The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-07
r-xrrNsIYr nATH-rrns.

through with 1t.
EXPENSIVE B~ATH-rUBs.
New York keeps up her reputation ofhaying
the best of everything, even IN bath-tubs. A
well-informed plumber who has travelled ex-
t%ensiyely says New York has as many fine
b0th-tubs as any city be ever VISITED. There
is one bath-tub in this city that cost at least
5000. 1t is the finest in the country, If not
in the world. The tub 10 cut out OF q solid
block Of marble. but it IS the trimmings that
make it SO expensive. They are all Of sterling
silver. People think very little Of paying
from $3.50 TO 500 for a tub. 4 first
class tub can DO bought for the
amount. and that leaves more money
for the decorations. which with tiled floors
often amounts 10 thousands of dollars. There
are more tubs made in this city than in any
other city in the United States. In fact it IS
the principal source of supply. The majority
of the tubs are made. OF galvanized IRON.
Japannod. England makes the best tubs, but
not many of them are imported. the high
tariH making them too expensive. They are
made Of earthenware lust ike an earthen pot.
and when they are baked the tubs are heated
and powdered porcelain Is sprlnkIed all
over the surface. The heat melts the dust
and auneals ii until the surface becomes
smooth and firm. Several firms have at
tempted 10 mako them IN this country, but
none Of them have been successful. The old
fashioned tin portable tub Is very little called
for now. Almost every % OF any size has
running water, aud in consequence the hotels
are provided with stationary tubs. The sys-
TEN of plumbing now Is So perfect That the
notion that disease could be contracted by
using q tub I'm common with many otner per-
Sons is gradually dying out. Heat Is the best
disinfectant known. and If q bath-tub after
being used is scalded out the disease microbes
would be edectually banished.
FASHIONS FAECIEs.
Extra fine English tweed and cheyiots are
imported for elegant tailor costumes Tor
travelling and the promenade.
The new silk crepons are really beautiful,
and great use is made of them IA trills and
fshus. Entire toilets OF pink, lilac, cream,
and gray chifOns are imported. The fabric
falls in most artistic folds. and while resent
bling crepe proper is altogether devoid Of
the wiry stiffness of the badge of sorrow.
French camel's-hair and Carmellte fabrics
are in high vogue; 50, too, are all materials
with tuited surfaces. A pretty new camels
hair is fiicked with pink and could be effect
lively worn with "a biege-cOlOred N%eapOhtan
round hat faced with velvet and trimmed
with pink a~zalias.
Richelieu shoes of velvet are worn by
bridesmaids, and they either match the dress
in color or are of Venetian brown with silk
hose to match. They have neither beading
nor buckles rs decorations, but are simply
fastened with silk lacings or narrow ribbon
with a corded edge.
The corselet bodice that is seen this season
among 80 many of the new gowns FOR the
house is also seen among trim taliOr-made
costumes for the seaside and country. Many
of the c~orselets fasten on the left side. and
are worn above guimpes full at the top when
becoming or laid fiat, and prettily trimmed.
1t fits the figure much as a corset does. and IS
sharply pointed or bluntlyrounded. At the top
il arches to q point, front and back, and
1-L.I- H.. H. n..nn NIhn h.,I
part has generally the same number OF seams
as a waist proper bat the fronts are drawn
smoothly over the lining and shaped by q
single seam down the middle. BOdlces IN this
stvle are made of almost every sort OF sum-
mer fabric. and they are equally effective IN
pink silk or pink chambray, IN satin brocade
or zephyr gingham, III velvet; velllng or Ialle.
Blouse waists are often dainty and some
times picturesque looking, but they are never
either smart looking nor elegant IN effect. No
matter what fabric Is used IN their construc-
ton. and unless the figure Is trim and great
care used in their arrangement a blouse Is apt
TO look not alone very neglig.. but positively
careless. 1t Is true the SIX o'l.amoric blouse
IS cool and very comfOrtablein sultry weather,
n consideration and many will be worn this
summer even on dress occasions, thu blouse
Of some rich or diaphanous textile made with
belts and suspenders. or braces, making the
dress-skirt. These pass over tho well-ftted
blouse, giving a sort of connection and serv-
ing To keep il in place. A summer jersey is
by many TO a blouse, and these are
In various now forms, many resembling
fho Louis basques with tabled or slashed
skirts.
A blouse of surah or China silk may be
made a trihe more dressy than those for out
of-door use by having the yoke striped with
passementerie and a band or cord Of same
loosely round the waist. The collar
and deep cuffs show the same. Heavy open
guipure lace, cream or deep ecruds used for
those very fine, thin woollens in
tended solely for house gowns. This may
suggest the means of freshening one of last
dresses. cream guipure lace beinga
that can be used with any shade OF
material. ii looks more summerish than silk
velvet and will give On old dress the Ap- |