The morning times., 1897-01-10
DOCS ARE REALLY MARRIED
Latest Fad Among Members Of
French Smart Set.
NUPTIAIS THAT ARE SWELL
All the Members OF the Four-Footed
Aristocracy i'll Attendance Are
Dressed in the Most Appropriate
of Costumes for Such an Occasion.
All in Evening Suits.

There is brand new fad in swelldom.
II is the dog marriage. To he thoroughly
fashionable nowadays one must own two
dogs of opposite sexes, and they must have
been duly married by the staid and re-
spectacle canine selected by the fashion
able community TO act us the representative
OF the cloth.
or course, it is from France that this new
idea has come. When ii is necessary to
discover something particularly eccentric,
French genius always comes TO the rescue.
The fashionable 10 whom fell the honor OF
Introducing this new AMI rather remarkable
step for the advancement of canine crca-
ton was none other than Mime. Ephrussi,
daughter OF Baron AlphonSe dc Roths-
child, the wife of the multi-millionaire,
Maurice Ephrussi. Nine Ephrussi is an
inveterate lover Of dogs, taste which she
inherltS from her mother. the Baroness de
Rothschild and SO, when seeking new amuse-
ments, during what is Just now in France
the duh season, she turned TO her canine
friends for aid. and behold the dog we'd
ding is the result.
This initial wedding of dogs in high
society is SO novel as to be well worth
description. 10 the first place, Nine
Ephrlissi sent oVt formally engraved invi-
tations to several hundred of her friends,
announcing the approaching nuptials of
Diane, her favoritc poodle, and La Petite
Major, a handsglne poodle. the property
of the Baron Aiphonse de Rothschild. Not
only were the recipients of these invitations
asked to come themselves, but requested
to also bring their dogs.
1t is recorded that not a single invita-
ton TO this most singular wedding was
refused. 1t is also matter OF social his
tory that not one OF the guests who owned
a dog, from the tiny, four-ounce black and
tan TO the giant st. Bernard, left it at
home. Such gathering as it was no one
had ever seen before, and il is doubtful
If the like viii ever be visible again. 1t
is often remarked at any particularly swell
gatherings of humanity that a given num-
Der of millions are represented by the
guests present. AT least the same might
be said of these dogs, when ii comes TO the
thousands. There were dogs there which
were valued anywhere from $50 up To
$4,000. They all looked with open-eyed
wonder at the strange fate which was ap-
parentiy Detailing the two charming pCodes.
Not the least odd and attractive feature
of the whole affair was the fact that many
OF these visiting dogs-in truth the ma
jority of them-were in full evening dress.
Not evening blankets, but If the dog was
male in the swallow-tail and trousers
of the human, together with the stand
ing collar, dress shirt and unspeaka
tie. The paws were adorned with patent
leather evening shoes; and, in fact, the
gentlemen guests. even though canine,
fnt1s
As for the feminine dogs. their costumes
were simply ravishing. OF course, the
dresses were in all instances decollette.
Trains and demi trains were worn by these
specimens Of canine aristocracy with ex-
ceeding grace, aiitl' strange as it may
seem, many of the lady dogs carried bou-
quets securely fastened in the most up
te-date bouquet holders.
With all this gorgeousness on the part
of the guests, what must have been the
worldly Splendor that surrounded the bride
and groom! Diane, who is described a
poodle of rare grace and beauty, wore a
white satin dress trimmed with beautiful
lace: longitude veil decorated with ora nge
blossoms and white kid shoes. Major, the
bridegroom, wore full evening dress, swal-
low-tail coat, iuw-Cut vest, trousers not
creased, because it is not fashionable tc
crease the trousers at weddings: patent
leather shoes and gloves of the appropriate
shade On the buttonhole of Monsieur Ma
ior's very swell coat was a dainty orchid.
Cleaning from the center Of his immaeu-
late front was diamond Of the parest ray
serene: Could anything be more swell?
Presently all the guests have arrived,
human and canine, the latter, OF course,
being given the preference. All is in reat1i-
ness II the carriage did not wait, the
ceremonies did. Everyone was on tiptoe of
expectation, even the dogs, for it dawned
oneyen the canine mind that something tre-
mendous was about TO happen. The word
was given that the honr approached, and
Nine: Ephrussi' magnificent ballroom, un-
questionahly the finest of all those of rare
beauty to be found in the residences which
adorn the Avenue du Beis den Beulogne
was thrown open, to the assembled guests
There every one repaired, everybody and
his dog. or possibly it is more correct to
say. her dog "A moment Later, and there
] softly floated through the air the strains