The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-08-20
ONCE IDLE RICH
TURN To WORK
IN EUROPE
DwindIing incomes and War
Brought Desire for Service
Behind Changes.

Brought Desire for Service
Behind Changes.
BY LADY ANGELA FORBES,
D,st,nxuished English Novelist.
Written for International News Service
Copyright, 1880
LONDON, Aug. 20.-Napoleon Is
credited with the observation that
the English were q nation OF shop
keepers, and more than ever TO-DAY
A. would appear that the definition
il correct.
AS in the time Of the great Corsi-
can. it is q difficult matter Tor a
French lady to turn shopkeeper.
But. then, q republic has to con-
slider these points, and the social
code is less adaptable than in Eng
land.
The Russian element trading in
Paris has done much to soften
Beginning with the Grand Ouch.
ess Marie, who has an atelier OF
her own for the creation OF url'
derlinen and embroidery, there are
dozens Of others who are putting
their talents to account.
Aristocrats at Work.
With the loss Of fortune there
was no lack Of courage and initia.
tive, and where private enterprise
has been impossible, some members
of the highest families in Russia
are working in various ateliers estab-
lshed in Paris by enterprtsing bust
ness women.
F. Madame Chanel, well-known
dressmaker, has found employment
for dozens Of these ladies, and the
vogue for bright -colored sweaters
and knitted suits has been a means
for providing a ready market Tor
their work.
Countess Orloff Davidoff, who with
her sister experienced some OF the
horrors Of the revolution, has trav-
eled the watering places of France
selling Madame Channels dresses on
commission. She. now has q big
workroom for the employment OF
Russian ladies working for the same
firm.
Conditions I'm England.
Now, on this side Of the channel,
we do not realize that while off
with his head" has been the fashion
able pastime INDUCED in by other
European nations, our revolution
has been just as far-reaching in its
effects, even If the results have not
been quite so emphatic.
Why have women members Of old
aristicratic families well known in
society entered the ranks Of the pro-
fessional shopkeeper, competing sue
cessfully in many cases with rivals
born and bred in the shadow Of the
counter?
The great war generally IL held
responsible for everything that hap
pens at this moment, and to a GER
tain extent this does apply to the
women who have deserted the an
cestral mansion for the one-room
bonnet box or flower shop.
The idle rich is fast disappear
ing term and will soon be used only
by the street corner orator when he
wishes to point out a moral or adorn
q tale.
The bearers of famous names have
been, in some cases, driven by the
stern arm of necessity-in others
they have been compelled to exercise
the powers Of organization which
found such vital expression during
those terrible years.
Not All Destitution.
1t is hard in these days of reduced
incomes and exaggerated taxes to
ter to procure the same beautiful
frocks and ''fal-lals" which one had
always been accustomed to.
But in many cases the reason is
not restitution! For probably the
first time in their lives society
women learned to work during the
dreadful days of the war, and it has
become a habit.
Life was no longer q merry-go-
round; it began to mean something.
The social butterflies became def
nitely responsible human beings,
with an assured place in the sun.
1t was impossible to settle down
again to the old hum-drum round
of empty pleasure-seeking after the
hectic days spent in making mum.
tons, running hospitals and can
teens.
Are Winning Success.
Also, money was scarce and you
cannot run around" successfully
with frightened purse strings. Occu.
patton with some tangible end in
view had to be found, and we be-
came shopkeepers.
In such cases there has been no
paralyzing affect of tradition. Pos
sessing the invincible courage of
the neophyte, We have, like angels,
rushed in and, IN many cases, tri-
umphantly secured the front seats.
What business-trained man or
woman would dare to open shop
on capital largely consisting OF
Faith, Hope and Charity" and a
total absence of caution? Yet the
successful ventures established by
so many well-born women are proof