WHY FRENCHWOMEN ARE THE NEATEST IN THE WORLD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1619, 29 April 1879, Page 2

WHY FRENCHWOMEN ARE THE NEATEST IN THE WORLD.

On our way, writes the French correspondent of an American journal, wo indulged in a brown study as to how the Parisians have a reputation above every other nation in matters of toilet. It is not because they are extravagant in the choice of materials ao a people. The Americans and English probably spend twice as much in this respect. Therefore, we have come to the conclusion that tho secret of their success lies in those two points —taste in selection and combination and extreme attention to those niceties other nations consider unimportant. Then, too, a thorough Parisian lady is so excessively careful of her wardrobe. She bestows on it nearly as much care as on her children. One who can afford to buy only two or three costumes iu the year will make as good an appearance as an American who runs through half a dozen. Tho French woman’s bonnet may bo simple and cheap, but never out of keeping with tho rest of her toilet, and, however she manages in the matter of dresses, shabby boots are never reckoned among her shortcomings. Tho gloves may be of an inferior quality, but they fit well, and never lack a button. The colour of her costume may be trying, but she so lightens it with bunches of lace and pieces of ribbon, she leaves nothing to be desired in the way of effect. What she wears on the street she does not wear in tho bouse, for eager little hands and little tiny feet soon tarnish its freshness. Each article is carefully brushed, mended or folded, as occasion may require, and brought out as good as new when next to bo worn. One sees no sweeping dresses on on the streets of Paris. That filthy spectacle of petticoat and pavement sweeping is reserved for our own sublime American cities. French women have been reproached with untidiness in their homes. “Yes, says Mrs Grandv, “they live for the world.” Perhaps ’ tho reproach has some foundation ; but this is also true. An American when she marries, unless moving in the best (we should say tho moneyed) circles, become negligent of those little womanly coquetries in matters of drees that helped to win her a husband. The Parisienno never docs. She is as anxious her husband and every one else should think her “ jolio femme” at sixty as at nineteen, A little of this spirit is very good. A woman neatly and becomingly dressed is certainly a preferable companion to one indifferent in such affairs.