The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-03-02

. TUESDAY MORNING
pose people would think we were brought up,
to do such thing as tbat?"
"Charnjne opera last night, remarked all
other lady to friend. II never so to opera
during Lent" she replied stiffiy; but she gives
dnnc1s. and. it if whispered, scolds and frets
as much as usual during Lent.
BALL AND FANCY COSTUMES.
Several large balls and masqueradipg parties
closed tho gay season, and were as successful
as numbers, rich iollettes, and splendid deco
rations could mnko them. Masked parties are
every winter becoming more fishlo iable, and
when given on large scale aud with spirit arc
thoroughly enjoy able; when means and accom-
mo1atious are limited, however, the guests un-
accustomed to tho wlckedness, and afraid to
"lct themselves out" they arc miserable fall
ures aud tho cases Of this kind ought to serve
as Y warning.
One OF tho most successful characters at
rncrnt bal Yansque was a Grccian Bend en-
Dyofie. The fi.urc was dressed entirely in
black without hoops, but with long trail and
panuier puffad out with pillow; o black lace
shawl covered tho shoulders; was punched up
birh upon them, and fastened With black pins;
the centre was caught up over tho back over
ills panner. Tho young lady wore hef own
dark hair floating i'll the American" style.
high pout jockey hat with black trimmlngs, q
ward in tho miuclng toes epplng style affect
ed by Young ladies Of the present day, she
looked the Grecian Bend in all its absurdity,
but without particle OF exa9geration. A
most perfect costume, and ono which Great
ed great deal of amusement produced man
on one side and woman on tho other. VI
course it was man that wore 1t, and there
,yoiI hil h0ir lIS train
his pannier and sbond" were dreadfully exag-
gerated, otherwise the mlstihcatlon was COM
plete, and very few not in tho secret could tell
whether the dual figure was man or woman.
There was charming Undlne with light
waving hair, dress OF green gauze looped up
with sea ass and coral and wreath, with long
Gordon of water lilies, mlngiel with grass ana
bits Of coral. She carried o little tiny musical
instrument. ostenslbly 10 astract handsome
unwary travellers; but she dilu't mood it. The
mon flow around her like moths out candle.
There were lots of Vlvandiers; but it was o
nice idea of one to have her flask filled With
eau de Cy,ogne. which she showercp wherever
she went. 4 Vatican sheperdcss costume ls
very becoming to youthful blonde with
pretty foot; and "Music" ls classic aud becom-
ing to brunette. The Watteau dres ID COM
posed Of blue satin uppor skirt, ioopcu up
full over o short brocade dress, aud trimmed
low bodice cut SQUIRE with L little wnlte mus
lin aprol. trimmed with pink, very high heeled
blue satin shoes, with q tiny, hat, tho brlm
caught up on ono side with bunch OF pix
roses. and bow of blue satin rlbb n, with
Streaming ends Mus C" wore long hoop
less dress OF white mcrino, trimmed with goid
and Ioopcd III. rather high on one s,do 10 als-
play part Of q leg and pretty sandal,ed 1oot;
Dark hair Loose. a gold filot or baud around
the head, broad gold pand bracelets and
lyro in tho hand. She ought to have looked up
to the chandelier with q melancholy express
sion as sue could easily have dono II she had
to pay monthly gas bills; but sle didn't. 6he
laughed and 1irted in modern and very
uncIaesic way.
At tie finest balls given this season short
dresses have been extensively worn by quito
young ladies', but not at all BY marrica women;
White dresses, with overdressos OF ro!ored
silk, are very much the vogue, with satin boots
aud gloves to ma ch tho color OF the upper
dress. High colored satin dresses trimmed
will. lace and worn with rich lace shawls are
the tavorite toi!cttes OF tho grand' danes.
WEDDINGS, WEDDING PRESENTS AND RECEPTIONS.
Avoiding is very formidable ufflr TO every
body concerned nowadays. In Eict every
thing is formidable. It ID even difficult 10 tue
respectables; ouly one thing ID more 30, anu
that IL to live. a wedding. however invo YES
not only tho expenditure u large fortune on
the part of those coucer:ed, but the contribu
tions of fortune by tho friends and fe.atlons
of the bride. No one likes 10 appear "hean, !"
40 Gifts are purchased with reference to what
else she will be likely to receive, and not at oil
with regard to the means Of the donor, and
the whole affair is voted tax aud nuisance.
AT n recent we dug in this city, the gifts were
said to amount in value to seventy thousand
dollars; not bad beginning tor Il young cou-
pie, and one woich would considerably NIT: g!te
The possible evils OF wed'ock If it could be
couhted out in cash. But, alas half of it ut
least is in every possible variety of spoons--pao
spoons, dessert spoois. gravy Spo0ns, and In
Vulnerable other varieties. If house could
be furnished with spoons, aud young cou-
ple eat, drink. aud sleep on spoons,
cettlrs married would be the easiest way tor
making living. There Is disappointment, too,
sometimes. Sly Efforts to exchange duplI-
cate article for something moro needeu, re-
yeas tho tact that it is ''extra" plated instead
of ''sterling;;" real lace turns out TO be only
real Llama, and Cashmere" shawl French,
instead If IhdIa. Moreover. many OF thu artl-
cles are unsulted to the futue position OF tho
yuupc people, and create desires and Sc emlng
necessities which do not tend 10 enhance their
happiness, and thus their envied possessions
become curses Instead OF blessings. II Ii VOL
enough, however, to mako as much rs ones
means Will properly uliOM VI "SuubH' to 40
tho one event OF most womel l's lives, and when
they have settled down to dull realities 1t is
pleasant to look back II pom thu brief but bril-
liant period when all the world seemed waiting
to d. their bidIing.
SPRING FASHIONS.
With the advent OF March, tho ever recur-
ring questions arise, what is TO bo 'rn2 What
viii the spring fashions be? Have hoops gono
out eutilely2 VIII short dresses be worn i'll
tho sIreels Are bonncts TO he any larger
Aud fl III 4 thou. aud different VOICES from al
parts OF the country cuncs tho inquiry. ho'v
c,n wo dress fashonab bat moi extensively Z
Commencing ut the beginning, We Drg To as
sure our readers that, as usual, pretty much
everything will DO worm; thai sprlnS fasll.o IL
arc under lhc SHOW as yet iii thls iatiIu lc Dut
that VIC shall ondcGv0r 20 exhume them; that
hoops (very small J will be more likely 10 como
in than go out with warm weather; that snort
dresses are permanent; that small bonncls Will
b. worn Ut least another soaso.; aid la 1t
there never was time when fashion was moro
sensible and rconom cal than now, provided
people are willing to DC sensible ana ocoaomi-
cuI
Suits aud costumes arc the loading features
o. the new spring styles, and arc. maj y OF
them, very protty III design as Wol as nana-
somu IN material. OF fall thnt we hayo en- III
preparation, the nrcttlcSt and most scrVlcca0lc
are made in clangcablo ur hne chene silks,
trImncd with rich fringe, or with rIth $, or
double ruciIings OF tho saHlo. Tho skirts OF
most OF them arc q moderate walking length.
the upper skirt IS retained, and the costume
Completed b, tight fitting basqae, or by Que
o. tito maIly pretty and st! lsh rarieios OF ca2es
which viii n I. woru iur rplv aS tho spring adj