The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-17

on the IasnlOnaDle world
| Of the American bachelor than the sys-
| tenn OF employing a valet. Every bach
! elor man OF fashion must have one now
adays. No swell bachelors outfit is COM
| plete without one. The valet is English
| throughout, too, not even the French pro-
nunciation is tolerated. If you are talk
ing TO young and rich bachelor do not
| speak about his or your valley" If he
reply at all it viii be only to emphasize
the fact that ''valett" is the way all
| "proper" folks pronounce it.
Any one who has followed the fashions
| the past ten, aye, the past five years,
must be aware of the extensive develop
ment of the valet vogue. A list of
those who are thus served would in
clude about every bachelor of social
rank in the city. Social rank is said
advisedly, for it is not question of
wealth. On the contrary if you are ris-
ing young society bachelor without great
wealth at your command, don't imagine
that you are therefore cut off from the lux
ury of valet, nor need you fear that
well-bred people will ridieule you for
going beyond your income. Men of ex-
perience in the highest grades of society
would advise you no doubt to take valet
IS measure of economy. OF course this
is not just the way the world looks at a
valet; there is common opinion that a
valet is a convenient means adopted by
young bloods to run through their in
come, but such a view is not shared by
any society man with wide horizon.
No one could select a better judge than
Elisha Dyer, whose graceful form and
handsome face have been conspicuous at
every entertainment of note for years
back. The economy lies in the saving of
clothes, according to Mr.. Dyer.
Looking at the question in no other
light" said he. lit would not be bad idea
for a bachelor to lay aside $50 or $40 a
month for a valet. He will find that in
ten years, even though he be a fine dresser,
his expense for clothes will not be over
$4,000 Clothes wear better when con-
stantly looked after, pressed thoroughly.
and the stitch in time that saves nine at
tended TO.
"In the matter of cravats alone, think
what delight it is always to have them
properly ironed smooth. How long a
supply of ties will last under the skillful
touch of valet, no one knows who has
not been served by one. The expenses
that are continually falling upon bach
elor from not having the proper thing
ready when wanted, necessitating an inn
mediate purchase, are obviated by the
services of valet. These are the expenses
and annoyances, by the way, that so many
bachelors flee into matrimony to avoid.
They think that the motto "a place for
everything and everything in Its place is
the adjunct of domesticity alone. The
bachelor however, who has an intelligent
valet, can have as well-ordered a home
as man with the most domestic of
wives
The man of fashion will not expect his
valet TO dress him unless be is cripple or
otherwise helpless. In this respect the
valet differs from a lady's maid. In the
matter of the toilets externals the valet
hands ties collars and boots 10 his master,
but the arrangement of the more import
ant apparel is left to the hands of the
wearer. valet is often allowed TO tie the
cravat of his master. but he must be man
OF taste, with good eve for color and har-
mony He who is served by valet must
not expect The man 10 do too much. There
isa well-defined field for the valet, and
ali attempt To crowd other work upon
HIM simply results in continual bicker-
ings and changes of yaiets. The man
no takes up a valet for the first time
hnds this the unpleasant feature Of his
new luxury. To have \ strong, healthy
young man about whose duties are limited
10 daliying With clothes and shoes gives
the bachelor novice a great temptation "a
turn HIM into q pack horse or messenger
boy. The wise man will ask him 10 do lit