Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-14
FEMININE APPAREL.

The scantily-clad habitues OF Manhat-
tan Beach were recently worked up to
high state of excitement and curiosity
by stylish-looking young woman who
appeared in the surf with her features
entirely hidden by a mask.
This facial covering was OF dark plue
silk. tied with four silk strings across the
forehead and under the chin, and had
eye-holes and a small opening cut at the
mouth. When the queer-looklng bather
first appeared on the beach all eyes were
riveted upon her. In fact, she created
such a sensation that the life-guard called
two special policemen and appealed 10
them TO stop the excitement, but these
functionaries, after scratching their wor-
thy heads, decided that interference with
the mysterious siren was not within the
puryiew of their constabulary duties
They did venture TO question her, how
yer, and great was her surprise that she
had attracted attention. "a mask she
shouted in surprise; why, Captain, am
sorry to see that you are not up In the
seasons bathing style. This Is Just
covering for my face. l have very ten
der skin, and do not care to suffer from
having il burned by the sun" The lady
with the silken mask then expressed her
self as grieved to find that she had at
| tracted the attention of so many igno-
rant persons" Shortly afterwards she
took her departure.
We have read of this incident with dis
| appointment and regret. At first we hoped
that the fair cynosure of all eyes had
! covered her features because she blushed
at her lack Of covering In other respects,
! and wished, while enjoying the freedom
of the hour, to conceal her identity. But
it appears that she had no such object in
view. and merely adopted the supposed
badge of modesty 20 protect tender skin
which might otherwise have been the re-
! cipient of many freckles> or, at least, a
tanning from the over-genial sun.
1t is hard, even in this day of new
women and bicycling, 20 reconcile ones
| self TO some Of the modern bathing suits,
which fly in the face of conyentionality
! and spurn the prudishness of half CEN
i
! fury ago OF course, one does not ex-
| peet female bather to adorn herself
with all the frippery which bedecks her
| i'm a parlor, but it does look as If the cos
| tunes for the water might at least be a
| little more jealous of concealment. The
woman who possesses both the desire for
| the surf and proper amount of modesty
usually devises means of meeting the
| difficulty. We have seen such women.
! and their efforts in the surf were in no.
wise restricted by the additional clothing
! they wore.
If custom really sanctioned IL, we think
the mask worn by the young lady TO save
| her complexion might serve a good pur-
! pose. 1t could at least conceal the iden-
| tity of the scantily-auired faction and
make the comments on their appearance
more or less impersonal.
Many of the ladies at Old Point Com
| fort now wear stays while bathing, and
| though there Is complaint that their COM
fort is somewhat sacrificed by the addi-
ton, no one can deny that their appear
ance is greatly improved.
At best we feel at sea when we under
| take TO make suggestion about feminine
| apparel. but we are sure our lady friends
| can grasp our idea. and that they have
the ingenuity to meet any difficulties In
| the WAY Of clothinx -