Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-01-10
THE FASH. OyS.
Correspondence Of N. Y. Journal of Commerce
PARIS, December 18th, 1858


Correspondence Of N. Y. Journal Of Commerce
PARIS, December 10th, 1858
Several distressing accidents have occurred
lately, by fre, to young ladies. Scarcely more
than Q week or ten days ago, one Of the daugh-
ters Of the Earl Of Bedford, died from the inju-
ries she received by her dress taking Ere from
q candle; and now, another daugh Ger of the
same noble family has met with the same fate,
In attempting to extinguish the flames The
inhammable nature Of ladies' dresses is the
cause of many deaths, and Of many cases of
disfguration; there is now an easy and simple
remedy. Some years sgo, q beautiful and ac-
eompiished actress experienced q sad and pain
full death arising from this cause. The fancy
drsPery Of her costume took FIRE from the foot
lights; In q few seconds the vearer was envel-
oped in scorching flames, and shortly after
wards she died from their effects Since that
event means have been adopted in the ward
room department Of many theatres to prevent
the recurrence Of the disaster.
The light dresses and mantles are rendered,
not, indeed, incombustible, but, at any rate.
uninfsmmable, or blaze proof, by soaking
them in a weak solution Of chloride of zinc, 80
that II they are exposed to the fame of a oan-
die or Of gas light, they art, only reduced to
finder: without a blaze or flame The recent
melancholy catastrophe have shown the neces
sity OF such precaution in the drawing room
and bedroom, no less than on the stage of a
theatre We hope that the discoveries Of
chemical science will not be neglected, and
that In short time all light articles of dress
will be rendered efectually blsze-proof Al
ready We see announcements Of crinolines that
are uninhammable, which serve as a protection
to the undergarments from the danger of fire
evenif the robe took Are, the cage of hoop, would
thus prevent the person from being burnt.
Ihe winter fashions have assumed n definite
form. The cold rainy weather of the last week
has produced great display of warm gar
ments. The autumnal shawls are discarded;
the bournous, coats and long cloaks, have re-
placed them. The bournous is decidedly the
garment preferred, and is certainly the warm
est and most comfortable mantle that has been
worn for many years. Our most distinguished
mantua-maksr, Madame Fauvet, 4 Rue de
menars, makes magnificent black velvet bour-
nous without any trimming but a wide and
ricn Passemeuteri; ornament with jet placed
around the hood. The velvet with which these
cioaks are made, is manufactured of an enor-
nous width, thus obviatiDg the necessity of a
seam in the garment
Among the beautiful costumes which ara nre
pared In the atelier of Madame Fauvet for the
coming gay season, one particularly admired
Is OF very rich gros grams violet and black
with six houncss, trimmed with rich chenille
gimp with hanging buttons. The high BODY is
trimmed with gimp to match, arranged in
straps from the throat half way down the BODY,
and finished by hanging button. The sleeves
are hat at the bottom, open, and buttoned like
an amazon sleeve, with two large puffs at the
elbow. Another recherche toilette is COM
posed Of black velvet, the two side brsadths
trimmed with horizontal bands Of black gui-
pure, and large bows Of rich blue velvet The
corsage Is also ornamented with guipure and
bows from the point to ths shoulders Bran
deburgs are much adopted for trimming the
bodies and sleeves Of dresses. Some half long
sleeves are composed Of two puffs at the top
and plated trimming. Small bishop sleeves,
and sleeves made entirely Of puffs, from the
shoulder to the wrist, is also worn
In the winter fashions, Malame Alphonsine,
IL Rue du Heller, displays her usual taste in
discsrding the snowy styl adopted by some of
the other modistes of Paris The fronts of the
bonnets are decidedly la ger, and cover much
more the top OF the heau; the sides remain
very open in order to leave room for the ban
desux and curls. The crown is also larger.
and the curtain narrower and not quite so full;
and, as ii no longer falls over the shoulders. il
Is not neediul to continue the ungrsceful fash
ION OF raising it. Lace is almost entirely dis
carded as decoration for the outside of bon.
nets on black velvet q bright-colored scarf of
satin or velvet, fringed at the ends is plated
and placed across the front, widening towards
the ends and falling over the curtain. AL.
though lace is almost entirely banished as a
decoration for bonnets, 1t is profusely employed
Is trimming for all other articles of female
attire. The great manufacturer and exporter
OF Canorai lace, Ferguson ct fls, 40 Rue des
Jeuneur, has lately exposed q great variety of
TINS ne" style of lace, which is now very much
In vogue, and which forms a durable and eIe-
CANT garHitare for mantles and robes.
We nave accounts from Bahia of the falling
on Of the diamond mines within the last few
months, rs quite alarming; those who visit the
magnificent lewelry establishments of this cap
ltai will not believe in q scarcity of the pre-
cious stones. The jewels mounted and arranged
oy Baudln, Rue dc la Paix, in preparation
for the Court presentations, surpass anything
OF the Kind We have ever seen, in richness
hghtness, and grace. Corals are formed to
represent the flowers of the fuchsia plant,
while the leaves are Of enamel or emeralds
The vogue for golden ornaments in apartments,
and particularly for the dinner table, has muc b
increased Of late years
The exquisite porcelain dinner services exc
: euted In the atelier Of Lshoche d Co., I62
Gslerie de Valois. Palais Royal, are always
accompanied by dessert decorations of crystal
mounted and gilded in an extravagantiy ex.
Pensive style. The ormou, of which these
ornaments sre made, 10 q rich material; it is
not only more beautiful but much more dura-
bic than the old-fashioned gilt The lamps,
chandeliers, and candelabras, made by La
hoche, are composed Of ormolu, sometimes
MIXED with bronIe
The ingenious perfumer, Fsguer, SO Rue de
Richelieu, has composed several new odors with
which to scent the beautiful sackets that are
embroidered in his workshop. These sackets
form acceptable and rich New Years gifts;
those OF white satin worked in pearls are su-
perb; others are embroidered with coral beads
representing the small red fruits.
TIE SEA AT GREAT rDEPrHs-Popular ideas
With regard to sinking Of bodies in the sea, have