Birmingham state herald., 1896-04-28

S. George C., Ball, Nineteenth street, between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, South High lands. Telephone 9SS)
 In describing my recent visit to Mont gomery in Sundays columns there were several Typographical errors, one of which was so glaring that it needs cor rection. In referring to notable women of another generation l spoke of Mrs. Governor Fitzpa trick, but the types in some way-as types will do-became rioYsly mixed, and Mrs. Fitzpatrick is made to appear as Mrs. George Fitzpat- rick, an entire stranger to every genera ton of Ala bamians. Mrs. Governor F'itz- patrick was the second wife of the late Ex-Gov. and Ex-United States Senator Benjamin F. Fitzpatrick, man greatly honored and esteemed during h.s long and useful life by all classes of our people. He was a man of strong intellect, of a wonderful amount of common sense and of a manly, straightforward character He remained unaffected and unspoled by the honors heaped upon him by his fel- low citizens, and until his death was an important factor In the politics of our state. His wife, to whom reference was made Sunday, was one of the most charming and delightful of women, full of personal magnetism, with the perfectly natural, simple, unpretentious manner that invariably characterizes the gentle woman in every station of life Mrs. Fitz- patrick married when quite a young wo- man, and Governor Fitzpatrick was many years her senior, but they were exceed ingly congenial in their tastes and their married life was singularly happy one. Mrs Fitzpatrick was one of the most conspicuous woman in Washington city's official and social circles and was extra ordinarily popular a the national capital with men and women alike. She was essentially representative, and Alabam- ians were very proud of her, no matter with whom she was compared. She died number of years ago at her plantation home near Montgomery Governor Fitz- patrick having died several years preVi- ous. Her only son, Benjamin F. FitZpat- rick, Jr., splendid young fellow, resem- bling both distinguished parents in ap- pearance and many chara cteristics and with a future of great promise ahead of him, died few years ago. leaving love- ly, fascinating young wife and two chil- dren. Mrs. Governor Fitzpatrick was, previous to her marriage, Miss Billings lea, and was an aunt of Mrs. Robert c. Brickell. The present Mrs. B. F. Fitz- patrick was Miss Evvie Shepherd of Montgomery, and is one of the most ad- mred and beloved young women of that city.
 According to the latest Harper's Ba- gar most admirable fad has taken pos session of fashionable girls, and it is one of the fances of the hour that will be most heartily approved by all the girls mothers I am confident It should pos sess the contagious qualities of measles or whooping cough and become a univer- sal affection. The Bazar says:
 'Dressmaking! Yes, indeed, all the young girls heads nowadays are full of dressmaking. What to buy what to choose from the dazzling supply of sum- mer fabrics, is an all-monopolzing ques- tion at this season. Some young women, however, have shown sense and clever ness enough to take time by the forelocl1 and prepare themselves for the great de- sire all girls have in the spring to wear fresh gowns They have had, and are still having, dressmaking classes, and even as far back as February they began to select and make up their summer dresses.
 "One of these classes, which meets once week, is composed of from ten to fifteen members, who pay $5 apiece for course of ten lessons A good dressmaker teaches them all the difficulties of cut ting, fitting, hanging skirt and trim ming bodice, so that before the 1st of June these enterprising girls will have their wardrobes In complete order.
 Tt is unnecessary to say that the gowns they make are generally of wash materials or chalies, etc, and a great many shirt waists have been quickly and neatly dispatched. Another sort of dress making class is composed of girls who have already graduated, as 1t were, from being taught and who can make for themselves. They bring patterns, and the promoter of the class (which rarely contains more than four or six members) takes the superintendence in her own hands. Each girl brings the material for her own gown; the patterns are laid out, and 1t is astonishing how even the most indifferent become interested in putting together the different parts of what will be such a lovely gown After spending the morning hours in sewing they lunch togethar. The cotton goods and summer materials are inexpensive, and yet very dainty and pretty"
 The Orange and Blue, the paper of the Auburn college of April 22 has been re- ceived. It is admirably edited and gotten up, and is full of interesting reading mat ter. It Is published by the Wirt and Web sterian Literary societies on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Alabama Polytechnic institute at Auburn by the following staff: R. Sparks Jack son, '96, of Birmingham, editor-in-chief C. R. Hudson, '97, business manager; CO., editors. J. l.. Molder '96; G. N. Afford, '96. The Orange and Blue says:
 'The intercollegiate debate between Auburn and Greensboro on one side and Tuskaloosa and Howard on the other promises to be lively tilt of oratory, and will no doubt attract attention all over the state. The debate will be held at the next Alabama Chautauqua. which meets at Talladega sometime in July.
 Auburn was successful In last years oratorical contest. H. H. Peevey winning the medal over Howard and Greensboro It is necessary that official selection of speakers be made as soon as possible in order that the contestants may have am- pie time for preparation"
 Well, everything is now ready for the gorgeous presentation of 'Erminie" to- night at the opera house for the benefit of the battle abbey fund. The rehearsal last night was great success, and there will be a crowded audience this evening to enjoy one of the best amateur enter tanments ever given in our city. The opera house stage will be decorated with Confederate flags, and there will be beautiful and patriotic tableau in which the battlefag of the Confederacy will be conspicuous feature The mnuet, with its graceful, stately figures, will be danced by sixteen young ladies and gen. tlemen, and Mrs. Lavretta and MT. Wade son will introduce several new and ex- qusite vocal solos.