The Washington herald., 1907-02-17
BY THE ARBITER

monstrated with by some Of her friends
because of her daughters mean appear
ance. replied:
Deck your children if you will with
laces and velyets, am using what means
have to so educate my child that she
will not only have personal charm, but
will be able 70 meet all crises OF life
finely and nobly. What matters it IL to-
day she wears a frayed coat and an Old
fashioned hat If later on she has the
weapons with which TO fight iife's bat
tles?"
This is. of course, an extreme. but too
much cannot be said in condemnation Of
the American womans extravaganza in
clothing herself and her children Sim
plicity and elegance should mark the
dress Of every gentle person
1t seems strange to receive requests
from men asking what they shall wear.
but the Arbiter has many such inquiries.
In the morning a sack suit made in the
prevailing mode. with dOg-skin gloves.
in the afternoon, frock coat with trousers
Of different material and a plain or fancy
waistcoat; in the evening. always evening
clothes for formal functions. At home
or at the house OF ones intmates the
dinner Jacket. called by a certain class
a Tuxedo, is allowed, but never for the
theater or for formal dinners Some men
IN the smartest circle affect white spats,
loud ties. and eccentric jewelry. This is
never good form
T. Question; Some friends q mine are sailing
next week On the CaroHia- ! am mu indebted
70 them Tor many politeuesses since I came here
IN the fail 90 aCcept a government position.
am from North Dakota. and have never been
abroad, 30 that / do not know chat I should do for
these friends who are going and yet ! want them
70 know how much pleasure ! wish them, and that
I would like % hear from them en- route Please
understand that they are fashionable people and I
cannot afo-d % make a mistake. WIN sou help
mcf-NOrth Dakota.
Answer. What you should do when
you wish TO send your farewells TO a
friend leaving for Europe depends en-
tirely upon your taste and resources
4 steamer letter sent in care Of the
chief steward TO be delivered when the
ship is well out at sea. as bright and
amusing as possible, illustrated, if you
have a talent that way. is always ac-
ceptable; or a telegram, merely ex-
pressing conventional good wishes OF
some merry message Is most agreeable
when one is sailing away from the
Goddess Of Liberty, and feels rather
teary and homesick 1t is a delight 10
fnd flowers. bonbons. books. and maya
zines in ones stateTOOm. sent there by
dear friends. In a word, you can send
almost anything TO the ocean palaces in
which one travels nowadays. The sug-
gestions that could be made are in
Vulnerable. The main Hnint Is, in what
ever you do. 90 make your personality
felt. for bear in mind that il is not the
gift so much as the expression OF your
self that counts The Arbiter once
crossed with a New York belle. who
had fresh violets brought 10 her every
morning at breakfast from the day she
left New York until she arrived In Liv-
erpOOl To another woman. when she
was four days out from New York, her
French poodle, which her husband had
refused 10 allow her to carry over was
brought. 1t seems at the last moment
he had relented and sent the dog to the
steward with instructions to have il
given TO his wife on her birthday. HeI
joy was unbounded. and probably that
little act Of thoughtfulness did mucf
10 cement the bonds between a mar
and wife that had, perhaps, becom,
weak To conclude do what is in yoUl
heart to do. but If your friends are
going 10 Rome / would suggest that
you send them Story's "Roba di Roma,
than which there has never been more
satisfactory book written of the Eterna
City. though II has, unfortunately, gone
bit out Of style