Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-01-21
Special correspondence Of Gazette and journal

New York, Jan. 15.-How pretty the
women look nowadays! couple of
years ago fur collar, or fur muf.
meant that and nothing else. But now
Now the fur of the collar has its beauty
enhanced by loops of ribbon, iabots Of
lace, or most magnificent jeweled or
enamelled clasps; while the muff, we'll,
no brown ribbon is used upon ID by
which to swing it about the neck Of
beauty, but, instead, there is a gold
chain for this purpose, and oftener it
Is a gold chain threaded with pearls,
or emeralds, or sapphires, or. best of
all, diamonds. Then the muff itself is
lined, not with dull, dark satin, that
means destruction to dainty white
gloves, but in place Of that there is
lining OF rich, light brocade, while
about the sides are full frills of fine lace
on top is many Topped bow of ribbon,
and. sometimes, the head of silver
fox, sometimes mink's head, some
times few sable tails, or whatever is
in harmony with the fur itself, and
forms the greatest contrast to the other
garnitures. People talk about the
long chains for muifs, and for the half of
hundred other things for which they
may be used-the watch, the purse,
the vinaigrette or the lorgnette-as
being new, but, if anybody will take
the trouble TO look at some of the
photographs of Titian's ladies, it will
be seen that about their necgs are
these very long chains. Then, too,
the Italian ladies' have worn them for
centuries, it being counted great
virtue to have ones chain made after
some famous design fancied by Vene-
tian beauty of long ago. Dressing was
never more beautiful than now, and there
never was time when greater thought
was given to the small belongings that
really go to make or mar toilette.
Brooches are utilized in every way.
A rich enamelled one fastens knot Of
ribbon on a bonnet; two, set with
Happhires, are arranged like buttons on
the front of bodice; while another,
turquoise framed in diamonds, fastens
the feather aigrette, that after the
French fashion, is placed pertly at the
back of the head.
Next to the great advantage of
possessing beautiful jewels comes the
ability to utilize them with originality.
Nobody wears anything as it was
originally intended it should be worn.
Consequently, l was not surprised the
other day at seeing, claBped around the
simple knot of hair that is Yvette
Guilbert's favorite couture, a heavy
chain Of gold, set about with turquoise
hearts. l knew il to be a bracelet,
but the clever French woman had
found an original way to dispose of
her ornament, and one that was a
thousand times more effective than the
mere wearing of it on the wrist. Never
before were there 80 many turquoises
worn. think it is because all woman.
bind io sn1nlnt in har lnra fnr
and these gems are SO intense in the
beautiful tints. However, when you
go to buy turquoise, be careful, fol
tie inferior quality, which looks we'll
at first, and would deceive anybody but
the expert seller and some equally
expert buyer, will in time fade and
grow to have dirty look, look that
is absolutely greasy, while its color
will be spotty.
By-the-by, the Turquoise, like the
pearl requires great care. Be careful
that no perfume falls upon it. Be care.
full that no cosmetic touches it. BE
careful that no oily substance is neal
1t, and never attempt to clean it with
water. 1t is rather interesting to know
that while some of the best of the
beautiful blue gems are found in Persia,
quite number OF those recently put
upUu buo CUIub lTOLl tRYDt,
and formed the Trainings Of the golC
masks that invariably cover the faces
of those mummiss who were of roya
blood. Pearls are, of course the stone!
OF perfect purity and of innocence, bu
alas good pearls were never more ex
pensive than they are now, and conse
guently it may be concluded that morl
than three.guarters of those worn arr
imitation. Still, they are so we'll imi
tated that one finds an excuse fo
their existence, and that is wis,
woman who wears the pearls given he
with happiness and without question
Everything intended for feminin
wear or to bold feminine belongings i
not only dainty but rich. Whel
Mademoiselle Debutante went to tn
opera for the first time this season sh
carried on her arm a long pouch ike
bag, swung by wide satin ribbon
tied in big bow. This bag vas mad
of the same magnificent brocade a
that used for her opera cloak. 1t wa,
lined throughout with satin OF singl
tint that harmonized with the bro
cade, but it was not stiffened, as tn
brocade itself was rich enough, as it i
proverblally said, to stand alone. TIL
top of the bag was finished with a ban
of fur and then there came a vice fri
of lace. With the rich cloak, tn
lovely gown, this bag was the daint
touch needed, and one did not need I
possess second sight to realize that i
it was a tiny fan Of great value, artist
cally, bonbonn;ere set with Jewel
and having upon its lid the miniatur
of some beauty of long ago, vinai
grette with star sapphire framed i
diamonds in it's top, tiny lace hand
kerchief, and all the pretty tritcs tina
women count as necessities. Thes
bags, somehow, suggest more than any
thing else that is worn, the bags tina
were carried by our great great grand
mothers, and nobody can doubt, that
packed away in many an old chest, ar
quaint OLD bags that held lust sue
pretty trifles and in which had bee
slipped many time and oft, as Their
will be to-day, perhaps, a billet doux
That the opera bag was favorite gIf
Christmas time is easily understoo
and that il was appreciated doesn
need to be told.
half of society went to Russia las
summer, and society's Jewel bo
gained thereby. Not only does on
see clasps, brooches and buttons n
Russian enamel, but there are mar
velous umbrella handles rich wit
enamelling and heavy with uncut semi
precious stones of the kind that til
Russian worker in Jewels knnUs CD no