The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-01-30
czAR1NAy TRAINED MAIDS.

What especially in the visit OF the
Russian sovereigns reminds Paris OF
other regimes Is the presence OF maids
OF honor In the wake of the Czarina.
In Russia maids Of honor are taught
the nicetics Of their future calling
rather than raised to that position or
the strength Of their gentihty or ami
able manners, as In the other courts
Of Europe. They generally are chosen
fly the Empress herself from among
daughters Of superior officers and hisp
functionaries, and brought up in spe-
caf Institutions, supported by the prl-
yate budget of the Grown, where, pre-
paratory to making their appearance
at court, they undergo a complicated
training, thanks TO which they acquire
an inpcachable department and an IN
erripg knowledge of etiquette.
They wear while ut the institute, a
gown Of plain wooden goods, with a
small apron Of ruched taffeta. This
uniform has a popularity. The upper
part of the corsage and the sleeves
are movable, so that an Illusion OF de-
collete dress can be given at a mo-
mcnt's notice by removing these frac-
tons of the bodice, should the august
PATRONS OF the institutes come on q
visit urawares. This formallty, rem
nant OF old northern etiquette, affords
lovely spectacle. For that matter
Car Alexander III. was OF that opin
ion of clroniclers are well informed.
But the maid Of honor bids adieu X
| the wooden dress as soon as she has
| left the institute. Although she ma!
be just 16-minimum age when sh'
can figure at court-she is, SO to speak
emancipated-that is, she has become
entitled to privileges that girls OF he
| own age or rank do not know. She at
terds all official ceremonies, evel
those from which In some cases he
own family may be excluded She ha
! full liberty to wear as many and NOR
| diamonds than a married woman, an
to carry as many precious stones OF
| herself us a Russian ''icoue;;" in short
to be beautiful In accordance, with Ger
tain rules.
| nfSlC are WV PCAiONo Al 49, 49, -
tie maid of honor at the court of -
Petersburg. During the first perio
she wears on the left shoulder tn
inonos ram OF the Czarina. This cor
spicuous sign seems to SAVIOR triii
OF servitude. The remark often la
been made that the Russian noble Q
the most ancient extraction is only
superior slave, subservient to the wi
of his sovereign. The servitude Is 81
ded. For instance, what can be NOR
gorgeous than the gala costume
those maids of honor, alike for all?
consists first OF a white satin Skin
closed from the throat to the feet D
& row OF jewcled buttons. Over tn
skirt a long tunic Of red velvet, en-
broi6ered in god, with immense tlai
and pagcda sleeves, thows a luxufou
note.
The most characteristic detail, how
ever, OF the costume, IS the head dres
a sort of diadem recalling in style II
heaigear OF antique Yunos found
seltei.trional Russia. and which
rallied the "kakochnik." This "kakocl
NIX" is the only national head dres
that has been borrowed from the o.
costumes of great Russia. The mait
of honor wear it made of red yelv'
aud consolidated with precious stone
A long vel, of white tulle at the bat
Loses itself in the handsome folds I
tie tain.
This splenlor does not last Away
With growing years, without turnir
into Cinderella, the maid OF hon'
exchanges the gorgeous red velvet t
pie for one more modest OF emera
green, embroidered in silver. III
initials she wore on the left shouid
are also exchanged for more intin,a
keepsake, miniature portrait of Il
Emperor. Petersburg is good fie
for miniature painters. Sometime
also, the insignia of the Order Of 5
Catherine, founded for women
Peter the Great, adds a note Of e
clmsiveness to the somewhat dimi
isaed plumage of the maid of honor.
New York Press.