The New York herald., 1870-06-02
A BaCQuET OF FASHION.


Grand Exposition of Costly Fabrics. Laces,
GobeIiu Tapestries, Silks, &C., at A. II.
Stewart 81 Co.'s.
Last night the first reception Of the kind in this
country, and perhaps the finest ever known in the
world OF Its character took place at the store Of A.
T. Stewart Co., Broadway, Fourth avenue, Ninth
and Tenth streets. IL was estimated that more than
$4,000 people were in attendance, and the throng
was constantly passing through the building from
Fourth avenue TO Broadway from dusk till nine
O'Clock. The main point Of attraction was the ro-
tunda which had,becn decorated in the most magnl.
cent manner under the immediate supervision OF MIR.
Hicks, the principal silk buyer for the firm in Eu.
rope.
The immense rotunda, more than one hundred
feet In diameter, and upon which six stories
opened from base to dome, was lighted by
900 gas jets and decorated by the finest ana
costliest products OF the worlds looms. On the
east side was suspended In the centre specimen o.
Gobeln tapestry valued at $4,000 manufactured In
Paris. 1t represented view Of the entrance to the
harb0r Of Marseilles and when one takes into con-
sideratIon the method by which these fabrics are
produced 1t is wonderful specimen OF industry and
ski. This work is carried on by the descendants of
the families originally engaged In It, and 1t has been
. fact worthy Of notice that each generation
eurpasses the former in the nneness and beauty
or the work. 1t requires the labor OF single per-
son for one year 10 produce single square yard Of
the tapestry, and always worked from The back
ground, while the froBt Is covered Each tint Is
formed from single threads and the covering is
only removed III places TO determine the proper
blending OF colors When 1t Is remembered also that
the finest pictures can be so initiated s not to be de-
tected at the distance OF few eet by the casual oOse
the difficulty OF the work can be realized. Above
and opposite tins splendid specimen OF human skill
the r0tunda was hung with the costiest patterns OF
ADMINISTER, Wilton and Brussels carpeting while
below arranged parterre OF variegatei colors
in silks OF every tint and hue. These were arranged
In nuted pyramids circles add squares and incnded
Sixty different tints Of the finest products from the
looms Of Lyons, Creeld and zurich.
THIS firm make q specially OF silks, having the
first selection from the great SILK centres Of the
world. They choose them by three rules, seeking
blity. An American made SILK. of which they have
the exclusive sale guaranteed Tor I'VE years wear
and sells at 81 80 per yard They Will soon manu-
facturc silks Of special patterns, obtalnabe only OF
sible colus is exhibited for the first time in America
and promises to meet with great popularity, as
II Is sold very cheaply Tissue de Roubalx, another
eilk manufactured near Lyons France, was pre-
sented In many shades OF color. ~ mas the hnest
lustre OF any material exhibited and VIII no dou0t
he popular lor summer wear. 1t S also quite cheap
being yard wide and sold at dOflar and hall per
yard. Gaz de Chambery, silk OF white ground, Or
na:nented with bouquets and stripes in colors, was
also exhibited and is TO replace The old grenadines.
Indian oamcls hair shawls, ranging In price ffom
81, 500 70 5000, were shown, and French CASH
meres at prices from 500 70 5000.
Many Of the ladies' were attracted to the glove de-
partment, where the sales have sometimes reached
the celebrated Alexandra gloves, which are now
manufactured only for this firm, sold. AS the
hour OF nine drew near the throng OF beauties and
beaux, representing the leaders OF fashion and the
natte ton, took last lingering look at the charming
display and departed 10 dream OF the gloriss OF
bridal trou5seaux and the drapery OF faryiond.