The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-03-30
Mrs. Relknap,s Costumes.

Figure 20 yourself lady somewhat above
medium height, very slender and as straight
as an arrow, with that exquisite poise of the
head which made Mrs. Kate Sprague so ia.
nous. Mrs. Belknap's throat was covered
to the chin with a band of the black velvAt {
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 we're pearls IN the ears, buttoned on
apparently, IN the present fashion, and the
only relief to the bl.ck velvet hat was 4
compile of delicate and rare plumes which
curved In line with the sweep OF the train.
as with quick step she came forward 70 paw
her respects TO Mrs. Grant and party. The
reader may be puzzled to get the plumes
and train In position in the minds eve. but
the effect on an actual vision was startling
1t was not until she moved off and took her
place, with head erect, in the select coterie
behind the table, that observed her face
and learned who she was. L. was not a
pleasing face, because so cold. The COM
plexion was glowing and the features we're
Irregular enough TO have been piquant, il
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 kitchen looking-gIass
as in lady's mirror. do not say il Is an
ignorant lace, but the reader may make any
inference he pleases.
=. TO return to Mrs. Belknap's costumes.
AT Lady TbOrnton's party she wore " bite
silk Umported). trimmed with lace Of price
less value, and layishly adorned with fiow-
efG here was "a wreath af An..nx. -.sL
flowers ptndant, in all quar- er of yard in
depth, around the entire skirt, made en-
trafne, and ornamensing her waist. Very
little adOrnment was required for her waist,
which was the very extreme of decoElets, ex-
posing TO view an illimitAble expanse of
shoulders and bust. The dress was SO low
that the waist rested in il somew hat after
the fashion Of lily in its cup. Il was
comeiy In view of the many coarse, scragRy,
mottled and disgusting specfacles of the
kind In view, but there was a little too
much OF u. The precious stones that were
worn with this rich cost ume were diamonds
OF pure lusteT. At another party, MrS.
BelkDap wore q rose-colored silk OF royal
value, and at another entertainment she
was attired in pale shade Of blue silk
The laees and jewelry worn with these diff
ferent Costumes were Of marvellous texture
and richness. ! will not try 70 describe
them. Dinner and visiting costumes must
also be taken into account, furnishing, In
ali, wardrobe dt for queen. II cannot
be said that Mrs. Belknap has INDUCED IN
any great extravagznce in the way Of q
house. She lives in 4 block of several
dwellings, rather contracted in size. But
the furniture is beautiful, and much Of II
has been imported at great cost. She en-
teTtAins very handsomely. In the sensation
Of the honT she comes m for large share Of
commeot, much Of which il inSidious. Of
course. Il is told that st lunch party the
other day, she was reminded that oficiaIi
consequence was shost-iived. ssYes,n said
she, giving her pretty throat swan-liks
arch, I'VE are Creatures Of the hour .