The New York herald., 1868-12-25
OUR DRY GOODS PALACES.

Peeps In Advance at the Holiday Gurb of
Upper-Tendom-Thc "Blodeo In Dress
Goods, Shawis and Laces-Whnt the Mer-
chant Princes are Preparing for Their Pa
irons.
Up Broadway through surging masses Of busy hu-
mauity, by lofty palaces, whose transparent fronts
adorned with the most beautiful and expensive OF
fashionable paraphernalia, reminds us OF the gor-
geous Eastern bazaars wnere Turk, Greek and Jew
upon grand gala days display to sultan or bey the
treasures accumulated in secret for these special oc-
caslons.
Christmas ana New Year are practising their en-
trance bow, and, whether Nature to greet her
annual visitors with smile or frown, Broadway evil
IDENTITY, If one may judge by the preparation made in
expectation Of their arrival, intends compensatng
for whatever coldness the mutabe dame may dis
play. Some OF the working Gothamltes, mostly OF
the feminine gender, appear to have changed their
vocation; for young, meagrely clad girls who are
usually met morning and night on their way to and
from their places of business, may now be seen
grouping around showily dressed windows, building
tottering castles OF some improbable good time
coming" when they, too, may possess luxurious ar
tices and casting looks OF envyat the elegantly clad
arstocrats lavshly expending for the unappreciatng
infants sums which, TO their compressed IDEAS ap-
pe6 enormous. 1t Is hard to note the terrible incon
sistences of iire-privaton, aye starvation on one
side, with excess of wealth on the other-and not
murnur, 'Why are these things ~ FOR Faith, no
more than the human frame, seems 10 fancy hunger
or cold, and like love, generally disappears when
poverty enters.
Queen Fashion, the most arbitrary and exactng
or monarchs, utters never fault-nnding word When
she enters New York's superb dry goods establish
ments and certainly is not strange for her critical
eye can lind nothing to offend. Looking in at A. Il.
a
tunda is found the glove counter which is presided
by O gentleman who is the designer OF the
many different styles Of Alexandres there displayed
Gloves favorte articles for holiday presents; and
as every shade OF every color and OF every size can
here be purchased warranted to 1T and wear, and
as every man, woman and child Is expected to
wear gloves even If they possess no underclothing
the rush easily accounted for Silks also dis
played IN the rotunda These counters are sur
rounded by wealth and bcauty-some purchasing
expensive dresses presents to dear friends others
| themselves
'Frank told me not to give over $3.50 for dress,
| but this one must have. You know must nave IT
| for Mrs. Is reception. Isn't 1t eyYo asked u
| young woman evidently not long married.
THIS was q silk white ground, with bouquets OF
| flowers richly embroidered over It's surface.
'.Send this at five this afternoon. If you please.n
| to the obiigng clerk. II really cannot be suited
with any other description OF dress.n IG is 20 be
| hoped "Frankn didn't scod when he found another
hundred added to tne bill for the purchase was Ia
| excellent taste at all events.
Black, green, mauve and blue satnS with silver
leaves; oriental walking dresses with black velvet
upper skirts; striped silks, are extremely fashion,
| able just now, and French merino, with rose leaf
and bud in velvet, bearing the appearance OF having
been painted with the brush OF ARTIST changeabe
satin stripes Magenta and salmon, green aud brown
| and green ana crimson, most elegantly blended,
are also en- fege. Uncut velvet for evening wear In
every conceivable coor-Lyons, mauvc, rose pink
Antwerps, rich white, fol brides, are also nucn
sought for. one carriage dIesS OF black SILK en-
broldered by hand with blue and black, Is especially
elegant. The new sutana, blood color, Is very
mnch admired and this as yet rare ana beautiful
hue flights up' exqnsitely. Metternich green and
very light shades OF corn are IN great denaild An
entirely design, called 'satin de Holland, = Is
taking very well. lt Is SILK on one SIDE satin the
otner, and perfect on either. making very economi-
cal dress account or Its reversible quality. Here
lovers-any could tell That by tile iush thaC
rises to cheek and brow as they test the dierent
qualities and inquire prices, for dollars and cents
soon knock the romance out " husband. Here
mothers, wondering what viii be most becoming TO
their daughters and smiling as they think how sur
4 priscd and pleased the dear girls VIII be 10
| ind their WISHES anticipated Cloaks are self
ing brisKy. Astrakan lamb, lined with SIX,
aud iur, brown, black Or white, with mul, cap aud
collar TO match, trimmed with goats Rae, seem 70
/ be favontes. one handsome velvet circular, with
| pointed hoou. trimmed with real lace and cord sd
with heavy silk, attracts considerable attraction.
