The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-09-17
..Nothing to wear.v

~ in Harper's Weekly in 1857, says the
New York Times.
II was one of the most notable sa-
tires on New York society's extrava-
gance. These verses. which We're repro
duced in Great Britain and translated
into French and German, relate how
Miss Flora McFlimsey spent most of
her money and all of her time buying
clothes. and yet had Nothing to
Wear" Here is Miss McFlimsey's ca
-eer:
Miss Flora McFlimsey. of Madison
Square.
Has made three separate journeys to
Paris.
And her father assures me, each time
she was there.
That she and her friend Mrs. Harris
(Not the lady whose name is so IA
nous in history,
But plain Mrs. H, without romance
or mystery)
Spent six consecutive weeks, without
stopping,
In one continuous round of shopping
Shopping alone, and shopping together,
At all hours of the day. and in all
sorts of weather.
For all manner of things that a wo-
man can put
On the crown of her head, or the sole
of her foot.
Or rap round her shoulders. or fit
round her waist
Or that can be sewed on, or pinned on,
or laced.
Or tied on with string, or stitched on
with a bow.
In front or behind, above or below:
For bonnets, mantillas, capes, collars,
and shawls:
Dresses for breakfasts. and dinners,
and balls:
Dresses to sit in. and stand in. and
walk in:
Dresses to dance in, and f1irt in. and
talk in
Dresses in which to do nothing at all;
Dresses for Winter. Spring, Summer
and Fall.
And yet, though scarce three months
have passed since the day
This merchandise went. on twelve
carts, up Broadway,
This same Miss McFlimsey, of Madi-
son Square.
The last time we met was in utter de-
spair.
Because she had nothing whatever to
wear
The day of the Stuckups grand ball
arrived, and Miss McFlimsey is in de-
spair. why, Harry, mon cher she
says to her lover, 81 should like above
all things to go with you there, but
really and truly-Ive nothing to
wear!"
He rashly suggests that she wear the
gown she has on, whereupon Miss Nc
Flimsey opens her batteries of scorn
upon him:
How absurd that any sane man
should suppose
That a lady would go to ball in the
clothes,
No matter how fine. that she wears
every day."
So 1 ventured again: Wear your
crimson brocade"-
(Second turn up of nose)-"That's too
dark by shade"
Your blue silk''-"That's too heavy
Your pink"-"That's too light"
wear tulle over satin"-'I can't en-
Your rose-colored, then the hest of
the batch"- u
| Il haven't thread of point-lace to
| match"
Your brown MORE antique"-"Yes.
and look like a Quaker"
| The pearl-colored"- would, but
! that plaguy dress-maker
Has had it a week" Then that ex-
| quisite lilac.
In which you would melt the heart Of
a ShXlock'-
CHere the nose took again the same
elevaton)-
Il wouldn't wear that for the whole
of creation
why not? It's my fancy, there's
nothing could strike it
AS more CONNIE il faut''-"Yes, but
dear me, that lean
Sophronia Stuckup has got ona 4us+
| like it.
And ! won't appear dressed like a
chit of sixteen"
Then that splendid purple, that sweet
Mazarine;
That superb point d'aiguille that inn
perial green,
mat zephyr-like tarletan, that rich
grenadine"-
mot one of all which is A. +o -
seen,' NC
Said the lady, becoming excited ana
flushed. '-Aiu
lhen wear" ] exclaimed, in a tone
which quite crushed
OppoSltloh' that gorgeous toilette
which you sported
III Parls last Spring at the grand nre.
sentation, ~
When you quite turned the beaa 90 -,
head of the nation
And by all the ground court vvara 90
very much courted."
the end Of the nose was nortan+ious
ly tipped up,
AND both the bright eyes shot forth
Indignation, -
| AS she burst upon mo with 49, o.
exclamation.
'T have worn If three +ir,os =.
least calculation.
And that and most of NV dresses o,.o
ripped up!" 81 {
1
I've told you and shown Won Two
| nothing to wear.
AND it's perfectly plain YOU NOT ONLY,
| don't care. ''
| But you do not believe roa,,- /t,ox. A..
or nose went still higher)
suppose if you dared, you would call
me a liar. 0S'ii
Our engagement is ended, sir-yes. on
the spot: VA
you're brute, and monster. and T
don't know what"
IN similar strain the author then ex-
| tehds his lesson of nothing To vaa -,
70 all OF feminine Fifth avenue and
Murray Hill In those days. however
Ilsplay IN feminine finery in New
10 IoIk was comparatively simple judged
py modern standards. Somebody might
write a Flora McFHmsey of 1902 a nd
mus draw a striking contrast.
|
| Noah Fishing.
There is no record, so far as know.
hat ,