The morning call., 1892-12-25

GgA 81 Esss<in dress and the like as
ps4hS5 3SN8 NiF any of her sex. The
NNEA NGYSf Countess has a ward
FSSSf Es1G 1. robe plentifully stocked
WfifSEl IE1aE with gowns made by
Nv 81 49, New ] DIRK and Partisan
hEkE taiiors. French corsets,
embroidered pink Slip
pers and a host OF other articles of apparel
that are the joy of the feminine eve.
81 am very fond of the good things of
life," she said yesterday. Here" holding
mp gauzy garment all gorgeous with
jewels and lsces, sis a new stage dress l
have just received from New York"
Ii was dainty robe of pink suEah and il
Is called Jewel gown" The skirt is
slightly draped in front and has fan
with long fan-shaped pleats alternating
with banus of heavy gold passrmenterie
studded with mock jewels. Another gown
of the same material is deeper rose, but
Is very similar.
You are fond IF pink. Ccuutess?"
Yes. il is most becoming to me; / am so
dark, you know. / am fonder of the heavy
Old-fashioDed silks which could stand alone
but these lighter textures are the more
fashionable, you know" said the little
lady, as she opened another case which
contained gown of her favorite material
Another gown for ceremonies of state is
made Of velvet frieZe," an uncut velvet
brOcade on satin background. The raised
figures of the brocade ara of pearl gray,
changing in shade with every change of
light on the background Of ashes of law
ender
Then there is gown of white satin,
another OF lavender with broeade bands of
lr-ldescent passementerie, one of point de
Bruxeles over maslic silk, and a Spanish
lace over black.
These are all suitable for the seasons
tonr In California" said Madame.
Are all your GOWNS made abroad?"
Oh, no; very few of my newer gowns
come from across the water. Formerly |
was very partial 10 Partisan dressmakers
but OF late years have been better satisfied
In New York. American dressmakers are
better filters. so to speak. French gowns
are inVarIa bly, made too narrow across the
bust. a fault l also find in inferior dress
makers on this side as WE'LL"
Tnen infer you are no convert 10 dress
TefoIm?"
We'll, hardly. There Is the Jenness-
Miller costume. for instance. | have been
frequently importCned TO adopt it on the
stage. just fancy trained skirts made in
that style. Then on rainy day it presents
double difficulty in raising it
You wear corsets. counteSs?"
Yes; l find them necessary-I am so
stout l have tried Sc geral of the health
waists. but ind them not any more comfort
able and certainly not so graceful as WELL
made French corsets.
Really, l cannot say / am an admirer of
any OF the dress reforms of the present day.
j ind the prevailing fashions quite good
enough for me. They are comfort able, as
well as being artistic, and believe the great
majority OF American women are of the
same opinion
And you don't believe in limiting your
dress bill to $40 per year?"
mo; / think different stations in life re-
quiIe commensurate OUTLAWS for dress as
well as for other things"
Besides her extensive wardrobe, the
Countess carries with her a great many
other articles of interest.
set OF carved ivory chessmen brought
by her from China the little lady prizes
above all her souvenirs. although most
ladies would prefer the casket. The chess
men are miniature figures of the Chinese.
The white pa WINS are battalion of mfnia-
Fture Celestial soldiers in waTlike array
with raised swords of Oriental design. The
figures are about two inches in height, in
Guiding pedestal and tip of weapon. The
red opposing pawns carry shields of tiny
t0rtolse-shells, the sutuTes being quite Wis.,
ible.
The castles are pago9as on the backs oil
richly caparisoned elephants, the whole so
exqusitiyely carved that the texture of the
elephants skin is seeH 10 be distinct from
that OF the satin draperies and bullion
fringes, while the whole is but bit of
ivory three inches high. Two larger pieces,
with the same almost microscopic carving
were ugly aud fat. but artistic idols repre-
sentlng necessary pieces In the game
Another souvenir which is of peculiar in
terest is a champagne glass from the royal
yacht, with the initials of Victoria Regina
interviewer on the side A miniature de-
eanter and set of wine glasses cut in the
familiar rose pattern were gift from the
Prince of Wales.
When not travelling the lady lives with
her mother, Mrs. Bump, in a spacious resi-
denee in Nlddlebor0. Conn. General Tom
Thumb built his wife a costly residence in
that city, but since his death il has not been
occupied by the Countess.
THE house remains as ii did when the
General died." she said, "and serves now a.
museum.
There are good many interesting relics
there 10 'grown-up people, On the first
floor are the library, diniug-room and hall
The steps In the stairs in the front hall are
but inches in height.
I'm the attic is stored the grand piano.
whose ivory keys are only half an inch in
width and whose keyboard is just two feet
wide; also the cabinet sewing machine.
scarcely foot and half high, nlaid with
mother Of pearl
THE general was very fond of billiards.
and his billiard table remains in position
yet. 1t is made of carved rosewood and
was the gift Of celebrated billiard manu-
faeturer
mir. Thumb used to call me baby,
although l was taller than lie. We were
his memory have let the house remain as
IL was. Some of the furniture is very
costly. although Of course IL was nearly ali
the gifts Of people from all parts of the
world. Our bridal bed was made OF rose.
wood. 1t measures just SO inches in length
and u inches wide.
but there. you must excuse me talking
further Of the general OF the baron will be
jealous" she said, looking up smilingly al
the latter, who had just entered the room.