Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-11-09
NO. 267.
MISCELLANEOUS READING.
A NORMAN IAnY

At Cherbourg the great attraction Of the
ball was the attire of q rich farmers wife, of
Candebee, who appeared 10 full pstional
dress, nor seemed to think berself either rid-
culous or singular, amid the numerous sprigs
and cuttings of the latest fashions by which
abe was surrounded. Her dress consisted
rose color, very short, scarcely rescbiug to
the ankles for the better exhibition Of the silk
stockings with gold clocks, and the velvet
slipper with diamond buckles, in which
her well-urned though somewhat robust
neither extremties were encased. ker-
chief en- pointe of the richest point lace
was folded III plaits almost to the waist be-
hind. and crossed over the bosom IN 'front.'
softening, with coquetish tore-tboughf, the
effect of the black velvet bodice, laced and
embroidered with gold, and buttoned with
splendid diamond At the top. Round her
neck hung rows upon rows Of Venetian gold
chain, measuring several yards 10 length and
deemed of considerable value, TO which was
suspended diamond cross Of immense value,
consisting of four diamonds only, but of such
remarkable size and intense lustre, that It
was declared in the ballroom, that they
might stand competition with those worn by
the Empress herself upon the same occasion.
The head-dress was the characterlstic bigh
Gap of Normandy. composed OF the most ad'
mirable pointd 4lencon, falling into long
baubas over the shoulder, and raised on each
side of the face, throwing a soitened shadow
over the cheeks. A single lilac ribbon was
placed around the crown, attached by loose
bow at The side, but the knot was fixed by
diamond star. whose brilliancy attracted the
gaze of all the curious critics from Paris, and
caused many envious eyes 10 turn towards 1t
from our fair bonnes, who while affecting
lisping admiration, were yet somewhat dis
couftted at beholding diamonds OF first wa.
ter, and lace Of the first quality, employed
in the adorumept Of q pessspts cap!
The farmers wife was followed to the door
of the prefecture By many OF the beau1 es-
prits and journalists at Paris, who were snI-
ious to get longer peep at this starry aP-
partition from the past history of the country;
for the costume of the people Of Normandy IS
said to date from the Crusaders. What was
their establishment on beholdiDg the lady
with the air and majesty Of chote lame OF
olden time, mount her horse, which stood req
DIV saddled and cspsrisoned at tbe door, and
ride fearlessly out into the night, alone and
unattended, without Q dtesd Of thcoght OF
harm, perbsp. to follow some barrow debIe,
perhaps to traverse some deep and dsn-
gerous stream, before she reached her home
at dawn.
The astouisbment of the fne gentlemen
from Paris at this absence of ell feminine,
"nerve-" and sffectstion was loudly express
ed and their admiration likewise; but We did
not bear Of single instance wherein thea
said astonishment and admiration gave rise
to the smallest expression Of any desire to &C
company the tslr object OF so much interest.
In country where no gas exists, aod where
psvem eut is no where laid down. it was scarce
ly likely, that our exquistes woul drlsk their
dainty persons 10 any demonstrations OF old
fashioned or outIsndish gsllsntry. and so.
while the fair Norman wended her way bome-
ward on ber stout charger. with It's quaint
gilt ornaments and velvet trappings, with her
heart whole and sound. n spite Of the attacks
made upon it by the fine gentlemen from
Paris, during the ball, the foe gentlemen
from Paris retired to rest with their bones un-
broken, aud their skins whole, and everybody
was content London Court Journal.