Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-04

human peing. write her letters and read
her magazines. and. If she will, receive
her Intimate friends in an intimacy and
sincerity almost impossible elsewhere TO
society women.
a few years ago few outside of the
"swell' women had "boudoirs" recognized
as such. The idea savored so much Of
elegance and luxury that IT was considered
the birthright OF fashionable fad. Now
however. many an artistic girl fixes up a
pretty little place next her sleeping apart
ment and dubs it "boudolr." and in very
modest houses whose mistresses have but
q stray spare hour Of tho day for with
drawing and rest, there is n curtained
slcove or a "contrived" corner with little
personal touches and small luXuries that
answer the same purpose, and Willingly
or unwittingly the spot has an artistic
appearance. and by general consent is
sacred to it's owners use. and seldom. IL
ever. invaded. This IS right, and as it
should be In every house
In many of the palatial houses built
among us OF late years. and in others long
occupied by households OF artistic taste
and retirement the beautiful boudors
are well-known ana even widely-known
features perhaps as much on account OF
the charming people who have met in
MADAME MENDONCNS BOUDOIR.
one OF the most famously lovely bou-
doris among fashionable women is that
of Madame Mendonca, in Washington. 1t
IL en- suite with her sleeping-room and
dressing-room. divided by archways hung
with heavy crimSon-silk curtains. The
curtains at all the windows are OF the
same rich material and the carpets glow
with the same full color
On the walls hang many oil-paintings,
rather stfily placed In long rows as in
picture galleries, but the effect IS rich and
stately. Her husband has a famous col
lection OF paintings, estimated at t2JO.0O0
and some OF the finest pieces hang in Ma
danes boudoir. In between the two WIN
dows is placed n great mirror that re-
fleets the richly-framed lures and deep
tones of the furniShiL Easles with
paintings stand about. I.are books lie on
the tables. and there is always great
gorgeous bowl Of flowers. Here Madame
Mendonca serves chocolate and receives
all but her formal visitors. Madame, who
Is a decided brunette with olive skin and
splendid black hair and eyes, is nearly
always gowned IN a soft robe OF old rose
and black or black and gold.
THE LETTER BOUDOIRS.
Is that OF Miss Letter. the great belle
and beauty. 1t Is en- suite with her sleep
ing-room, and the curtains between are
of the palest pink corded silk. Against
the walls. in dainty figured paper. are
hung exquisite etchings and photographs
OF her friends. and there is q group or
two OF 'favors" and souvenirs.
At right-angles to the fireplace is her
writing-desk. filled with all that mss OF
silver paraphernalia that seems necessary
TO the fin de steele woman. One end Of
the stable room Is filed by a perfectly
immense old-fashioned mahogany sofa,
with spacious back and arms. and piled
with cushions.
The large table always holds the late
magazines. the new books. and all the
things that women usually amuse Them
selves with during the morning hours.
There is just a delightful suspicion Of the
dressing-room about this most comfortable
boudoir for on a long. low. table is laid
Q gorgeous dresslng-case with all the toi-
let articles In repousse silver. Hero her
hest friends are received In the morning,