The New York herald., 1869-03-07


beams, Others like streams OF Burgundy in clear
crystal; but these images are too fanciul for Lent
and 1t reminds me that at one Of the fashionable
sermons lately preached the divine who had the
privilege Of talking without interruption for whole
hour employed that time to explain that those only
are blessed here below who are totally deprived Of
imagination. Ever since then have felt unblessed,
and have been trying to feel blessed over plain hu-
man nature, without cover or disguise, and find 1t
very improper thing for an able to advocate.
notice that since we have had nothing but ladies in
court mourning to look at their bodices have be-
come lower than before. and the nchu OF
gauze they throw over their shoulders, in.
stead OF the usual jewels and mower
trails Is not SO much as cloud to the fancy. The
more see facts, indeed less elevated ind them,
and without either waddlpg Or paaleEs there you'd,
In my Opinion, be no rise to boast OF at all AtnoEh
sermons and charity concerts do take up good deal
OF time, society is busy at dinner parties and quiet
afternoon tea parties quite en- uogue They last
from about halfpast three to five O'Clock, and are
but social visits between the Bos and dinner at half
past SIX or seven. may as well say that many who
attend them do not dine at ALL as every kind OF re-
freshment and trufiied fowl Is amply laid out. On
looking into the nature Of some OF these receptions
and divesting them Of some OF the charms Of imagi
nation as prescribed by the abbe above alluded to,
have detected few faws In Paris afternoon visit
ing which cannot call blessed. baroness OF my
acquaintance FOR instance, has her "day;' when
ever she meets male female friend she impresses
them forcibly that that day is Thursday, no
other; and that II one calls when il is not that day
be such pity, and on. have been
unfortunate enough sometimes to mix up
d Ve cea on % S %
Thursdays instead OF Tuesdays, and on actresses
Saturdays, when their days are always i-iatec Fri
days. 1t has been quite confusion the result OF
which was that dirty servant girl has opened the
hall door and shown me into freless rooms. / have
found all the pretty knick-knacks covered up, every
armchair in winding sheet faded nowers or none
in the vases, blinds drawn down and general pow
ertystrlcken appearance, where on the proper days
Tor reception every luxury every engmatic extrava-
gance, every research Of comfort is displayed. On
Inquiry have heard that Madame la Baronne never
the livery servant is the water carrier dressed up;
that Madame sits in her bedroom from one Thursday
to another that the flowers are hired for that day.
for the striking tmpressiveness with which have
been reminded OF certain 'at homes"
At the ambassad0rs' and higher dipomatists' 1t Is
always reception day, and 1t Is at Mme de Meter
nichs that these social gatherings are most delight
ful these occasions. The fanchon headdress is OF
course, great feature and gives the full dress ap-
pearance TO the whole toilet which follows suit. 1t
Is now quite out OF style to make call in cloak or
casaque and substituting the basquine. The fur
lined cloak or silk wide mantle Is worn, however
from the carriage to the hall or ante-roOm where
the servant takes 1t OF, and the visitor enters
with nothing but lace or fur trimming over the
porcelain blue and gray, with no trimming round
the trains but panier, called fy-wngs because IL
IN the centre Quantity Il bows. This, by the way
was the shape OF Mrs. Burllngame's white poult
tunic over the splendid white robe she wore on the
night she was presented TO the Empress at the
Tuileries. Her flowers were lovely marguerites all
shades. They formed complete garland round the
bottom OF the robe over the satin-bordered pliss6
founce and long grass fringe fell from under the
flower garland IL ls here almost DEPRESSION to say
tion at court-t6at Of perfect American lady with
dignihed but most aiIabe manners. Her visit to
Princess Clothilde before the large dinner which
was gwen TO the Chinese and Mr.. Burlingame was
OF rather official character; but before Mrs. Bur
lingame took her departure the inhabitants OF the
friends. There Is some reason In this. Princess
Clothilde has not forgotten the time when Mr.. Bur-
Italy and sood up for hs hs Ss sne DnS d sy@ 9.
pathy she always experienced has been deepened by
his present patriotic mission, and her welcome has
and psnier trimmed With % white 1 Xlencon neon lace lace
o er the sss 70 as wn w Ss s
She looked very much like q violet, 80 retiring
ana CHINA 20 Sa na &C
species OF refined majesty now daily decreasing
In the Western nations. II the toilet OF Mrs Burlln-
game at the Tulerics was rich and rendered so by
y great deal OF blonde and diamonds, OF which [
have said nothing above in my admiration for the
wore at the dinner have mentioned was still pret.
tier IL was half mourning white poult with plenty
OF plsses and ruches, and the ornaments were
hair. The Princess C1othilde had followed exactly
the same style. and wore the same colored flowers
Prince Napoleon took Mrs. Burlngane into the din
Ing hail aud she sat at his right The Ambassadors
were opposite with Mr.. Burlingame. IL was q very
grand AFFAIR for thirty covers After dinner the gen
tIenen retired and When they returned the Princess
requested the Ambassadors 10 favor her with some
Information she wished TO derive from them through
uQl int ruofun 4
must have been very Interesting to all parties, for
the conversation lasted one hour. during
1aJen, another exceency, became most ami
mated, and spoke with great erudition on
concluded that Mr.. Burlingame had now secured the
commercial conquest OF the Chinese In the United
states, England and Frances thai the only thing now
remaining 10 be done was the conquest Of the good
VIII of the other European nations; but all these
internationaltes are 80 entirely out OF my line that
the Chinese and their friends, fell to speculations
the Celestial costume and II VIII ever be to me
sne on Without unns the 'front.' i"ey p,
the back and the back especially 10 the frontspece.
The only piece OF Chinese material at all admire is
Mrs. BurlIngames striped China gauze cerise and
white q cerise skirt. IL is an Eastern sun
set-tnat is all can say OF It's peculiar hue. have
about IT, because II In thought impossible to get the
shade even II the texture could be initiated In Cham
There are no novelties since my last but there are
improvements OF notable character; for instance,
the nounces-of which we cease 10 count the num-
ber-are now not only cut on the cross, on the
straight and plisses, and flutes, and FANS they are
being dented like the teeth Of saw, and these dents
are not only piped and bound persevering bachelors
VIII understand " they try. but hemned, and Vt Is
good way to prevent Jagging Bows are put on In
IN the lovely icather,berets and toquets Also down
the front Of square bodces green velvet bows on ha
vane poult, and AZURE blue on salmon poun are the
newest Ruches are TO be the hydrophobia or ladies'
In the spring. Everything Ii 10 be ruche, and we
advise gentlemen TO study fashion papers II they
going to be slashed through for the purpose. All
young mobiles Ia Paris are marrying for the
OF economy now IT used TO be the reverse, only real
demtmonde, which has led me 70 the altar.
they never dress for the streets. Duchess or
prInccsses or some such high-tltcd danes are now
above looking attractive for public gaze they wear
cloth costumes and pass by unpcrceived. II is not
until they enter their carriages that tney make it
worth whue looking their best Then think they
rather overdo IT. but IT least 10 10 done for their
equals not to attract the admiration OF passersby
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