Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-21

little foolishness to. a woman, but 1t
pleases him to think he likes sense. as it
pieases him to think he likes persistent
amiability in a woman. No woman
ever feels fiattered to be called sweet
angel indeed, she much prefers the
epithet of beautiful devil and the more
amiable she IS the more will she ap-
preciate the subtle suggestion of satanic
power. Of course In these, as in all
other qualities demanded of her. the
really wise woman is the one who as
sumes just enough sense. amiability and
domesticity to keep up the cherished de-
lus.ons OF man without endangering her
own enjoyment of life. In her heart
she knows just as we'll as man that none
of these virtues is in the least neees-
sary to her popularity. which. In reality.
is dependent on more subtle causes. No
matter how much man may protest his
craving for the domestic virtues, he only
succeeds in humbugging himself. He
cannot humbug her. for If she is to be
| labeled at all the womap does not live
who would not prefer to be labeled
| charming" to being created with all the
qualities which eventually lead to a
lonely and melancholy spinsterhood. Yes.
the woman with all the virtues is usually
to be found nving alone in, small fiat
and going down to the grave with the
dreary consciousness of never having done
anything idiotic in her life. So long
however. as a woman can be described
as charming or delightful elu-
whole art of pleasing-nothing else mat
| ters. Whatever her faults may be. they
will be looked upon with liberation, while
| even her virtues will be forgiven her.
Reaction Against Extravaganza.
/ But. to talk of clothes, we are nearing
reaction against the tyranny of fash
ion. Extravaganza can go no further
| prices can rise no higher unless. indeed
they own no reasonable, possible limit.
and then the inevitable crash must come
| 1t is now impossible for woman without
an unlimited income to have her dresses
made at celebrated dressmaker's. The
simplest morning suit today is as expea-
sive as ball frock was few years ago.
| and a hat-well, one has to be a million
| airc to own more than two head cover
| ings at the same time. Now, what is to
be done? Are we to give up being
smartly gowned and appear in sackcloth?
Or must we consent to live over head
and ears in debt and be harassed by our
creditors? Fortunately neither extreme
! need be faced by the woman of intelli-
! gence, of which. thank goodness. there
are many among us. The reaction OF
which / speak has already been felt.
/ Many women nave ceased to frequent the
great Y or the magnihcent>Z of the Rue
| de la Paix. They content themselves
! with some humber house. and at these
| places. with handsome materials and
suggestions of their own, they get ex-
! ouisite frocks which are more suited to
| their own style and have more individ-
uality ABOUT them than when made by
some famous dressmaker who probably
| has models cut up by the gross. There
are here in Paris a number of women
noted for their beautiful taste in dress
who owe their chic appearance to their
maid or to a clever needlewoman attached
to the household. And why not? For
why should a person who has money and
leisure hours not acquire for herself the
useful, pretty art Of cutting out and sew