The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-16


less han ten
thousand people in Richmond are begin
ming 10 torture their brains as 10 the
most suitable thing to purchase for
relative. a friend. or sweetheart
Up and down Broad and Main streets
moves the procession, veritable crush
now and then blocking up the thorough
farce. congTegating about some unique
show window full OF attractive trifies
for the holiday season. turning topsy-
turyy half the articles i'm a novelty shop.
and one thought continually revolving IN
their TniHds-'What must get for
Jack?" or 81 wonder how that would
suit Emily and so on through the list.
For the past few days the retail quar-
tiers Of the city have been over-run with
inquiries" and examiners. who will
peep In late to purchase. They want to
see what is on exhibition. and then re-
fleet on the appropriateness OF this or
that purchase, at the same time keeping
an eye on the question Of finance. Any
casual observer can see at "A glance that
the ever-welcome festive season IS close
at hand. In the animated countenances
OF the women and girls and on the bright,
eNFecfant faces of the cnildren, all
seems to say. Christmas is coming"
SCENES IN THE SHOPS.
All the merchants have gotten in their
holiday goods. with few exceptions, and
a pretty display il H. too. Perhaps there
have not been more variety and novelty
seen for several seasCrs. Despite the I'M
satisfactory condition OF finances gener-
ally. this IS one time in the year when
nearly everybody Will strain a point
and purchasers console themselves with
the thought: We'll. IL comes only once
year. and I'll 20 little beyond the
limit this time just to keep up with the
prevailing fashion" And so il goes. and
so we all make our purchases with an
eye to taste and wish rather than the
capacity Of our purses, feeling that wen
make IL up afterwards.
Wandering leSurely up Broad street
yesterday afternoon | was particularly
ttruck with the variety and styles of
Christmas presents just gotten in by the
dealers. Why, you can purchase nearly
everything imaginable. from a bedroom
set to a paper OF pins. Every variety of
present can be purchased. so that what
ever your taste be. you'll find no diff
ruIty in supplying it. The stores are be-
ginning 10 have their usual rush OF Visi-
tors at this season, and the clerks as a
blaiter of course are having busy Time
bf II. Some OF the Establishments have
found ii necessary 10 increase their force
Ia meet the big trade, asd even then ii
has been found next to impossible TO
walt on everybody without some little
delay now and then. The chief idea in
the minds OF the purchasers seems to be
10 so early and make their selection be
lore all the prettiest asd newest aTti-
Ties have been picked over. quite a good
Idea IT Is, and 1t keeps to avoid sOme-
what the crush during the two or three
days before Christmas.
soME APPROPRIATE GIFTS.
or course the question Of selection must
be determined by ones purse. The arti-
Cles range from handsome diamond neck
laces, splendid pianos. and the like, down
10 simple little remebranceS. just to let
the receiver know you are thinking of her
br him. After all 1t is not so much the
value OF the gift itself; but rather the
spirit in which it is given. Remember
the widows mite. \ true friendship, a
high esteem or a faithful devotion will
lot be Influenced by so selfish a considerd-
ton as the value of a gift.
In the matter OF selection however
the question OF appropriateness should be
carefully considered Don't give a copy
OF Brownings poems to the swell society
tebutante She has neither the time nor
the inclination 10 read them. 4 silver
mounted flask will hardly be suitable
gift for the secretary OF the temperance
society. The book worm will not apprc-
Ciate a silver bouquet holder Study the
taste Of your friend, and decide upon
something that will be Of some service
and meetIwith approval For lover OF
literary there is no more appropriate
present than handsomely bound volume
OF poems. which viii be an ornament to a
library. Books are always a source Of
pleasure 10 students or readers. Some
OF them are bound i'm handsome STYLE
and beautifully illustrated by artists of
high class
sILvFR THE FAvoRITF,
Silver is stll the favorite metal. 1t
has held it's own for several seasons ana
Is even now more popular than ever. The
toilet articles in heavily engraved de-
signs are especially handsome this sea-
son. They are always an acceptable
sift. Manicure sets are still quite popu-
lar for Christmas presents, as are also
glove buttoners shoe horns, thimbles
ring-holders, pintrays and the like,
Heavy silver beit-buckieS with the name
engraved In plain letters are being pur-
chased by many. while pretty combs
fancy mirrors for the dresser. silver
mounted whisk- brooms, and the like. are
H. the best q taste. \ photograph hand
somely framed for Che dresser is a neat
little gift. OF course bracelets in the
newest designs rings. necklaces. hair
ornaments and pins of various kinds are
still acceptable while sleeve-buttons.
lockets. stud-buttons. glove-Clasps ana
Il heart hutter with delight
For house keepers the matter Of Selec-
ton Is comparatively easy task. An
kinds OF silver ware. celery pic
kle jars. after dinner spoons and in fact
too many articles TO enumerate here can
be seen at the various stores in hand
some designs. while the china-ware and
ornamental imported goods are excep-
tionally pretty this season.
FOR GENTLEMEN,
There are any variety of neat gifts for
gentlemen TO lie seen on exhibition. Ink
bottles with small receptacles and I'M
mense silver shoppers will be gladly re-
ceved by many, while paper-cutters.
paper-weights. pens OF various kinds.
and other desk-articies keep the donor
constantly IN mind. Silver mounted
TASKS. shaving sets, ornamental pipes.
ash-receivers. match cases. scarf pins
card cases and other articles too nu-
merous to mention. are In good form ac-
cording TO the tastes OF your friends.
For young lady friend there is, after
ALL no more delicate and appropriate
remembrances than roses or vioiets
There is something so refined about
them and there is always a pretty as
ISOLATION in some way or other connected
with them. They are In the best of
taste. and will be appreciated
Just now the floral establishments are
crowded with purchasers, and their ord
can be filled. When l visited couple
HI.