Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/662

 636 With regard to these two latter, those in the know declare that the animals have of late become much rarer, and that measures must be taken to prevent their extermina- tion. And as to sable, silver fox, and ermme, there can be no doubt but that year by year the crop gets steadily smaller. And this can be easilv explained if we think of their natural habits. The creatures which yield the better sorts of fur are exceed- ingly wild, and as the half-savage trappers who capture them prosecute their search into more distant parts, the animals flee fur- ther north or higher into the mountains, and find it more diffi- cult to procure food in these remote regions. Buying Furs From time to time ideas have been started as to the possibility of retaining the more valuable fur-bearing crea- tures within a fenced enclosure. And some years ago a fantastic scheme to har- bour and foster the sable in its own home was seriously attemp- ted. But the experiment pro- ved a failure. The sables lost their health, and the skins were poor — yellow in hue and coarse and brittle in texture. Fine close fur is found only upon ani- mals which live in conditions of the greatest hardship and range over a vast territory. Most of us wear furs, but not one woman m a hundred knows much on the subject. There are three things the choice of which needs the knowledge of an expert ; and these three are furs, jewels, and old furniture. And the two first seem the most difficult of selec- tion, for they affect one's looks, and we all of us know that in the world of to-day a A beautiful chinchilla coat and muff. Chinchilla is one of the most costly and fragile of furs, and is best suited to a brunette with a good complexion Rentlinser woman's best asset is her charm of appear- ance. And in this respect furs go one better than jewels, for they form at once a frame and a background. Now for a word on the science of shopping. First money is wanted, then brains, good taste, and some experience. No one should be taken in by so-called bargains in any of the finer skins, for there will never be a glut in the market of sable, silver fox, sealskin, ermine, or chinchilla. But a reduction in price may be got by ready- money payments. Then, if economy mu3t be studied. I would advise a woman to buy good and hardwearing furs rather than the fragile sort or those which are but the fancy of the moment. Then she must also take thought of her personal appearance. Furs divide themselves into neutral, brown, black, and white, and can be classified according to texture into flat, fluffy, and velvety. A stout woman will look her best in the smooth velvety furs that are of a dark shade, such as sealskin or musquash, and should carefully avoid fluffy, long-haired skins, such as skunk, bear, and opossum. Sable and sealskin and silver fox suit most of us. While chinchilla favours brunettes, but both it and er- mine demand good complex- ions. Variety Needed Then the mon- daine of to-day wants several sets of furs. Her Russian sables will not content her with all her frocks, although they are beauti- ful with many. She will need chinchilla with her grey gowns, and will want silver fox to wear with brighter colours, and sealskin and moleskin for the country and travelling. And certain furs seem to do best in the evening. These in- clude ermine as a cloak or stole, and white fox or white Thibet goat as a trimming for a cloak or wrapper. This series will be continued. I