Morning journal and courier., 1883-05-12

k It will take all Worth's singular skill in dra ping and arranging materials to make tha rich and heavy stuff up in a style to suit tn delicate proportions of the Empress Marie | as she is petite in form, though very, very pretty. Like her sister, the princess O. \ Wales, the empress is very fond of dancing and delights in balls. A story is told of hel \ that after some recent festivity at the imperi | al palace the Czar was asked if he desired tc have the plants and decorations immediately removed from the state ballroom, or if he wished thera to remain. 90 take them away, take them away by all means,' quoth the Czar, laughing :; Eff you leave them there the empress will give another ball next week" The Emperor himself cares very little for such friyolities. being a grave and dignifed sovereign, who looks, however,
 with sIniling indulgence on fondness dis. played by his lovely wife for dances and
 dresses. The empress, who has beautiful
 brown eyes and most winning smile, and
 who is, moreover, as graceful as 8 fawn, is
 said to be the fairest now of the female sov-
 e2eigns of Europe.
 But have wandered some distance from Worth's show-rooms and from the dresses intended for the ladies of the imperial court
 The first that was shown was in satin of two shades of olive-green, blended with broca- dsd satin of pale-yellow ground, the pat tern being large flowers in subdued colors. The long train was cut square at the end and
 WAS SOAA POcCO O4 Sl4CO b1ChuGAS3 bno Ccnlra1 one being of the brocade and the two side widths of the darker shade of the satin. In front drapery of the brocade was drawn to
 one side to show deep plating of the green I satin this drapery was edged with fringe of seWing-sil and small silk balls, reprodu- cing the hues of the brocade, and was con- fined at the left side by a large bow with bias
 ends of the paler green satin. The corsage,
 cut low and with short sleeves, was of the
 brocade. The second dress was in delicate Ophella lilac brocade of the most superb
 quality. The train, cut square at the end. fell in full rich folds. The front of the skirt
 was covered with deep founces of exquisite
 point d'Alencon, escaping from beneath a
 gracefully draped scarf of the brocade caught
 up very his h at the right side.
 The third dress was of three materials
 namely: pale reddish lilac satin, on rich
 velvet of the new-worn red known as Aticant
 and a satin of the first tint figured with clus.
 ters of the hydrangea flower in shades of
 ruby and rose. tinted velvet The satin train
 was lined with velvet, the skirt front having
 side draperies of the beauteous figured satin,
 and a bewildering and wholly indescribable
 combination of scores in the plain and fig
 ured satin. This dress was the most original
 and striking of the three, the fine brocade
 being the most delicate and poetic, and the green satin and gold yellow brocade the most effective. Then there was shown a new ball dress for Spanish society leader, the Coun- tess de la Gandara, who is a tall and stately and ivory brunette. Only lady of such type and style could have worn that brilliant toilet in vivid gold yellow tulle and satin. The skirt front was of tulle, laid in very large box plaits, the outer fold being covered with band in delicate silver em- broidery. The train, in satin of the same shade, was turned back just below the waist in large pointed revers, the revers and the whole border of the train being edged with tulle. Long massed garlands of crocuses held back the train, and cluster of the same flowers adorned the low necked satin corsags.
 But perhaps the loveliest dress that Worth has designed this season was one executed for the Princess de Beauharnais, which was all in white tulle and white satin. The train was in tulle with bands of white crape, and over it fell long veil-like second train of one thickness of tulle embroidered with silver. The front, in draperies of tulle and satin, was adorned with clusters of white marabout feathers and fringes of silver. The low necked corsage was crossed by 8 cordon formed of marabout feathers attached to the left shoulder and fastened at the right side of the skirt. The Countess Beauharnais has also dress in white satin and tulle, but its trimmings were exquisite velvet pansies in shades of violet and soft lilac, intermined with clusters of silver crapes. The side panels of the skirt were in satin embroidered W1In pearls anu uOtuer UT peaII, anu the cor sage of plain satin was trimmed with draper ies to correspond. am promised sight of the new toilet now in preparation for the Empress of Russia, and also one for the young Queen of Spain, whose wedding dress was made by Worth. He is now to arrange the splendid lace founces of that royal bridal costume on 8 pale blue ball-dress for the blonde and graceful wife of Don Alphonso. Worth still keeps his prestige as the chosen dressmaker for royal ladies, despite the eff forts and the claims of 8 hundred rivals. i Half of his time is given to courts and queens, and the other half to his transatlan- tic customers, of whom he counts many hun dreds.