The sun., 1882-01-29

informed as to that matter, and as to the
etiquette OF such asscmblages, the ball
goer starts forth on the evening with a mind
relieved Of anxious doubts which would de-
stroy his subsequent pleasure. No man can
be entirely happy at ball II his attention is
distracted by defects in his equipment; and
as to a woman, she cannot know Joy on such
an occasion unless she is supported by the
consciousness or sclf-deccivcd by the notion
that her costume is becoming and appro-
pirate.
But for ball a man needs different ward
robe from that he wears mt a Brooklyn even
ing party, for instance, and il woman Is
suitably arraycd for the one, she can get
along at the other. or course jewels Of Won
derful brilliancy and enormous cost will be
displayed at tho Academy of Music, and
WORTH dresses, to buy one Of which would
take the whole years inc ,mc Of many indus
trious men, will there be numerous. But un-
less you are rich, very rich, it is folly to try
TO compete with the wcarcrs OF them. You
must make up in taste for the comparative
lightness of your purse. Moreover, the
throng will be SO large, and tho diversity of
costumes so great that what You wear is
likely to attract less attention than it would
in Il Brooklyn drawing room.
But now To the specific matters inquired
about by our ignoranus as to fashionable
matters. Shall his pants have stripes
down the legs? Horrible language
" Pants ?" There is no such word There
is no such thing. The term is one coined by
vulgarity. and by vulgarity only can it be
used. Your trousers need not have stripes
down the legs. A plain pair arc far better.
Shall =" the pumps bc patent leather, or the
plain ordinary leather pumps with silk
ties 2" They may bc either Nor need your
feet be clothed with pumps necessarily
Any handsome shoe or boot will do, and II
we'll blacked, plain leather is as good as
patent leather, though convenience leads to
the Use of the latter What shall he the color
Of his hose? ? Black il open to the least Oh
lection, and is always safe.
Ladies' stockings match in general the tint
Of their costume. Full dress for ladies' is
undoubtedly low -necked but VIC do not here
imperativcly dcmandit. Never wear IL unless
1t becomes you, and always avoid 1t IL the
lines it reveals are hard and angular, as
sometimes they are in the case of the most
estimable of women The lines about
the neck can be partially softcned by
the lace OF the corsaEc. hut red bony arms
cannot be beautiiied by the mantua makers
art II they are revealed in short slocves. For
elderly ladies, black satin or velvet will do,
but even they look better il some color ap-
pears in their wardrobes, some color bccom-
ing to their mature beauty and their gracious
dignity.
OF the men at the Charity Ball who will be
most notable for their ease and grace, for the
high-br"d simplicity Of their manners, for
their lack Of pretencc. and for the absence in
them ofprcocupaton with their clothes, We
hope our friend, Mr.. IGNoRAMUs of Brook
lyD, will be ono. That the lady he escorts
thithcr will be- bccomingly, charmngly, and
suitably arIayed, We do not for an instant
doubt. We wish for them both happy
evening. and such conqucsts as it il proper
they should make.