The New York herald., 1868-03-27
OPENING DAY IN BROOKLYN.

The goodly but unpretending village that from
its craggy and wondrous "IIeights" frowns down
with oil the indignant hauteur Of Puritanical con-
tempt upon the gorgeous spendors Of modest
Gotham, not to be outdone in following the crazy
whirs OF fashion, yesterday held what Its pious and
charitable inhabitants were facetiously pleased to
term ''the spring opening" Now, in the expressive
vernacuar of the West this settlement" may rejoice
in the possession Of vast proportions long drawn out;
OF nearly an equal number OF drug stores and bon
bon stores; of church to every square block, and
political parson to almost every church, and OF o
host OF beautiful girls; but it certainly can
not prag of its "Opening Day.n 1t proved
to be nothing more than miserable burlesque,
founded upon wares and materials imported for the
purpose from New York. From the high tone and
sef-reant air recently assumed by the mantua-
makers and mliners Of this sCity OF Churchesn we
were led to expect most magnificent display OF
original and unique novelties in the way of dresses,
bonnets and cloaks hut woe are we to have been
thus miseraby disappointed The opening, how
ever was characterized by harmonious and friendly
feeling, and unanmity that reflects the highest
credit upon all concerned. The nlOdistes and mil
liners over In that lively town deserve some praise
for being so remarkably early this year. But Wednes
day last did the Empire City spread itself In the spread
ing OF ribbons, OF accs OF flowers and OF bonnets;
and on the very next day (rhursday) Brooklyn,
be it stated to her glory and renown--for she needs
something OF that sort-folowed suit with her "big
For be known that last her caterers OF FASH
ion eight days behind their sisters OF Manhattan
in these very matters Pcrchance another year will
find them leading the advance. But this is .'fOr-
lorn hope - for In that case where would they pro-
cure their 'stylcs ~ IL is well known fact that the
American women are sadly behind the age In FASH
fonable matersthat Is, as fur as originality Is
cerned They never invent a style" OF their own;
few bonnets and dresses every season from Europe.
and these serve "a models to copy from; but we
must do them the justice to say that some little Inn
ffna har aud
the shape and In the trimming. Then, twice In
every year New York holds Openings" !" which at
ners and dressmakers from the provincial towns to
procure plfer the latest ideas In coors cuts and
styles and It s but fair to presume that upon these
voys over the turbulent stream for the same de-
ectable purpose. II New York. instead OF inventing
fashions OF her own, chooses rather to pfer from
the European modes, and IL the whole Of this broad
Continent In turn next pliers from the offerings Of
New York, what is to interfere with the pious City OF
Churches also taking hand in this edifying little
gamer In view OF these facts we are OF
opinion that there is scarcely the ghost Of
o chance OF Brooklyn taking the lead In
fashionable matters, and more especially In "Open-
ing Day." Our Dlodtstes and mliners may rest per-
ectlv contened upon that point for there Is no pos
slbility whatever of such a prodigous event ever
occurring
The day was all that could be desired, and the
streets and shops were thronged from early morning
until the shades OF night had fallen upon our rival
on the Heights" with beautiful women All eager 70
sge the sights and latest styles. Many purse was
opened and lightened OF Its plethoric burden or
"grecnbacks" and many lovely bonnet was
ordered home for summer wear. All of feminine
BROOKLYN was apparently out for a holiday, and the
smiles that they lavishly showered upon one another
In passing betokened that they were enjoying
the sensation OF the rare festival with degree OF u-
allowed pleasure and complacent satisfaction which
might have BEEN however, only q veil to hide their
chaurin nj having found nothing new after waiting
one whole day. The styles and materials were pre-
cisely the same as those exhibited In New York on
Wednesday, with an occasional trining difference in
the mode OF trimming, which, we must admit, was
s,Anetimes decided Improvement and sometimes
rice verse; Having already fully described In the
HERALD everything pertaining TO the latest spring
fashions, and as our neighbor over the river could
furnish us with nothing new in this line to tell our
readers, nothing Of interest, OF course, can be
peced to be said OF the modes over there. In
Brooklyn point of view, however, the "opcning"
may DC regarded as grand success.