arranged in a knot on one side of the head, and three pompons of coloured satin ribbon. I do not recollect a season in which so little change has taken place in the corsages of robes as the present one, and yet there appears more than an ordinary degree of variety; in morning dress they are always high, and tight to the shape; some are closed as high as the throat, with a small falling collar; others are open either half way to the waist, or entirely to it; in the latter case the revers rounds off en fichu, descending in points to the commencement of the jacket. If the corsage is only open half way, it is ornamented with a sort of drapery, which increasing in width upon the shoulders, forms a demi-pelerine on the back. Sleeves, whether a | whole or three-quarter length, are mostly tight; those that are made quite long certainly predominate. the material is light, the corsage may be either draped or tight to the shape: the points at the bottoms of corsages are always sharp and excessively long. Lace is very much employed for trimming evening dresses. Some white damask ones, richly figured in large white satin leaves, were trimmed in the tablier style, with point d'Alençon, looped back at regular distances by single moss roses, or clove pinks; the former was ornamented by the flower and its foliage only; the latter, which was really of princely richness, had the stalk concealed by a knot of diamonds. Where flowers are employed for robes, the corsage is always ornamented with them, either to loop the draperies, or a single bouquet in the centre if it is made plain. Lace flounces, covering rather more than three parts of the skirt, are also a good deal employed. Some satin robes, made with double skirts, have the upper one trimmed with lace. Some of the most novel of these dresses have the lace very flowers, or an ornament of jewellery. The fringes, of which I have spoken in my former letters, composed of an intermixture of gold, silver, or steel with silk, are employed as substitutes for flounces, to form tabliers; and where there is a double skirt, they border the upper one, it being looped at the side by a knot formed of a rich cord and tassels. I may cite among the most novel robes in half-dress some redingotes of grey silk, the corsages high and tight to the shape, with broad|broad, and looped on one side by a bouquet of lappels, forming a pelerine, rising in a point from the ceinture, and square upon the shoulders; the lappels are embroidered with grey velvet leaves, as are also the sleeves, which are open and arched at the bottom. The front of the skirt is embroidered on each side with a large embroidery in velvet leaves, and is closed down the centre by fancy silk buttons. Velvet, indeed, has lost nothing of its attraction for trimmings; several satin and damask robes have the fronts of the skirts trimmed with three velvet bands, the colour of the robe; they are placed at some distance from each other in the form of a broken cone; satin nœuds of a corresponding colour are placed at regular distances between the bands, and attached by small gold buckles. The corsages, always high, may either be trimmed with velvet revers, and a row of satin nœuds in the centre; or else the bands mount from the skirt, forming a lappel at the sides to the shoulder only; these bands are narrower than those on the skirt, and the nœuds placed between the centre and side bands smaller. I could fill many pages, if the space allowed me permitted it, with descriptions of the evening and ball dresses that have recently appeared both at the balls of our own nobility and foreigners of rank, particularly the ambassadors. Those of the English ambassadors were, I think, the most brilliant of all. The evening robes, and those of the chaperons at balls, were composed of the rich materials which I announced to your fair readers in the beginning of the season. Damask of light colours, as blue, pink, and white, was very extensively seen; white, indeed, was in a decided majority. Rich satins and velours épinglé were also a good deal employed, but there were very few velvet robes. The corsages are cut equally low both in evening and ball dresses, but the sleeves are somewhat shorter in the latter. If the material is heavy, the corsages, generally speaking, are made tight to the shape; they are trimmed either with a lace berthe, or with lace standing up. If Petits bords, composed of either velvet or crape, are in great favour in evening dress; some of the latter are either pink or blue, fringed with silver, and ornamented with tufts of marabouts. I have seen some also composed of silver blonde, trimmed on one side by a large agraffe of diamonds, and on the other by a long twisted white ostrich feather, drooping very low. Velvet petits