Opera ciOaks at this establishment exquisite
every shade aud color. several SILK pushes OF gu
perb Scotnsh designs, are beng ''aIe OF Withi IN
an unprecedentedly short time Carriage and recep
tion dresses, wedding aud ball dresses, dinner
the admiration Of the examiner. one lilac siik,
trimmed with silk fringe, puned tunic, corded with
whitS satin, Immense trail dotted with wnIte satin
bows, Is very beautiful But the lace counter ater
all, Is the greatest holiday curiosity. PolnJ Lace
point dapplque point lace slawi-, point sets OF
sleeves, collar and handkerchieis considered
good TASTE and black Chantilly shaws are III active
demand. Point lace fans, Marie AnGoinette capes
co o1lres ana bobs have each and all "A snare or at
tcii61, and, looking at the seening extravaganza
OF outlay one can but wonder where al tue money
comes from.
served that her lord felt sh0ckingy poor, "And,n
SAID size, '.that dreadful New YORK Central gave aim
ITS yesterday-about S5j00) out OF POCKET; but
psnaw he VIII make 1t up ON some other stJcs IN
day or two. guess viii take the set,n consisting
OF collar and cuis, ut magniiicent price. as long
as men gamble women should at least nave the
privilege OF being as proiigal as they please. one
counter Is devoted 10 fancy goods, wnerc every nick
mack and byOu necessary 10 an elaborate tohct can
be obtained handkerchief, glove aud yeWelry
boxes, neckties cologne bottles, Donbons, dols and
goodness only knows what not.n Cameis' hair
snawls receive great deal OF attention. and one
large square shaw was particularly noted Tie lc-
slgn was autumn leaves. purple orange ana Duc,
set Ia White and black middle ased lady paid the
enormous price asked for II and walked or win her
treasure. The antiques Kept Ia an Old India
chest, are general OBJECTS OF admiration 10 the iar
sex. These snawis worn, perhaps, tnroasn several
generations, finally disposed of mere; aud,
1is"ei ihs Civ among The haa sos. Some o. these
are literally worn out ana smell disgdstn9y
str ny Of pipe smoke-most annoying, Que
would suppose 20 deliC ate oactolies but ths seems
not to be case ~ the far ones are ready 10 pay
premium for dirt, rents aud TOBACCO reminders
all for something clean and sweet, made IN day Il
must be, 10 an old dud 0l q thing worn by moody
knows who. However the antique sells well, and
that IL sufficient. "CnarmingI bOnuets arc also ex-
hibited in black velvets trimmed most exduisitely
with roses aud thstles. Everybody u IA hurry,
everybody ostles against everybody clse and, not.
withstanding tue near approach ol Christmas, not
few look careworn and out OF Sorts
Jonnston's corner broadway and Nintl street, IL
evidently doing brisk business Notwithstanding
the close proximity oi Stewards mammoth estaD-
lishment. Popiins, satin pantiics wnite m0hair
reps for evening dresses, "lmported ny Mr..
Jonnston;'' all wool veeurs, pOplin epnglincs
sultana glace Irish pop.ns and Cretonne clotl
are going Ike dew before the AT this
place black silks are also wonderful de-
mand. fhe best makes are Bonett'a and RUusous.
All descriptions OF cnenc and coored silks hero
displayed, well as every description OK plush aud
serges new style Of goods, caled Colorado CLOTH
account OF It's cneapness and durability, Is selling
at wonderful rate. Here, as al stewards, clerks
are busy and proprletors IN good humor with them
selves and mankind generally.
Al Jacksons mournng store everything desirable