The New York herald., 1869-04-04
PARIS FASHIONS.

PARIS, March 10, 1859.
Contrary to every precedent In history the Fashion
of 1860 held the first meeting for the PRONUNCIATION
OF the coming spring fashions at her own private
residence, where her councillors were assembled In o
conference. The only explanation given by her for
this arbitrary measure was that as the affairs OF
Europe in general and those OF Greece In particular,
had been settled by five plenipotentiaries to the
satisfaction OF all the Powers, and without
any damage to their physical organs, supported
they were through their arduOus task by frequent
banquets, In like manner she surmlsed that the de-
bates ladies' attire could be concluded by six
dignitaries-0ne more than was allowed for the East
ern question. Half a dozen ENJOYS consequently
met Saturday last, the 18th inst-0ne for Russia
on account Of the jewellers and the Polonaise bas
quines; one for Prussia, ON account Of the Bis
marcks, which are maintained; one for England, on
account OF the hosiery, which Is quite visible fea
ture; for AUSTRIA account Of all the Hungarian
styles and Magyar pastes for mustaches; one for
Turkey, account OF the harem intricaces and one
for America, on account OF the destnvottre which s
to be applied to the general styles. Although
veracity compels me to state that was one OF the
worthy representatives / need not disclose which
Power represented.
1t cannot be denied that we all experienced great
curiosity when met in the reception salon before
the entrance of our sovereign Few Of us had seen
her by broad daylight, unless at the B0s, and then
only partially and by gimpses. We knew she was
gifted with fine voice and excellent address, from
the applause bestowed on her acting IN charades;
with q fine figure, from the admiration ELECTED by
her taoleaur utpants at court; with vivid imagina
tion from the styles she has edcted the skating
pond and at the races; but we knew nothing of her
in prvy council as speaker and dlpomatist-
faculties which indispensable to woman OF the
period, and In which so many now excel.
While the Envoy from Turkey was blowing his
nose on white crepe de che1,e handkerchief, with
outward signs Of more inward content than he
has shown since cashmere shawls were abolished,
and while the two representatives from Prussia
and Austria were scanning each others broadcloth
from top to toe, with another ambassador, looked
round, he turning over Fashions music Faust"
"FOlie Rome,r ''Vert-vert,n and l admiring the
vevet the moaIdnes % were Of delicate cream color
and gold. In each medallion OF gilt was the pOr
trait, executed in Gobein tapestry, OF the herolnes
under Louis XIV. The ceiling was painted to repre-
sent Olympia, all azure blue and surrounded with
gold fret work. Six gilt and purple velvet empire
chairs were placed round the central table and
high backed throne chair OF the same for Fashion.
The carpet OF white mOquette strewn with pur-
round the table gold, cream color and diff
ferent shades of purple mixed. Large china vases
dow s between n"N the n embroIdered muslin % cur
tains under the looped purple hanglngs lined
W ed S sf n the AN % Seres gar
which were placed Parma violets, white lilac, jon
quils ana camelias. No knck-knacks were visible.
for this was not bOud0ir, and everything indica-
tive Of private tastes and pasmes had been care
fully avoided. was making this mental Observa-
ton when l and my honorable colleague became
aware that the Sovereign approaching. and like
autOmatons we turned to the direction whence pro-
of FASHIONS body guard preceded her in black.
white neckte and powdered head. He announced
''The Sovereign, and then stood back to the wall
nat a sandwich with nothing but bit of tongue
between.
The Fashion entered, with courteous smiles. She
bowed and then with quick step took her seat, and
having done so, signed us to do likewise.
A word OF description before her speech. The
Fashion OF 1869 Is blonde She wears no large CHG
nons but coils OF paits either pinned up like cable
or disposed In loops or allowed to hang like bell
pulls Ol an evening all these strands are let out;
they flow in spirals or form q shower OF feathery
golden rain. Her toilet was the perfect model OF our
newest styles as to color and cut She wore train
underskrt OF citron faye, tinted with mauve, large
nounce on the cross bordered with bais OF the same
was headed with double pun, fred above and be-
canargo nounced with cashmere, which was Dor.
dered like the underskirt. The bodice was square,
ruff of vaencennes all round The sleeves were OF
two kinds, the under par tight to the wrist
aVer aRa gnae par we're M very ose jewish Sleeves
bounced round like the over tunc, and lined with
clron SILK; An arabesque pattern was braided IN
neck and behind, and round the bodice In front.
FASHIONS ornaments were Florentine medallion OF
enamel, hung from black velvet on her neck,
high comb OF the same on the summit OF her mead
aud earrings on CHAINS. Her hands were gloved
with cltron Danish skin. Ivory tablets, to which
she referred during the following address, hung
from Medals chateaine at her waist. Her skin Is
very clear and rendered dazzling by the artistic
tracery OF the 'magic penc,n which imparts blue
veins the temples perfect arch to the eyebrows;
she might also have obtained the down on her cheek
by an artificial mixture, but she is still so young that
1t Is sweet to hope 1t was not peioute put ON with
Twelve eyes, expressive of profound admiration,
were gazing on her coral lips while she delivered the
| following
| to announce to you that her Majesty the Empress
has not been acted with the earache, as the papers
ohers nave armed neither has her skim become
more nushed than usual through salt, Lenten fare.
She has had the cowpox, or RASH but Is entirely re-
covered, anu appeared at the last court concert In
| black with hair dressed high. one roll the
other, as the great Catharlne OF Russia Is repre-
| sented in her portraits."
Fashion had risen to communicate the above; she
now spread her cdn,d,go and SAT down.
| to expropriate the past In pursuance OF the ex.
ample given me in nation where appropriation Is
the spring Of all negotiations; but mad drawn
protuberance the basls OF our constitution would be
seated nothing. My government diners from that
OF the Prefect or this capital IN that he can de-
| molish and even convey the ashes OF the
departed BY special trains In mourning, served by
erted on the Seine and were to seek locality for
| the nhumatI0n OF inconvenlent remains nothing
would be left for me to transform into novelties and
women would have not shred on their backs. Con-
sequenty my efforts have tended towards the revf
val Of antique Styles not their burial IN remote de-
| partment. A mery.sur-oise for the fashions would
| be my deathbl0w
"The first revival wish you to insist on is the Queen
OF Navarro run, stepping stone to the Ezabethan
and Medlcs high collars, which stood upright like
| peacocKs tails and being stiff kept men at dis-
lance. 1t Is at present very low and stands up be-
| hind by means OF wire run through the edg-
ing IL falls down In front ike re-
yersor Zap and thus ornaments the 'front.' OF
| open bodces. The aims pouch and chateaine are
anovel revival but no lady wearing sashed sleeves
| and they are very much recommended-would omit
these accessories TO the styles OF the sixteenth GEN.
fIiry any more than the jerkn and pumed cap.
CrinoliIe will be worn with trains, not with short
| -f-~ ~.f "a
.sThe materials for usual wear are TO be sultane.
| SERGE alpaca linen, lawn mohairs poplins, Va
lencIas Scotch merin0 ana gray striped with satin
/ ~ alI shades ALI these 10 be rnched with silk