The Express.
London, England, 1867-03-29 00:00:00

FASHIONS FOR APRIL.

(From Le raid.)

It is just now rather amusing to inspect the
novelties of the season ; for whilst, on one side, we And all
the pretty, light, and fresh-looking materials ready for the
first spring sunshine, on the other, we have still the more
luxurious and rich textures, which we can by no means
relinquish at present. For those economically inclined, it
is that intermediate season when last summer or evening
dresses may be remodelled, sad worn fora shalt time as
fourreanx.

There are dresses of a new style which at first sight ap-
pear rather luxurious, but in reality may be made at com-
paratively small coat. They are of broche material, over
skirts of satin or taffetas. It is true the embroidery is
often in gold, and is expensive, but it can be used as
baaquines, or tunics, or quilles. For instance, on a black
satin dress, a little out of the present fashion, having pro-
cured a few yards of this beautiful silk, embroidered
either in gold or coloured flowers, the seams of the
skirt—which we will presume has been cut entirely on
the bias, and without a plait at the front, should be
covered with this material, and bands of the same
placed on the body and sleeves. Should the dress be of
coloured satin or gros-groin, the brocade should be a
black satin ground, with coloured, gold, or silver flowers.
We must mention that the bands shauld be cut quite wide
at the bottom, gradually decreasing towards the waist. In-
stead of brood'u silk or satin, some ladies might prefer the
bands made of black velvet, scolloped on each side, and
edged round with gold cord or lace. There is some idea
that open sleeves will be worn, but of this, perhaps, it is
rather too early to speak definitely. Of the fact that
dresses are no longer made quite without plait we may
speak positively ; they have either one very large plait at
the back, or are frequently gathered, or else a plait in the
middle of the back, and one smaller at each side, the front
being always plain. Gold and silver tulle, gauze, or tarla-
tan., are generally preferred for ball-dresses, especially by
young ladies, but they even have not nnfrequently adopted
the poult-de-soie antique as • tunic, or the whole dress
made simply with • long train—we presume, chiefly on
account of its greater durability, for there can be no doubt
thinner material is more elegant and suitable.

Lyons broches silks or satins will be fashionable this
spring, we believe. Plain silks are trimmed in a simple
fashion. One very pretty style is that of very narrow
biaiaes of satin, matching the colour of the dress, placed
up the front breadths. It is better always to have some
trimming on the front of the skirt, even if it be only
pockets.
Now the dimenoians of crinoline are so very much dimin-
ished, great attention and skill is needed to line the hem
of the skirt so that it sets well.
Flowers are still worn as ornaments—ear-rings, brooches,
Ac.—and some wedding-dresses have had the buttons on
the body formed of orange flowers. Necklaces are made
of flowers put on velvet, or of small pieces of coral, or
small beads worked in • pattern, or large beads hi a single
row. Jet necklaces are now worn with high bodies ; they
are made of • row of beads fastened on to velvet of a light
shade—blue, red, /sc.—along the edge of which is sown •
row of jet pendants. This style of necklace, called
" collier de chien"- - dog-collar—is nude just to fit close
round the throat, and with long ends behind. Similar
colliers, with amber or steel, are also worn with high
dresses, ur with white canesous.
Lingerie is more and more tasteful and charming ; white
vestes or bodies with or without the coloured veste over,
or made in fine orgsndi with insertions of Cluny or
Valenciennes lace, or of quite plain muslin ; either a low
body matching the dress is worn with these, or one of
trimmed n-inzook. With white bodies • minter. Femme
of taffetas is frequently worn ; it is made only the height
of an ordinary low body, with epaulettes and square
bitsques. Very pretty Turkish vestes, embroidered with
gold, are suitable to wear over • white caner.ou. being of
red cachesnire embroidered with gold and silk, or of silver
cloth lined with rose-coloured silk.
The cloth or brocart of gold or silver will be used for
evening or at home vestes; any dress, even satin or velvet,
may be worn with these.
The spring bonnets seem to require very little material,
las they are smaller than those of lest year. They are, '
however, much trimmed with flowers, ribbons, bead
fringes, &c. The jardiniere ribbon is very much used, and I
forms a very elegant trimming ; it is of wFite maize straw
or black taffetas, the edges broches, with wreaths of
small flowers, such as poppies, corn-flowers, daisies, and
bachelor's buttons, and small green leaves. This is made
either in wide or narrow ribbon—the narrow is much the • '
most used—indeed, many of our principal modistes are I
using narrow ribbons even for strings.
We need scarcely remind our readers that the flowers
used for trimmings should invariabl correspond with
those on the ribbon employed. The cbapsau i.leme is
much in favour ; it is composed of a front which is made
extremely narrow at the cheeks, the front resembling a
bandeau lsoutfant.

