Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-04-07
TIE New Fashions s.-There have been some

The New Fashions. There have been some
changes in ths toilet administration this spring,
and -sbonnets-those marvels Of the milliner'
art--liave shrunk to such degree that the
Queen of Liliput would have some trouble iu
trying one on her head. Yet the modistes
have endeavored to effect compromise by
making the trimming of one of those ''fear-
fully and wonderfully made" articles as exten.
sive as possible. The back of the head and
the neck are now sheltered by lace veil instead
Of the time honored cape, and a coronet brldg-l
es the bump Of benevolence in front of the
bonnet. The fanchon may be considered the
Gen. Grant of bonnets in point Of popularity,
and poor Marie Antoinette, whose head sat
so uneasly on her shoulders during the dark
days of the sans culottes until it fell at last a
victim to their fury, has now namesake nest
ling amid the curls of our most dlstlnguees
bellies In the matter of cloaks the modistes
deserve animous vote of thanks for the
handsome styles they have brought out this
spring. Last year lady carried on her back
o hushel load Of jet and beads, which had a
disagreeable habit of fastening themselves in
everything, and the cloaks looked for the world
like propositions in Euclid worked out in silk
and passementerie. Now the ladies have
charming little sacks, basquines and paletots,
with surpice or mantla fronts, lapels like
those on gentleman's frockcoat, trimming OF
silk, satin and lace, and coquetttsh sash tied
behind. Since the spring weather our
thoroughfares have again become fit for pedes
trians, Broadway and Fifth avenue are constant
ly dotted with those exquisite cloaks, and the
ends of the sashes futter in the April breeze
like flags and streamers on the shipping on
national festival.-N. T. Herald. .@a ..
To KEEP VIcrUALs HoT.-There was
Norwegian kitchen exhibited in Paris this last
year, which was curiosity in its way. 1t was
small box we'll coated with nonconducting
substances on the principle OF aretrlgerator; on
ly, whereas the object of o refrigerator IS to
keep the heat out, that of Norwegian kitchen
is to keep the heat In. Boil water for five min
utes and put it into this box. AT the end OF
many hours it will be found to have lost little
of its temperature; and, meat immersed in the
water will be found in due time perfectly cook
ed All this isso well known that l need not
have repeated the facts. But remember that
the Norwegian kitchen has been praised chiefly
as boon to the poor man. He can cook dinner
with his breakfast fire; he need not have. the
expense of keeping up the fire till dinner time,
nor tie trouble of tending it. The Norwegian
kitchen needs no care Five hours after the
meat has been boxed up in it, dinner is ready.
But the same apparatus may equally serve the
needs of the richer men, The other day, at
the covert side, we had hot luncheon out OF
one-stewed beef and pouzet au r!s. The beet
and the fowl had in the morning been put each
10 tin with boiling water; the tins Were put
into the Norwegian box; the box was carted to
the covert side. That was ALL At luncheon
time We had our Victuals smoking hot and
cooked to perfection.-O A Week.
A LEAP YEAR SwINDLE.-Miss NJ. had con-
ceiyed passion for Mr.. ". It was not recl-
procated. Mr.. WIS coldness had driven her
to desperation, which, among young ladles
means resort to strategy to accomplish what
they cannot do by fair means. The young lady,
presumiug upon her leap year privileges, and
upon VS. belief in spritualism, and his re-
spect for the name Of his deceased mother, en-
ployed a celebrated medium and had meeting
arranged, to which Mr. w. was invited. On
the evening pfoposed the parties were present,
and the spirits in glee II The shade OF w. S
mother appeared, and, according to 1nstruc'
ilona, discoursed eloquently upon the virtues
OF Miss NJ, and finally asked w. to clasp her
hand. In obedience to this voice from the
grave he did so, not, however, without qualms;
and while In this, position, to his horror, the
sepulchral voice pronounced the marriage cere
mony. When through, the young man was
conjured-in the same tone to regard the con-
tract as binding asthough it bad been solemn
lzed before an earthly tribunal. w. couldn'1
see 1t, and bolted, lninus.hi overcoat and hat
lhus.grief came over the young lady's leaf
year project.-Phil Press.