Evening star., 1897-06-05

the ages, female Britons scrutinize every
hat or gown Offered to them with the un-
f1inching query, what will they think of
this in 5000 years? 1t is a painful business
thus to prepare for the verdict Of history,
but the record reign" imposes duties not
to be shirked by an enlightened and united
womanhood.
1t seems to be accepted that it is neces-
sary to be. early Victorian. But where does
loyalty end and gross imitation begin?
Dressmakers and milliners are still at odds
over this question. The matter Of colors is
more easily settled Royal purple and scar
let ''our granddaughters and great grand
daughters, and their granddaughter"
studying this extraordinary year of the
diamond reign" will understand If they do
not admire. So, too, with the queens tar
tan. Red, white and blue. the Victoria
colors, are as British this season as If
they weren't also the tricolor of the French
and the star-spangled banner of the Yam
KEGS. Posterity may get little confused
here, but when it has puzzled the matter
out it can but acknowledge the necessities
OF the situation. Another point, too, is
obvious. Bright tints must go shining
down the centuries. By our blues and our
greens and our pinks, our yellows and our
mauves. by muslins sprigged with rose
buds and foulards flecked with forget-lne-
nots, the future must know that We were
really gao. some enthusiasts nave Sug-
gested that parliament pass an act Gre
ating "a picturesque costume fer the lower
classes in commemoration of the jubilee.
doubt If parliament will get around to
this. but 1t illustrates the British sense of
duty and lack of sense of humor.
Worth Description.
From the foregoing paragraph 1t will be
comprehensive that q laborious grasping
perfection is the striking feature of record
Nafsr % xI,A-
them are good enough TO be worth descrip-
tion. At the great coaching show which
assembled a day or two ago on the Horse
Guards Parade / noticed a tall, slender,
dark woman. well posed on a box seat in
a pale green and white foulard gown in
pre-Raphaelitish design. The skirt, tight
ly fitting over the hips, fell in deep loose
fcunce to the hem from a yoke of foulard
which formed a point front and back.
About the hem of the 1ounce was a broad
insertion of ecru gupure. through which
narrow pale green ribbon was passed In
anu out at top and bottom. The blouse
corsage was made apparently of line upon
line OF this basket work trimming, set ver-
ucally, and was belted with faint green
MORE. A large picture collar, standing high
about the neck and fitting squarely over
the shoulders. with outstanding epauletles
was CT the same watered material and was
richly inset with guipure and shaded en-
broideries. This toilet with which
green moire parasol was carried. was com
pleted by one Of the prevalent double
crowned, osely-plaited straw toques of a
vivid green shade and trimmed with white
anc green tuIle. On the left side 1t was
tilted high with a bunch of white lilac. I
have called this costume pre-Raphaelitish
but 1t was really in the long-faced, long,
waisted manner of the Burne-Jones adap-
tatioIs Of medtaevalisn. the form Of art
the British public comes nearest to under
standing. =
Eminently Modern.
Perched just behind 1t was another emil
nently English. dress. but also eminentiy
modern. This was q costume in silk with
a small check in wholesome red and white.
crossed and striped by q plaid design in
blue. The skirt was hung from q hip yoke
Of the same material, the line Of junction
being marked by little black velvet bowa-