Her Majesty the Queen has subscribed 100
guineas to the Curates' Augmentation Fund.

[TWOPENCE

*parting Intelligent.

LEWES SPRING MEETlNG—TittlfteneY.
The ecomilent bill of fare provided by Mr. venall attracted a
Loge company to Lewes Downs, and despite that the meeting 1,
clashed with the annual gathering in celebration of the sister
.
spot at Cheltenham, the attendance was quits up to the ,
average. The " strike "on the taut of the engine-driven and
enders on the Brighton and South Coast Railway having been
compromised and work resumed on the last day of the Ypaom
meeting, the authorities decided to run • "special" to Lewes.
and when their intention became known a large body of turfing
availed themselves of the facilities thus afforded. The weather
was beautiful In the extreme, and the brisk breeze which ft may
be presumed invariably sweeps the undulating downs was softly
tempered by the sun's rays. ladeed, in the matter of the • /
weather, Mr. Venal' and the Olden of the Lewes meeting had
every reason to be thankful, especially when the bitter expe-
rience I. of last week at Warwick, where a very large body of turf
seen were literally snowed out, Is remembered. le addition to
, this gratifying accessory to the day's sport, the •' going" was ea
near perfect as it could possibly be. Owing to one important
fixture climbing with this, the first day of the Lewes spring en-
union there were fewer " gentleman " present than would
otherwise have " assisted" at the gathering; In fact, the only
1 aristocratic sportsmen of note whom we observed la
e ring were oar of the stewards, Sir Lydatou
Newman, Lord Westmorland, and Mr. Thelluagon. To this
paucity thetrudanee of the ...,„reAr ten", the tart
o ftloin on futurema
events. which can only be fairly quoted a. 5, nil. Without at all
enumerating, or commenting specially on the several events
which comprised the afternoon • card, we may, while allowing
that the tields might well have bees more numerous, call dna-
Ron to the superiority of the sport.
Toe ToWN Punt Besmear of 40 sous.: winners PVC
Seven furlongs.
Mr. T. Clayton's Motion. lay Newmluster—The Belle, by
Slane, 3 yrs, est 71b • (Cameron) 1
Mr. liamertogre Propene, 5 yrs, Mt ITh .. (R. ransom) t
ifir is NeWnlan.ll }Slush
• ... 4
Betting: 6 to 4 gig 1'
Rom, 6 to 1 east M amulet, and 8 to 1 apt ?maniere.
Tim WL.vaa Cue itt'. WA" of 60 sort, of 5 sirs. each, 8 ft,
with 30 added ; winners and profeasiouals extra. One mile and a '
half. Mamba.)
Sir L Newnian*s Bedouin, by Klopton—Palmyra, aged,
get 71b (Inc 111, est (ilibberd) 1
Mr. Wllilintin's Catallne, 337 e, 11.14 !liar ilt cot (J.Goater) 2
Mr. Milkha's Olivia, 0 yn, lest (lb Inc 71b est)
(J. tiightingall) 8
Five others also ran.
Bitting: 4 to 1 apt Knight of Downe, to to 3 apt Gentle Gale,
sto i each apt Bedouin and Jevinglon, and 7 to 1 apt Balham.
A Stumm; :leak cs of 3 rms. each, With 2...• added, for 3.),T.
olds anal upwards; weight for age, with gelling allowances.
Seven furlongs. 14 stile.)
Mr. Mundy's Matchbox, by Vedette, dam by Cowl—
Venus 430% a yes, Sat Mb (J. NlAtlngall) 1
Mr. tieorge's The Monk ' X.lo' . aged. 814 711. .., Yorilloinil 2
Sir. it. Porter's Coxcomb "L3l)`, 3 yrs, list to ~,,, morden, i;
Lord Mithicgrave deo ran.
Betting: 6 to 4 agst The Monk, 3 to 1 agst Matchbox, and 5 to
V' bar two."
Tan TWO-TEAR-OLn STAIMI of 5 SOTS. each, with 40 added, 1
for 2 y r told* ; robs, Oat 1011, ; and fillies, Sat 111, : winners extra.
Ralf a mile. (13 subs.) ,
Sir L. itesnan's Forest King, by Xing of the Pored—
Start Point, Sat lOh (Fordham) 1 i
Lord Weatmorland's Veda, amt 711.1
Mr. Wedsou'a Miss Oladlatenr,bd 7111 (5. Jackson> S •
Six *then ran. I

