The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-26
Fashions IN England.
TIE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC BALL IN LONDON.

The nncy dress ball Of Friday evening Ia the subject OF
general conversation In fashionable circles having
combined greater variety Of fancy and elegant in
costume than has hitherto marked entertainments of
like character in this country The brief period between
the close ct the bail and the publication OF tho Morning
Post allowed little time for lat elaborate description of
which 1t was 50 well worthy The general coup d'eiz
dresses worn by many distinguished ladies' was OF
course partial and incomplete Perhaps the brilliant
moment Of the evening was when the most distinguished
and beautiful OF the female srstocracy Of the country
entered the ball in the two fancy quadres led by
the Countess Of Westmoreand and the Countess Of Jersey
and passing up before the royal box made their obesance
10 her Majesty and her illustrioas party.
The royal box has before been described placed in
ss o. md oS s
united nations. Her Majesty who remained standing,
formed the centre OF brilliant group, having on her
sutherland and Lady Macdonald and upon her len the
duchess Of Cambridge and the Princess Mary. Be-
Consort, Prince Frederick william Of Prussia, and the
Regent OF Baden, with the Duke OF Wellington the Mar
quis 81 breadabane and the Earl OF Westntbreland IN
tendance-the members OF the royal suites arranging
themseves in the boxes either SIDE The lightness
and beauty of the ladies' dresses and the brancy OF
were by the bright coiors Of the military uniforms, and
the splendor OF the orders by the gentlemen pre-
sent, produced an effect which will not easily be forgot
len on the part Of the spectators. Her Majesty on her
part surveyed the magnificent and varied groups the
ballroom with evident admiration and evinced the graa-
point out the many objects Of attraction the Princess
Royal and her iustrious relatives until after the second
set Of fancy quadrics had been danced.
The effect Of the dancing Of these quadres-the inter-
mnglng of 70 many exquisite costumes-the varying
change produced by the contan motion Of many bril-
hant col0rstc sparkling flash Of diamonds-the noble
grace Of formhe beauty Of the ladies' the poetry of
motion in their steps, formed coup dal which struck
every penolaer 50 great was me excitement and inter
the arstocracy sought with some anxiety any place Of
vantage whence they might it with uninterrupted
view and several did not hesitate the or
chesta for this purpose On the completion of the fancy
SETS two quadres dancedsby the general company
and then new interest was given to the scene by the de-
scendng of her Majesty and the royal party the floor
OF the saloon where, seated on das, the Queen with
even greater condscenson, seemed to take pleasure
assoc.ting herself more nearly with the general
pany. Behind the royal chairs the das seats wer
elevated which the highest members Of the female
aristocracy-many Of them magnitcently costumed in
dresses Of marvellous character, sentiment, and fancy.
Immediately behind the Queen sat the French Ambassa-
Dress the Duchess Manchester the Countess Constance
Grosvenor the Marehioness Of Stafford the Countess of
Jersey Emily Duchess of Beaufort and the Countess
Craven. On approaching this group the queen appeared
chiefly struck with the classic costume Of the Duchess of
Manchester, as the tuireted "Cybee, whom she recog
Missed, and, with gracious smile, compimcnted on her
fine personfcatiOn OF the character.
The Duchess Of Wellington. who occupied retiring
ooEelyason oy the singular beauty of her Dress
Presenting the Moon.' in Lady jerseys luadre OF
" Night and her attendant Stars" Her grace wore
petcoat Of white silver tissue covered with clouds Of
blue and white gauZc beautifully shaded on and looped
up with blue and white marabouts the itself being
studded with diamond cresccnts Around tho waist
belt Of most magnificent diamonds formed from the
order Of the St. Eprit by the late Duke, and present
ed 70 him by Louis XVIII. ririsre Of large diamonds
Duchess white gauze veil and marabouts, giving
cloud like appearance and the centre of her forehead
down the dress blue belt upon which were DESERT
bed the phases Of the which crossways, reach
ing TO the bottom Of the dress on tho other side.
