Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-16

almost hidden under it's weight of lace, sable tails and Parma violets. The gown was severely plain, and set off the dainty shoulder arrangement to perfection. Another extremely smart wrap in cape shape has a full upper curve of creamy white broadcoth, entirely untrimmed, but setting out stiffiy with its rich lining of dull golden brown satin lining. Over the deep under cape of golden brown velvet is gathered full lovely shade of tan colored crepe de chene, all fiecked with tiny gold figures. The ef- feet of the combination is exceedingly rich and is intensified by full frlll of brown tinted lace set about the bottom. A heavy ruche of tan crepe sets up smartly about the throat, from which the face peeps out like flower. A wonderfully chic little hat was worn with this in the shape of a tiny scoop of golden brown beaver, maSsed on top with a lot of lace, ends of which are allowed to trail softly over the hair at the sides. Stiff black wings, bristling aggressively, perk up at one side.
 Whatever may be said in derision of the l p-to-date girl, it Is certain that she is to | be commended for her common sense l The fin de secle girl is nothing if not l sensible and practical. Not only is she l we'll posted on politics and literature of | the day, but she is learning to value her | health and how to take care of it. Five years ago few girls could be wooed and l won without liberal supply of bonbons | as necessary adjunct to courtship. Not | so today 'I don't eat candy any more, Charley; bring me some fruit next time." | I heard a young woman say to her fiance | the other day. and that led me to investi- | gate the subject. I asked several girls of
 my acquaintance if they had given up | bonbons.
 One pretty blonde said: "Why, yes. I
 have, though I love them dearly. But | my dentist says they are ruinous to the teeth and you know chocolates make the | skin muddy, so I eat figs and dates and
 fruit instead For, of course" she added. | laughingly, mo girl can afford to spCii
 her teeth and complexion just for love d | sweets"
 | Another Wvacious beauty declared that
 bonbons were to her joy, but she did net
 eat as many as formerly because they
 spoiled her appetite for more substantial
 food. "Of course" she said. q can't re-
 sist the temptation to indulge in few
 when somebody kindly sends me a five
 pound box of confectionery daintily tied | with silver cord and ribbon but I nearly
 always turn over the contents to Aunt
 Susan, who dotes on canday, and is not
 afraid of having her teeth injured. be-
 cause they are not the kind that ache or
 decay"
 "Do I eat bonbons?" answered a belle
 of the season. "No don't eat them, but t
 I accept them because I dote on the beau | tiful baskets and exquisite bonbonnieres
 which come with them. A lovely bit of
 Dresden china came to me this morning
 with some marrons glaceS. I am going to
 use it for a hair pin tray, and I shall en-
 joy it more than l would the bonbons
 Besides, sweets are so bad for the diges-
 ton. I shall give them to my maid.' The
 American girl had so long had the repu-
 tation of being candy fiend that 1t will
 be hard to convince people that reform
 Is on foot, but as it is now the fad" to be
 healthy and athletic, the bonbon must go.
 Since the days of Jackson balls and cin-
 namon sticks and peppermint drops there
 has been a wonderful evolution in the | confectionery line, and there will doubt
 less always be lively demand for candy,
 but the amount consumed by the average | girl Is on the decrease, sweets to the l sweet" notwithstanding.