Evening star., 1899-04-08
THE SHAWL,
Fashions Can Never Drive 1t Com.
pletely Out of Usage.

Fashions Can Never Drive 1t Com
pletely Out of Usage.
From Harper's Bazaar.
1t is many years-ffteen or more-Snce
one favorite article of feminine apparel, the
shawl, was rudely pushed out Of fashion
by that Partisan upstart, the dolman. Since
that time jackets and fanciful wraps have
Haunted themselves in the van of the mode
and the universal cape in its Infinite va
riety has held sway as yet undimnished.
Notwithstanding the ftful appearance of
various outer garments for woman's wear,
the shawl has been for centuries the stand
ard wrap, and a good, better, or best one
always precious possession. Laid rever-
emily away in safest drawers or boxes are
old and valuable shawls awaiting their turn
TO come in again, and the owners of such
cherished heirlOoms preserve them with
tender care. They rank with pictures by
the old masters and rare editions of time
tested books, and the undignified, though
comfortable. jacket and other wraps of
changeable form are no real rivals. Lace
shawls, black and white, from the humble
llama TO the almost priceless cobweby fabri-
cations once worn by famous court ladies'
whether to veil charming faces or cover
beautiful shoulders, will ever have a deep
and romantic interest for the gentler sex.
the significance of real lace or hand work
to the womanly woman.
An old lady de rancien regime. who has
contempt for the various characterless
wraps of the present day, was lately visit
Ing friend at a distance and she carried
her treasures with her rather than be SEN
arated from them, even If not recurring
them for service She had in her cana cious
trunk nine shawls of as many degrees of
weight and value. each one neatly pinned
in damask towel, and she took them out
every day only to turn them over and nut
them back again. The friend discovered
her one morning at her devotions. as it
We're and duly appreciated the sight Of
such rare possessions.
A few years since an elderly lady who
had fallen heir to a fine India shawl once
worn by Presidents wife was Shopping
in a large New York store. and reaiiZaS
that an old gentleman was regarding her
closely. At last, as she turned toward him
reprovingiy. he raised his hat, made a
courtly bow, and said: PRAY excuse me.
madam, but I was looking at your elegant
shawl which I know to be worth rnnch
more than thousand dollars. I coneratu-
late You on such treasure" The lady
said to friend with her: 81, a Door art
lists wife, have no right to be wearing 90
much money on my shoulders"
Here Is sort of scale list Of shavis. A.
cording to rank and value, obtained frnsn a
whtlom dealer In high-grade shawis: Val
ley Cashmere India; Stella, India bor,der.
Decca India: Chudda, In all shades. French
India, with real or self border; Broche.
black center.
The list Of lower-grade shawls Is too long
to be mentioned 1t must be confessed the
shawl Is not suited to every figure, but as
wrap It Is most convenient and can he
easily carried over the arm Fashion
which moves in circles. will bring again
! Into use the neglected long or square, single
or double, shawl, for this persistent gar
ment refuses to be permanently banished
from my lady's wardrobe. Even now 1t Is
slowly but surely making its way into the
fashionable shops and modistes' parlors.