Evening journal., 1904-05-14
A PERSONAL LETTER
Showing the Inner Side of the
Partisan Social Life.

~~~@-- Nt"~ ~ N---''NF" 80
May 2. 1904
Dear Cousin Eleanor:
: So many times during the past season has
a been my wish that you might have been
here to enter into the gayeties and pleas
ures OF society life as we know It here in
7 the French capital Paris has never had
such gay winter in my recollection.
OF course, old Parisians say that life as
we know Il now under the Republique, has
no comparison whatever with the life that
existed under the empire, and we can
readily imagine what Il must have been
with Court as the nucleus for all So
ciety-with the Empress Eugcne OF that
period who was ono OF the most beautiful
women in the world. surrounded by her
court beauties and social butterflies; with
that wonderful touch ~ military life and
its essential etiquettes. For one who en-
Joys society. Il must have been paradise
20 have lived IN those days. and. my dear
cousin. / almost envy the srandes danes
whom we still have with us and who fire.
quently give us little "reminiscences from
those haloyon days.
But, however TO return 20 life as we
know IL at the present moment; Instead OF
the court circle. there Is the circle OF the
French social life, which Is entirely sepa-
rate from that OF the political life, and
which IA a measure makes Il very much
more exclusive.
But / have forgotten all about the Bal
AIasaue which 1 began 10 write you about
given al the house II Ia Comtesse de
Nillarson IN her beautiful hotel located on
the Boulevard saint-Germain All Paris
was present-that is all Paris in the social
sense. Among the notable individuals
whom Il was my pleasure 20 know lnti-
mateiy were Comtease de Lune IN the
costume OF Marie Antoinette Comtesse
Edmond Blanc, Comtesse de Thoury,
BAronne do Leris. Nine. de Tavernier.
Nine. Bruno Pelssler. Mile. Le Breton.
Vloomt d'Apehier, Cont Max dc Maruil,
Cont Gucbhart.
The anair. besgars description. but It
esmc as Il were. as a finishing touch 10 a
good season OF indoor life.
Then followed the event which Is looked
forward 10 by the fashionable set OF Paris
who arc 80 pleased TO identify themselves
with the horsey set-the Cqncoprs Hip
plaue, which held It's reunion IN the Grand
Paials. There was an opportunity for
Paris women 20 show the new creations
OF the season in their gowns!
That event has passed and we md our
selves, my dear cousin, as it were. In the
Valley OF Acacias. We are back again in
our dear Bois every morning taking our
constitutional ride through these famous
old woods, which make one feel the his
torlo llfe which has been enacted all
around these quarters. These insplrationai
thoughts OF the moment. together with the
fragrance which the blossoms OF the
acacla tree emit. suggest being indeed In
q vcritabe paradise. These truly are Ely
elan fields and We are not surprised that
our ancestors saw NJ TO cali the broad
avenue which leads into this romantic
park-Avenue des Champs Elysee. Both on
these beautiful May mornings and after
moons the drives are crowded IN every d.
rection with most splendid cauipases hlied
Nnth tho "haute monde some OF the most
beautiful women In tho world.
And, my dear cousin, above All things
the one that know would win your henrt
we're you here. would 10 the regal apparel
OF the habitues OF these famous drives
only know Of one way OF putting Il and
that "a. that they appear TO Vie with
nature IN her glorious grandeur. As we
drive down tho Aller and pass the Cas-
ca, :. Long Champs looms up IN the dis
tance, with Mont VRleran in the back
ground, We wonder n in any spot OF the
world such a vision. 80 picturesque In
every detail. can be found.
8 you drive around toward the entrance
20 tie Tribunes even the old mill stands
out IN great prominence with It's ever
green ivy. and Il makes me again feel how
good IL Is TO be here and how I long TO
hav, you with me.
or course, my dear cousin, you must not
think that l have been spending all my
time IN frivolity, You must not believe
that have no serious side 60 my nature.
The music and society and tho races and
day at tho polo ground, all these are
fascinating 10 me and they are part Of my
veritable existence sat then you know
there are more serious sidos-you may
laugh and not regard them serious-but
you know there is the hat 20 bo ordered.
and when / drive TO the Rue de la Paix
i hardly know whether I shall go 20 Caro-
line Reboux or TO Mime. Nirot-Berthe, or
some OF the other famous modistee. But
on my last journey / bought two Of the
prettiest little sun sailor hats Of straw.
one was trimmed with little lunches of
foreet-me.nots and tiny pink roses lust
Get on as little bouquets with separate
spaces between This ! bought to 80 with
the very pretty blue taffeta gown which
had been just sent home to mo a few
days previous from Maison Beer on the
Place vendome, and u is perfectly be-
wheeling
The other hat was also a stin sailor
straw. about the same shape, but trimmed
with two large green parrots, one on
either side; at the back Of the head. green
velvet ribbon 10 match the shade OF the
parrots, falling on my hair. know this
description sounds very simple to you, but
It Is like 70 many Of the good things OF
nfe-they must be seen 10 be appreciated
Then ! have been ordering some lingerie
eowns-simple little batste dresses trim.
med with beautiful iaoes. The costumes
themselves are simple, but the materials
employed-wen, l presume I might use
the effemlnate phrase and say-they are
delicious and as / know so well how yoi
appreciate these beautiful things and how
you revel In them when you are here
an giving you just a little description
not that you may be Jealous, but that yoi
may want to come 10 Paris and that 20,
win come When you are here OF cours,
you will be our guest. We shall not leav,
Paris until after the Grand Prix. wheI
We will 60 out 90 VILE q Array for I
short time before We journey to switxer
land
Oh. ! have omitted TO tell you OF tn
pictures at the Annual Salon. Naturally w
were there At the Premier, but as hav
already weaned you with a very loni
letter, I shall leave that for my mex
essay. when I hope my muse will tax
possession OF me and give you a more In
terestinE letter than this. for l am sur
when you have waded through Il and hav
become weary, you viii say; Does Pari
really make such frivolous women as
appears TO have made my French cousin .?
b you know we say "Peris Il est rsst
tout seuie dams tout ie mond." 90 don't B
unjust in your criticism OF either YOU
French cousin or her letter but believ
to be a. always. with much love.
Votre cousine.
ADRIENNE,