The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1876-04-07
Some Of Mrs. Belknap's Costumes.
washington Cor. Indianapolis News. s.

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Figure to yourself lady somewhat
above the medium hight, very slender and
as straight as an arrow, with that exquisite
pose Of the head which made Mrs. Kate
Sprague so famous. Mrs. Belknap's throat
was covered to the chin with band of
the black velvet of her gown. Around
this band which was headed by narrow
thread lace, were four rows of pearls of
great value. / speak of the band and
pearls first because they strike the eye in
view of the rich costume. There were
pearls in the ears, buttoned on, apparently,
in the present fashion, and the only relief
to the black velvet hat was a couple of
delicate and rare plumes, which curved in
line with the sweep of the train, as with
quick step she came forward to pay her
respects TO Mrs. Grant and party. The
reader may be puzzled to get the plumes
and train in position in the minds eye,
but the effect on any actual vision was
startling. It is not until she moved off
and took her place with head erect, in the
select coterie behind the table, that OBJ
served her face and learned who she was.
It was not pleasing face, because SO cold.
The complexion was glowing and features
were irregular enough to have been piquant
If there had been much expression |; but it
was just the pure red and white skin, red
lips, black hair and dark eyes, which out
Of velvet and the White House, one could
just as well frame in the kitchen looking
glass as in my lady's mirror. do not say
it is an ignorant face, but the reader may
make any inference he pleases.
To return to Mrs. Be1knap's costumes.
At lady Thornton's party she wore white
silk (imported), trimmed with lace Of
priceless value, and lavishly adorned with
flowers, with flowers pendant, in all q
quarter of yard in depth, around the
skirt, made en- train, and ornamenting the
waist. Very little adornment was required
for the waist, which was the very extreme
of decollete, exposing toyiew an illimitable
expanse of shoulders and bust. The dress
was so low that the waist rested In it some
what after the fashion of a lily In its cup.
It was comely in view Of the many coarse,
scraggy, mottled, and disgusting spectaclss
of the kind in view, but there was q little
too much of it. The precious stones that
were worn with this costume were dia-
monds of pure lustre. At another party.
Mrs. Belknap wore rose-colored silk of
royal value, and at another entertainment
she was attired in a pale shade Of blue
silk. The 1aces and jewelry worn with
these different costumes were of marvellous
texture and richness. I will not try TO-
describe them. Dinner and visiting cos
tunes must also be taken into account,
furnishing, Id all, wardrobe fit for q
queen. 1t cannot be said tina. Mrs. Belk-
nap has indulged ID any great exsravagance
in the way Of house. She lives in block
of several dwellings rather contracted In
size. But the furniture Is beautiful and
much of it has been imported at great cost.
she entertains very handsomely. In the
sensation Of the hour she comes in for a
large share of cofnment, much Of which y
invidious, Of course. It is told that at q
lunch party The other day, she was remind
ed that official consequence was short
lived. Yes, said she, giving her SWAMI
like throat pretty arch, : wa are creatures
of the hour.