The St. Johns herald., 1895-10-03
PRESENTED AT COURT.
An Expensive as Well as @ Very
 Laborious Function.
An American Woman Who Has Had Ex- perfence Gives an Itemixed Account One Must Wear . New and
 Costly Costume.

A London journal quotes an unnamed correspondent, who says that pres entation at Queen Victoria's drawing room requires an outlay of at least three hundred and seventy-fve dollars. ''I have been to Buckingham palace, !" she says, 'for three such functions, and I never did it for less, which is more than my wedding fnery cost. There are women who have done it for less, but it's pinch, and shouldn't like to try.
 You see, you can'tgo in gown that has ever been worn before, nor in a costume that is not made of the very best materials. You can't, because you will perish of shame when you stand in line with women who are in the rich est and freshest that Lyons looms and French dressmakers can turn o.t. Any woman has sense enough to recognize that it is better not to go at all than go inadequately, to stand there in the fierce light reflected from the throne. Having this conviction firmly fastened in your mind, consult some French dressmaker of note in London. Trot yourself around to the smartest of the smart English modistes and look over samples of brocadc, satin, velvet and silk, ranging in price from three to six dollars yard. If you are an un- married woman, anywhere on the sum- ny side of sixty, you wear white. Debutantes look at tulle, and silk, and lace, and wreaths of French flowers, silver embroidery, pearls and ribbons, and middle-aged matrons ponder over velvet, purple, red, black, etc. Young married persons go in for the heavier white brocades or brocades with col ored howerings.
 Now, the result of long hours of solemn consideration among pillows of splendid facrics sends you contempla- lively off-you wonder in what humor ones obliging papa or generous hus- band will accept the news that one can not be made decent for court on less than three hunnred dollars. One must appear as we'll as the other women; the queen exacts that ones train must lie for three yards on the floor, and the end of expense is not yet. The order for the gown is given full month be- forehand, and that is well, considering the rush at the dressmalkers' Only 8 leading florist can supply the huge shower bouquet of white flowers that costs twenty-five dollars.
 "One never sees such bouquets in America-beautifulc cascades of flowers built on frail foundation of chiffon, and trailing from ones hand to the floor. In London women always carry huge bouquets to every function dur ing all seasons, so that bouquet build ing has become great art with them.
 At the glover's one must have vastly long pair of five-dollar gloves, lovely things to wrinkle up to ones shoulder nearly. To a French boot makers a sufficient piece of onc's gown. must be taken to make one's slippers, that cost at least seven or eight dollars.
 Lastly, one must make an appoint ment with a court hairdresser, who charges about three dollars. Eight dollars covers the cost of three feathers and veil. A good public stable is sought out and arrangements perfected to have a very big carriage sent on by nine o'clock the morning of the drawing room. Because he is expected to send one of his very perfect carriages, and because the vehicle, both delivering one at and taking one from the palace, must stand in line for hours, the stable keeper asks not less than ten dollars for the service.
 Reckon all these amounts up and the result is approximate to my first statement, is 1t not? There are few loopholes for economy, for certain things you must have or you will never kiss the queens hand. Ones train must fall from the shoulders so that it's spread on the floor includes a vast stretch of very costly goods, five yards long by two wide. The gown must be cut out be- low the point of the shoulders.
 Another exaction is the placing of feathers and veil. Only court hair dresser knows how to accomplish it to the queens taste, and the queen, though her taste may not be good. demands that her ideas be followed to the last letter. Only a physicians certificate entities one to appear at a drawing room with covered shoulders. The cer- tifcate must be procured in advance and sent to the lord chamberlain, who asks the queens consent. Often enough she refuses"
 Light Persons Poisoned by Ivy.