat Of beauty and mingles with thu
wayy tresses OF her hair. The matching
mania is apparently on the increase, aud IN
nearer woman can come 10 assimilatin.
| the color Of her hat and veil with the tint Of
her hair the more chic she is supposed q
be. Among the most stylish ball shadei
are blondine and Titan, both dyed in simu
| lation Of the tresses Of women of the warm