The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-05

content themselves with the privilege OF
holding up their heads In society alter
having enjoyed the lnestimable advantage
of kicking up their heels in amateur
ballots.
Thus the ladies of blue blood and high
degree, by learning the music hall bust
ness and putting their knowledge into
practice. are getting even with the music
hall artistes for their presumption IN
marrying into the aristocracy. Not con-
tent, moreover. with facing audiences
composed of their friends and acGuaint-
ances, they have now branched forth into
pubic performaEces-for the sake OF
sweet charity. of course. Only the other
day the Countess Russell. full-fedged
peeress of the realm INDUCED in SKIRT
dance at the Royalty theater, in London,
Tor the purpose OF raising funds for the
National Lifeboat Institution. With
Lady Godiva's comprehensive precedent
in he, minds eye, and remembering that
the ride of the old English heroine
through Coyentry's streets was accounted
as meritorious action, owing to its hav-
ing been performed for the sake of charity,
Lady Russell saw no reason why
countess should not expose her ankles
and even her clicked stockings in a skirt
dance for the benefit of noble institution.
Her ladyship wore black accordion skirts,
black and silver bodice cut extremely
low, and white wig. Her performance
was thoughtful and even, one might add,
intellectual bit OF dancing. 1t had evil
IDENTIFY been committed to memory with
the greatest care, and although the effort
OF recollection was occasionally q minute
or two behind the music, no single step
was forgotten. 1t was danced meditatively
and cautiously, as if she half doubted the
treachero1s nature of the boards, and
although she did not let herself CO. or fail
to forget that she was peeress of the
realm with dignity to maintain, vet she
certainly did not shirk the high kicking.
Up went her little blue-blooded foot above
her aristocratic chin, and round flew her
skirts above her aristocratic knees, which
enabled the public to perceive that she
had made concession to Mayfair pro-
priety-such as it is-by donning entirely
black underwear.
Later on in the same evening she APP
peared in another piece entitled 1.-THE
Pantomine Rehearsal" where she per-
formed another dance-or to speak more
correctly regular music hall bit of the
song-and-dance order. The song was
about looking glass, and the Countess
held a mirror in her hand while she
danced and sang, with the result that the
reflection of the glass darted all over
her in mad career while she
was dancing. During this second part of
the entertainment she wore yellow skirts
with heliotrope understands and hosiery,
and similar costume was affected by her
sister, Mrs. Dick Russell. vino shared with
her the honors of the evening.
Both young women are very attractive,
their charms consisting in pretty baby
faces, large eyes, winning smile and
neat figures. Both have already acquired
notoriety Of disagreeable character.
The Countess of Russell last year was the
central figure of a cause cetebre in the di-
vorce court, having brought a suit against
her husband, the Earl of Russell, for a
judicial separation. Unable to influence
either the Judge or the jury by the horrible
lnsinuations she made against her hus-
band she lost her case, and was con-
demned to pay the costs of the trial.
1t is said, however, that she has now
succeeded in pursuading her husband to
pardon and forget her cruel aspersions on
his character, and that a reconciliation be-
tween the two is imminent. If this be the
truth, it can only be regarded as an
evidence that the Earl has more heart
than head, and that he is OF singularly
forgiving nature. Perhaps. however. he
was among the audience at the Royalty
theater on the night when she performed
her pas suel, and that unwittingly she
danced her way back into his heart.
Besides the names above mentioned
there are many others that could be cited
in order to show how thoroughly the fad
of skirt and ballet dancing has taken hold
of the feminine element of London So
ciety. What the craze will ultimately