New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-26
SPRING. FAsmIONs OF 1864.

After the long carnival of gsyety, Lent has
seemed not so much wholesome correction Of It's ex
travaganzas TO bring busy Gotham to her old-time
sobernoss and decorum, as brief period Of quiet in
which BY canonca rest from rout abe has renewed her
strength 10 return with fresh impetus TO her folly and
her fun
Else how explain the sudden bossorrng forth Of Tho
coming Easter Day after forty days of sackcoth and
ashes-thc pGans Of light bonnets and reependent dyes
close upon the dirges Of pentence and seabhorrcnce
As these human tps light Up the devotional dimness
Of fashionable chopels, sweep along with naughty
consciousness metropolitan parterres, what sub
Jet Of query to the metaphys critical f~eE~ the
when and where and how and who OF these wonderful
compositions OF attire like Solomon in nil bis glory
Is il, then, possible that there multltudes who
keep" these days of humiliation IN busy preparation
for this one day Of triumph
There must ever be extraordinary Interest for all
female Chrs.endom incident TO Spring fashions as the
fret grand symphony Of the millinery year. which In
each after season is only reproduced In new combinations
and with monotonOus repetition. The whole strength
and talent OF the company" herein expended In one
great eliminating effort which, rehsarsod on OpeniHg
Day receives the bouquets and braves Of good society st
Easter.
1t Is not difficult to appreciate the effect produced
upon the popular fashions Of the day by that new class
of patrons born Of civil war who in the vulgar eInts
tion Of the premier pas into the enchanted land Of Lux
ury commit those dreadful ouages upon harmony and
appropriateness inevitable to the display Of mere money
While our streets and hotels thronged with Now
People, tho general tone Of polite costume necessarily
becomes vtated; unprncped shopkeepcrs minister to
and encourage this Haunting to their own
profit the dei4ronde eagerly copies. and all become
contaminated except tho choice few whose taste and
socatons aud good breeding absolutely incorrupti.
BILE.
Foly's First Lady Of France. so unwearied devotee
TO dress has much IN answer Of the SHINING against
simplicity 80 among her sisters Of all nations
who emulate her example. especially among the women
OF our land StiD 10 the inntude OF :yles aud
stufs made fashionable BY the fair Eugenies adoption,
suffer US tn suggest to Flora cfiimseys that these
are offered for seecioa and individual adaptation not
for awkward and indiscrimInats conjunction. But We
forget that It 10 not ours dictate recommend
what should 10 worn; much as to say whit Is and
will BIZ worn, adieu 10 dissertation
First in the catalogue comes the bonnet which In ali
times having suffered most modification has Of late
been let down gradually from tho SKY scraper Of few
presented US this Spring II is much smaller, fits the
head closely surrounding tho ace. leaving space only
for moderate ornsmcntaton over the brows The Par.
isan mliners, in many cases havt exaggerated this
until II hns become simply dadem shaped head dress,
suitable only for carriage wear but the exposure OF
American promenade demands moro efficient I'D md
shade 10 beauty.
To the Bonnet each national kingdom has paid
tribute Of her best Flora throws g.ands OF never
fading beauty g!itterng with dcw.drops that no noon
day absorb poona. bor fruits and berries OF
every season, in inc1baustiblo cQruncopa Ceres.
all those yellow harvest grains which in gold and lawn,
and even glass, have always commanded popularity
s too contributes those graceful grasses 10 beautiful
on Simmer bonnets Of tulle hight aud aeecy as Sum
mer Clouds Septunes kereds give up their corals and
their shells Fragile as the sffoan all opaltinted. and
murmuring love songs Lesnder might taught them
The air too lends her winged wonders; birds. forget
ting their airy flights Of greenwood oaks brood In nests
Of flmy gauzs on mpe ambitious emineIce tAai
pretty heads full Of pretty nsthings' while snakes
snails make happy families" in among Lace Ichens.
silken shades and .prsstass meshes; Feathers with
charming novelty. busted with motherofpear form 10
unimporta feature in tho decorations for the heated
term. few years ago these were as despotcaly re-
srictcd 10 Winter costume their accompanying fur
they have oil seasons for their own." and lie no
tonsss in tho sultry Gains Of July never tossed
and torn by January bluster. While these
combined forces declare st the Bonnet Ia and shan be
Queen. who compel her TO sbdicate in favor Of tis
Hat-bold Pretender for her royal sest'
Straw bonncts especially the fine split and delicate
Tuscan braid announced for the selection Of those
true TO their modest attractions to be able soicay
TO disregard tho deliious yagarics In silk and lace Of
our imaginative miliners. Beside white and black,
straws Gro to be obtained O compcmen,to travelling
negge walking dress in various neutral tints, the
entire family Of erir colors. c11 iat. Quakerish
grnys and delicate modes their trimming beside the
naturally suggested contrast Of bright tnts and reey
ing shades consists Of plaid exhibited in ribbons bias
velvet or plush the tipping Of sefoOlored punes and
especially plaid chenille fringe which. intermixed with
beads the most striking Of this Springs novelties.
Useful and sensible bonne,s those OF shirred sS
the elk may be either plain Of tiny checked pat
tern. Horsehair. erins. they called. arc also
in favor and from their durability. arc admirably
suited for travelling wear.
To attempt 10 describe dress" bonnet would be.
indeed :" to break butterfly upon wheel, with only
the sad dissatisfaction Ut the conclusion that we had
dospoled il Of its downdust and furnished I'll its gor
eous tints Let be- content to record the perfection
~ art displayed in the exquisite flowers profusey
employed in their creation and especially the. match
less combinations for their juxtaposition is not aban
doned to the tastelessness Of 1t may be. mex
perienced bungler at her trade but they imported
in montures whose fautess arrangement challenges adj
miration and dofes suggestion Of alteration.
The present may be regarded the final success on
the part Of the bonnet proper in suppantng the nno
waiting hat which has threatened to require matrony
dignity 10 bow to the head gear Of school girls and
after an absurd manner TO verify the au,ocratic