Morning journal and courier., 1884-01-01
Ball Dresses in England.
Very Low BodIces Now Considered Bad
 Form.
(From the London Daily News.)

(From the London Daily News.>
 Faint-hued satin is one of the ideal fabrics
 for the setting forth of woman's beauty.
 There is a sumptuous softnsss about it that
 fascinates the artists eye and inspires the
 poets pen. It's gIeaming surface seems to
 irradiate the form it envelops, and the shift ing folds produce an effect of light and shade in which any less glossy material must fail. Nor is the mode of to-day calculated in any way to lessen the excellence of the fabric as adapted to ball dresses. The too abbreviated skirts of some three years ago have disappear ed, together with that superlative tightness, which made the dancer look as though her knees were in danger of coming through her dress. The length of the skirt Is now regul- ated by the convenience of the dancer, not by the beauty or otherwise of the feet and ankles that 8 short dress displays and long one hides.
 The rule at present is that the front and sides of the evening dress shall clear the floor by some two inches, while the back just rests upon it. In the gentle swiug of the dance this portion also sWsys upward from the floor, and in Q graceful valseuss (ths waltz is now scarcely known by it's former name, but has become the valse!) there is no more becoming length. The very low bodices of some seas- ons ago are now considered ''bad form' Ca quite untranslatable slang phrsse), while the straps that esssysd to do duty as sleeves would, if worn by girl or young matr on, EG OuCG CUGoSu14 AcE dS 0G1Oukl1& tO GAC 1ASG contingent.
 On the whole, the evening dress of to-day, or rather tonight, is graceful and conven- ient, modest and becoming. An excellent instance of this may be found in frock just designed by one of our leading court miliin- CTS. The materials are satin and lace. The former is in a shade of bright golden yellow, and is entirely covered by light draperies of brown Spanish lace. The edge of the skirt is fretted into nipples of shining golden yellow, just appearing beneath the filmy brown of the lace. The bodice and peniers are in 8 similar style, the latter consisting solely of the lace, which is draped toward the back in serve to bring out the yelled gold of the satin, while the folds of lace. where they fall to gethsr, form the contrasting deep tones of the composition.
 Among the new fabrics for ball dresses is an English crape snow-white in color, and dotted with pearls. The crinkled surface is effective over white satin. The pearls have affinities with the satin, while the crape pre- sents opposite qualities. The three combined form perfect union, free from monotony or any suspicion of insipidity. The satin is in a shade of hesh-pink, and of incomparable soft ness of texture. Curving lines of yellowish lace describe section of a circle on the skirt near the front, and down the left side runs a panel of the satin, embroidered in many bril- liant colors, softsned by contiguity to each other. Lace of similar tint is effective upon dresses of sau-de-Nil green; but by far the most beautiful trimmings of dresses for dan cers consist of the exquisitely made flowers and leaves that are turned out by the skilful fingers of the artificial florists.
 Velvet leaves, in tints of warm crimson golden brown, or liveliest yellow, look well upon almost any color. Tulle skirts are ideal ized by such ornaments as these. One, in corn color, has long garland of bramble leaves, in russet brown and red, hung across the Aounces, which trim the front of the skirt. The bodice is of plush in precisely the tint of crimson of soms of the leaves. An even ing dress of black net has the front breadth covered with rich embroidery, also of the tint of ripe corn, representing wheat in full ear The black net is held back by ribbons of corn color.
 beautiful ball dress is in brooaded gauge of the color knownas imperial yellow, and so bright and glowing that one comprehends easily why the children of the Flowery Land have called 1t "the daughter of light" The bodice is edged round the shoulders with large yellW beads. Paniers and drapery gre of yellow tulle, spotted with leaves of the same color. This dress, without presen ing any loud or inharmonious feature, could not permit it's Wearer to be unseen or unnoticed in any ball room. It would need some grace of carriage and sn air of distinction in addi- ton to beauty for any lady to appear in such a dress without becoming sabservient to it. An insignificant woman must be exLipguished by it. shy one would be overwhelmed. Only brilliant one would feel at ease in it.