The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-10-26
OUR NEW YORK LETTER.
[FRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
New York Cry. Oct. 1st. Is

New YORK CRY, Oct. Ist, 1872.
The terrible summer seems at last to be gone. but
l' has hung on most extraordinarily. September
having produced a few days almost eoualinp the
days of midsummer, there being no cool weather at
all, or such as would be called cool here, and there
has been no frost yet along the sea-coast the leaves
however begin to fall and vegetation assumes the
somber hues BETTING the dying year. AS soon as a
heavy frost comes, all will be changed and no season
in the year can rival this, when as if by magic, the
trees and shrubs, weeds, grasses and all growing
things will put on the most lovely and brilliant
colors. Already the advancing season has worked
upon the general life, and hitherto quiet streets and
corners are alive with the noise and hum of renewed
activity the main avenues of trade and travel are
crowded with vehicles of all descriptions, and the
sidewalks are a ceaseless flowing tide of life. The
shop windows are filled with the new STYLES, and
each day brings new Developments the ladies are
out in force pursuing vigorously that most delightful
OF female employments-hunting for the latest fash
ions. Unfortunate ladies The weather got ahead
of them, for by some strange chance. the second
Sunday in September was decidedly cool-a genuine
fall day-and the ladies had not bought their fall
bonnets consequently the attendance at church was
surprisingly thin, but it was all right probably, for
they all said, and were ready undoubtedly to take
their "Altred DaVids to the fact, that they had a
bad cold.
Speaking of fall bonnets suggests the fashion.
concerning which a word. The dolly Warden"
of which we heard so much seems to be going ont
OF style. Naturally it would not belong to a win.
ter cOstumes but at its best it is not particularly
attractive, though certainly striking enough to suit
the most extreme taste, which is probably the rea-
son that it has fOurished SO well in New York and
SOM of the Western cities the past summer, when
the ladies belong to the society of sensation seek
ers and for the same reason it has been seen al
most not at all in Boston, where the delicate and
refined intellectual taste of the women forbids the
adoption of " Dolly Vardens " or any similar style. |
the taste there running entirely to moral. not phys
ical oddities. These New York bellies understand
thoroughly the best methods of enhancing their
already well known charms, and it would be hard
to find streets the world over equaling the brilliant
display which may be seen on Broadway or Fifth
Avenue on "a pleasant Saturday afternoon, or over
in Brooklyn on Fulton street. But for the fashions. |
The tendancy seems 10 be towards greater display, |
and the amount of lace trimmings displayed bya
full dressed doll-that is to say, L ean-lad lis
absolutely incredible. Dark colors are popular.
and the dress Is gradually assuming new shapes.
1t is comforting to observe that as woman assumes
a new folly she discards an old one for instance,
the habit of excessive lacing of the waist is going
into dIsuse, and the true but more graceful SHAPED is
Oftener seen but at the same time that odd hump
behind Grecian bend " was tits growing. and
has already the most startling and alarming pro-
portions. If the-thing Zone hardly knows what to
call it, was ever concealed, it is NOT now, and every
where, all over the city. it can be seen-in doors
and out of doors. hanging ia the windows and in
the shop, suspended over the sidewalks attached
to long strings. and now and then can be seen the
attempts of traders to attract custom by having a
line hanging full of the attractive forms stretched
across the street from house top TO house top. At
the present period of its existence. the :" Grecian !
bend . is being incorporated with the hoop skirt,
and consolidated, the whole affair presents a most
extraordinary and woeful spectacle. Now, lady
you may think | I'm pOking fun at you.
can be further from my intention. Did |
not say that the art Of attiring and identifying al
ready lovely forms was well UNDERSTOOD If you
have not so understood it. let me again say never
has the art of dress seemed so perfect as at present.
And truly 1t is a Gne art, but very productive of
deceit, it is to be feared. Nothing can be imagined
more brilliant than the t~hronging crowds of ladies
to be seen at the Parks on a pleasant afternoon. 1t
is absolutely dazzling. Both Central and Prospect
Parks are alive with the most lovely beings, and
:" turnouts y are rapidly aitting hitber and
thither, while the reflective walker is made to dance
in lively style to keep out of the way. Gentlemen
readers are requested not TO read the foregoing, as
il was specially intended for ladies. 1t may seem
that fashion should suggest
POLITICS.,
so it is, and if you only lived here the connection
could easily be seen; as it is. no explanation could
make it sufficiently clear. The political arena at
present presents n most extraordinary aspect. The
two candidates for the Presidency belong each to the
opposite party from that nominating him. The Pc
nominating Grant-whos was aIgays a
and whose only vote for President was cast
for James Buchanan in 1856. But then he is not so
well known as a politician, as n good general. his
services during the war beipR sufficient to immortal