SHOPPING MADE HAPPINESS.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4599, 1 October 1883, Page 2

SHOPPING MADE HAPPINESS.

The Melbourne Argus mentions,a neir departure by a fir,m of drapers in that city, in the manner of conducting a retail business. The business, say 3 oar contemporary, like that of many other simi« lar places in England and America, is on the cash principle, butj the use of telegraphic communicators from the counters will do away with the annoying cry of "cash " when a visitor makes'a purchase. 4.1; the back of the shop proper is at large space set apart for the purpose of a jardin etysee, where customers may ob^ tain refreshments in a cool grotto, made attractive by aviaries of birds, salt and) freshwater aquaria, and the music of a band, which will be seated in a fernery situated in a picturesquely-painted landscape. There will, also be pianoforte and other recitals. The basement which comprises a very wide area, will be converted into a gentleman's lounging club, with lavatories and refreshment buffets, and will be accessible from the street by a private entrance not leading through the shop. Here gentlemen may read or talk, or smoke while their lady friends are making their purchases upstairs. A cosy roonV comfortably furnished and decorated, wiH be devoted to the use of ladies as a privateclub, uaother and similar apartment bas beea termed the "dark room,"for the f-somewhat paradoxical reason that it is ! lighted by ariiScial light .alone, the object being ca give ladies an opportunity of [duly observing the effect of certain j isarrpgsies and contrasts in color 'under. the influence of gaslight.

''j£t last a man has been fow&d who would not marry for money, and the fact is worth the record. A certain young lady wrote to a popular, young clergyman of Toronto that he had converted her soul to>, grace, that she loved him deeply, passionately, and that her hand was his if he would take it. To which the clergyman replied: "My dear Miss —give your soul to God, your fortune to the pooi\ and keep your hand until some. man asks , for it."

What would a lady say to such a meal as the following laid before her at sis o'clock in the morning'? It is a tavern bill from a landlord iv " the good city of Chester " :—•" Breakfast provisions for Sir Godfrey Walton, the good ladie Walto&> and their fair daughter Gabriel—three pounds of saved salmon, two, pounds of boiled mutton and onions, three slices of pork, six red herrings,, six pounds of leavened bread, one choppin of mead, five chopping of strong beer."