FANCY BAZAARS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 769, 12 January 1877, Page 3

FANCY BAZAARS.

Thefollowing rather rough definition of tlio above is from n recent number of Tinsley’s Magazine :—A bazaar is supposed to exist primarily for the benefit of some religious or charitable undertaking; and its attractiveness is shown by the fact that persons who will not subscribe directly in view will subscribe cheerfully to the bazaar. In the first place, it affords a number of young ladies an opportunity of playing at shop, with real customers and actual sale of goods, but with no responsibility and no anxiety about rates and taxes and other disagreeable associations of shopkeeping in ordinary. And it supplies other young ladies with facilities for indulging in their favorite occupation of shopkeeping, and supports them by the conviction that they are all the time performing a virtuous and selfdenying action. Then, too, it presents a convenient field for flirtation, which, pursued tinder such circumstances, seems to derive a sort of sanction from the ecclesiastical authorition, and in this respect is only rivalled by the process of decorating the church at festival seasons. A further development of this may bo almost regarded as a business rather than a pastime; for the bazaar is frequently in fact, a sort of lady-show or marriage-market, it being understood that the fair attendants at the .stalls are for disposal as well as their wares. Then again a taste may be indulged for amateur swindling, which supposed may he carried on at a fancy bazaar without any visitings (f conscience. A ‘bargain’ has been defined as getting a thing vou don’t want for more than it is worth ; and bargains, strictly in this sense, are on all sides thrust into the hands of any unfortunate gentleman who may be weak enough to visit the place, and they are mulcted of their money without the slightest compunction, Sometimes, a more directed swindle is got up in the shape of an exhibition, which you pay to enter, and in which there is nothing to see. When the articles to be disposed of do not sell the visitors are invited to gamble for them, The gambling is of a very harmless kind it is true, but it is very undignified and silly. Everything is excused on the ground that it is done for the food of rhe ‘charity.’ What a satire upon our nineteenth century civilisation and religion that the Christian grace, <f which, in its highest real!tv, it is said that it never faileth, shoull be dependent upon such paltry tricks as these, ami that the aspect of it most who condescendingly patronise it should he its function of covering a multitude of sins.