The New York herald., 1872-10-14
The Regal Marts Of Broadway and the
Busy Hives Of Sixth Avenue.
Why the Season Has Been
Kept Back.
INDEPENDENCE IN TOILETS.

The erratic weather which has prevailed for the
last month has had the ef1ect OF completely disar
ranging the plans OF the n,odistes and other hand
maidens OF Fashion. seldom II ever before were
the opening displays Of the leading houses given
SO late In the season. During the week that has
just passed there were events OF this character
every day. The novelties Of the season are few
and far between. The old favOrites still hold their
own az candidates for ladies' preference Prices
have not come down as many anticipated, but, on
the contrary, they have undergone In many In
stances slight increase. One very encouraging
feature IL the absence OF tyranny In any particular
FORM For once the Queen Of Belledom has become
fndnigent and accommodating, and the natural
consequence Is an almost endless variety Of shapes
and Styles All tastes can thus be suited and one s
obliged TO adopt anything OF an inharm0nious
character merely because it is Ia mode. AS an
evidence of the spirit Of our ladies' it Ia said that
only the best goods are In demand. and inferior
articles, no matter how cheap they may be, are
passed by with Indifference. 1t Is dificult to
imagine scene more brilliant than that to be wit
messed at the displays In dry goods palaces. The
profusi0n OF elegant goods In hundreds Of c0lors
and textures, vieing with each other for admra-
tiOn, striving as 1t werc for the first place in the
show, serve TO make the scene alike impressive and
beautiful. From textures In lace that seem to be
spun by fairy nngers from the soft beams OF the
'silvery moon" to the solid cashmcres and ustrOns
gros grains with their crisp, rustng "frou-frou,n y
the spirit Of rivalry s complete, and their charm
heightened by the knowledge that in the hearts OF
the ladies their brilliance find responsive echoes.
4essrs. Altman 4 Co., Of Sixth avenue, opened
last week, for their Fan season, with display OF
goods whose excellence and beauty are equalled
only by the taste eyinced In their uxuriant DISPOSE
tim Tn hotr init Aon it,it f,u
suits and costumes In the finest qualities OF silks
and cashmeres-either imported or made from
original desgns-in all the famous new colors
and mezzotints, and trimmed In lavish ele-
gance. 10 this department, which has now be-
come Of the first Importance In this city, they have
devoted much OF their energies. In the same de-
partment they exhibit the
MOST CHARMING NOVELTIES
In cloaks, mantles, talmas, &C., In Lyons velvets,
Thibet cashmeres, camel's hair and other material;
mr capcs and sacques, and the most fashionable
styles OF polonases, walking skirts and over
dresses. They have lovely evening dresses, In all
shades and materials; morning robes for ladies
and gentlemen that invite by their luxuriance the
hush OF repose; toilet jackets for gentlemen. and
hundreds Of other articles, including ladies'
underwear in queenly beauty, and ranging from
New York mills muslin and heaviest Irish linen to
gossamer. 1t were impossible to enumerate half Of
the beautiful styles and materials displayed at their
opening. Suffice 1t to say that In richest and finest
silks and dress goods, gros Grain ribbons, laces,
rich dress trimmings and fringes lace window
draperies and tides, and everything appertaining
TO the housekeeping department., in Paris and
Vienna fancy and toilet articles kid gloves &C., &C.,
their every department was replete with the
choicest ass0rtments.
ct
home and foreign manufacture, were rich and hand
some. Among the imported ones we noticed a
soft crown olive brown velvet hat, trimmed with
clel blue mode silk. The rolling brim was trimmed
with alternate folds Of blue and brown. A large
bow OF brown gros grain ribbon placed on the centre
OF the crown, behind which, and softly over
shadowing II, was was group OF bronze wheats,
and long blue ostrich tip. cluster OF wild roses
and buds was placed Just above the left ear and
upon the long streamers Of brown ribbon which
noated behind. The flower department was cspe-
ctalIy attractive, representing all the new shades
in French colors. We will describe several OF the
most striking :-One, full blown damask rose,
with . long trailing spray OF pond lily leaves.
The combination was unique, and the effect decid
cdy pretty. Another a wild crimson velvet rose
with velvet and silk leaves Of rich Autumn tints,
which initiated nature so closely as to almost sur
pass it-a peculiar spray Of combined blush rose
and dark maroOn-the contrast Afforded was par
ticuIarly rich and stylish. A blue shaded spray
was also very pretty
In ostrich feathers the combination Of two shades
was the newest novelty being used either for bon
nets the hair. Also aigrettes In all the new and
exquisite shades. In velvcts and turquoise silks
for trimming there was splendid variety, CON-
prislng rose pink, dark olive brown, London smoke,
ciol md MI nd char nd nj a nd
white.
REAL ROMAN SASH
was greatly admired for Its complexty OF harmoni-
ous colors-pink, blue, pearl and Nile green; price
$40. Avery stylish velvet sash was exhibited COM
posed OF sage green, and striped with black velvet
In ladies' necktes there were the lchus OF crepe
de chene In all colors, satin embroidered and
Roman.
The lace department was exceedingly fine. There
were chus barDs, and all the fancy pieces so much
in vogue. Among the novelties was very stylish
Spanish lace veil, diagonal shape, the centre piece
composed OF Spanish net dotted; o heavy border
OF palm leaves trimmed the edge.
In tides there was a new and beautiful design,
composed Of handmade cluny lace in medium
squares, forming q large square, and edged with
cluny.
The jewery was choice and well selected; there
were garnets, rocco, coral, shell and jet. Among
the last mentioned was set composed OF jet and
Alaska diamonds; price, $31.
pretty and decided novelty was an Oxydlzed
silver fan n-hoder, also one In gilt and real SHE'LL
differing In shape from the others, and Intended
either as fan or vinagrette holder
The fans were many, costly and handsome. Among
the chiefly conspicuous ones were the following:-
bridal fan, composed OF white pearl, white satin,
covered with white point lace; price Sal. Another
oil pearl and white satin, covered with black thread
lace.
An oriental pearl, inlad with gold, was very
handsome. On the white satin was o centre piece,
representing q rustic scene. The col0rlng and
tnting were exceedingly soft and beautifully ex-
ecuted. Price $50.
satin wood goods were also lavishly disposed to
view, including jewel, glove and odor cases.
Toilet articles were equally numerous and at
tractive, represented fn perfumes powders. fancy
soaps, &C.; toilet sets in Bohemian porcelain and
china. Something additionally new was nail
powder, called "briant rubs," with q polishing
made u chamois and cleaning paper attached.
Combs, in tortoise shell ard ivory; nail knives and