The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-06
The Return OF Fashiop.

The gay winter season Of the New York
society which leads and rules the fashion Of
the whole Union has now begun. but 1t will
not be in full activity until at least month
hence. Only the diminishing line OF Its
forces may be said to be in motion, prepar-
atory to tho general engagement yet to
come.
It Is truo that either In town or country
this legion OF fashion is continuously and
actively campaigning ut all seasons. with
the short intermisslon Of the forty days OF
Lent only. Even in Lent its quiet is COM
parative merely. or Is due to change OF
pursuit rather than an entire desistance
from the chase. A very appetizing dinner
may be prepared. though Its bill OF faro
Is closely restricted by the Lenten laws.
Society can find other occupations than
balls and routs to vary the monotony OF
existence. and their novelty may make
them all the more effective for the purpose.
But It's chief and most brilliant season and
the period Of Its most strenuous and In
cessant labors are comprised within the
three winter months when 1t is congregated
in town.
Then the necessities Of It's equipment and
maintenance give remunerative employ
ment to thousands Of people. a multitude
far larger than It's own very limited ranks
contain. Caterers. decorators. florists. mil
liners. mantua makers. liverymen. and q
great army OF servants OF all kinds rejoice
over the annual return OF society to town
and tho opening OF the winter campaign OF
fashion. It is like tho return Of royal
court to its capital and to start the proiuse
expenditure which distributes wealth
among the people.
Hence the popular interest in this gay
and luxurious society is always keen, and
envy or jealousy OF Its prosperity and
grandeur Is silenced by the desire to profit
by it's fortune and its extravaganza. Really
it Is both tho most popular and the
most conspicuous circle Of society in New
York. The people like to SEQ the
rich spending their money. for they hope to
get some oft themselves. They detest the
tight-flsted. The grand houses which arc
never brilliant with the lights Of splendid
entertainments ere forbidding establish
ments in their eyes. They like gay
and gorgeous spectacles. brave attire.
the flashing Of jewels. and tho whole pro-
cession OF luxurious fashion, and they OBJ
serve them with the delight which brilliant
public parades provoke. The elegant Co.'S
tunes Of the contemporary drama are u
concession TO this popular taste. Though
woman may be Indifferent as an actor. she
may catch the crowd by publishing the
glory OF her gowns and the radiancy Of her
jewels. The disclosing Of supposititious
picture OF the baby Aston in the necro-
mancer's chamber OF n current Christmas
pantomime excltes applause In the galleries,
The crowd at tho Horse Show was attracted
by the fame Of the beauty and elegance OF
the women Of fashion who patronized 1t SO
universally. not less than by the renown OF
the horses themselves. The servants Of q
luxurious household will tako even more
pride in the grandeur Of its appointments
than the master himself. and in truth they
share In the practical enjoyment Of it's
glories. The maid has an artists delight
in tho beauty OF the mistress. the effect OF
whose charms she assists In enhancing.
The artistic cook has satisfaction in per-
feet dinner. which may exceed even tho
qualification OF those who actually partake
It, Beauty is always and everywhere an
object OF admiration. and so far as wealth
contributes to Its production and display 1t
helps to advance civilization and increase
and spread the refinement Of society.
Hence we announce the opening Of new
season OF fashion as an event Of great pub
lie interest and Importance. So long rs the
poetic instinct remains In man and his
ideality continues. the fairy world Of love
and beauty. pleasure and boundless luxury
will have a ceaseless charm for him.
1t represents the goal for which he
Is striving. which he expects to reach
either In this world or the next. The
New Jerusalem Of tho Apocalypse is Of
pure gold. like unto clear glass. Its
waters are garnished with all manner
of precious stones. Its twelve gates are
twelve pearls. each single pearl. and Its
splcndor and magnihcenoe are altogether
inconceivable by any human Imagination.
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