The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-07-08


and almost as instructive and entertain
ing as q couple 81 years Of foreign
travel. Il. MS #5 s 5. n
But to return to the Beauty SHOW
That. by the way, Is not it's technisal
name Ii is catalogued as the "Inter-
national Dress and Costume Exchange
and to this name its managers have
added Worlds Congress Of Beauty
AS beauty show 1t far transcends any
thing ever before attempted in that
direction, and, it is believed, is the first
exh: bition of the sort possessing
genuineness in the claim Of being inter
national.
But it is much more than beauty
show. The exhibit comprises between
forty aud fifty representatives. of diff
ferent nationahties, races and types, and
each one is clad in distinctive national
or racial dress or costume. Agents were
sent abroad to set these representatives
and their Costumes III their own
countries and to bring them to the Fair.
and all who visit the exhibit will readily
agree that the work was we'll dine.
1t took faith on the part OF the
financial hackers of the enterprise to
carry it out, for the exhibit. as it Aands
to-day represents an expenditure Of over
$4,000. But the result shows that they
knew what they were about. Thus far
no other Midway attraction has drawn
as well as this It catches the crowd,
both of men and women, and all who
see it commend it to their friends.
Nearly all of the representatives are
young women, and beautiful women at
that. The reader need not conclude
that this was wholly accidental. Women,
rather than mon, were selected because,
as rule, their costumes are more dis
tinctive and attractive, and in collecting
a lot of young women from different
countries, for public exhibition, who
would not select beautiful ones rather
than plain or homely specimens. Beauti-
full women, each one typical of her race
or country, and striking costumes, true
to the nationality Of those who wear
them, the result 10 a very instructive
and popular exhibit.
The Beauty Show" occupies whole
building by itself, and has pleasant
surroundings. The building is 48x145
feet, two stories high and is covered
with staff. like all the other Exposition
buildings, thus having the appearance
IT being built of white marble. In front
are lawns and graveled walks. From
numerous hag-poles on the building
float the colors Of as many nations. The
interior of the building truly represents
the scene of splendor. One enters a
great hall gaily decorated with multi
colored bunting aud the aags of different
nations The. windows are all darkened,
and electric light lllumines the hall by
day as we'll as night. Around three
sides of the room is dais, carpeted and
divided by, polished brass railing into
booths for the beauties. Each booth is
nicely furnished, and in conspicuous
place is satin banner bearing the name
of the country which the occupant repre-
sen's.
What do the beauties d.? Well, the.
principal thing they do is to be looked
at. Some do fancy work of some sort or
another, some read, some spin, make
embroidery, or engage in other light
occupation, such as they are accustomed
to at home. Nearly all chat freely with
visitors aud answer the many questions
which are propounded. They are paid
great many compliments, OF course, and
these they receive graciously if they are
offered urteously. Occasionally dude
or ill-mannered person receives q
equelching, which generally causes him
to make haste rom the vicinity.
At the end Of the hall, opposite the
entrance, is an oriental or harem scene,
in which there are five dark eyed
beauties loungipg on divans or other
wise disposed in accord with the languid
habits of the East. Fatima, regal
beauty, is the ''queen" of this booth, and
occupies an exalted position in the
center.
The costumes of the orientals are
exceedingly gorgeous and rich. Three
of the girls-an English, French and
American-wear Worth gowns. These
naturally excite the enthusiastic .ad-
miration Of all the visitors Of the gentler
sex. The gowns cost from $1,000 to
81 500 each, and are the finest that the
famous French costumer could make.
The material was made specially for him
and could not be duplicated elsewhere.
This is Worth's only exhibit at the Fair,
he having declined request from the
French Commission, and also one from
Mrs Potter Palmer, president of the.