The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-16
rnE FRENCH FASHIONS.


1,ont he Paris corresponIence o. tho unioi States Gazsuel
The eoeption OF the Princess Clotlde has been follow
"a by brilliant ietes OF all descriptions, and IN all classes.
I'VE have balls, extraordinary representations Of the OPP
sms. private t~heatroals, concerts, gorgeous dinners at the
ministerial palaces, reoherches banquets in the private
s,loons OF R5ains, Les IfOs Eisges PrOooaeeIaI, and In the
otAer restaurant establishments which render Paris SO
renowned Ia the annals of the culinary ant. These din
ners are generally given by the members Of the press,
literary men, artists of distinction, and are rich intellec-
mai reuasts, that recall the charming par s0gper Of the
naImy days OF the monarchy, and which prove that reyo-
b,lon has not destroyed the brilliant esprit, the unyary-
inc good humor, aud the artistic tastes which then rem
Tered the French character and habits SO ~oongenial aud
9~ttuectiye. la The midst Of this whirl Of dissipation the
wants and necessities OF the suffering classes are not for
often or neglected. This year has given birth TO a new
auure which has met with the patronage and hearty
concurrence OF the Emperor and all the civil and religious
digoitalies. Under the name Of Rare Dane DIS Arts we
have an Institution for the protection and gratuitous ed
ucation Of the daughters on orphans OF savanta, artists,
men of letters, physicians, professors, lawyers, architects,
Ec.. Offering 10 the daughters OF all the members of the
liberal professions, whose means or whose succession are
inadequate to THEN maintenance, both n secure and hon
ou,ble refuge from those dangers which beset girlhood
united 10 poverty, and the acquisition OF a superior gen
enl elacation and of a high professional art.
On Monday, 18th inst, the noble Palace Of the Prefec-
ture was crowded with a brilliant throng, invited To do
honor TO the Princess Ciotilde. The ornaments and dec
outions Of the vast saloons are always superb, but ON this
occasion French taste and French ingenuity produced a
spectscle that was like fairy land. The collection Of the
n,rest and richest flowers was unrivtied, the illumination
of gas lights more dazzling than sun light, and the dis
inlay Of diamond and recherches toilettes added to the
bnlllancy OF the scene. The Jewels worn by the Empress
were estimated at four millions of francs, and the hounces
of Alencons lace which covered the satin robe of her Ma
iesty cost six hundred thousand the dress and jewels
amounting to almost a million of dollars. On a late oc-
casion the Empress appeared in a toilette that was so re-
markable for its simplicity that it would be a suitable full
dress costume for any lady. The robe was OF white tulle,
over white silk; the whole skirt covered with puifs, and
ornamented, here and there, with bows and ends OF a
rather broad black velvet ribDon the low-necked white
silk body had a pulled tulle berthe In front there was a
black velvet bow, the very short sleeves were of pulled
tulle. likewise ornamented with black velvet. The Golf
fare was OF black velvet ribbon and diamonds. AT the
iAe offered to the Princess Clotilde by the city of Paris,
her Royal Highness wore a robe of rose color, shot with
gold aud trimmed with lace the couture was of flowers,
and on her neck there were five rows Of priceless pearls,
and q Gordon of large diamonds and emeralds edged the
tnp of the corsagc. The exterior of the Hotel de Vile
was brilliantly illuminated The Princess warmly ex-
pressed her admiration Of the superb spectacle presented
by the magnificent suite OF rooms, lined with cascades OF
living water falling am idst shrubs and flowers, and spark
ling in the light OF innumerable lamps.
Among the newest dresses we have seen is one of drab
sk. The lower skirt is plain, the upper one trimmed
with shaded green silk in deep scallops, the deepest shade
at the bottom ; another of violet reps silk, the front of
the skirt trimmed in checks of black velvet and violet
silk and g third of rich corded silk, black ground, spot
ted with rose color. The skirt quite plain, very long, and
very full. The body high, and without any trimming
excepting the row Of buttons which flstcn it in front.
The sleeves are very wide and Long, and are trimmed
with n plated wide black and rose colored ribbon, and
edged with a narrow black lace.
An linen articles for ladies toilette are now ornament.
ed with velvet or ribbons. For raglige there are very
becoming collais and sleeves, crossed obliquely with black
yelycts Others are simply pulled or plated, A putting
of very thin muslin, bordered 10y an open worked inser-
ton. In which insertion was run a black velvet, forming
small crosses, and edged with a row of Valenciennes
The sleeves to be worn with this collar have three rows
of pufings, separated by insertions like those ON the col
lar, and trimmed in the same style. For full dress the
under sleeves are large, loose putfs, decorated with "A deep
lace, and leaving the arm visible. The Partisan cap for
demi-toilette, always SO celebrated for its coluettish be iuty,
has not lest any OF its attractions. Two pieces of rather
wide lace sewed together, one forming a point in front,
the other behind, a broad pink transparent ribbon s
placed across and separating the lace. A black lace barb
Is thrown over the couture, the ends of which fall on the
shoulders. A small crown of gathered tulle is fastened
behind by u bow of pink taffetas ribbon, with long ends,
and ON each side, above the pufiings, there are placed
three roses. As bonnets for full dress, those of white
royal velvet, with limp crowns, with a bias piece of peach
blossom velvet and Il curtain Of the same, n plated vel
vet across the top Of the head inside, and very wide vel,
vet strings, are much in vogue. We also see sky blue
velvet, trimmed all round with a deep white blonde, and
crossed outside by three stripes of velvet, each fastened
down at the end by polished steel stars.