The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-16
FASHIONS AND FoLLlEs.

For the fashion OF this world passeth away.--L Co.
ripthans. Wi, 81 tt t4G
These words were spoken by the great Apostle
Paul in the earliest days of the Christian era.
Were st. Paul among US to-day he would be CON-
PEELED to say precisely the same thing without any
modification or the gloss of extenuaton; except,
perhaps, he were to add that as they passed away
they, to . certain extent improved. Fashion is
the nearest approach to the Utopian phantasy of
perpetual motion that has manifested itself in
modern times Her modes are as various as her
moods, and were it not for the slight improve.
ments that from time to time crop forth above
the surface her caprices would be almost unen-
durable. As general thing these improvements
are still further improved upon by American
women; and we rejoice excee dinghy to see them
adopting warmer dress material for winter wear,
and taking more kindly to wearing thicker shoes
and dresses that do not turn them into street
sweeping machines. Our fair readers, however,
need feel no alarm at our text; for 1t is not our
intention 70 preach them sermon upon this pro-
life theme, but rather to present to them an
interesting melange on the fashions and fashona-
BILE doings, which probably may delight their
hearts and perchanoe craze their heads for at
least one entire week. Yet, by way Of pre-
lude, we say unto them Verify verify
one change doth tread upon anothers heels
so fast that ye must either read the
HERALD or watch and wait yourselves, lest ye
lose some beautiful, fascinating Transformation.
II is even dangerous to avail yourselves of the
requisite amount of seep-if ye rely upon your
selves-lest in the few brief hours that ye lie
wrapt in oblivion some potent variations do not
take place and that ere ye awaken again that
these in turn have not made way for some con-
trivance more novel and pleasing.
A whisper comes to us from over tho Atlantic
that a great Turnkey question is now agf-
tating the public mind in England In
that land Of "arf hand arr the "grandes
DANES" are determined that there shall be
" arf hand arf" measures besween themselves
and their dome sites. Mary Aan and Mary Jane.
when rugged out for holiday promenade, are too
often mistaken for fine ladies to suit thsir mis-.
tresses and John Thomas, or the butler, If he
happens to have gentleman-like appearance, is
often addressed as the guest, and the gentleman
of the house is as often mistaken for servant.
To remedy this growing OWL the English ladies
are going to try their baud at domestic uniforms
badges of servitude-for male and female servants,
so that there may be no more " deception rs TO
their real condition" That There may be
no failure about what they are undertaking,
they want their servants so conspicuous that
they may be known q mile off," One
might be inclined to believe that the Enthusiastically
servantish appearance of servants "a mile orr
would be a paa.on OF their offence O.; but
one of the fashionable journals--probably in the
pay OF tho servants--thiuks it but natural that
'Eiglish ladies' should not like to be caricature
III n
they can well be carried without incurr .ng rid.-
cule." How sad to see the lower classes what
they are not! The London ladies think it very
curious that the Inconvenience OF the present maI-
ner vi dressing has never occurred to Mary Ann
before. She can scaroely have failed to observe
that when the ladies OF the house play crOquet
they do not dlsport themselves in trains, nor when
they go skating do they appear IN little fairy bon.
nets that look as II you might blow them away.
WHAT they now desire is . costume or uniform for
the various grades OF servants similar to the
different styles now used in the various arms oil
the service, so that upon first sight they can
say, without fear OF contradiction, there goes
"cnambernaid," "isuudiess' or 80 ok"
just precisely as they noy say, that man belongs
to the Cavalry artillery" or 'infantry."
The chgnon noxt clauns our attention, for OF
all the changes the most marvellous and eccentric
has certainly taken place in that extraordinary
article oil characterization. But week or
Two ago 1T was growing bigger and big
ger day by day; but now it has suddenly
disappeared and in its stead we have fiat roll of
twisted mar, not unlike certain Kind OF cake
which we sometimes see in bakers windows.
The cake IL worn on the top OF the head, much
a. school boy wears his cap when little TOO
small for his pericranium. The new fashion for
the evening Is cataract OF hair flowing down
the back, the color having changed from red to
pale yellow. With yellow hair the eyebrows are
worn black, aud they are considerably broader
than they were. Formerly they were decately
pencilled; they are now laid on boldly with .
brush. Apropos Of brushes, here Is another
a q
young lady wore simple black sash across the
body OF her DIR ss from tho right shoulder TO the
lett side, and the ends, which were very broad
and hung half way down the skirt, were cxqui.
sitely painted by the wcarer herself in body
color. The design was bunch of primulas, with
green and brown leaves, we'll grouped, aud the
effect was most beautiful. A black wooden fan
had been painted in exactly the same manner.
with the same design W match. Any one who IL
versed In the art of painting flowers could do this
nicely, and would be we'll repaid for the trouble.
The fashionable world OF Europe Is apparently
launching slowly but surely into the vortex OF
amusements incident to this season OF the year,
ad II Is thought that the few weeks before Lent
wi be the gayest part OF the season. Musical
parties, dinner parties and subscription balls are
the order OF The day and the Americans in Paris
are all the rage and daily receiving reinforce
ments with which to keep up their democratic ex.
citement. Mrs. Dix holds receptions every satur-
day evening, and dancing goes on till twelve, when
punctnay with the striking OF the clock the music
ceases az the Sabbath dswns. Miss Dix, nm.
like some daughters Of grandees called upon to re.
ceiye, helps her mother in the task oil making
every invited guest pleased with the world IN
general and him or herself in particular, instead
Of senshly dsvoting herself to her personal
pleasure and enjoyment In the criticism Of her
compatriots. Miss Dix IL engaged TO be married
to Mr.. Walsh, an American Of property, who is
to deprive Paris next year OF one Of it's most
attractive ornaments, by taking ''it' away with
him to China or japan.
Turning to the fashions, We find the most elegant
styles in ball aud evening toilets, and among the
principal features Of these dsesses we May men.
ton that the underskirts are generally OF silk, and
are gored 80 as 10 sit almost plain except At the
back; many OF them have deep founces At the
bottom. The upper skirts are nearly always full,
some arranged in large sweeping fods, and Others
have large classic or Grecisn rlaits OF the side,
and Others have very full lace skirts, cut almost
like the tslna style Of cloak, so that they are