FIFTY YEARS AGO

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 189, 12 May 1928, Page 18

FIFTY YEARS AGO

A BRIDE'S TROUSSEAU.

Linen that lasted 56 years.

Eiderdown petticoats wadded to the

White flannel petticoats scalloped with silk.

White cotton stockings. Laced aud buttoned boots for walking. Bonnets, not hats, for the young bride.

These are some of the items of the trousseau of a bride half a century ago, and to acquire them there were months of preparation in which the bride never interfered. Lady Southwark, wife of the first Baron Southwark —a former 11.1.’.. Lord of the Treasury and Paymaster-General — a clever . artist, , pianist, and graceful writer, writes an engaging story of her trousseau.

"When ’I hear tiiat a modern girl’s trousseau is ordered practically on the telephone, my thoughts go back to the tiousseau of my day, which was a. matter of anxious consultation, for months. I reflect, also on (he change in manners and wedding customs since on August 10, 1871. I stood at the altar—or wbat I think in our church circle was then called “Communion rails’’ —of St. Mary’s, Bryanston Square, as a young bride, only just 19 years old. “As regards my trousseau., .young girls in those days seemed to acquiesce passively in the suggestions made bv their elders, and any active interference in arrangements was regarded as above their province. I never saw the bills for mv frouseau. although I believe it was rather expensive. My sister tells me that the underlinen alone cost Tl5O. which was then considered a grey deal of money. It was beautifully hand-made, with lace and embroidery, and 50. years after t bev were made. I have garments, the fine longcloth of which is not worn at all.

“A good supnly of white cotton stockings was included in my trousseau, black stockings, with the exception of black silk, being thought quite horrid, indeed, uncleanly. I remember paying a visit just after my wedding, and my hostess was wearing black ribbed balbriggan stockings! We always wore boots, either 1,-iccd or buttoned, for walking, and shoes indoors.

“Gloves had to be put on in the bedroom, before we went down to dinner, if wo were staying away from home. I remember how we had to. squeeze our fingers into those tight, white kid gloves! “Hairdressing, too, was frX a labour. L remember almost crying ofer my hair, which I wore in rolls high up on my head, on my honeymoon. I had always bad a lady’s maid nt home, and nearly every day, while my husband and I were away, we Ipnd to call in a hairdresser. No artificial aids to beauty were allowed. -Lipsticks, paint, and rouge were unknown among the respectable upper middle classes. Even the most innocent face powder was looked upon askance as slightly improper. “Weddings had to be celebrated before 12 o’clock I remember my father rushing in as my net veil was.being pinned on, exclaiming , ‘My ’dear, if you are not quick, 12 o’clock will have struck Iwfore the ring is '.-on your finger, and the marriage will not be legal.’ ’’ “It was considered proper to weep at weddings. My father, my mother, and my sisters all wept; in fact, everybody wept—and yet I was being very happily married!”