The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-06
SOME TIMELY CHAT.
Mrs, Senator Davis Makes Well
Chosen Remarks on Bathing.
From the Netc York World.


From the NetC York World
Mrs. Senator Davis OF 81. Paul, Mimi,
has been more or less interesting 10 women
since she set the fashion OF wearing black
silk underwear some years ago. AT that
time an enterprisipR western Journal de-
voted a page to an illustrated account Of the
lady's hose and lingerie, and Mrs. Davis
avoke the next morning to find herself
famous.
Every western woman who could afford
1t, and great many who could not,
promptly invested in black silk underwear.
The opinion Of Mrs. Davis on that and every
other subject was sought and freely given.
When she came to Washington her fame
had preceded her, and her ST. Paul triumphs
were repeated.
OF late Mrs. DAVIS has been giving much
attention to the subject of baths and the
preservation OF beauty. Some OF her views
are here given.
Mrs Davis, wife Of Senator Cush-
man K. Davis of st. Paul. Mimi.
Is one Of the most beautiful
woman In Washington. Mrs. Davis was
born beautiful. but nobody knows better
than she that beauty is only skin deep. and
that once gone 1t Is gone forever. Therefore
she deliberately studies to add to as we'll as
tok eep her physical charms.
1t WAS 6 O'clock one afternoon when
she was found at home and consented
to tell all about it in the informal
fashion in which women delight to chat
about themselves. She wore a gown OF
white knotted crepe of her own designing.
Mrs. Davis designs all her own costumes,
saying frankly that she knows all her own
points" better than any dressmaker. Ira
dillon says she once made dresses for liv-
ing, but she says she never did, and adds
that she was a music teacher when she met
her fate and the senator in one. The black
costumes for which she was once famous
have given place to some artistic effects in
white. On her feet are white canvas ties
with a slender patent leather tip. Even
her under wear is now pure white silk, her
skirts of white China silk and her negligee
gowns OF the same delicate fabric.
Come upstairs" said Mrs. Davis, cor
daily. ~ will show you my beautifers il
you really must know all about them. Once
a week )" she continued, IL take a steam
bath, aud my steam box is a unique af-
fair"
Going into the room adjoining the bed
chamber we stood before "a square box be-
tween three and four feet high, and as
broad and wide. It had door in front
aud a hole in the top for the head Of the
occupant, who sits on a little bench over n
gas stove that is attached by q rubber tube
TO the burner in the room. On the oppo-
site side of the box is a foot rest.
Il put on bath slippers, disrobs, wind my
self up in a sheet a la Turk, and in l 90.
My maid shuts me in, but my head comes
out through that hole, while l steam
away and grow fresher and younger every
minute until fifteen are counted off Com
ing ous, ! am rubbed down by my ma d
thu ough the sheet until all moisture IL
absorbed. Then she hands me my Turkish
bathrobe and make for my bath room.
Come along am rather proud of my
bath room, although 1t has ltS rivals In other
houses"
At the end of the long hall we entered
this room.
Such dainty, pretty place as it was, to be
sure! White, glazed tiles paved the floor
wi a border of cerulean blue tiles with
patterns in relief shading to palor tints
Above that was embossed t1ling all in pure
white. the porcelain wash asin stood on
nickel plated legs and the tub was OF creamy
white porcelain. Sponges of silky softness
and ivory handled brushes OF svery style
hung about, while dainty cruets OF rose
water or glycerine sto d on the white wood
shelf. Even the toweling was OF Turkish
white, or best white Irish linen damask.
when ! get Ia here, said Mrs. Davis,
my maid shempoos ME with the finest
table salt. After il is well rubbed in | lie
down in the tub, which is half full of tepid
as hot as can bear ito While | am in my
maid sponges me thoroughly with the finest
French soap until am clean as a baby.
Then the cold water is turned on and have
an ice-cold shower baths
Jumping out am rubbed dry. and fric-
ton is produced with the rubber brush.
Lastly / go to bed for an hour
II am ready for breakfast at 10 O'Clock
a. m, and canter afterward through the
fields of Rock creek, or for anything else
that turns up"
Mrs. Davis sleeping room is decorated in
pure white. A pale-Rray moquette rug is
on the floor, and the furniture 10 OF white
and gilt. She "abominates'' the round,
hard bolster aud uses old-fsshioned pillows
with linen slips The broad hems are edged
with fine wide Torchon lace. The bed hang
ings are of raw silk Of damask pattern in
cream, white and gold. II is a most dainty
room, and its mistress wicker rocker IS 10
The front bay window, and her white. silk
lined apd frilled work basket rests on a
tiny white work stand beside 1t.
There 10 nothing prtm about Mrs Davis
or her surroundings, but there is an air of
negligent comfort which appeals strongly
to busy woman who thinks life Is too
short to spend the entire morning in a
l.