bords are both of dark and light colours; several of the latter are ornamented with reseau de Venise. Turbans are also very much in vogue, particularly the turban Judith; it is the ancient Jewish turban, and, in my opinion, a most unbecoming form, being fastened with bandelettes under the chin. It is made of different materials, but the latest that have appeared are of gold tissue, with gold bandelettes. Ball robes are composed of crape, gauze, tulle, and taffetas; there are also a good many of lace; they are mostly made with two or three skirts; white is in a majority, but light colours, as pink, blue, and green, are also seen. In some instances white tulle or gauze is worn over coloured satin or taffeta; white robes are for the most part trimmed with flowers, intermixed in some instances with tulle niches, with gold or silver fringe, or ribbon; others are trimmed with bouillonné, the bouillon formed by single flowers, or else by tufts of marabouts, or of small feathers. Trimmings of steel beads, intermixed with silk, are a good deal employed for taffeta robes, for which lace is also very much in request; it is always intermixed with flowers. Ball head-dresses are still principally of hair, which is now dressed higher behind, and in a style more calculated to display its luxuriance. The nattes à la Mancini (platted braids) are no longer seen at the sides, but the hind hair is platted in braids, and wound round the summit of the head. Bandeaux are not brought so low, and ringlets are still favourites with ladies who have fine heads of hair. Ondies (soft, full bands) are adopted by some élégantes, and I find an attempt is making to bring in the insçuciantes; they are small flat, light curls all over the forehead-a fashion which, I am told, was in vogue at the time of the empire, but has never been seen since. I do not think it is likely to be revived. Coiffures continue to be ornamented with flowers in the style I described last month. Necklaces have been gradually creeping into favour for some time; first rivières only were worn, then a single row of valuable pearls, now we come to fancy necklaces. Drops have not yet appeared to ear-rings, but boutons are generally adopted; they are of amethyst, turquoise, or garnet, encircled with marcassites, or opal with small brilliants. Bracelets are of a great variety of forms: those for morning dress are of silver, enamelled, or else of fancy, or of sentiment. Early as it is for Spring novelties, some of our most celebrated modistes have prepared some capotes for morning visits and half dress. Some of the prettiest among the first are composed of white silk, and trimmed with velvet foliage of different shades of green, which serves to attach a white lace voilette. Some of the others are composed partly of lilac crape and partly of lace; the garniture is composed of two choux formed of marabouts; the effect is extremely light and pretty. Several of light green crape are trimmed with lace, intermingled with small tufts of violets. The most remarkable among the chapeaux are those of citron-coloured crape, decorated with a twisted feather composed of marabouts of dif ferent shades of the same colour. Others are of pink satin, adorned with a lappet of point d'Angleterre, retained by two small wreaths of flowers of different kinds intermingled. One of the chapeaux that I admired most was composed of pink crape; the exterior of the brim was covered with pink plaited tulle, and ornamented with a single marabout, placed very low; the interior of the brim is lined with tulle bouillonne, and trimmed with nattes of pink crape. There is no change as yet in fashionable colours, but all the shades of light green are expected to be very prevalent. ADRIENNE de M. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES. FIRST PLATE. EVENING DRESS. Emerald green velvet robe; a very low corsage, full-draped in the demi-cœur style, with a row of lace standing up round the top, and deeply pointed at the bottom. A chou of light green tulle, in which a tuft of damask roses is inserted, ornaments the centre of the drapery; and a velvet chou is placed at the bottom of the short tight sleeve. The border of the dress is trimmed with two rows of light green tulle bouillonné, each very broad, and placed at some distance from each other. The bouillons are formed by velvet bands, upon which velvet choux are placed irregularly. The head-dress is composed of a point d'Angleterre lappet, brought round the crown of the head in two rows, the ends falling quite at the back of the head, in the bavolet style: a long gerbe of crimson velvet coques descends from the summit of the head upon the bavolet, and a tuft of damask roses is placed low on each side of the braid of hair. MORNING DRESS.