GAY BIARRITZ

Evening Star, Issue 19658, 10 September 1927, Page 3

GAY BIARRITZ

MEMORY OF KING EDWARD, WHOSE CHARM NEVER FADES ALL-WHITE SEASON: JEWELS GALORE [Written by Gkohc:e Cecil, for the , ‘* r Evening Star.’] . Biarritz is essentially a September seaside. The early days of the month find Deauville deserted by the beau monde, all of whom to a man, woman, child, and dog have left for the south. From Deauville to Biarritz is the regular late August and September pro gramme. Few Deauvilleites dream of going anywhere else. For them late summer and early autumn arc a comedy of extravagant pleasure, Deauville being act i. and Biarritz act ii. The play is an agreeable one. ' As a matter of cold, calculated fact Biarritz is far superior to Deauville, for the scenery is delightful. -' The people, being of the Basque persuasion, give one something new to think about. The country patois is entertaining, and utterly unintelligible to anyone who has not been brought up in the neighborhood. Certainly Biarritz (during September) may bo Paris by the sea. The dressed-up-to-the-nines Avomeu make it so, and thus spoil the vicAv. But they can bo avoided, since the beach is extensive. At night the charmers are less out of place; the casino and the “ dancings ” Avould perhaps be incomplete Avithout them. In broad daylight, hoAvever, tho arranged complexions and toilets of these alluring Indies are apt to jar. Both suggest the theatre and other tilings. Those Avho have been in the habit of savoring Biarritz for more years than they can remember speak allcetiouately of King' Edward. None have forgotten his charm and tact and the interest which he took in the place. “Edouard,” they declare, “made Biarritz.”

SUPEII-GOIIGEOTS F JREWORKS. The season usually ends with a really gorgeous firework display—super-gor-ge o us, in fact. Last year Athens Avas represented afire. This year, so it is said by tho gossips, the enraptured visitor is to gaze upon ancient Rome burning, Avith a pyrotechnical Nero playing the traditional fiddle. French firework makers, you must understand, are artists at their job. None like them, liv • (A prize is ottered by your generous scribe to Avliocver names the god of fireworks. A chance for the highbrows.) Fireworks arc not the only attractiou. Baccarat and the tables lighten as many pockets as they fill, and he who lias more money than sense may spend a small fortune in ministering to tho wants of his lady friends. The “September shops” are cramped with mjAV-gaAVs, fallals, gim-cracks, knickknacks, and flummery, all being designed to make exacting woman happy at the expense ol man, the martyr. The prices are arranged for the occasion, which is a costly one. ' The ,1 aris branch establishments are on tho make “’tis their nature to”—and they live up to this highly improper reputation. Recently the local shops have followed the base example. Evil communications, alas! ever have corrupted t’ j morality of commerce, in bygone days the “ Present from Biarrits ” mug coiild bo bad for the merest ditty. T’o-dnv it is a minor luxury. A simple-looking Basque china merchant was asked by an inquiring^stranger Avhy these unpretentious gilts for the loved ones at homo bad assumed so immodest a cost. Before replying, ho, thought a long time, like the captain s parrot. Than camo the answer pat: “It’s because of tho late Avar’ —the French tradesman’s invariable and unoriginal excuse. ... YAP AND FLUFF DOGS.

The women visitors to Biarritz will lie on the warpath, the King of Spam being the hoped-for prey. Learning that His Majesty is partial to while dresses, an all-white season has been arranged. From head to heel tins virginal hue is to bo favored; even Tkauly’s walking-stick _ is white. So, too, when possible, is her dog, a horrible little animal, all yap and Unit. It has run her—or' someone else—into a lot of money, and the creature is cherished and oossettod out of all belief. “ Just heaven! Saw you ever such u bare-faccd attempt to attract the lloyal stranger? ” . • “ She [ms squeezed her waist, remodelled her bust, bleached her hair, and reduced her adaptable complexion to an unheard of blonde —all, of course,, to go with her white costume. and to make an impression on liis Majesty! ” . • • “And her dog! sbo sent to laris for it, evidently forgetting that every true Parisian prefers tiio long-haired cau with topaz eyes! ” ... Thus will the dears express themselves—ever observant, judicial, and spiteful. To the evening display ol jewels there positively will be ijo end, pearls (the pearl’s whiteness is its recommendation) being in the highest favor. One'siren already rejoices un a necklace which is valued at 3,000,0(10 francs; each pearl is ultra-perfection. Her husband, who during the war amassed a fortune supplying the “ poilus ” with pork, also fancies pearls. Ho wears them in his sleeve-links; they connect the links of his watch-chain; podgy, vulgar fingers sport four pearl-set rings. The gentleman’s tic-pin consists of three prize pearls set in a blaze of rose diamonds. He and bis wile, tearing that they may bo waylaid lor the sake of their gauds, do not intend stirring abroad unless accompanied by two oaiormous and fierce hounds. The faithful tykes are white as the driven snow. The color scheme's the thing, Madame has just met with an unfortunate Deauville adventure. She went a-shrimping, pearls and all, and, stepping on a, designing jelly-lish, tripped and fell in 12iu of crystal-clear water. “To the rescue!” yelled the perturbed shrimper, who, being corpulent, bad a difficulty in regaining her feet, “Without doubt, 1. drown!” erics .she. Monsieur, being no swimmer, hung hack; but the bravo dogs, seizing the distressed woman by her “ transformation.” averted the anticipated catastrophe. The onlookers applauded the .gallant action. The lady was not. however, grateful, for the wig came oil, and in the presence of many interested spectators. Tbe perils of the deep! THAI’ CHAMPAGNE AH!. Attractive though Biarritz plage is, with its cosmopolitan crowd, the miniature bays and little nooks (where one bathes) arc a still greater joy. No other seaside has anything like them, and they run to numbers. At all times of the day these “petite coins” arc crowded, uncomfortably so; only as the sup rises and sets are they deserted, except by the crabs. But Biarritz is a lie-abed place, for the visitors have danced and played too late overnight to bo up and doing before the sunshine has warmed the day. And at sunset they are busy with “ Le 5 o’clock.” , 'Tho air is a genuine tonic, and has been advertised ns such in. many . a fancifully expressed booklet. Tt possesses all the properties of champagne, and. thank goodness, costs'nothing.