The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-16
LAcFs AND DOGS.
Belgium Is the Place to Purchase
10th.

Washington girl who went to Cali
fornia years ago to start home with her
young husband wrote back to relatives
here that what most forcibly struck her
in her new surroundings were the number
of homesick wives and oil stoves. II was
not an elaborate description. but it was
enough to convey a vivid impression OF
Western life in those earlier days
Another woman who has gone to Brus-
sells sends an account OF that European
centre to the philadelphia Record. -
What appeals to her especially seems to be
the fact that Brussels is place to buy
laces and dogs. To begin with. the laces
of one firm alone keep 1890 women in
their employ. The majority of these
weavers of the priceless, cobwebby stuff
are in Flemish and Belgian converts. No
matter how poor and shabby a woman may
be in Brussels you may always count on
seeing her decked out in eollarette or
handkerchief of finely wrought lace
There are countless attractive little
shops with the most tempting displays in
their windows Many Of these shops are
devoted exclusively to the sale of lace,
but whether or no this be the case, lace
forms the beauty part Of the show. Some
of the milliners use 1t to wonderful ad-
vantage in their window displays.
Naturally, the well-dressed women have
their fine gowns fairly covered with col
lars, cuffs, jabots, appliques, and the rest.
While all this is admirable 1t does not
surprise and fascinate one as does the
window dressing in the private houses.
This is carried to a surprising degree.
There are windows without number dress
ed like this: First there's either the plain
creamy silk made transparent by real lace
appliques. or the puff shade with lace at
the bottom. These are raised high enough
to display volumnous pair of creamy
curtains with lace insertion and fun
lace frill fully six inches In depth along
the edge. These are deeply crossed and
dreped back high in a wealth of billowy
folds. Still inside of these are heavy
hangings, which are draped back, but in
less picturesque fashion. In fact, they
may be pulled together when it's cold.
The profane eye is kept from the people
within by the brise bise, these beautiful
little sash curtains being Of silk with real
lace applique, and mostly OF the lace.
Some windows boast still more novel
shields; nothing more nor less than three
fold screens of finest creamy lace set in
real mahogany frames. You've no idea of
the richness of it,
And for finishing touch there's always
a graceful branching fern, or some dainty
bit of greenery. The windows of Brus-
sells are indeed a treatI
Some foreigners are inclined TO laugh at
the serious way in which these charming
people treat their dogs, but even those
who come to scoff usually remain to-well,
to acquire a dog of their own. A dog is
to the Belgians who reside in Bruxelles
chats how they spell it, what veil is 10
10 -frpoGed
ishing touch.
His breed doesn't matter particularly,
save that he should be well behaved and
small (big dogs are out of the question
when the owner lives in apartments).
When madame drives he sits on the seat
beside her; when monsieur walks he trots
along at the other end of shoulder chain.
This observing traveller also has ssen
other things worth considering, for in
stance. funerals:
About the first resolve you make in
Belgium is lot to die there.
It's delightful country to live in, hut
a most ridiculous as well as expensive,
place for dying.
Hearses. wonderfully beplumed, are
immense open black wagons, gorgeous
ly decked with gold. SO much so that
one knows in minute where our circus
men got their ideas for chariots and
DaHu "dsons- Inc pour ulSpeASe WIN d
hearse, often carrying their own dead.
Even comparatively mean fuRersl
costs $500. In addition to his festive |
hearse before your curb. the director
drapes your house heavily in black. and |
stands beside the black portieres which |
cover the front doors, looking, in his /
cooked hat sash. and sceptre, like a
cross between one of our citizens in the |
time of Washington and drum major. |
He walks beside the hearse some feet |
distant.
Universal here, and most admirable, |
is the respect for the dead. Every man
pauses and raises his hat as a funeral /
passes.