The record-union., 1896-04-05

-.@~H---~~
Speaking Of theaters reminds me that
the prevailing nuisance Of the last two
seasons, the huge, unsightly balloon
sleeve, is waning in popularity in this
country, and has been entirely discarded
in the acknowledged fashion metropolis,
Paris. One can almost hear the sigh of
relief emanating from the breasts of
thousands Of long-suffering lords of Gre
alton, and small wonder, if all they
say" is true.
1t has come to my ears that certain
eminent and well-known follower of
that ruthless tyrant La Mode has
been known to hire two seats in the
theater. "Of course one for herself, the
other for her escort" you will say.
Nothing Of the kind! One for herself,
true; the other devoted, not to an escort,
but to her silken balloon sleeves, which
must not be allowed, on any considera-
ton. to be crushed, as that would en-
tirely spoil the effectl
And now, with her usual freakness,
Dame Fashion DEGREES that we shall
wear small, well-fitting sleeves, made
with fullness or puff at the elbow, and
male escorts will again be enabled to
enjoy the society of the fair without
fear of rumpling those much-cherished
attributes of feminine adornment.
Women are becoming more sensible
every day as regards their. head-dress
Tor theater or concert hall. It is no un-
common event to see daintily attired
lady with just a fichu or fascinator
thrown over her head en- route to some
place of amusement Indeed, the hair is
| as often dressed with ostrich tips or
flowers, and quite innocent of any other
covering. 1t required certain amount
| of courage to become q pioneer in this
movement, but now that it has become
so universal a custom, there is no ex-
cuse whatever for the big hat and 1t is
really beginning to look vulgar, un-
slightly and decidedly outre at evening
gatherings of this character
The bloomer fad seems to be gaining
favor, although it is limited that some
of the tickle fair ones are already begin
ming to tire of the "nev woman" The
feminine cyclist throws off more and
more of her natural womanly timidity.
and behold the result, our streets are
thronged on fair Gay with wheels
bearing the latest cut of boomers.
Doctors are. beginning to declare that
skirts are unsafe as well as unhealthy.
so what would you? And yet, one can't
Eelp comparing the modern woman with
the women of our grandmothers' day.
What are we gaining by the change?
Will some philosopher please answer L?
know public sentiment is in favor of
the bloomer, and when it is made after
| the style of Turkish trousers it really is
not Objectionable. But the natty fash
template up-to-date bloomer effected
by most of our lady riders certainly
does not tend to cultivate those inherent
womanly qualities that go to make up
the truest and best of our sex. Yet it
seems that even in the days when ''they
wore the little buckle on the shoe" there
were fair DANES who aspired to mascu-
line attainments, as witness the follow
ing extract from the New Orleans
"Picayune':
The new woman is old centuries
old. In April, 1716, she was advertis-
| ing herself thus: This is to give no.
tice to all my honored masters and
| ladies, and the rest of my loving
| friends, that my Lady Butterfield gives
a challenge to leap horse or run on
| foot, or halloo with any woman in
England seven years younger, but not
| a day older, because I won't under
value myself, being now "A years of
age. My feast will be the last Wednes-
| day of this month (ApriD, when there
will be good entertainment for that
| day and all the year after, in Wan
stead, in Essex" i"
But that was in Merrie England and,
of course, she is centuries in advance
of u.s.
| / am glad to be able to report Mrs
| Albert Elkus, who was so recently
quite dangerously i'll, almost entirely
recovered. The lady is so universally
beloved by all friends, musical and
| otherwise, that her temperance
among US will be hailed with genuine
| pleasure by everyone.
| Mrs. Carroll-Nicholson gave her last
| lesson in Sacramento on Tuesday last.
| There are very many who will deeply
1
| classes here, as she had made many
friends, and was highly esteemed as a
| teacher of vocal culture
| Miss Mary Dunster still continues i'll,
although slight Improvement was re-
| ported few days since.
What charming exhibition of talent
| greeted the visitors to the Art Gallery
on Monday and Wednesday evenings of
| the week past. Surely we have reason
| to be proud OF the rising generation,
and If the spirit of public interest wax
but little stronger, and encourage
ment of a substantial nature be given
the instigators of so noble a move
ment, who knows but we may yet have
Raphael or Michael Angelo to hand
down the name of Sacramento in glory
through coming ages?
Discord still seems to force its unwel-
come presence into some Of our homes.
What pity it is that brethren cannot
! learn to dwell together in peace and
harmony. Oh for the days when the
lion and the lamb shall lie down to-
gether," and discord and jealous sus-
picion no longer stir up strife In the
hearts of those who stand at the head
/ OF households with young, innocent
lives in their charge looking to- them
| for guidance In the Intricate paths Of
life! Will not the pending Crowley VS..
Crowley divorce affair, which so re-