The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1894-08-08
NOTES OF TRAVEL.
Manner of Shopping in London and Wed
ding Days in Paris.
BY IDA COMsTOCK sTEWART.


BY IDA CoMSTOCK STEWART.
Ii an American wishes to feel a pride
In the general appearance Of his country
women, ne can do so when comparing
them with the shoppers seen on the
streets Of London. The women are not
up to date. One sees one smart" gown
to dozen that are absolutely lacking in
style.
The dresses are usually made of an un-
becoming shade and dark material; but
the gay hat hanging to the last hair of
the back coil gives quite dash of color.
London is most comfortable place to
stop in. Imagine hunt for ready-made
underwear. A floor walker meets you at
the door, (they are keen after Americans,
no matter what is said Of American GUS
toms not being wanted) bows you to the
foot OF the stairs, where he rings a bell
and earnestly begs you to walk up stairs,
at the head Of which appears polite
young woman, always dressed in black,
who greets you with good morning,
madam, what can show your" Woe is
ne who has wandered in just out Of curl
osity or to have look around, as it is
not the custom in England to go into a
shop unless you really wish to buy and
the shop girl whose wages, and often
her position, depends on her ability to
make you buy, is disagreeable and nasty,
unless you make apurchase. On stating
the article desired you are ushered to
small room, carpeted, with cases around
the wall and comfortable arm chairs.
Here you make your selection with the
uttermost composuTe, no one in a hurry.
She brings you samples of goods, you
make your selection, neatly done up
parcel is handed you, with loop Of
string to carry it by. They always offer
to send the parcel and thank you for
buying i: You are then escorted to the
staircase, the bell rings, you are mot at
the foot Of the stair by the floor walker,
who enquiries If you have been suited,
offers to show You to any other depart
ment, or escorts you to the door. No one
is in hurry and you leave with a very
selfsatisfed feeling, and on excellent
terms with yourself and the world.
The shopping season is now at its
height, the sales being on, and London
is crowded with provfncials and Ameri-
cans, yet the shops do not present a
bustling scene, very evident fact that
while New York adopts Paris fashions,
London does not.
The appearance in the streets and
prOmenades of Paris, of brides robed in
white, their white shOd feet treading the
asphalt pavement, is really one of the
funniest sights, and an endless source of
amusement to an American and other
visitors in Paris.
On Saturday afternoon, the popular
day for weddings here, the Bois de
BOulOgne teens with wedding parties;
some, the humber folk, on foot, walking
two by two, headed by the bride and
bridegroom; others driving in second
ate state in big hacking coaches.
When the weather is fine even those who
can afford to charter equipages are not
above alighting and wandering for a
while in the leafy shades of the wood, or
of partaking of refreshments in the res
taurants and cafes, fn full view Of the
public. The strangeness Of the spectacle
lies chiefly in the fact Of woman walk
ing about out doors, clad from top to toe
in virgin white, with veil and all; but
young woman belonging to the lower,
middle or working class would consider
herself to be defrauded out Of her due if
she were not permitted to exhibit her
finery in this fashion. Wedding gar
ments are, all over the world, matter
Of importance, but nowhere more than
in France, where all the old customs
connected with marriage are kept up
religiously, and where It is considered
necessary to make display at such
times; a display which is often ludic-
rOusly out OF proportion to the social
standing Of the contracting parties.
have often wished might attend a
French wedding, but as it has not been
my good fortune, can write no more
| than INV OhaarvatiOna