Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-29

covering for their ample persons, but
mainly because. in order to look well, 1t
must be a tight fit" Who has not slyly
congratulated his corpulent neighbor at the
cotiliion on his personal appearance in a
loose-hanging dress coat? And who has
not heard the strong language of his fat
Duncan of KnOckduner's objurgations were
as nothing in comparison. Duncan WAS the
captain and baiiiff in Scott's Heart Of
Midlothian as will be remembered, and
had charge of the Duke of Argyle's high
land estates. The keen-tempered captain
of Knockdunder wore for his usual cos
tune the plaided kilt of his clan, but on a
visit from the duchess, who once ac-
eompanied her husband to the highlands.
he had borrowed the minister's trews
(trousers), in which he incased himself for
the occasion Speaking of the incident at a
later date. he said. Il will put myself
under sic confinement again for no man on
earth, nor woman either, her grace being
always excepted az in duty bound"
A circumstance which may threaten the
existence Of the swallow-tail Is the fact
that, owing to the fashion set by actors in
recent years of shaving the upper lip, as
well as the remainder Of the face. a society
man cannot now be distinguished at all
times from the worthy servitor who attends
him at table. The so-callsd evening suit is
the universally established costume for
walters and club servants, who are. Of
course, beardless; and IL awkward mistakes
of identity are to continue something must
be done-either the actors beardless face
for the man Of fashion or the claw-hammer
coat must go.
An Awkward Mistake.
An amusing experience of Mr.. William s..
Gilbert is told as a case in point. Mr.. Gill
bert had attended a full-dress club recep-
ton in London and was standing in the
entrance hall of the house awaiting the re-
turn of a messenger when a swell of the
first chop came forth from the cloak room
ard shouted to him, Hello, my man; call
me four-wheeler. like good fellow
We'll" responded Gilbert. adjusting his
own monocular. scrutinizingly, you are a
four-wheeler: 1 can't call yer hansom you
know" Here was a clear case of mistaken
identity, for which the 'owling swell STAN
mered an apology, as a matter Of course.
Gilbert'ss play on these words, by the
way, was nearly as good as that of
ing porter carrying a hare through the
streets, accosted him with: "Prfthee,
friend, is that thy own hare or a wig?'
and the puzzled porter was wellnigh as
habbergasted as Gilberts SWELL
But the swallow-tail has too strong a
hold on the younger gentleman of society
to be disposed of easily. For him 1t has a
peculiar glamor when he sees 1t on the
shapeiy person of his favorite actor In the
heart-rending play. What with footlights
and the Illustrations in the society novel
of the day, it has become strongly in
trenched in the hearts and heads of the
youth of the period; and they constitute
power in matters fashionable.
1t Is Furthermore the only garment not
fitted for out of doors or street wear, and
Is, therefore. out of the more vulgar chan
nels of use. 1t Is never seen ON the backs
OF our tramp brethren-even the Oldest and
most secondhand specimens. And after all
that may be said IL Is of sufficient elegance
to be admired beyond other coats for draw
ing room occasions blythe younger ladies.
And that settles 1t. H. NJ. 8. JORDAN,