Betting: 11 to 8 on Forest King, 5 to gave Veda, and 100 to G
apt any other.
Moult of 00 ton., h ft. Thrue-quartero of a mile.
Mr. Porter old Eastbourne, by Rataplan - brightonla, 15
yes, got 71b 'S. StOrditl; 1
Mr. Adams's John Gully, u yrs, ist 7lb ,Hibberd:
Betting : 6to a on Eastbourne, who made play throughout,
and won In a canter by three lengths.
Tex Casegn HANDICAP of atom each. with 50 added: for
3-yr.olds and upwards; winners extra. T. V.C. ,about live fur-
lunge ) ,21 auto., II of whom pay 2 net. It
Mr. T. Clayton's Feemy, by Uregheda—Bay Shirley, 3 yrs.
Mb (Cameronl

Tat
Mr. Trimmer's Vent, 3 Yn, 6d lalb
Mr. Alsern'a Bonnie Dcon. t Y re, lint
Mee others also rail.
_ _

i
..iLtutler) 3

Betting : 2 to 1 ag;c7;eniy, 5 to 1 agat Good•
fellow, and 8 to 1 "bar three."
Toe C11.71.e gratis of 3 sates. each, with t' added; for two
and 3.yr-ul,la weight for age.—T.l" C. Uid not fill.
OLD Wiabattit 97101.10LECII.uom—Tbete races, fixed to came oft
this day igridayl sad to-narrow, cannot take place, the ground
being wider water.
131.111,40 MPITING.—The Thames has risen so snuck
In the neighbourhood of the racecourse during the last two dais,
that It is fennel to he impossible to bring oh the nom, and the
Spring fleeting will therefore Out take place this year.

ounziorium GRAND ANNUAL STEEPLE-
CHAShM.—TuuIt.sDAY.
This aristocrats gathering commenced today Under moat
favourable auspices, the weather being extremely floe, sod the
attendance numerous. Although the card contained but four
Mewl. the Wee fields rendered the sport amply Interesting, the
Prhic• of Wales's titeepleehase in particular partaking of ties
proportions and excelleuce of a " Oraiol National." The finish
for this nice and the Marie Hill Plate was Inductive of an Im-
mense =weal of exeltemeet, awl the taleuted Itakeys who rode
the whimpers have seldom displayed their skill more conspi-
cuously.
DIN UNITED Heavers' STAINS of LO WYE, added to a sweep-
'stakes of 5 bows. each, 2ft weight for age penalties and
glowaema Prince of Wales's Makes tkiuted About Vim
diem.
Mr. Court's The Miller, by Lochinvar lb bt. 8 yes flee.
Maier. 'Mr. Thomas) 1
Mr. Rol.ert's Cotswold, aged, last 111. ihener) I
Mr. Quickfalrs Yireaway, aged, List lib I:Aber.)
'Mr. It. %talker)

Raven ran.

Betting: • to 4 agst The Miller, 6 to 1 each apt High Prengsre
and Firraway.
Toe 61•1t111 HILL PLATE of 50 sous.: weight for age; selling
allowances. two miles of the Steeplechase Course.
Mr. Y. Dark's Can/bees, by Knight of A venel—ltelk, lyre
(g5Ol. list 410 (G. Stevens) 1
Mr. Pickett's John Tag. a ,620, list 411 i ( Ellison' 2
Mr. Bowland's TheGuida, 1 yrs (gill) . lOst 1210 W. Reeves) $
Three others also ran.
Setting: i to 1 apt earnhrea, 4 to 1 each apt The Guide and
Orontss, and 8 to 1 nest any ether. . .

Tax ristriat ur WALES STEII•LECIIASx of 100 Soul. added to
a handicap sweepstakes of 7 sore. each, h ft, two only If de-
clared ; winnen extra Three miles. 04 subs. I
Mr. E. etudd's Despatch, by Dough—dam by Hercules,
aged, I Ist 410 (Mr. •Ihou,aso I
Mr. Cushman's L 8. D., 6 yeti, lOst Etib tJ. Knott,
Mr. G. klerslitam's Ibn Espoir, om. 10st Illb —Weakly) 3

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