Morning journal and courier., 1893-02-18
TaR FLEETaNG SHOW.
Some of Its Facts and Fancies. Written for the JOURNAL AND CoURIER.]

THE woMEN's REST TOUR ASSOCIATION.
 The society with this very attractive title has recently held in Boston it's first annual meeting, reported progress, dis cussed plans for the future and re elected the entire board of officers, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe being president.
 The association began with 8 few women, who, having made the trip across the Atlantic and discovered that foreign travel is much easier and cheaper than is generally known, resolved to offer to self supporting women, especially those in actual need of rest and change of climate, the result of their experience, and, if necessary, financial aid. It now numbers nearly 400 members; the membership fee is but $1, and the privileges include ad- vice concerning the best methods of travel, lists of lodgings, introductions between assistance by gift or loan to women need ing vacation trip who could not other wise take It. The society claims that $250 Is sufficient to enable woman of simple tastes to enjoy summer in Europe, and this sum has been advanced as @ partial loan to several members.
 The association must of course be "a close corporation" They retain upon their lists only such lodgings as they can vouch for, nor would they recommend to the keepers of such lodgings any but desirable guests, therefore applicants for member ship must be accompanied by satisfactory references ard other evidences of desira- bility The secretaries are in communioa- ton with the "Teacher's Guild of Great Britain and Ireland," having its headquar- ters in London. In each town in England there is correspondent of the Guild, bound to be of service to other members by furnishing information in reference to that particular locality. It is proposed to secure these as resident consuls, so to speak, of the Rest Tour Association, giving tion and advice that will be helpful to members of the Guild who are travelling in America
 This society publishes handbook called "A Summer in England" which has Continental supplement and list of lodg- ings issued as B separate pamphlet. This is printed so es to constitute 8 ticket of membership, ard Is for the use of mem- bers only. The sale of the handbook has been very gratifying and, with the mem bership fees and a few donations, has thus far paid the expenses of the society. A paper called "The Pilgrim Scrip" is also published, solely for the use of members, which has an advanced educational pur- pose, promotes social intercourse among those living at 8 distance, and incidentally has brought great deal of interest into the lives of some who are shut in by i'll health or lonely surroundings.
 Other plans are being considered by the association. They would enlarge their borders, and therefore need money, inf1u- enee and individual effort It is to bs in no sense charitable organization, but one of mutual good will and friendly cc-opera- tion. Says one of the secretaries, "since change is the medicine alike for our fever and our wearineas, let us join hands, and VOW that the woman of moderate means shall no longer feel that her wealthier sister is skimming the cream of life, and that even the timid woman may be sure of seeing the Venus Of Melos or the eCata- combs, if she so desire, no matter how solitary her state " A change of hemisphere is often the salvation of worn body and overtaxed brain, and then, too, the woman to whom the dream of travel in foreign lands Is only "baeeiess fabric" by reason of her poverty, is oftentimes most thor | oughly equipped to enjoy it. She may have much general intelligence and cult ure, keen powers of observation and con- parison, and appreciation of the sublime, | a passion for the beautiful, unknown to her wealthy acquaintance who goes abroad | yearly on 6 grand shopping tour, yet to | her the way to London aud Geneva, to Munich and Rome, seems forever barred 1 The Rest Tour Association proposes to as- sist just such deserving ones as these with money if it is needed and with a congenial companion if such is desired. Principally 1t is a bureau of information, and to do the greatest good to the greatest number must be chary of gifts and loans until a permanent fund and large membership shall place 1t upon secure basis.
 SPRING FANCIEs.
 The coming season, 1t is said, will be one of extreme brilliancy in color effects, at least as far as the materials of feminine apparel are concerned. There will be rioting and revelry of tints among the silks and challies, the brocsdes and or gandies, and even the cheviots and serges have ''put on gladness" as exhibited in dots and fecks and glints of gaily colored
 silks that brighten and enrich these usually
 sombre goods The challies have white
 silk lines and bare, in single lines or clus
 ters, and over these flowers sprays are
 
 lavishly strown. The newest patterns are
 chine, that is, the edges are somewhat in
 distinct and blurred as If the colors had
 run little, giving very soft and shadowy
 effect. Orgsndies and Swiss muRlins art
 also white-striped and flower scattered
 some with the tiniest of Dresden chini
 designs and others with bolder sprays 1T
 natu al forms and tints.
 Many of tn. silks are both brocaded ane
 inpsime, CT printed: That is, there is woven conventional design of the sam shade as the groundwork, and with thi another design of flowers in all manner O , gay colors, scattered lavishly over th whole. Sa,ins are also printed with chin
 figures, and ombre, or shaded, and change
 able effects are to be more popular thal , ever iu silken weavings of all kinds, no only for a background, but the brocade or printed pattern also shades from on I tone into another. Other shaded silks ar l crossed and recrossed with heavy sati bars, and to these are sometimes adde brocaded dots, or flowers, or leayel Elaboration in pattern and in coloriu