The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-22
Volume XI.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Written for the Philadelphia Saturday Courier.
The FIRST HAT
OF sTHE SEASON.
OR, THE BELLE-BRIDE.
BY J. HI. INGRAHAME.

A Young and beautiful married womsi
was standing before her pier glass. Thre,
milner girls beside her own dressing maid
stood about, attentive, submissive, admiring
Each of the fair apprentices had charge of
handbook, which had been sent from three o
the most stylish marchandes des modes il
town. The band boxes were open upor
chairs, two of them containing elegant velve
hats; the third box was empty-the hat
which il had held, at this moment adorned
the head Of the lady. She had just taken il
fresh from its case, and was now adjusting il
and admiring it with the most accurate and
Jealous inspection. 1t was rich imperial
blue velvet,ol an exquisite shape,an became
her face charmingly. She evidently thought
SO herself, from the smiling appreciation
which shone in her countenance.
Il think this is beautiful, Marianna,' she
said, turning TO her maid.
III is, ma'am never saw any thing be-
come you sOn answered the maid, enthus-
iasrically, surveying the hat reflected from
the mirror, with its waving white plume
which 6Oated like a snowy cloud over hei
head.
DO you think So , responded her mist ess
with delight.
oh, tits parfecte-c harmantel = exclaimed
intensely one Of the pretty apprentices. will
French accent. 1t was she who had beer
the bearer of the perfect hat and rs she
spoke she clasped her little fingers together
and raised her blue eyes from the hat tC
Heaven and then upon the hat, as if sh,
would worship il.
III loOks divincly, ma'am,' reiterated the
maid, cmulaIing The fervor of the animated
grisere.
Mrs. Howard was charmed al these ex-
prcssiOns of praise. Yet she did not look
quite decided. She surveyed her handsome
features once more beaming from within the
magic bow of the oval front, and then turned
slowly from the full-ength marion TO the
other band boxes, which stood temptingly
open AT her feet.
i willtry the one from Madame Cauber's.
she said to the young girl in charge of it,
And sweet drab hat, of the costliest velvet
shaded by cherry colored plume tipped
with maroon, and trimmed with cherry aud
maroon velvet. was handel 10 her by a little
black-eyed Miss.
This is from Madame Gaubcrti observed
Mrs. Howard. as she surveyed it with an eye
Of taste. 1T is beauty But drab is So
trying!' she added, as she placed it upon hei
head and turned TO the mirror to see the
effect don't think il is so becoming as III,
other, Marianna!'
i hardly think it makes you look SO pretty
ma am.'
No; drab is very trying shade 1t re
quifes a most brilliant cheek to harmonz
with it, and TO be in keeping too with tn
cherry
; Your complexion, ma am said Marian
ma, is so perfect that any thing becomes
YOU
You latter, girl answered Ms. Howard
laughing But truly this is too grave
is lovely shape-ii any thing, preitier thai
the other Are you sure that Madame eau
] bert has no, le, any other person see this p
Yes, Madame answered the brunette
impressively. The bats were first opene,
an hour ago. and you are the only one VIII
has seen the Slyle.-a1adame Gaubeit know.
Your tasie so well, she said she would send /
TO you first, and she said you could not fail t.
fall IN love with the hat
She is very kind-but really, drab is too
gravel
1T is fashionable = pleaded the appren
iiee.
Il know il is, but
Whatever you wear, ma'am, is fashiona
BILE: for every body copies from you.' sale
Mariana, with the prac 'ised aduation of al
accomplished waiting
We'll, | will look at the other
1t was gently placed upon her hand ant
she held it up with graceful air TO inspec
its beauties. 1t was black velvet, ele
gantly embroidered, and adorned with ;
magnificent sable plume. and altogether su
| perbly rich IN appearance. She regarded
: with smile ofapprobation, and turning Il
: the mirror, placed it upon her head. /
} seemed to throw new charms about hel
lovely counteuance for. although her com
: plexion was dazzlingIy fair,she wanted color
The black velvet gave her face look of in
tellectual beauty that fiattered her.
Mariana, what is your opinion of this |!
she said, speaking TO her maid, but still re
sardiug herself in The glass.
1T makes you look very noble, like Span
sh Donna. answered Mariana. Il dom
like it so well as tie first ONE
The blue!'
Yes, ma'ami'
The French girl held up the blue hat il
its most effective points.
What is the price Of the bire. MAIDEN
oiselle , she demanded Of the grisette.
Thirty dollars. Madame
And the drab!'
: Twenty ma'am, replied the bru
nette' displaying the hat upon the tips of hel
myers IN ambitious rivalry of the coquettisf
grisette.
And wha, is the price of this black vel
vet!'
Forty dollars, madam answered the ap.
prentice.
Did not say it was superb cried Mrs
Howard, tuning round to her maid 1T 4
most becoming. l will take it. you may tel
5 your mistress.
: The bearer Of the chosen hat looked rouut
wIh an air of triumph upon her two rivals il
millinery. aud making low courtesy o
thanks, retired with quite an air. The Sc
lection Of the hat by Mrs. Howard bad mad
her mistress leader of the beau monde 70
! the season. The other maidens slowly re
stored the rejected bonnets TO their boxes an,
retired, the one with sn air Of sad regret, III
other with manner at once pettish and dis
| apnointaJ