The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-17

neighborhood of such a one, redolent of
heavy sachet scent, that is almost equal
to musk in its powerful odor. Such use
Of so-called perfume is certainly not
agreeable, and can hardly be called lady
like, and yet the person who uses It
doubtless innagines 1t adds to her charm.
There seems to be a tacit permission
among society women, however to use
violet to any extent, so much so, in fact,
that merely in passing certain women
one can detect faint odor of violets.
This is decidedly pleasant, and TO pick up
a glove handkerchief, or any other small
belonging and notice violet scent sug-
gests refinement and daintiness. Pure
Florentine orris root Is the only powder
that gives the purely violet SMELL and 1t
alone, without any admixture, is used by
women who affect the fragrance.
In an Indiana town, says the New
York Herald, there has just died Mrs.
Mary Z. Lewis, the last of the original
"bloomers." In 1850 the bloomer costume
was invented, and created great fiutter
among all womankind. The question, ITO
wear or not to wear bloomers?" was on
every woman's lips. In the course of
evolution that same bloomer fashion can
be seen to-day in modified form in the
golf and rainy-day skirt.
The bloomer advocates advanced one
strong argument in favor of their inven-
tion-convenience. The smart woman of
the twentieth century advances the same
argument in favor of her rainy-da skirt
convenience.
This Mrs. Lewis, whose death is just
recorded, was so steadfast in her con-
victions that she wore the bloomer Co.'S
tune to the day of her death. She was
born in Wilksbarre, Pa, in 1919, and NOV
ed to Ohio in 1849, where she became in
terested in the publication of a periodical
called the Lily.
This was the first paper in America de-
voted to the woman's rights cause, and it
was edited by Mrs. Mary Boomer. who
gave her name to the much derided cos
tune
The bloomer craze extended to England,
and it's disciples were the object of great
ridicule in that country. Numbers of
Punch in 1S51-52 are filed with caricatures
of the bloomerites. bloomer ball which
took place in London in 1851 created great
curiosity. Judging from the alterations
in morning costume, it was reasonably
concluded that an evening in the same
style would be extremely piquant.
On this particular point expectation was
disappointed. for the only remarkable
thing in the ball costume of the few
boomers who attended the festival were
the large hats, which were evidently
adopted with the intention of equalizing
the balance and of covering the head as
a kind of compensation for uncovering
the feet.
The confusion arising from the mascu-
line habliments worn by the ladies on this
occasion was curiously exemplifed by the
fact that several of the gentlemen pres
ent were forced to reiterate to the crowd
assembled at the doors energetic assur-
ances that they were not boomers before
they were permitted to pass.
Among the many contributions to the
late suffrage bazaar were three or four
numbers of the Lily, sent by this Mrs.
Lewis who has just died. Upon receipt
of them Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait. the
president of the National Suffrage AssocI-
alton, fell into a reminiscent mood ana
told the following anecdote of an inter-
view she had had with Mrs. Bloomer q
short time before she died.
Il was doing newspaper work at that
time said Mrs. Gait land happening
to be in Mrs. Boomers town, requested
an interview with her. l not only thought
I could get a good story from her. but
was curious to see the woman who had
originated the boomer costume.
ION the day appointed l went to the
house. OF course, 1 was prepared to meet
a large, masculine, forceful looking wo-
man, in keeping with all l had read and
heard of her teachings and work The
suffrage woman of forty years ago Cat
least so / have been told was strong
minded, large of frame and loud of voice.
Imagine my surprise, when Mrs.
Boomer entered the room, to find her the
daintiest little Dresden figure of a woman
had ever seen. She was gowned in the
latest Partisan fashion. Weblike lace fell
over her pretty little hands A cobwebby
piece of lace set off her beautiful snow
white hair. The lace at her neck was
caught with pearl pin.
Her little feet, as they peeped from
under her silk gown. were shod in French
kid slippers with Louis XIV heels. Her
stockings, as she sat down and her dress
lifted a little, showing her ankles, saw
were of openwork silk.
She was the picture of everything wo-
manly, everything frivolous, as far as
dress was concerned 1 could not recon-
ellie myself to the thought that this ex-
qulsite creature was the woman who had
originated the much derided bloomer COS
tune
Her mind, though, had lost none of its
force, none of its strength. The words
which fell from her lips were words of
wisdom, indeed, and before 1 left her she
had given me advice which has been of
the greatest service to me in my suffrage
work