30 



THE NATTOXAL GKOORAPI 1 IC MAGAZINE 



AN ORNATE SUCCESSOR TO THE HOMEEY MAS, OR EARM HOUSE, OE CAM ARGUE 



Here formal gardens and a palatial dwelling have taken the place of the humble home 

 of the Camargue peasant. In such a chateau every modern convenience is to be found, even 

 an electric wine-press. 



In the villages the cattle-owners and 

 champion herdsmen are known by their 

 Christian names and nicknames. The 

 people cheer them and are proud and 

 happy to be acquainted with them. These 

 riders are kings of the country, for they 

 bring happiness to all. 



ARLESIAN WOMEN ARE NOTED BEAUTIES 



Arlesian women have a reputation in 

 the Midi as perfect beauties of the Greek 

 type, descendants of the colonists who 

 came hither in ancient times, and fit 

 rivals of the lovely ladies of Georgia and 

 Kashmir, with the same classic nose and 

 fine features. Some of them have a 

 Saracenic aspect, with olive complexions 

 and long, dark, Arabic eyes. 



But even their harmonious beauty is 

 enhanced by the graceful old-fashioned 

 Arlesian dress they wear. That costume, 

 in the style of 1830, is still worn, in spite 

 of "ready-mades" and Parisian fashions. 



When fourteen years old the chato, or 

 young Provencal girl, begins to dress her 

 hair in the Provencal fashion and to wear 

 the coveted styles of Aries. This day of 



costuming is a great holiday in the home. 

 The girl dresses her hair in a high chig- 

 non, and around it she arranges a piece 

 of fine old lace, tied with a black velvet 

 ribbon, fluttering behind. 



If the headdress is the most important 

 article of the Arlesian toilet, the next is 

 the white capcllo, a pleated muslin shawl, 

 crossed over "her rounded bosom like a 

 double peach, not ripe as yet." 



Over that shawl she wears another, of 

 printed calico, of the same color as the 

 long, trailing gown. A long-sleeved bod- 

 ice of black satin sets off the bright col- 

 ors of the shawl and gown. 



With Arlesian dress some jewelry is 

 quite necessary. A long gold pin secures 

 the velvet head-ribbon, a rich brooch 

 closes the capello and heavy golden 

 bracelets adorn the firm brown arms. 



Ancient jewels are scarce and have 

 been replaced by modern pieces, sug- 

 gested by Provengal flowers and animals 

 or by neo-Provengal literature. A trinket 

 frequently seen is a locust, the symbol of 

 Provengal poetry. Another is the seven- 

 rayed golden star, the mark of the Feli- 



