The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-26
fFor the Dispatch.J

PERSONAL.
For the Dispatch.l
Somebody has said. "In order that love-
letter may be what IL should be, one should
begin il without knowing what he is going
10 saw and end II without knowing what he
has said" If so-called "fashion.letter "
NAV claim place alongside OF love-letter
land why not since they are conceded to be
the two all-absorbing interests OF the femi-
rine mind) then surely this communication
will prove TO be everything that could be
desired; for beyond a benevolent but very
indefinite intention OF impariipg some In
formation which may prove OF use to some
OF our fair readers, either in the adornment
Of their homes or in the even more impor-
tant question Of adding 10 their own native
charms the embellishments OF dress, we
confess ourselves hOpelessly ignorant OF
xk0t We are going TO say, and can only hope
most earnestly that the aforementioned gen.
tie readers may not observe when they come
10 tho end that they are in equal ignorance
OF what has been said.
Let us begin, then, with the distinct state
ment that any very positive information as
10 the finer details OF the
STYLES FOR THE COMING WINTER
Is certain TO be unreliable. The highest
authorities on such matters admit their ig-
nCrance with an ingenious candor which is
a. engaging as il is rare. We have still
several weeks to wait before we can venture
on the delicate finishing touches 10 the
many trOusseauX now lying in embryo and
only waiting for The final dictates OF capri
cious Fashion 10 burst forth in bewildering
loyeliness before our admiring eyes. There
are nevertheless many hints and broad gem
- ha fpft vl
which we subioin for The benefit OF all
whom it may concern. In the first place
purple-real royal purple, the natural sue
cessor 10 the heliotrOpe shades OF the past
summer-is the reigniDg color, though old
goI and cardinal still remain in high favor.
Plush, as everybody knows, is in high es-
teen, while brocades are shown in colors
aud materials which are magnificent beyond
belief. The gorgeous groups Of flowers on
delicate backgrounds to be used for Wishing
eCiieis would do Justice 10 more eminent
artist than any OF whom we have yet heard
who would be content to furnish designs
for dress fabrics. Passion-flowers and pea
cock feathers in every conceivable shade on
lovely grounds are among the subjects most
frequently selected. A most exquisite
fabric, costing not less than $50 by the yard,
represents
PgoNIEs WITH BUDS AND LEAVES
OF royal purple on a delicate opaline
ground; another asters OF richest bronze
on dsrk-green satin; another, and we have
dOne-pale lavender satin ground with
white and purple lilacs, with green leaves
raised in embossed velvet. 1t is needless
to add that with such materials very little
trimming Is used. Plain skirts and drape-
rles, either hemmed blind. or ornamented,
in cheaper fabrics, with iows OF machine
stitching, are the most approved methods OF
finishing of the edges. The latest novelty
for wedding dresses is stiff, rich white
satis, with tiny threads of gold and silver
tracing some delicate pattern through it.
Riding habits are short and very narrow
the skirt buttoned up on the left side with
two rows Of gill buttons. Gilt and tinsel are
used with everything. Dark.blue flanne
wa!king-suils stitched with cardinal, and
with wide sailor collar and round cuffs ot
cardinal, are exceedingly popular for fall
wear; and the Derby hat Of last season /:
the thing TO wear with this costume.
The short dresses OF the summer are
shorter still, and are growing in popularity
for evening wear. Some OF the most elabo.
rate
BALL COSTUMES
nience. in dancing will possibly render thi.
fashion an extremely popular one. The
style so much in vogue year or so ago o
mixing materials In al! sorts OF costume:
has been revived, and 4 complete dress oi
one color and one fabric is thing unhearC
Of. Bonnets are growing alarmingly huge
and bid fair TO rival the " coal-scuttles - ol
the days Of yore. Broad, handsome rib
bons, which come In every possible shade
and quality, aud feathers-breasts aud
plumes-are the only trimmings allowed
Breasts are very long aud heavy, with
variegated feathers--the pheasant colors be.
ing generally preferred. Feathers are gen.
orally long. and nearly always are shaded
Brown, for instance, shaded down to old
gold. The strings are fastened on TO the
sides OF the bonnet with hooks and eyes oi
fllagree gold. All the steel. Jet, and other
ornaments worn in bonnets last year are
entirely abandoned, and bows OF hand
some ribbon in the most gorgeous and
startling colors have replaced them. For
neck-wear nothing is more stylish than o
square handkerchief, simply hemstitched at
the edges. Serpents are the fayorite orna-
meDts this year In the iewelry line. We
see serpent bracelets, serpent rigns, SER
peut chains. and even serpent belts. They
are generally OF gold, with iewelIed heads.
Sometimes
BRILLIANT EMERALD EYES GLARE AT you,
sometimes the whole head is jewelled, and
sometimes the stones are set all through the
length OF the chain or bracelet, though al
ways the head contains the handsomest.
The rage for decorative art continues un-
abated, and all OF our ambitious young
housekeepers will be glad to hear OF such
novelties as may prove useful to them 10 re.
modelling and replenisbing last years sup
/. ply of bric a-brac. To such we would say
that the pretty japanese umbrellas which
ornamented every fireplace and chandelier
in every parlor We entered last spring be.
fore the exodus 10 the seaside and noun
talns begun have found still another occu.
patton, aud one which promises to unite the
useful with lis hitherto purely ornamental
properties. Wasie-baskets, which are be-
coming very popular occupants OF the
hearth, each side Of the 6re, where our
grandmothers used TO put their oitomans,
have claimed these brigbtcolcred arti.
cles for their own. A triangular socket,
such ~ may be made for merely nominal
cost by any carpenter, - painted and var
Disbed 10 represent ebony, aud the parasol
Is stack securely 10 this upside down. and