Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-04-14


ments Of Female Fancy Valuable If not
Agreeable Information for Husbands and
Fathers.
Although the weather was rather moFos e
yesterday-not exactly what might be ex-
pected for the week before April-yet the
Spring opening of the fashionable season
was quite brilliant.
There are startling novelties in female
dress this year, though bonnets are assum
ing q slightly modified form. The "sky-
scrapers" are reduced in altitude, and tbe
large crowns are considerably depressed.
AT the same time the sides Of the bonnet
swell out so that, in common plraseolo IS,
otis as broad as it is long," In trimmings
there is one notable change, for instead OF
clinging in dropping masses on the brim,
the feathers, flowers and ribbons are here
after to perch on the crown. The vast
quantities Of inside trimmings are consider
ably reduced. On the whole, the modified
system Of bonnet, though fully as ugly as
its predecessor, is a shade more sensible.
The natural-history phase of bonnet
adornment is assuming unwonted proper
tions, and this summer fashionable ladies
will carry on their heads the most repuls-
i've feature of a country garden; for instance,
imitation worms and bugs within the lat
est Paris style-nestle among the lace and
feathers and flowers hich serve as trim
mings. Grasses and ferns will also be large
ly initiated. Birds have also been intro
duced-real stuffed birds. They are worn
both on the bonnet and on the head, sever
al ladies having lately appeared in the box
es of the Academy of Music with birds of
paradise perched upon them, the beak pro-
jecting over their forehead and the tail
swoopins over the back of the head. But
tertlies, both real and artificial, are also
talked of. The bug mania, however, is the
most curious, and if developed to as re-
markable an extent as is threatened, may
lead US to the untold degradation Of Golf
fire la cockroach, or "daddy long legs"
bandeau.
"Pork Pie" hats will be in vogue this
season more than ever. They look like a
small cheese with feather in it. There
are, of course, many shades Of variety in
bonnets, but they are all more or less alike
in form. In material they vary. silks and
straws Icing the prevailing materials.
Dresses show a diminution of crnoline,
and manifest curious contempt for the
''curve of beauty" According to the fash
ion plates, lady Of 1868 will be full Of
shaip points, as if she could suddenly bris-
tie out like hedgehog, and impale her
enemies. IN materials there is a demand
for linens and alpacas, and, most striking
Of all, an urgent call for cotton dresses.
Sore few years ago, when "calico Tails"
were the rage, our fashionable danes
thought they were doing a very graceful
bit of condescension in conserving to wear,
for few hours, a printed cotton gown.
Now they are ploud to don the once de-
Fpised article, and merchants with old
stocks of calicoes, which they were wont to
sell only to Bridget, now dispose of their
goods to Bridgets mistress. Ofcourse, as
soon as calico is scarce and expensive the
ladies wish to wear It; and were there to
be sudden famine in the sackcIoth and
ashes market, there is no doubt that The
dear creatures would insist on clothing
themselves in that scripturaI, but, at pres
eut, not prevalent style Of garment.
An edict has gone forth against fouac-
es, which will be replaced by braid and
gimp. Waists, arms, skirts, are all to be
highly ornamented, so that the old rags Of
elaborate embroidery will be revived.
Paterfamilias will bear, we trust, with
Christian resignation, the announcement
that prices of all kinds of female gear have
gone up prodigiously. Hats costing fifteen
dollars last spring now cost thirty. Of
course, cotton goods are rampant as 10
price; and SO with alpacas and linens. Silks
Share, but net so notably, in the general
rise. Kid gloves are fancy stock, and
bring quite fabulous prices. Fashion, this
ysar will be an exacting goddess, and her
worshipers must prepare TO lay heavy trib-
ute at her shrine.-N r. Evening Post.
From the N. Y. Evening Post, 81.