The National tribune., 1902-01-30
THE TROUBLES OF THE pEEREssEs.
The Gravity o: the Dress Question at the
Growing Of Kt2g Edward.
New York SUM-

The coronation preparations are the OBJ
sorbing topic in England, and now that
the Earl Marshal has called q halt 10
coronation dressmaking, peercSses and
dreSsmakers are wringins their hands and
wailing aloud. The suspense Is killing.
There is an optimistic conviction that their
gracious majesties and the coronation
makers-in- ordinary mediate nothing more
radical than cutting off few yards of
the train to which n peeress has thought
herself lawfully entitled. Even that would
be revolutionary curtailius Of ancient
rights, hut it has its vcstigcS of reason.
The situation may he reduced to n SIM
pie mathematical problem. Given an alb
hey of a certain size, how many pecresses
wearing trains so many yards long can
be crowded into the area? The combined
intellect of the Royal Council is now en-
gagged in working ont the problem. When
n result is obtained that will satisfy mnth-
ematical experts, the court drcSsmakcrs
will once more be turned loose.
One fact is established even now, and
that is that with the regulation trains
there would be little show for any one of
less rank than Duchess, on the abbey
floors.
June 26, now fixed rs Coronation Day,
seems far enough away To give time for
serious dcliheration. but London dress
makers bcmOan the delay and prophesy
'
I'm infinite amount of handwork is 10 be
put upon many Of the coronation gowns
and such work cannot be done at short
notice.
Irish and English Iaccworkers are toll
ing over special coronation orders, and
exultng in the fact that Difference 90 the
Queens expressed wish i bringing about
lavishncSs Of domestic laccs on coronation
fnery. One Old SpitalfcldS weaver, who
worked upon Queen Nictoria's coronation
robes, iS now hard at work in the service
Of Green Alexandria, who has sent him
a gift Of 70 pounds by way of encourage
ment
India, too, is getting her share of ben,
eft from the Queens decision in favor OF
British industries: and, largely through
the efforts and interest of Lady Curzon
heavy English orders for Oriental hand
work have been placed. The Queen her.
self has sent for large quantities of the
beautiful Delhi embroidery.
The coronation robe complications will
be 'smoothed out, and it is safe to pro
phesy that the costumes Will be superla
lively gorgeous: but there is one detail
of coronation attire concerning which the
peeresses of England may well knit then
brOws and turn pale with apprehension
What about those coronctS?
1t is all very well for the peer. His
corOnet fits his head. He can jam it on
carelesSly and feel sure of its angle and
permanent tenure as though it were a
derby or an alpine, hut for the peeress
there is no such easy road to coroneted
pOmp.
Her cOronet isn't designed to fit. Even
were it adjusted with the aid Of a triple
mirror. a French coiffeur and unlimited
time, it would be likely 10 make her look
more or less frcakish. When the weareI
must adjust It unaidcd and alone and
without even the comfort of mirror, the
probable result opens mp yistas Of copy
for the comic papers.
VIII my lady use hatpinS? VIII she
spend weary days in experimental re-
hearsal. before the crucial event? VIII
even the statelest duchess be able uner
ringly 10 anchor her Gilded bauble at Z
safe and becoming angle, without outward
ruffling of her We're de We're serenity?
1t seems a pity that the public is to bt
barred from the cOronatiOn ceremony, but
perhaps it is well. Even the most lOya
Briton might have his faith in the upper
house shaken by seeing Il whole pceragC
with corOnets askew.
The pecresscs are not to have monop
oily of troubles. Their hcadgear may
bother them but it is the peers who are
unanimously praying for a cool June.
The women will be wearing decOllet'
gowns and shOrt-sleyed bOdices, and ma!
survive even a hot day; but playing Santi
Claus at Sunday school festival Will no
be a circumstance to playing peer OF Eng
land on a tOrrid June 26.