-Lavender bloom satin robe; the corsage, made quite up to the throat, is trimmed with a heart pelerine, cleft upon the shoulders, and bordered with a new kind of fancy trimming, with which the front of the pelerine is also ornamented. Sleeve of a threequarter length, and deep turned-up cuff: the front of the sleeve and the pocket-holes are ornamented with a similar trimming. Cambric under-sleeve; lace ruffle; three bands of fancy trimming, disposed en tablier, ornament the front of the skirt. Capote of pale fawn-coand a drawn shape: the trimming is composed loured satin; a round, moderately open brim, of ribbon, and a bouquet of short feathers, both to correspond. three crape biais, on which flowers are irregu- | covered by a lace mantilla, open in the centre. larly placed. The hair, dressed in a twisted The skirt is trimmed high, with very deep lace knot on the summit of the head, and a profusion of ringlets at the sides, is decorated with a wreath formed of green grapes and vine-leaves. No. 5. MORNING DRESS.-Poussière poplin robe; a high corsage, terminating in a rounded point, and ornamented on the front in the military style, with brandebourgs and braiding. Sleeve a three-quarter length, over a cambric demi-large one. Lace collar and ruffles. Pink neck-knot. Tulle cap; a double border, plain over the face, and moderately full at the sides. It is trimmed with a wreath of foliage, terminated at each ear by a tuft of Marguerites. SECOND PLATE. DEMI-TOILETTE.-Italian taffeta robe striped in two shades of blue, the corsage-deeply pointed at the bottom-is low and square at top, and trimmed with a row of Brussels lace standing up. Tight sleeve descending to the elbow, and terminated by a ruffle à la Maintenon composed of a single fall of Brussels lace. Organdy fichu à la Maintenon, very open on the bosom, trimmed at the top en revers with lace, and a double row of the same round the bottom; it is a round shape, looped in the centre of the bosom with a knot of ribbon corresponding with the dress; long floating ends descend from the knot. Lace cap; a melon caul, trimmed with a single border narrow over the forehead, and plain but turning rather full round the ears, and very full and deep in a curtain round the back: the garniture is a wreath of red roses panaches. flounces. Green velvet turban, a close shape, trimmed with silver guimpe; an end looped back on one side over the folds by a silver ornament, is bordered with silver fringe, and a silver ornament is attached on the other side. No. 4. Dark grey Italian taffeta robe; the corsage excessively low, and draped en cœur, partially displays a lace guimpe; short sleeves, with open mancherons, in each of which a rose is placed. There are two skirts, the upper one is looped at the sides with roses panaches. The hair, dressed in a profusion of ringlets, is crowned with a wreath of similar roses. No. 5. Orange satin robe; the front of the corsage, which is very low, is ornamented in a very novel style, with a drapery of the same; it terminates in a point, from which detached or naments of passementerie descend to the point of the corsage; the top is bordered with lace, standing up. Very short sleeve, with an ornament of passementerie in front; lace ruffle of two falls. Turban composed of an intermixture of tarlatane, and a crape Algerian scarf; the scarf is wreathed on one side round the folds of the turban, and the ends, which are very long, float over the shoulders. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Communications to be addressed to the Office, 24, Norfolk-street, Strand, where all business is transacted. ACCEPTED.-"The HOME DINNER-DRESS. Grey lilac satin robe; the corsage-made quite up to the throatterminates in a rounded point, and has the front Lament of Chatterton;" ornamented in the hussar style with brandebourgs and braiding. A garniture of the same descripSeptet in D Minor;" "F. M. S.;" "Sonnets by tion forms a tablier. Sleeve a three-quarter J. K. W. L. ;""The Yew Tree;" "The Captive length, of an easy width, with a deep turned-up Friends ;" "When I gave my heart away;" cuff. Demi-large muslin under-sleeve; lace "Oxford;" and "Hope, Memory, and Love;" ruffle. Small lace collar. Crimson velvet neck-"H. E. A. E." knot. The head-dress is a lace fichu, disposed in the cap style, with the ends falling on the throat; they are looped in full folds at each ear by a sprig of roses. HALF-LENGTH FIGURES. No. 3. EVENING DRESSES.-Pink satin robe; the corsage, low and pointed, has the front decorated with detached ornaments in passementerie. The sleeves are very short, and entirely DECLINED."'Tis an old Song;" "Wretchedness;""T. T. T. ;" "S. V. L." Office, No. 24, Norfolk-street, Strand. Sold by Printed by Joseph Rogerson, 24, Norfolk-street, Strand, |