The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-06-05

The Kotzschmar Party Touring the Shops
Boasts That 1t Keeps Everything-Mag-
nificent Jewels-A Visit to the Tower
of London-Gounod's Third Mass at the
Brompton Oratory.
Especial correspondence of the Press)
ST. AIMS TERRACE,
London, May 10th, 1897.
If there is one thing more than another
that fills the soul Of the average woman
with satisfaction and self approval it is
the consciousness that she has made a
complete round of all the shops, that
nothing has escaped her observation, not
even the latest cut of sleeves, skirt and
jacket; and if perchance a bargain is Sc
cured then ''bliss beyond compare is
hers. We felt when we reached the me-
tropolis that it was duty we owed to
ourselves, our sex and our country to
make ourselves familiar with Londo n
shops. Starting with this exalted sense
of duty, it will be apparent that our shop
ping has been done more from principle
than for pr rsonal pleasure. Our first OBJ
ject was to secure a costume. W. mad
vertently inquired for 'suits;'' warn
ing pinch from E. recalled her English;
she gave an apologize cough and muir
INJURED costumes. 1t was large and
fashionable Diapers shop, highly recon-
mended. W. seated herself, and E. pro-
ceeded to try on a costume of the fashion
able shade of the season, called the
Queens blue, which is certainly the most
uncompromising, assertive blue our eyes
ever beheld. "That is right smart, is it
not? and such a fine fit, is it notp" in
terrogated the smiling saleswoman, in
the appealing manner which is the uni
versal custom. Smart! 1t was hideousl
Fit! it wrinkled horizontally, perpen-
dicularly and obliquely. We longed to be
polite, but we came from the land of the
brave and the home of George Washing
ton, SO we gently insulated that it bagged
| in the neck; whereupon the young wom-
an gathered up handful of the cloth,
remarking "that could be cut off," then
grasping the seams under the arms some
thing less than an eighth of yard, she
explained, 'those could be taken in,
regardless of the fact that the back seams
slanted in such wise as to make ones
figure resemble the leaning tower of Pisa.
We mildly suggested that trying on a
| smaller size, might obviate the necessity
of entirely making over the garment. A
surprised expression spread itself ever the
VOTnp wOman'S cOuDtnnanca EMadam
does not comprehend, we carry only one
size.' SIS it possible" we cried,
amazed in our turn, "that every one of
these forty OR fifty costumes is made to
one measure why, certainly in a
tone that implied, what other way is
lently stole away"
There is no question but that 1.-THE
hat makes the woman" for the spring of
81. No pen and black ink can portray
their gorgeousness; red predo inmates.
with close following of green and VIC
let; straw, ribbons and flowers are of
the same tone for one chapeau, while
another is composed of every color of the
rainbow. No modest bunch Of flowers
will suffice as in days agone; the up-to-
date hat is hung with garlands about
the crown, huge punches Of flowers are
grouped beneath the brim, and as if this
were not enough for one poor head to car
Fy, UQoFo Is OllSu Sell starving IfOu UQ6
rose garland and waving in mid-air a
perfect wheat field. Mime. Louise assured
us that hats to be "comme il fault" must
be slightly raised on one side and worn
very much tipped over the foreheads.
The one occasion and place to see London
style in all its smartness is the Church
parade in Hyde Park. We promenaded
several hours till eyes and head were
thoroughly weary, viewing the human
Kaleidoscope. 1t certainly is a novel
sight. The day was pleasant, though
cool eve have nearly persisted with the
cold since arriving.) There must have
been thousands of deliberately gotten up
women accompanied by the most elegant
looking men we ever saw. They were
all $50 near and yet SO far" that we felt
it was our golden opportunity to look.
1t was the first Sunday of the season, and
all swelldom was in town. The gowns
were as delicate in coloring and trimmed
| as prOfuse1y as one is accustomed to see
at teas and receptions. Pearl colored silk
poplins; cerise silks, under open meshed
grenadines; shoulder capes of white wa
tered silk; while the hats were flower
gardens of every variety of blossom in
every conceivable color. We specially re-
marked the sleeves, tight from wrist to
shoulder, where was placed bow, cap
or puff to give slight fullness; while
S16SNcS drc lIFdrldDly ID SIIldlI
| muttonleg.
You must surely go to Whitely's,
mustn't you'' said our little landlady,
when we were making our tour of the
shops, adding, at is the largest one in
London" 1t is Mr.. Whitley's boast that
| it is impossible to mention any article
| which cannot be found in his shop. The
story goes that one day in conversation
with friend he wagered ten pounds that
he could supply him, instanter, with the
most improbable thing he could call for
The gentleman thought diligently for a
moment and then called not 7'for fiddlers
three" but for a second hand coffin.
Luck was against him-one had been
made a few days before and sent out, but
proving too small, had been returned,
and with the malevolence which often
characterizes inanimate things, stood
ready to deprive him Of ten pounds
| Whitely's shop is series of many, one
leading into another through archways
of which the most charming is the green
house, filled with the largest, sweetest
English violets, mammoth mignonette,