The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16

In costumes nothing is more common
than to see colors employed tc-
gether which arediscordant; for instance
purple and green. Now, be the dress
or bonnet ever so well made and the
wearer ever so beautiful, the effect of
such ignorance will be unpleasant in
the extreme. Every color has its per-
feet harmony, which is called its con-
trast, and also all other colors which
harmonize with it in different degrees.
When two colors are associated which
do not accord, the addition OF third
may make harmonious group. The
same rule holds good with three or
more colors. There are two or more
kinds of harmony acknowledged in the
grouping of colors, namely: the har-
mony of contrast and the harmony of
analogy. When two colors are dissimi-
lar and associated agreeably, such as
orange and blue or lilac and cherry,
they form harmony of contract. And
when two distant tones of one color are
associated, such as very light and very
dark blue, they harmonic by analogy.
OF course, in the latter instance, the
harmony is neither so striking nor so
perfect.
When two coloIs are grouped which
are similar to each other in disposition,
such as orange and scarlet, crimson and
crimson brown, they form harmony OF
analogy. And if two or more tones OF
one color be associated, closely approx
mating in intensity, they harmonic by
analogy. The harmonies of contrast are
more effective, although not more i'm
portant, than those of analogy; the
former are characterized by brilliancy
and decision, while the latter are peculiar
for their quiet, retiring and undemon-
strative nature. In affairs of dress both
hold equal positions, and in arranging
colors care must be taken to adopt the
proper species of harmony. The SIM
plest rules to be observed are the follow
ING rules: First, when color is selected
which is favorable to the complexion, it
is advisable to associate tints which will
harmonic by analogy, because the
adoption of contrasting colors would
diminish its favorable effect. Second,
when color is employed in dress
which is injurious to the complexion,
contrasting colors must be associated
with it, as they have the power to neu-
tralize its Objectionable influences.
We will take an example illustrative.
of the first rule. Green suits the blonde,
and when worn by her its associated
colors should be tones of itself Slightly
lighter or darker) which will rather en-
nance than reduce its effect. As an ex-
ample of the second rule we may take
violet. which, although unsuitable to
brunettes. may be rendered agreeable
by having tones of yellow or orange
grouped with it, Colors Of similar
power. which contrast with each other
mutually intensity each others bril-
liancy, as blue and orange, scarlet and
green. When dark and very light
eolors are associated they do not inten-
sify each in the same manner; the dark
color is made to appear deeper and the
light lighter, as dark blue or straw
color. or any dark color and the light
tints of complexion. Colors which
harmonic with each other by analogy
reduce each others brilliancy to a
greater or less degree, as white and
yellow, blue and purple, black and
brown.
In dress it is Objectionable to associate
together different hues of one color, for
instance yellow green and purple brown.
Care must therefore be taken in select
ing different tones of color to see that
thew belong to the same scale. There
ia another fact we wish to. bring before
our readers ere we close these remarks
on the harmony of color, namely: That
tints which accord by daylight may ap-
pear inharmonious by artificial light,
and rice rersa. Thus. purple and orange
harmonic by day, but are dissagreeable
by gaslight; and white and yellow,
which are unsatisfactory by daylight,
are suitable for evening dress.
A recent letter from a lady in Paris
saws: Although the clinging princesse
costume. worn without crinoline, is a
marked feature of the present fashions,
q newer mode is to have the entire cos
tune in one piece instead Of in two, as
the polonaise and skirt, or in three
pieces, as in the bodice, upper and I'M
der skirt. The new dresses of a single
piece are so trimmed that they simulate
> princesse polonaise, every effort is
made to decrease the quantity OF materi
al, not for economy's sake, but for max
ing the skirts as clinging as possible.
Crinoline died hard, and drapery APP
parently follows its example; ultra eie-
aantes are wearing the back of the over
skirt as plain as the front, but it is a
fashion by no means general yet"
A STRONG IMAGINATIoN.-A curious
story is told by Mrs. Francis Wordsworth
one of the survivors of the wreck of the
shin Strathmore. She was sitting by q