Aurora appropriately close by 1.-THE Moon,
represented in the beautiful Of the Lady Constance
Maidstone, who upe Of rich silver tissue five
skirts Of alternate blue and white tulle Illusion indicating
Clouds These Topped with silver stars and bound
al the waist with silver zone, studded also with stars,
which again formed the ornament of q corsage, and
sleeves a Ia 6recqae. Her adyshp's headdress was
veil with silver baud and diamond stars. A similar
thought worked out by Miss Johnes, who presented
delicate representation Of Undne in three skirts Of
white tule illusion, ornamented with wreaths and bou
ques Of the flowers of the sea- coral and weeds, upon
petcoat Of silver tissue The corsage and sleeves
fastened on the shoulder, with flowers to pond
wreath Of pearls with the hair flowing and silver
wand borne in the hand, completed the costume.
These were among the poetical costumes.
One other-that Of the Viscountess Doncrailewas Of
practical nature, and excited iosty well as
admiration. Her ladyship appeared in the exact Co.'S
tune Of the only male Freemason on recordthe Hon.
Mrs. Aldworth an ancestor of viscount Doncraite.
The Hon. Caroline Wrotesley formed O charming con-
rast TO the stiff Formally Of this dress by the spirit and
animation she displayed in Scvres costume composed
of cerise silk petticoa ornamented with bands Of black
velvet petite jacket Of black velvet, studded with
pearls, and laced with ccrise ribbon white chem
settle, and vaudose hat, with cerse plume jauntly
placed on the head.
The costumes of the gentlemen in the quadre of the
elements greatly admired by the royal party.
Those the "Earth' wore brown velvet slashed with
satin and trimmed with gold-a cloak lined with apple
green satin and apple silk scarf the shoulder
with black hat and brown feather. "Air was reprcsen
ted by gentlemen dressed in white velvet sashed with
white satin and trimmed with slvertheir cloaks lined
with sky blue satin and blue silk scarfs their Shout
GERS. Fire was represented by gentlemen in black
velvet slashed with red satin, and trimmed with gold
their cloaks liz ed with crimson satin: and their
scaris OF red silk, with black hats and scarlet ea
Tiers Those who personatcd "Water'' made very ee-
giant appearance in white velvet slashed with silver It's
sue and trimmed with silver; light green scarfs being
worn the shoulders, and light green feather
floating in the hats The whole of these dresses OF
the shape and form prevailing in the time Of the Hugue
After her Majesty had descended from the royal
box the fancy quadrles were re-danced and then the
ball became general.
The Queen remained Interested spectator of the gay
until half hour after midnight and them first
promcnading round the room on the arm of Lord West
morand, whom she highly compi mented, retired, &C
compancd by her court in brilliant cotegc the orches-
ira, conducted by N. laurent giving the national an
them in fine STYLE
THE BIRTHDAY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. DRESSES.
[From the Illustrated London News, May 81.
The gorgeous appearance presented at the Queen IS
drawingroom depends only the richness and beau
y OF the ladies' dresses but on that variety in their cos
tune which prevents the eye from becoming atgued by
the picureke array which passes before it. We have
already noticed the elaborate trimmings which so
generally adopted but Of the dresses which
racted particular attention on the 29h inst presented
contrast 10 the prevailing mOue ana was distinguished by
its simple elegance. The skirt was of white taneta,
trimmed with color ribbon, black velvet and lace
embroidered in black. The train of color, trimmed
with black velvet ornamented with the lace already
mentioned, which is novel manufacture.
Another remarkable dress by recognised leader
Of fashion, owed much Of its effect TO the brilliant and pc
culiar color ryt dAzo8, Of which II composed The
skirt was OF tue trimmed with broad white blonde and
knots Of ribbon and flowers; and the train Of MORE
gothique, ornamented in similar with rib
bon and dew dropped This dress reminded of
the figures Vatican loved to paint.
White dresses generally preponderae at the birthday
drawngroom and the recent occasion formed excep
ton 70 the rule. We must particularly mention the
dresses by three sisters which composed of
white tue, with trains Of white MORE antque the only
distinction between them consisting Of the different
lowers chosen for trimmings One had blue flowers
and silver wheat the second water lilies, with green
leaves and the third mixed geranums.
A very stylish dress Of white tulle having three
blonde founces the train Of white silk and train and
skirt trimmed to correspond with blue flowers and white
ribbon.
Another white dress trimmed almost entirely with
ribbon and rosebuds; and white dress, OF new and
strking character, was only relieved by green having
Tor its chief ornament peculiar grass. like fringe.