No. 3.

Ar the late grand ball at Paris, graced with the presence of royalty, the dresses, though in many instances magnificent and splendid in the extreme, were deficient in originality, though elegant and neat. We will, however, mention a few which, though not entitled to rank in the extraordinaires, being less known, were considered the most distingueés. This ball, (like all those of its kind), was a mixture of good and bad taste; but, for us, who wish, and whose business it is to know how to select and choose, there is an unerring mark, a guide, which never fails, or can mislead us, PUBLIC APPROBATION. That we should thus early acknowledge the encouragement we have met with, will, perhaps, excite the ire of the many-headed monster, who will, perhaps, call our grateful acknowledgments a vain boast;, such fears shall not, for a moment, restrain us, nor cause us to relax in our endeavours. So, without descending to a few particulars, signalized, perhaps, by other journals, but which have appeared to us unworthy of notice, or ungraceful, we will enter en matiere.

The queen wore a lilas mauve coloured dress, lightly embroidered with silver. A beret of A beret of same materials, looped up with a diamond chain, composed of small links; three white feathers. A splendid suit of superb diamonds.

The Princesses Louise and Marie, dresses of white satin, with suits of emeralds set round with diamonds. Princess Louise had a sort of garland of the same precious stones, which en

VOL. I.

circled her fair ringlets. Princess Marie's hair was separated en bandeau, a small diamond chain encircled her forehead, and diamond wheat-ears were gracefully disposed in her coiffure.

The only distinction of the lady patronesses, was a tri-coloured nœud, blue, red, and white, on the left shoulder; the nœuds had been sent to them by her majesty. Those ladies had no other uniform, but white dresses predominated amongst them, particularly those of crape-of gauze Donna Maria, silver embroidered on the 'hems. Headdresses of feathers, in great variety, principally white, and many red.

Flowers were also seen, as well as berets, and even hats. Generally, the toilettes were plain; the skirts without trimmings. Bouquets of embroidered silk, gold, or silver. The corsages trimmed with blond en mantille. A wide blond falling over short sleeves, as a double sleeve unsecured.

At the grand ball given at the Palais Royal, the toilettes were equally plain; the skirts were ridiculously short, particularly so at the present time, when ladies affect to appear unskilled in the art of dancing.

A young Brazilian lady wore a curious trimming of feathers, remarkable for the brilliant vividness of their colours; the plumage of a variety of tropical birds, such as guara, arara, parroquets, cosinga, &c. were disposed as artificial flowers, trimmed with their green leaves. This brilliant ornament, placed over the knee, on a dress of white chantilly blond; six bouquets were placed en biais round the skirt; a seventh fasait montant between the left knee, and the side bouquet. This last, also of similar feathers, had coloured stones intermingled with the flowers which those feathers imitated. A hat of the same materials.

ENSEMBLE DE TOILETTE.-From the mass of toiletts which were noticed as handsome d'enI

semble, and their freshness, we will describe one of rose-coloured tulle, embroidered above the knee with a garland of rose-buds; the foliage embroidered dead silver. The corsage trimmed with blond, as also the edge of the short leaves. On the head a garland of short white feathers and a suit of diamonds.

A white crape dress, trimmed above the hem with two gold bands. The ceinture, a gold band, corsage à la sévigné, fixed near the small bands, which maintain the gathers, by long gold clasps. Head dress, a paradise bird and a gold suit; and, from the chain, at equal distances, hang light filigree drops.

A dress of white gauze, Donna Maria. Above the hem two rows of silver embroidered circles, one within the other. Corsage à la Grecque. Long sleeves of tulle, embroidered similar to the skirt. On the hair, a gold chain, highly chased and enamelled, forming a net, tied at equal distances to form the square where the knot is figured with a cameo. The coiffure is necessarily low, and rather flattened; the net en closed the back of the head only, and was fixed to the top of it. In front, the tufts were of equal dimensions, leaving the temples uncovered. The necklace was formed by two rows of small cameos, linked by the same sort of chain as the net. Ear-rings similar.

A dress of cherry-red satin. Corsage trimmed with blond. Short sleeves, covered, with a fall of blond, reaching to the band. Head-dress, a row of pearls. Suit of pearls.

A rose-coloured striped gauze dress. Black velvet béret, with black gauze satin ribbons. Two rose-coloured feathers. Boa of rosecoloured marabouts, the ends of which were black.

Africans appeared in the picturesque costume of their country; vests of silk, loaded with gold, rich turbans, cimiters, and poniards, sparkling with precious stones. Complexions of a copper hue, and long beards, were supinely lolling over the front of one of the dress-circle boxes. Several rows of ladies, sparkling with diamonds; some in all the freshness of youth and beauty; a greater number still, resplendently dazzling with dress only.

EVENING DRESSES.-A green velvet dress, on the skirt of which, large rings, linked one with the other, richly embroidered relievo, in gold; short sleeves, with blond pagodas, extending below the elbow. The head-dress, a garland of green and gold corn-ears, mixed. A necklace and ear-rings of enamelled green leaves, from which are suspended small golden grapes.

A cherry-red cachemire dress, with a wide gold band above the hem; a narrower one encircled the corsage à la Grecque, and the extremity of the mancherons, over which were long blond sleeves. Gold chain round the neck, and a chain intermixed with the coques of the headdress.

A white satin dress, trimmed with blond. Sleeves and mantilla of blond. Crimson gauze scarf, gold embroidered. Small hat, of crimson velvet, ornamented with gold torsades, and a bouquet of white feathers. Gold chain, with cameo in the middle of the forehead. Cameo suit.

MORNING DRESSES.-The corsages à schall, draped and crossed, are much worn.

Few sleeves are narrow, and without waistbands; but the greater number, and by far the most graceful, are those wide at the shoulder, and close from the waist to the elbow.

Blond lace is still the ornament most employed on dresses and the toilet in general.

The corsages are deeper cut than they were last month.

With morning-dresses, the ladies wear muslin collerettes, with large piping, and satin or velvet neck nœuds.

The large heavy chains worn last year, are now superceded by those called Mexicans, which are of a more delicate texture.

Walking DreSS.-A merino rédingote, corsage à schall, as high as the collerette, and wide enough to figure a pélerine over the shoulders. The shawl; and closing of the skirt, in front, ornamented with three tucks.

Turkey figured silk muslin dresses. This material is much employed for negligé, or half dress, but without trimmings or ornaments; no jewellery, or, if any, plain.

A printed muslin dress, figuring cachmere de