, 1877-03-18

Special Correspondence Of The TRIBUNE
New YORK, March live arc now fairly
convinced that spring Is here: but there Is little
display of spring to;lcttcs or. fashions save IN
the shops. Here indeed the array is bewfldcrIng,
and it requires much strength OF character mud
purpose to resist cmptying ones purse in order
to become possessor OF at least some OF all
the lovely things e1,s. sb.s. The assortment of
wash goods is especially varied and attractive
Among ther1, the greatest novelty is known us
da1nassc linen. It is q copy OF the favo11tc
datnassc silks, aud Is shown chiefly in dark
shades, navy blue, chocolate and chestnut brown,
tlark-grecn, nnd black. Tne ground OF one OF
these is elaborated with oriental designs, either
in the same shade or in lighter one, oeca-
siona1ly the pattern is OF different color, as
dark blue upon handsome brown, gray upon
green and upon black. These materials, though
al-lincn, have rich, silky appearance, aud are
selling rapidly. It is fact not to be ignored,
that, besides being handsome, these damasse
linens are very cheap. They arc OF good width,
aud cost but so cents yard. The next most
desirable fabric is Il cotton goods known rs
Mcxicaiue, and bearing a close resemblance to
the silk OF the same name. This material IS
very bright and pretty. One style has
tiny plaid OF red and green, which
is very pleasing, while not at a1l glar-
ingly conspicuous. But, to my mint, the
most satisfactory goods OF this description are
the old, yet eyer new
There has never been SO large and so charming
supply of these popular fabrics Nearly all OF
then, have provided with the patterns 4 border
i1s Of some sort, designed for trimming them,
and very lovely some arc. There arc pcrcales
with borders Stimulating lace. Others impose
upon you pretty printed fringe so well exccut-
ed that 1t may require second glance to detect
the imposition. Still other varieties show tiny,
tasteful Ear1ands OF flowers and foliage, ami
others vet exhibit charming bands of the latter
alone. An exceedingly pretty one has alternate
broad stripes OF q delicate green aud white
the latter having a few hair lines ol
bordering Of su1all grapc-]caycs beautiful IN
symmetry and color. Another very pretty
percale. SO handsomely finished as to appear
like foularl, consists O: very tine black anu
white stripes placed IN clusters OF i've, anu gts-
ing at q short distance the effect OF solia
stripe Betwce: every two clusters is narrow
stripe of cardinal. The line OF cllcyiots Is tn-
usually tinc: some Of the best have broEcn
checks aud irregular stripes of graz and scarlet,
black and moderate share of yellow, blue, and
buff, and so on through a list OF pleasing coin-
biuations too various to particularlzc
AMONG MATERIALS SLIGHTLY HEAVIER
is ,natelasso royal! combination OF Gamers
hair and little silk. 1t has handsome design
It viii be employed solely in combination with
either silk or woolcn goods. An ATTRACTIVE
novelty is q mixture half silk and half wool.
It is ati importation coming principally in black,
aud dark shades ol blue, grcen' gray, anu
brown. 1t is shot with bright metallic threads,
and these, with few Of the silk strands, as
renl1lar intervals, are t'bunchea up" Us the
children would say, all over the material. It
is an extremely handsome cloth, and vii! DOUBT
lrss have great popularity. The fine yigognes
T in, INV