Women As Shoeblacks

A ciistom is rapidly gaining1 ground in France, and especially in Toulon and certain other towns, which, it may safely be prophesiod, will not find much imitation in this country. This is the employment of women as street sboeblacks. The French women shoeblacks are mostcoquettisbly gotten ip, and as to their caps and frills have somewhat the appearance of hospital nurses, and it is surprising that thoug-h their oceupation is a tolerably dirty one they always seem clean and tidy; some of them are doing the in g-auntlet gloves. In the towns in which they are employed they certainlv are a success pecuniarily, especially where Eng-lish and American visitors, who generally seera to trcat the whole aftair as a good joke. are numerous. It la said that one reason for the occupation being1 a popular one among women oí íi certain grade in life is that many of the fair polishers have married opulent customers wlio have been impressed by their shining1 qualities.