PAKISTAN NOVELTIES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5250, 21 January 1878, Page 3

PAKISTAN NOVELTIES.

CONTENTS OF A FRENCH I,ADY’s VALISE. A most curious spectacle is the inside of a French lady’s valise, that small or middle-sized travelling trunk which is kept in hand, and which is supposed to contain but a few indispensable articles for not over two days’ stay with a friend in the environs. We have had the good fortune to look into ouo of these, and after having described the toilet of the owner - , an authentic list will follow of the appliances, without which, she informs us, no Parisienne could visit. Her ehampetre toilet was a checked gingham moss and pink coral. It was made with a long paletot opeuiug on a Louis XV. vest, and trimmed ’with pink plises made of lawn and edged with narrow lace. These tortuous rose borders were kept in order down the front by ribbon hirondclle bows. A bow a la hirondelle is made in the shape of a swallow. The sleeves are enf/ar/entes, that is, open to the elbow, and here ornamented with a deep plisse, and inside a fall of lace and organdie, the same stood rrp around the throat. The hat was tort do chaumc or thatched roof, a flat shape, coming over the eyes. This protection to the skin is made of coarse straw and simply trimmed with green chenille gauze in which nestles a sparrow. Lone- Suede mittings, parasol and fan to match, both of pink foulard, the latter hanging from a wide watered moss ribbon, studded with three handsome silver initials. The jowellry was or perce. A strong perfume of ixora scented the atmosphere in which moved the visituesc. The inside of the valise will reveal more of the lady’s tastos. At the bottom was a long curling-stick, not made of boxwood as formerly, but of a knothandle, in which could be screwed and unscrewed a tapering hollow made of brass. The hollow is filled every morning with boiling water. Round this the false curls are brushed in spirals. The heat of the water is a substitute for curling-tongs, and to tills novel invention is due the perfect crispness and gloss of the long auglaises which French ladies wear down to their waist. It also explains how they manage to get coiffe without singeing their hair. All puffs, nmrteaux, etc., are dressed in the same way. Rolled neatly in a worked canvas envelope made in the shape of an old-fash-ioned housewife was a foulard night-mantle and night-cap to match, both pale blue. We say night-mantle and not night-gown, because it was a mantle with a plisse all round, and Ion" enough to touch the ground ; it had a sailor's collar aud plisse frills round the wrist, and there was a breast-pocket for the handkerchief. But the night-cap revolutionised our preconceived notions of this somnolent article. The blue one we mention was pretty enough in itself ; a Charlotte Corday caul and fall only, it seems scarcely credible, just on the forehead, were neatly tacked underneath two false flat hair locks ! The nose not being slept on, the space above it is of course a sate part-for fanciful decoration, and our imaginative Parisienncs, who abhor homeliness, fall asleep with a deeprooted conviction that even then they are coiff6. Two pairs of stocking came next, but so fine aud so open that they looked like soap-bubbles. Next to these lay a soft-leather roll containing a pair of shoes, with six microscopic buckles on bars down the instep ; the heels were pointed as pegs. The brushes, combs, scent-bottles, and toilet accessories were in different compartments lining the top of the valise ; but a fact worth mention is that all the perfumery was of thesamo kind, allwasixora. It is now the fashion to be tout (I la violettc, tout d la opopomx, tout A la marcchai, or tout (all) of any other essence, but no scents are mixed ; there is not one for the hair and another for soap or handkerchief. To be known by one’s perfume is to resemble, in «no respect at least, a flower. The blotter was very ingenious ; a French lady may be a very attractive person and yet not know all her irregular verbs ; she therefore travels with a writing case called sous main dictionnaire. This contains all indispensable writing materials and a map of the French chief towns, with their departments marked out at a glance ; a view of the partici-

pies, their rules and exceptions, a lexicon of congratulations, etc. Xhis sous. or “ under one’s-hand,- is a wonderful help er certain tourists. Another indispensable is in the refreshment line. Painsicnncs like bonbons ; they never leave without a sweet of some kind, and the fashion in this season is fruit pastilles, hut they have the disadvantage of either getting dry or of melting. An ingenious inventor has foreseen this, and manufactured round boxes of crystal, into which fruit cakes are poured in a liquid state. Three or four spoonfuls of water obtained at a station are dropped on when wanted, and the fruit is restored to its natural savor and color. Pineapple, raspberry, and apricot are,the favorite pastes eaten inthisuatural state; a small spoon is found under the lid of these new bonbonnieues. The portemonnaie was a small morocco pouch, and market with initials. The needlework was carve Asiatiquc , quite a novelty for antimacassars, doilies, table-covers, mats, &c, It is of the simplest materials as far as groundwork is concerned, but of the richest description in point of embroidery. A square of priuted calico is tacked on another of stout linen. All the squares of, the design are filled in with a flower worked with Algerian floss ; all the lines and blocks are followed with down either point russe, point de feston, or point de corail. The colored, called Madras, that is, yellow and chocolate, are the most original. Beautiful contrasting shades enliven the dark parts. It is impossible to detect the ground work when a square is finished. Some of the designs are kaliedoscopic, and look like the x'ose over cathredal porches., One of Dentu’s novels, in a yellow paper cover, lay on the top, with a leaf cover which represented a Louis XV. heel and sole ; the former for the holder, and the latter for the paper knife. A pocket handkerchief tidy was scented with ixora. It was made of fine cloth worked with Breton designs and galloons. An ivory apple held puff and powder. The etui mayique contained knife, scissors, pincers, and all the fine arts for cheek, eyebrows, and lips. Thus in the moderate valise of the period we have found not only food for the mind and body, but art and comfort combined. -Its investigation has given us as good an idea of the fashions as could a long article on the subject. It may here be noticed that French style exists to a greater degree, at present than French fashions, for the latter have been greatly simplified, since ladies go to bed, in mantles and wear’ all their undergarments by day in one single piece. A number of outside accessories are now indispensable, and manufacturers of the article Paris are not idle. —New York Herald.