Morning journal and courier., 1892-03-12

Potter stepped into hers. The tasks she has already performed, unsalaried, prove her eminent fitness for the position che occupies, and it is doubted whether any other woman could have been found to do what she has accomplished in connection with the Columbian Exposition. The pretty ceremony of driving the last nail into the Woman's administrative building seems rather poetic symbol of her gener- ous enthusiasm and tireless activity than the "thing for laughter, fouts and jeers" which fippant psragraphers would fain have us think it.
 ANOTHER NOTE ANENT OUR EXPOSITION.
 Madame Augusta Holmes, we'll known as a composer, is reported to be much in terested in the Worlds Fair, and it is hoped that among the great musical events of the Fair will be the production of her magnificent "Ode Triumphale."
 Madame Holmes is of Irish percentage, but was born and educated in France, and in her interests and sympathies is Frenchwoman. At thirteen she composed a minuet for the artillery regiment of the Guards, and at the request of the conduc- tor directed the orchestra when rehears- ing it.
 Her most celebrated work is the ''Ode," composed in honor of the French republic, and produced at the Palais de pIndustrie in connection with the Exposition of 1889. The government having decided to hold musical festival in celebration of the cen tennary of 17S9, a competition was opened and composers invited to submit their scores. The Ode Triumphale being by far the finest composition was accepted by the judges and with it the composers plans for costumes and scenic effects. Twelve hundred musicians took part in rendering the music, the choruses being trained by Madame Holmes, and $60,0 ,000 were ex- pended upon the production of the Ode, effecting magnificent combination of the beauties of Greek art, musical skill and all the modern resources of scenic repre- sentation.
 Whether it will be brought out on so grand scale at the Worlds Fair is doubt full, but since so great an effort is being made to procure from all quarters of the globe the evidences of women's progress in all arts and industries, it is to be hoped that the finest musical composition yet written by woman may be fttingly rem dered.
 We have always been told that the field of musical composition was the one field that women dared not invade, and that owing to some strange lack in their na- it. Nevertheless a few of them have timidly set their feet over the border. Madame Holmes has set forth with the daring of an explorer, and others may be waiting only for the assured success of a gifted and courageous leader, to pass from the province of interpretation into the more exalted realm of musical creation.
 NOTHING NEW.
 ''There is nothing new in the world but that which is old enough" said the dress maker of the Empress Josephine. In proof of this, witness the thew" spring coats, the revived and re-instated meal-bag saeques of our mothers and grandmothers. These roomy and comfortable garments, fitted only at the neck and shoulders, with out darts, and faring as though to accom- modate the expansive crinoline, had all most passed from the memory of man, and woman, when behold! freakish Fashion brings them into vogue again. Just at this time when skirts are scant and clinging, and bodices appear to be molded to the figure, the return of this almost shapeless garment seems peculiarly ill-timed, and to hang it over the lines of slender and graceful figure, after all pains have been taken to accentuate those same lines, is startlingly absurd.
 Yet the full coat, of an ugly length, touching the wearer only at the neck and hoppy everywhere else, is one of the seasons recognized modes. Its stay with us may not be long, since the short and stout woman will gain in wearing the breadth she does not need, and the slender, will lowy woman will appear to have neither form nor comeliness. Both will attract at tention, but not of the fattering variety. These coats are imported in drab, brown, and tan covert cloth. The plainer styles are simply finished with rows of stitching on the edges, and on the turned over col lar and large cuffs Two rows of large horn buttons adorn the front. Another style in hunters green, called the "Tan- dem," has collar and cuffs of tan and huge white pearl buttons. Still an other more elaborate coat is of brown cloth, the fullness at the back laid in a Watteau pleat, and in the long angle formed by the pleats is pyramidal de- sign braided in brown and gold. The pocket laps and high collar are ornament ed with braiding, and the sleeves have two CT place, and the others located, absurdly enough, above the elbows.
 For our consolation, however, we are told that we are not to be limited to the grandmother sacque" in our choice of spring outdoor garments. The snug jacket, so becoming to youthful figures, dressy little wraps, and dainty mantles, are not to be stricken from the list of al lowable wearing apparel, and possessing these, we need not be figures of fun unless