Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1875-02-12

charity" was too promiscuous for fash
ionable susceptibilitIes, and an effort was
made to rescue it from the hands Of
those who wished, by their presence on
this occasion, TO push themselves into
society. Accordingly, the dresses were
magnificent, and the attendance OF the
best families all that could be desired
although comments were made on the
presence of several actresses, whose sue
cess condones their notoriety. Mrs. Rous-
by, the English actress, celebrated for her
beauty, was much noticed in a white
satin dress, with several yards of train
which her attendant had some ado tn
keep clear or The dresses were of The
richest description, velvet and heavy silk,
or velvet and satin, with oVerdress of
point or of silver lace, looped up with
such a profusion OF aowers-apple bios
SONS and briar roses, pond lilies, snow
balls and geraniums, roses in full bloom,
dases, lilies of the valley, and fuchias-
till all the seasons seemed to have lent
their contributions 10 the ball. The
loVeliest dresses of all were cream color
ed silks, embroidered all oyer like su-
perb damask, or with rich lace insertion
in stripes. Rich white silks were worn
by ladies of every age, instead of the deep
regulation colors set apart for dowa-
gers.
The young ladies, for the most part,
wore white or pink tulle, and gauze,
while young matrons displayed a certain
daring in eolors. wearing pale green
tulle and poppies together, black satin
and fiery red oVerskirt and trimmings,
white satin with black velvet hounces,
and yards of pink roses, straw-colored
satin with crimson velvet hounees, buff
and scarlet satin, pale salmon silk train,
with deep scarlet basque, rufies and
flounces edged by silver netting and
fringe. A great many heirloom jewels
were shown; but, as an artist observed,
the ugliest women wore the most splen-
did dresses.
THE KHRDIYE's PRESENT.
The Custom House has been beseiged
this week by ladies of the highest fash
ion anxious to be permit ed to see the
diamonds sent by the KedhIYe of Egypt
to Gen. sherman's daughter. Mrs. Fitch.
General Sherman rendered important
services to the potentate in training his
army, which are acknowledged by the
handsome tribute of s25O,OOO worth Of
diamonds for the lately married daughter
of the American commander. The neck
lace forms three festoons about the neck,
and is so valuable that it is locked up in
the Sub-Treasury for safe keeping. The
throng ofladies 10 see it was so great
that the photographer had barely room
and space to catch hasty image OF the
Jewels, for Harper's Bazar, which in its
chronicles of what interests good society,
always marked with taste and judgment,
is for American readers what the court
journal is to British ones.
sMUG GeLED SILKS.
Whether every WON an is rake at
heart or not, every woman is free ira
der, and none of the sex appear profound
ly affected by learning that.th low price
ofsilks which has delighted them for
months IS owing TO extensive and sys-
tematic smuggling, tits said, with the
connivance of the customs officers. The
latter, it is pleaded, have pretended to
wink at the business, in hopes the easier
to find a claw to the guilty parties. 9th
er accounts. charge this light dealing TO
force the Government to restore the mol
ETY. system. Anyhow, silks are cheap,
and both women and merchants are of
the opinion that the 60 per cent. duty on
silks may as well go into their own
pockets as be distributed in possible
Pacific Mail subsidy. PIETRo.
New York, Feb. 8, 1875.