Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-22
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" PARIS. u

The air IL full or the limpidness OF
spring, the blue Of the sky seems tantai-
izlngly like summer. and yet there Is natu-
rally n good stretch before we can assure
ourselves we are safely past the winter.
The American pussy willows" are selling
upon the street. and. for want Of a better
bit OF decoration. they arc tucked into
the buttonholes. Violets. too. breathe
their perfume generously as the prone
naders stroll by. tempting them to the
expenditure OF many sosu, for they
are not yet grown cheap. as they will be
little later on.
What beautiful, great city In this
Paree. all a-bustle with gay life, beauti-
full women. and the most extravagant of
splendid things to wearl Somehow, even
my pity for the French women IN that
their husbands are such dlminutIve men
cannot quench the envy they feel that
they are continually able TO loll in the
walk along the fashionable promensdes
on such an afternoon as this one would
naturally think there was no sorrow or
poverty in all Paris, and still, tu.t around
the corner-but there. every lovely spot
has Its skeleton, and fashion IS not a bit
becoming TO the old, moudly bones.
Splendid colors In gowns are blossoming
out like the rose: everywhere the eve ia
met by some beautiful tint, which eems
10 have taken on a new shade nevei seen
before. II Is a perfect marvel how such
a variety OF colors are produced when.
after all, the primary coloTs are so few. In
all the array OF new tints there is very
little that is garish or loud. Occasionally
one sees a brilliantly-gowned woman hut
Immediately one knows she does not be-
long TO the mondames-not She Some
thing i always notice about French wo-
men, and perhaps to this very thing is due
their fame for perfect dressing-is the
strict attention always paid to all the
small accessories of the toilet
The genuine French woman begina a,
the skin. III she can afford but a certain
sum for her entire outfit, the generous
part or 1t goes into the dainty lingerie
and not into the gown. She will nav
willingly the price OF a smart gown for n
lace-trimmed chemise or skirt. Her linen
Is always OF the finest and her laces OF
the rarest. The poorest French girl would
scorn TO wear plain undergarment. or
one not entirely fresh and sweet. Their
next attention Is given to hosiery and
shoes. They must be OF the best: the
shoes snugly but well fitted, and ALWAYS
as glossy as patent-leather.
The gloves are always immacula tslv
clean and whole, every button in place,
ana the color always chosen with refer
ence to the gown. The purse and the
umbrella are OF the most chic pattern.
and the veil OF the newest design. There
Is always a bunch OF posies; even the
poorest French girl will manage a posy or
TWO and, with gown OF correct cut,
the tout ensemble Is perfect
The Rue de Ia Concorde is the aayest
Of the gay at this season, for the mon
DANES go shopping very much like com
mon people. save that they 20 In car
riages, and with much more elegant cos
tunes than their neighbors on foot.
Among all the rush Of beautiful gowns.
perhaps the loveliest OF all was one of
glace silk. in shades of black and green
There was a fun. naring skirt all furbe-
lowed along each gore with thick ruches
OF black mousseine de sole. edged with
narrow butter-colored lace. The very
bouffant expression Of the skirt was
heightened by a tiny blouse OF the silk,
made with fun hip rufiles. edged with
mOusseline de sole.
at the top. but covered completely with
a succession Of tiny frills from shoulder
to wrist. A fetching little shoulder-cape
or mirror velvet. In the same chameleon
tints, showing considerable limpld green,
had a full border of heavy black ostrich
tips. The fiambeau collarette OF velvet
was also bordered with feathers, and
clasped with huge ornament OF old sill
yer, set with turquoise The accompany
Ing hat was one Of the most delicious bits
OF millinery / have ever seen. and made
the sweet face underneath bloom like a
fresh rose. IL had a large, full brim, ell
covered with gathered black moussellne
de sole, with wire frame OF gilt; tiny,
gold-headed pins held the airy stuff in
place at intervals.
There was a rather high, stlff crown
OF green velvet and a scarf OF butter
tinted lace wound around it, fastened at
one side in a smashing big bow, I'm which
snuggled fresh bunch of dun pink roses
Broad ties of the black gauze caught
the brim over the ears. and tied under