THE TOILET. (Specially from Paris.) FIRST FIGURE: Ball Toilet for a Young Lady -Consisting of a first skirt of tulle, short enough to show the feet, and trimmed at bottom with a transparent, through which a blue ribbon is run about a quarter of a yard above the hem, which is bound with the same coloured ribbon. A second skirt of tulle, slightly looped at each side with a long wreath of flowers or foliage of the same shade, falls over the first as low as the transparent. Blue silk corslet over a tulle body; short puffed sleeves, with others of tulle hanging loose over them. The corslet is fastened over the shoulders by the same flowers as appear upon the skirt; and a long and wide sash and rosette of the same silk finish the dress behind. The hair is ornamented with blue velvet foliage and flowers. White satin shoes with blue rosettes. SECOND FIGURE: Dinner or Evening Dress -Consisting of a velvet robe with a long train. The skirt and body are cut out of a single piece, like a long basquine. The first sleeves are made of satin of the same colour as the dress; and a second pair of velvet, lined with silk, hang from the shoulders, and are confined at the bottom with about four inches of seam. Collar of guipure, of the shape known as the Henry IV. Ruff; and cuffs to match. In the hair a bandeau of velvet, studded with pearls. I had almost forgotten to say that this dress is trimmed from top to bottom of the front with five bands of satin of the same colour, the widest or centre one having buttons all the way down; five bands of the same trimming surround the bottom of the skirt, but are wider than those on the skirt. Buttons continue to be very much worn; the newest are of a square form, and are worn not only up the front, but upon every seam. Talking of seams reminds me that at last some strong-minded lady, regardless of the raised eyebrows and self-suffering smile of her mantua - maker, has suggested that, instead of having her breadths of silk gored for that artiste's benefit, the piece hitherto cut off shall not be cut off at all, but turned in; and now this contemptible innovation has become the rule, and our fashionists have become economists, and find that when the material is both sides alike, it is a great advantage when a dress has to be turned. The walking crinoline has contracted to two yards in circumference, but that for full dress is still of full dimensions. The struggle between short and long dresses continue as far from being settled as when I last wrote. All young women with pretty feet and ankles will no doubt adopt the new style, especially as the under-skirt is more elegant and ornate than ever; but matrons will in all probability continue their preference for long trained dresses. The newest under-skirts are white, with a plaited flounce one quarter of a yard in depth, the whole of which falls below the dre 33. Of bonnets there is no end; the new straws are charmingly coquet, as we say here, and are For dress, those made of crape or lace predomitrimmed in a variety of graceful simple ways. nate. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "My POETRY received, and accepted, with thanks." The PROSE received, with thanks.-Chapters 21-2-3 from "W. R.," Hampshire.-We should be glad to hear if this gentleman intends to favour us with the remainder of the tale "Infelix," the first five chapters of which are in our hands. "M. C.," Stockport-"From Paris to Neufchatel" is in the printer's hands, and will appear next month. "J. Lee."-The tale is quite unsuited to our pages. TO CONTRIBUTORS.-All MSS. will be carefully read, and if not accepted, returned on receipt of stamps for postage. But the editor cannot be answerable for any accidental loss. Books, &c., as usual. PRINTED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 246, STRAND. |