The St. Johns herald., 1896-01-25
PRC,ss --.,..TED AT COURT.
An Exr an7ive ss Well as a Very
 Laborious Function.
An Ame-scpn Woman Who Has Had Ex- perience Gives an Itemixed Account One Must Wear a Nv and
 Costly Costume.

ALondon journal cuotes an unnamed correspondent, who says that pres entatioa at Queen >-ictoria's drawing room requires an outlay of at least three hundred and seventy-Gve dollars '.I have been to Buckingham palace, she says. flor three such functions. and I never ,lid t for less. which is more than m wedding fine-y cost. There are women who have done it fer less, but it's pinch, and l shouldn't like to try.
 You sec. you can't TO in a gown that has ever b -en worn before, nor in q costume tn u is not made of the very best materials. You can't. because you will perish of shame when you stand in line with women r,,o arc in the rich est and freshest that Lyons looms and French drcss.5alters c-n tdTn o-:t. Any woman has ..ensc enough to recognize that it is bes.er lot to go at all than go inadeauately. to stand there in the fierce light reflected from the throne. Having this conviction firmly fastened in your IaiIlG. consult some French dressmakcr of noe in London. Trot yourself around to the srlartest of the smart English modistcs and look over samples of brocale, satin, velvet and silk, ranging in price from three to six dollars yard. If you are an un- married woma;l, anywhere on the sun 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 lnatrons ponder over velvet, purple, rcd, black, etc. Young married persons go in for the heavier white bro cades or brocades with col ored foworings.
 'sNow, he result of long hours of solemn consideration among pillows Of splendid iacrics sends you contempla- lively of-you wonder in what humor ones obliging papa or generous hus- band will accept the news that one can nos be made decent for court on less than three hunnred dollars. One must appear as well 2s 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 a full month be- forehand, and that is well. considering the rush at the drcssmal1ers'. Only a leading florist can supply the huge shower bouquet of white flowers that costs twenty-five dollars.
 'sOne never secs such bouquets in America-beautiful cascades of flowers built on a frail foundation of chiffon, and trailing from one's 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 a vastly long pair. of fvc-dollar gloves, lovely things to wrinkle up to ones shoulder nearly. To q French boot makers sufficient piece of ones gown must be taken to make onc's slippers, that cost at least seven or eight dollars.
 Lastly, ono must make an appoint ment with 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 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 anC the result is approximate 10 my frs statement, is 1t not? There are few loopholes for economy ,ior certain thing you must have or you will never kis the queens hand. Ones train must fal from the shoulders so that its spread or the floor includes vast stretch of yer, costly goods, five yards long by tw' wide. The gown must be cut out be low the point of the shoulders.
 Another exaction i5 the placing o feathers and veil. Only a court hair dresser knows how to accomplish it t queens taste, and the queen, thougl her taste may not be good. demand that her ideas be followed to the las letter. Only physicians certiicat entities one to appear at drawing room with covered shoulders. The eel tifcate must be procured in advanc and sent to the lord chamberlain, wh asks the queens consent. Often enoug
 she refuses"