A BIG BEAUTY SHOW FOR LONDON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9307, 9 March 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

A BIG BEAUTY SHOW FOR LONDON.

" I have just seen Mr. T. J. Barrafcfc (Messrs. Pears)," writes one of our representatives, "and ho has given mo n few details of his latest idea, which is nono other than to hold si great beauty show to delight London. " What put it into your head, Mr. Barratt?" I asked. " Well, it is the hundredth anniversary of our firm, and I wished to signalise it. by something new, and something fresh, and —■ something beautiful. So I determined to hold a Beauty Show." "Are they to be English beauties?" " Not a bit of it. Of all nationalities - English, French, German, Russian, Italian —al)d then across the seas to the fur East, not forgetting America." " How do you propone to collect them ?" " What a question for a newspaper man ! Why, advertise, of course. Advertise all over the world." " But you will bo surfeited with beauties, Mr. Barratt." "Yes, but I shall ask for photographs, and select about thirty. Mind you, the censorship will be very severe. 1 thought of trying to persuade some R.A. to decide upon the merits of the Venuses, but! should also like to let the great public have a word to Buy ; so every visitor will vote for his choice, bo she dark or fair, or short, or tall." " And what will the prizes be?" " I fancy i shall make the first about £'200, but I have not settled any of the details yet." "When?" " In the height of the season." " Where?" " 1 n a hall that is accessible, but I cannot tell you yet. Not in this hall, at any rate." " And how will you arrange the beauties *" "They will sit or stand in little niches, and will be attired in evening dress. I need not say that I shall see that the competing ladies are well cared for, and I shall take an hotel for them somewhere. During the competition, which will last for a fortnight, they will be my charges." "You should irivo a ball when it's all over, Mr. Barratt." " That it just what I intend to do. The press, as you may know, is to present me with a testimonial, and I thought a Big Beauty Ball would serve to mark the occasion."