Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1890 — EXIT PERFUMERY. [ARTICLE]

EXIT PERFUMERY.

; _ • Enter the Fashion of Bringing the OdOrs of Springtime Into Bondpir* Women who abominate a personal use of perfumes have invented a brand new way of suggesting sweet and flowery odors. These aristocrats protest that immaculate cleanliness, sunshine and fresh air supply the only fragrance a thoroughbred should care to carry about with her; sud in proof of their good faith they all affect superfine but scentless soaps, salves and lotions, with pure starch powders at the toilet. In genuine English fashion they insist that every garment before it is worn must be exposed to a prolonged sun bath, , , o t , ’ ,

No more violet sacheted laces, cologne dried hair, with breaths of white rose and jasmine to stir the senses as my lady goes by. All those little tricks have been relegated to another class. Still, notwithstanding her vigorous denunciation, the feminine soul clings to goodly pei fumes. She.could not put them altogether from her, and as a sort of compromise has transferred the formerly cherished luxury from herself to her surroundings. This new prejudice does not extend to her apartments, and these she is filling with vague yet delightful suggestions of flowery meads, rain-washed woodlands, clean-smelling herbs, and exotic blossoms, rich and heady. Indeed, the odor and not the color is now used to distinguish different chambers. The rose room signifies that charming nest, hung very possibly in warm pink tints, where every inspiration fills the lungs with an ecstasy of subtle sweetness Not only does this conserve of blended fragrance rise from wide-mouthed jars guarding the deep hearth, but liberal handfulls of the spicy petals have been strewn beneath the divan rug, and insinuated into seductive silk pillows heaped high in the dusky corner. It permeates cunningly worked head rests, ornamental pouches decorating low embroidery chairs; it is recognized in the very wax melting in tall taper stands, and again, like rare incense, bums in silver oilfed lamps. Roses of every name and color—red and white, costly longstemmed beauties and simple hedgehave alike perished in sacrifice 10 a fastidious taste. Lavender varied with orris root and verte verre lend an indescribable charm to fresh ehintze-furnished morning rooms, making them eloquent of springtime and outdoor loveliness.

It is execrably bad taste to light joss sticks any longer, but when a heavy Oriental fragrance is sought in velvetdraped boudoirs, where Eastern stuffs, soft lounging douches, East Indian idols and stained glass predominate, the effect is gained by dropping one live coal in a tiny saucer of frankincense. Some women are so captivated with the new idea that when guests are expected' their apartments are thoroughly sprinkled a quarter of an hour in advance of the strangers’ arrival. Geranium water tinges the air with a clean pungency, while the extract of lily leaves and the always delightful opopanax Are prime favorites.