The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-25

gled jewelry. Diamonds alone jumped
from a bare two millions in 1897 to over
$1,000, 600 in 1899. Was there ever bet
ter argument that prosperity has come
again?
Fluctuations of the Bonnet.
And then there is the matter of bonnets
and hats Not only was there a larger
number purchased in 1899 than ever before
but the quality was finer. France sent us
more crea tions than ever before. Our bill
for foreign hats in 1899 was nearly two
and one-half million dollars, 100000 more
| than in 1898, and near $4,000 more than
in ls97-showing that in spite of the skill
| of the. American bonnet craftsman,
| French art is stiu popular.
Society also used more foreign perfum-
cry and. cosmetics in 1899 by nearly 100000
| worth than in 1898, the total bin reaching
| more than 100000. But the fat book
| shows still another thing about perfumery
| which wild be found curious, ii not sig
nificant, inasmuch as it answer the Ques-
ton, Are perfumery and cosmetics going
out of style2'' All during the hard times
of 1S95-6-7 Americans spent more than
$500, coo a year on these articles of femi-
nine indulgence, the amount in 1887, reach;
ing within $1,000 of the great total of $780,
Co., Then came 1S9S-the first year OF
prospeEity-with only S432,OOO sent abroad
for foreign perfumery-a difference in
tsnfy case in which the frown of So
ciety meant decided money loss.
Another curious thing which this de-
cidedly matter of fact and questionable
fat book shows is that prosperity and
fashion are making the silk dress and the
silk Innings far more popular than ever
before. while the imported woolen dress is
actually less popular in spite of good
times. In 1897 we bought between $1,000
900 and 100000 worth of silk dress goods
in foreign lands. In 1898 the amount
jumped to- over $10O0O,O00 and in 1896 TO
Sl30O00O0. In other words, we spent near
ly double the amount for silk dresses last
year than we did two years before. And
it may be interesting to know that a good
deal more than half of this fine apparel
came directly from France, Showing that
there is no decline in the popularity of
French styles. Wooden dress goods
actually fell off in 1899, our foreign bill in
that year being only S5,9O5,OO0 compared
with $6,036 900 in 1898.
Changes in the Fur Marked.
And then there is the matter of foreign
furs. another luxury which is now much
in favor Back in 1897 we could afford
only Sc 100000 worth but in 1898 we bought
nearly 100000 worth and in 1899 nearly
$11, 900 600 worth-certainly a most eXtraor-
binary increase. And in this connection
too, the dry fat book contains an i'm
Paris or Berlin! Why? Because every one
is going there.
For years London was the great fur mar
ket English furS were the fashion-as
they still are to some extent. But see
what the figures show. Our business with
Great Britain jumped only 100000 between
1897 and 1S99-from S1,076,0 in 1897, which
was greater at that time than the bust
| ness of any other nation, to H,973.0O0 in
1899, whereas our purchases from France
actually doubled, making the total amount
of fur money paid that country in 1899
| over ST. 100000 or $500, 900 more than the
/ business with England good record for
fashions dictates in two years. German
! furs are also coming into great popular
| ity. our purchases jumping from $4,000 in
| 1897 to over 81 ,133, 600 in 1S99-a total very
nearly equal to that of Great Britain We
| also buy more furs than ever before in
Belgium, the amount having more than
dou bled in the two years from 1897 to 1899,
although the total is still under $500, 900.
Why French and German furs have be-
come so suddenly popular 10 the detriment
of English furs the fat book does not say,
but society must have its own good rea-
sons, and fashion must be followed even
when it leads away from the Anglo-Sax-
on.
Finer Foreign Gloves.
And then there is the question Of gloves.
Are Imported gloves growing less popular
than thew used TO be or are our home
made gloves more stylish, or Is fashion
less strict as to the wearing Of gloves?
| Certain IL is chat the American people
| are spending much less money abroad on
| this article Of attire. From 1880 to 1897
| all through the hard tmes-our glove
| money waVered between 5000. 600 and near
| w 100000 a year, never falling below
| S. 600 go except in one year 1894, and ex-
eeeding 100000 in two years-lS93 ana
| a
| again with more money 10 buy
fine gloves, the amount expended
! suddenly decreased from nearly 100000
in 1897 to only $57S90 900 in 1s98-a loss of
over 100000 Last year. 1899 showed a
slight improvement but the amount was
! still a good deal short OF 100000. In
passing IL Is interesting to note that Ger
many keeps its popularity in the supply
| OF ordinary gloves, but the finest and
| most fashionable makes come from Paris
We bought last year about $2,O00,0OO worth
| of gloves from Germany
Society Is furnishing its home more ele-
gantlv than ever before. The very best
furniture in the world IS made right here
in the United States, antique heirlooms
and all, but the importation Of mahogany,
used In the manufacture Of the finest
| furniture, will show the tendency In 1897
the United states bought over $657 900
| worth of mahogany. In 1898 this sum in
4
! was a 80 per cent. increase, the total
amount expended being lltte less than
| 81 45OO0-or double what II was two years
| before. Mahogany IS yearly growing
more expensive, but It must be had at
any price. Then there is the matter OF the
| Ettle grfmcracks Of cabinet ware and fur
niuire such as the Germans and Swiss de-
| light in turning out. In 1893 we imported
over 1915 900 worth OF articles OF this kind
against less than s26J.O00 worth in 1897
showing how we are becoming more luXu-
rious IN another way