OUR PARIS (Ladies) LETTER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 275, 26 May 1875, Page 2

OUR PARIS (Ladies) LETTER.

(Concludedfrom our last.} rp n . March 20. The Opera is reduced to give representations, with a “ wind and weather permitting, proviso; “you pays your money.” for a ticket, but “you takes not your choice; the admission is for a certain numbered representation, where neither

date is fixed, nor bill of fare defined; the best plan for travellers is, before setting out on their monthly circular tour, to purchase their tickets, and on coming back, they have all the probabilities of seeing their turn arrive, or if not, the value of their right of admission quadrupled. Strictly speaking, the opera is a place not for listening to music, but for gossiping, visits, aud showing off toilettes. The latter have here one uniform and charming —to be white; and the form of the robe is that of the princesse, with rich material and no garnitures; the bonnet is white damask and black velvet, and when not intended for full dress, white felt is preferred for ordinary wear, and which has the advantage of being more serviceable ; the brim is cither turned up or flat, and sloping towards the back of the head ; flowers and ribbons form the principal trimming, with fewer feathers and rather more of jet; skirts incline to be dcmi-long, thus dispensing with flowers; white and its various shades, are the favorite colors, the “ foam ” tint being more esteemed ; as for materials, there is nothing new, and those suited to the season if soft aud light, blue, green, grey, &c., in color, will be perfectly fashionable; only take care to select different shades of the same color, and allow one of the stuffs to be heavier than the other. The Russian blouse is in request; itisa princesse tunic, without sleeves, made in cashmere or sicilienne, so as to be worn over a silk dress having a corsage and, sleeves; embroidered tulle is much employed as insertion for this costume, and this material promises in no distant future to supplant bead garnitures; the most graceful and also the newest form of casaqwe has large sleeves shorter behind than before, it is trimmed in two styles, each having its admirers; the first cover the material, when in silk or cashmere, with beads and embroidery, surrounding them with a kind of sparkling lace or with crisped feathers ; the second has simply mohair paleas, or woollen marabout; the former is considered to be more youthful and elegant; faille for jupes, will be superseded by light silks; and instead of puffs, robes will be baufantes. Lent has its special fashions for devout minds, it is necessary for one to be as simple as possible during the forty days ; few/aZJaZas; and an ungruding sacrifice of flounces, plaits, ruches, and all forms of garniture possible and impossible ; neither are bright colors or lively tints permitted; it is the season for demimourning ; during the day, some shade of grey ; pending the evening, white; no bare shoulders or arms, for it is the period of prudery; over low bodied corsages and sleeveless arms, is thrown a tunic of white lace; some very devout ladies even go so far as to cover their hair with fine grey powder, which dims the color; the Hebrews also patronised ashes. The amusements tolerated must have an air of persistence; profane music is tabooed, the old masters and sacred compositions have alone the right to be heard ; no theatre, except the piece be solemn and sound, but everywhere attendance at sermons ; no more lunches as such would astonish the servants; no pates de foie gras, truffles, game, or heady winos, such succulent comestibles render the mind heavy ; claret and fish form the safe and standing bill of fare, though if Brill-at-Saravin be believed, fish troubles our senses as much as do truffles, aud are saturated with diabolic elements. In addition to these severities, the Jubilee has arrived with its measured joys ; the faithful form long processions, in parish order, marching to the metropolitan cathedral, headed by their respective clergy ; not a scoff nor a sneer is indulged at these city pilgrims, though Paris be a capital of scoffers. Is this exemplary state of things to be attributed to the Republic, which paid the Prussian ransom, and despite Sedan and the loss of Alsace ? Has so much of the milk of human kindness left, as to be ready to pension the noted officials of the ex-Empirc, who have all been suddenly struck with infirmities, as to be able to perform, no other work, than opposing the new legalised Republic, and administering financial companies? Much attention is drawn to the Comte de Waldeck and his great age, 109, as if there were not many old women superior to him in lustres, only the fashion is to ignore them; the Countess of Desmond can be honorably compared with old Parr. The auvrieres of Paris are subscribing to provide the necessary funds to send a deputation of their respective trades to the Philadelphia Exhibition; the Government might step in here advantageously with a little help, as none can surpass a Frenchwoman in intelligent criticism and quick penetration, they cannot in any way involve France, which is believed to owe its present happiness and peace, to the state of siege, a cause that people implore to be removed. Quite a calamity has fallen on the girls who sell natural flowers; “ Isabelle,” who had the contract to supply the Jockey Club with flowers, and under the guise of repartee to levy black mail for a penny bouquet of violets, among the occupants of the Grand Stand on race days, has been cashiered ; she is known to be very wealthy, but was so parsimonious, as to allow her poor old mother to starve, aud who was reduced to the necessity of appealing to the law to force her hardhearted child to give her the means to live; the publication of the trial was Isabelle’s death-warrant; she can console herself in private life; she is the proprietor of two villas in the country and lias a house in Paris, that Serrano or Cabrera, or any other Spanish patriot, might enjoy as a haven of rest till the moment came to swear fidelity to some brand new form of Government. Flower selling is not a bad business for unemployed females, and ladies who graduate for domestic servants, might try their hand at this more delicate occupation. The washerwomen have had their fete ■since mid-lent; they keep up the fun till Easter Sunday, by having picnics in the laeoir, and quadrilles in the sechoir. Life will henceforth be a little more secure in France, as the late Home Minister has cautioned doctors, and grave diggers, to take extreme care not to consider any person as dead, and necessitating burial, until deathreally setsin ; another contribution to longevity. A philanthropist recomtheltalian soldier’s pot, by means of which, when the food to be cooked is placed therein, and the fire lighted, the heat is so arranged, that not a particle of it can escape, and he can strap it to his back and march ahead till dinner hour. The admirers of Aimee Desclee will be happy to learn, that that talented actrice’s memory has been fittingly honored; on the anniversary of her death, a few sincere

friends, headed by Dumas, attended at the ceremonial blessing of her simple, but expressive tomb; it is curious the hold that her weird-like talent took of the Parisians, and who always allude to Jit, with solemn respect. “Nun or actrice,” such she often stated was the only choice left her in this life, and had she recovered from her cruel malady, she intended to retire to a convent. “ Hygienic ” envelopes are advertised, as also “ buttonless ” gloves for ladies, and “unbetterable” hats for gentlemen—these last must be a luxury, as a friend observes, in the case of a “ free fight."