Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-30
TO DATE.
Dclngs and Observations Of I Southarntl
% IN Philadelphia.
CHILDRETS CLOTHES OF ALL AGES.
mo siIh Null. Elmo Naipsooks and Dninsy
Lisht-uround Silks tho Popular
MateriaIs--Styles.
tcorre.pondence Of the Dispatch,

PHILADELPHIA, PA, December b.
We Door mortals are at best but selfish
creatures, and 1t is not until some sub
ject especially interests or touches US
that we realize 1t may be subject OF
interest to others. Having small maiden
who has reached the mature ago OF
years. quite old enough In this day OF
rapid progress to receive and accept In
vitations to Christmas parties, and to be-
come a member Of dancing class,
have been occupied in deciding upon a
suitable dress for the young belle. AT
the same time my attention has been
called to children's clothes OF all ages
and sizes, and trust that some OF my
hints may prove Of practical benefit 10
mothers anxious to have their small
bellies and beaux arrayed in up-to-date
fashions.
ChIldren's clothes were never prettier
than this season, for there were never
30 many pretty clinging materials from
which to select, and the present style
OF wide skirts and big rufiies Is very
becoming to their dainty little figures.
The most popular materials for the ma
ture ages of 1 to years are fine null
the silk null Is especially pretty-nne
nainsook, and the dainty light-ground
eiIlxs with tiny rosebuds in pale plnks OF
blues; for my individual taste l think
there Is nothing so pretty as pure white.
GUIMPE STYLE.
Most of these little gowns were made
guimpe style, narrow ribbons, embroidery.
or lace being used for trimming the
gulmpes, while the skirts were finished
with deep hem, but were very much
wider than they have been worn, with
modified flare at the bottom, such as Is 80
fashionable in the grown-up up-to-date
gowns. Velvet Is decidedly the fashion
for wraps for the small girl as well as
her big sister, and now that 1t is so much
cheaper II is not such an extravagance.
The little coats are made with a box
plalted back, and much-beruffied capes or
collar edged with fur, although several
had deep-yellow lace. but the fur L
thought the most effective. The prettiest
shades were the different browns. OF which
there are so many beautiful ones. blues.
and the delicate shades of gray. A lovely
coat and hat for a girl OF s was OF golden
brown velvet. with deep collar and Guns
OF clean lace. The hat was the same shade
Of velvet, with the broad brim closely
shlrred and finished with soft frill.
The crown was a Tam O. Shanter OF vel
vet half hidden by the pink tips. AT the
back the brim Is caught up with bow
of pink velvet.
HER FIRST PARTY.
Christmas-eve my little maiden attended
her first real party. and as 1t was rather
A pretty idea / will tell you OF IT, The
and consisted of q tiny card, In the
centre OF which was a spider entanged
In O. brown web while in one corner
was engraved the mysterious words, "A
Spider at Home" The dainty little card
of the young hostess was enclosed with
II, with the hours for the entertainment
from 5 to s. On their arrival the little
guests, Of which there were twenty or
thirty, were shown into large drawing
room, in the centre OF which an immense,
-littering spider had apparently spun MS
.-eb. which stretched across the room.
The web was composed OF many webs,
each starting from spider In the centre,
and extending TO many nails and pro-
iedtions. where each one terminated in a
iit4 wooden wirdsr. After choosing a
winier, each child followed Its wander
ings TO the spider in which 1t terminated.
Inside this spider was concealed some
nretty Gift. Different-colored cords were
used. which made the color scheme very
effective. These cords can be bought
at any confectioner, but the gilt and sill
yer cord would, I think, make still
prettier effect.
SILK NULL.
My little debutante's gown was OF SILK
null; the low-neck waist was OF the SIX
null, with two ruffle5 falling from the
1tx INN MAD
raj rows OF narrow satin ribbon. The
sash was of the null; the ends finished IN
the same way with the ribbon: the skirt
was plain-iust q hem. She wore this
over another plain skirt OF the cotton
null, which gives a softer effect than silk
would do. Tiny white slippers and little
silk socks completed the dainty costume
which was not expensive.
From the age OF 10 to 13 Is the mos'
difficult age to dress q girl prettily and
effectively. One pretty model of guimpe
dress / saw would be suitable. 1t was OF
white, in one of tho many pretty, soft
wool materials, Of which there are such
a profusion to choose from. 1t was lit
tie on the cream in color, and tht
| low-necked waist was cut like blouse
pulled into the belt and neck, and lef
| open about two inches down the front
II Hutft IL Is IdCtI DdCh WIN - bAao b@4'N
| Of pale blue velvet, two inches wide. A
| row Of small blue velvet buttons trimmed
| the inside edge OF this, and blue velvet
| rosettes fasten In front at either side, a
the belt and neck and over the dainty
| white gulmpe, which can be elthev o.
| soft null, or white china silk, but thinl
| the null most becoming. All sorts o.
| rough wool materials are worn by girl!
| old enough TO go TO school, and are very
| serviceable and stylish. There is nothing
| prettier than plaids for this age, and 9
| stylish school-gown OF green plaid wa
| male with the blouse OF the plain mate
| rial. with wide straps Of the plaids going
| from the belt over the shoulders.
| BOY FASHIONS.
| Did I not warn you Of the selfshnes
| Of human nature as evidenced even in ;
| fashion letter? have finished my dis
| course on children's clothes. and not on
| mention Of the boy In Il. My attention
has not been drawn to boy fashions saw
what noticed with a foolish mother
| pride-a number Of small boys in up-to
date velvet suits with lace ruffies o
broad collars and patent-leather pumps
fitting around my small belle the othe
evening-but the especial features o
boy fashions shall be given place in on
OF my next letters.
| Christmas has come and gone, and tn
deserted-looking shops bereft Of thei
prettiest displays Is proof OF the fac
that In spite OF the cry Of "hard times
people have found money enough tucke'
| away somewhere to buy.
The question Of the tariff has been
very deep one to me-so much so tina
when hearing IL discussed have won
dered II those discussing 1t quite know
what they were talking about.
OPEN OUR PORTS.
recently returned from London. / great.
admired her gown. which was from on
Of the noted tailors Of London, who has
branch establishment over here. The ma
terial was OF lovely shade Of BROW
English serge. made bell skirt. trimme'
with two ruches OF heavy black satin a
the foot of the skirt about four inche
| apart. The bodice was short. and fitte
as only the best tailor gowns do III
| And, covered with a fine braided sill
passementerie. the sleeves were perfect,
plain and full. A gem Of a capote wen
with this stylish suit. 1t had grea
punches OF yiolets arranged on q founda
ton of brown crepe, with an uprigh
bunch Of dark-red gardsnais little to tn
front on the left side.
When she told me what this chic cos
tune cost I was amazed. for 1t was al
most one fourth for which the same coul
be gotten over here. Now ! understan
tariff. and am strongly In favor OF open
ing our ports Although still don
know whether I am advocating Demo
cratic or Republican principles. trus'
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