Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-04-24
MUST BE JUST RIGHT.
GREAT CARE GIVEN BY PEOPLE Or
FASHION TO THEIR STATIONERY

Comment on the Rapid Changes In style
and tho Now Railing Types-cnat
About Richmond Society.
That intelligent classification OF the
elegant classes. known as the upper ten,
have a grave occupation, it would seem 10
the common herd" in paying proper
attention to the countless exactions IN tine
veriest details of high life. For instance
the matter of ones stationery IL consiaef-
ed. alas more particular point tnah
ones diction ofttimes. But cont9ssins
that such considerations are trines ngn'
as aIrp we must, at the same time, agree
that one of the most essential needs to the
comfort of well-bred people Is the 90,
seryance of the trivial customs OF good
taste. In the realm of high culture anu
cOnventionality, there are multltuoe vi
these tell-tale trihes swarmlng, giving
many a sting TO the sensitive inceptioiilties
when opposing nettles, and ON the o,her
hand bestowing delicacies beyond 'alus
for the satisfaction or the renhea "nu
artistic senses.
There IL a story told of Virginia gen.
tlemen. scrupulous in his taste, who, being
deeply enauloured of some lady fair, rode
forth 10 tell his love. He took her hanu,
rested his ewes upon it before asking IT az
a gift, saw the pink nails OF his ideai
edged with black. dropped II, SAID rare
well, and such was the end OF TINS cnaP-
ter called "Dlsenchantment." NORA;
Cupid must make sure to tie tighter the
blindfold in the hand-taking act, or the
curtain NAV fall there, or the ideal should
manipulate the manicure case before the
curtain rises. lest it fall before the drama
he complete. As this would keenly illus
trate. il il undoubtedly these hght,
feathery questions which have most Welshi
in the delicate scales OF our opinions anu
especially il this the case where judgment
comes under the tyrannical rule OF
etiquette.
In a reoently-read article from the pen OF
| q most observant writer. the statement
was made that one of the best and most
| unfailing tests Of an irreproachapie goou
| taste ia both lady ana gentleman is
| found in the stationery they use" Inns,
Of course. may be subject TO great many
notifications, such a. the circumstances
| Of tho writer. the decree of fashion at the
| time of writing, or the subject written on
| but in each case the prompting OF good
| taste would suggest the style most sulta-
| BILE. The assertion we take II, means that
| the superficial effect OF note or letter
| would be as dependent upon the framing
| of its thoughts, as some painting would
| require, Just the appropriate setting 10 en-
| nance. and not take away from us aftis'lc
merits.
lime in this as all things else, contrIves
| the most potent changes; but in compari-
son the present styles in stationery are e4-
| ouisitely neat, while those OF the recent
| past were of en- very gaudy.
| The contents of the some time beVes es-
| cretoire has a medley Of bright and varied
colors dying paper OF the oldest shapes.
| Upon the sheets of some flock OF swal-
lows would be fitting, or VI, Iii one corner
! two wise owls sitting, underneath them
the suggestive motto, Nous rerrons."
| The most aesthetic billet do1tr sam
ples were decorated with "Bunthor-
nesn and "Love-sick maidens We" or
| moro sentimental still, little sprays OF
| forget-me-nots and roses, with their dell,
cately-implied emblems, would be panied
IN one corner IL needs no proclamation
TO tell that such were gayly-apparellen
messengers in the tender service OF Cupld
! court. Broad bright plaid has stamped
upon some and considered the par erect
| lepce of STYLE, while chocolate, pale-pink.
| and Lght-blue were the vivid acsgrounds
for some of the pen-plctures or the tnen
fashionable writer.
| Among the shapes the most useless waste
| OF material will be remembered IN the long
narrow envelopes, but the most popular
| device in these bygone days was the
ragged edge" the simple term supply
ing the most graphic description OF It's ap-
pearance. fhis fashion emanated, nc
doubt from an old time rule IN an dfdirt
an coe4r. When q damsel has wooed III
vain and wanted to show especial contempt
of her lovers suit. she would take the let:
ter containing his declaration. burn IL al
around the edges, and then return 1t To
HIM. -
Tho crest. If 1t be an inherited one
rather than a creation OF some hersldrl
artist. is now quite The thing stamped upon
ones paper, but the most popular, because
| the most useful and unostentatlous style
~ ,bis time. where the true element OF
good taste is utility and modest elegance
e 10 have the address at the top OF the
sboet in small slightly embossed letters III
silver or gold, dark blue or white.
II any tint be permissible IN one's sta
tionery IL must DO the gray, known Of
scotch granite" or duh shadow blue
but neither lady or gentleman can MAKE
a mistake at present by Adopting the pislu
unruled Irish linen for universal service
II occuDies in ones desk the same indls
nensable place that black silk gown doe!
IN a Iady's wardrobe, suitable for al occa
eIons because il can be no more conspicu
ous in its plainness than IN It's rlchness
II tbere is n fancy for putting some breath
az perfume into these silent misslVes' II
must per force DO barely percepuole. AT
aroma of fading violets or heuotrope ever
40 faint as though the fragrance mao Du'
fingered there after contact WIN Tie
I dainty writer.
Saaiing-wax. which has been abandoned
for co many wears by foreign eiegdntes, ha'
suddenly become fashionable again, ant
in the windows Of great Partisan statioDer'
rows of sealing wax of all hues and shades
are arranged IN tempting order. mean
ING ia now attached TO each color. Mhlt'
wax means q proposal OF marriage; nla'k
Of course, mourning; Eloiet, conuoAel !,
brown or old gold. an invitation 10 an
ner. ruby is used by lovers; crimson Il
reserved strictly for business green mean
hone. male gray, friendship; PINK, low
letters. yellow. jealousy, etc. But e
keen mn with such sign language woul(
. require more thought than the suOJec
would merit.
Tho nevest mourning paper is like th
babiliments of Hamlet, fanciful in its som
breness Ii is absolutely black, edge'
with silver and silver ink used TO writ
The art of note-writing is conceded t
be the most difficult feat of composition
= Breyity aud the power OF condensation
r be,ne the essentials TO its success, am
. both are now almost forced upon III
writer by the limited space which fashion
allows i'm its materials. For some time
/, was The nina for lady TO use he
engraved visiting card for hur
. ried note, fitting it into an enyelop
~ inst its diminutiye SIZE, but that ma
been superseded by the dainty little not
, paper brought in. more expensive in pro
, norton than the cards, but more appar
emily to the purpose. Tins imposes upoi
the fair sex in their social document
, almost as much necessity of spending dee
) Thought upon the method of curtailing a
il does upon the reporter who, when aske
, by the editor TO write a short. account. O
! an important event. SAID, II haven't tlm
= 10 write you a short account, but cal
give you q long one in few minutes"
-
/ The festivities of the week past hay
l been exclusively the creation of the " Ju
I nlors.n Easter holiday meaning delight
{ ful break in the finishing course OF thei
. studies. On Monday evening the Juno
+. | H..,,on Climb cave one of its Qeligltfu