, 1888-12-27

ist, said . middie-aged man TO IN 18-
year-old, a. he indicated thin, scrawny,
hollow .chested woman.
'lndeedv exclaimed the girl.
"Yes; she has skill in sculpture. She
has modelled several busts admirably"
We'll; then, she ought TO make 90 at
The man wondered II he had confused
his ears by putting too much champagne
into his mouth, and went of to the dress.
ing.room to take ~ critical observation of
himself in mirror. o.l. t. ..
ABOUT THE BALL FASHIONS.
As shown on this occasion, let me frat
note general eccentricities. Mrs. John
BloOdgoods gown WAS of yellow and silver
brocade with q deep bordering of beaver
fur. Joanne Borrowe wore cross between
the Empress Josephine and sylphides
costume, as her waist was short. her skirts
marrow, and two large silver wings we're
attached to either shoulder. IL was ex-
tremely becoming, however, as was Mrs.
BloodVood's, and both we're pleasant In.
plexion Of the ball To add TO that spice
# life which variety is said to
supply, Mrs. Mary Hoffman and
Miss Gift appeared with feather
boas wound about their neck.
while among the men there was curious
| display of embroidered shirt fronts and
quilted satin lappels to dress coats, which
were not suggestive of Anvlomania. do
men 'prinkp'" unsophisticated lovely
woman may ask. Do ducks swimP The
men who 70 to Delmonico ball include
fond fathers and indulgent husbands who
would much rather be ut home in bed,
blase bachelors who attend either
because it has become second nature
to them to 20 to the patriarchs or the AS
sembly, or from the always sufficient fact
that they are In love with some rosebud"
or devoted to some rose, enthusiastic
young men who still enjoy dance. noble
strangers from Europe come TO compare
and to criticise. and indefati9able dancing
men from Philadelphia, Baltimore and
Boston. The old guard yawn--and IL Is
only 1l:30-the patient husband looks for
ward complacently to supper, the noble
stranger admits monoce and assumes an.
imposinyly irresistible manner. and ire
pressible youth nearly breaks into waltz
step as white waist-coated, flower-decked,
white Rloved and cravated the cavaliers
make their way down the staircase.
For sixteen years the balls given at
Delmonico's by the Pstriarchs have been
among the most important events OF the
social year, and to obtain invitations to
them has been as eagerly desired by the
ladies of the fashionable society as It has
of the celebrated fifty. They were started
in 1872, and during each season two or
three have been held. So there were
many fine specimens of the ancient beau
introduced with the more numerous mod
ern ones, and pom my word they we're
THE MORE FRIVOLOUS.
Many of the pretty dancing toilets were
in princess shape, demi-trained and fin
ished with very full.plaited rose ruchinR
at the edge of the skirt. Above this was
often Greek drapery of tulle or tinted
silk net, made with wide hem, into
which gold and silver threads are worked.
used to hold the airy folds OF the drapery,
both on bodice and overdress. Tea roses
and rich, red poinse.tia were severally fav.
orites. Many low.cut bodices for young
ladies we're full and like what used TO be
known as 6 'baby waist" The upper
edge was frequently finished with u fall of
soft, creamy lace quite deep), "a fringe of
fine artificial flowers lsuch as tiny
foerget.me-nots, bluo-bells or, lilies
knife.plaited friil' Of silk null. The
lovely and lustrous corded silks brought to
view were so soft and beautiful in effect,
falling in such shimmering folds WHEN
lightly draped, that they needed no ex-
traneous additions. The charm of
corded silk lies in itself and when un.
adorned is adorned the most. Many
prefer. the fuely-ribbed qualities thinking
them better wear than the heavier cords,
In some of the toilets some Of the pale
half tiDts were exquisite, the sheen on
their delicate surface being very beautiful
by artificial light. Among the favored
shades were golden willow. rare tint In
green; apricot dawn, u golden pink tea
rose; Parma violet; golden tan; pale terra
Gotta and dove gray--all alike charming
to the eye, but not alike as regards
general becomingness, Pale blue beau
de sole gowns were druped with crepe
lisse and caught up by clusters OF lilies of
the valley and leaves. The sleeve Of one
such dress was finished on the outside
with Il full puff OF crepe lisse. Some
beautiful dresses of white crepe de chine
were embroidered elaborateIy in silks and |
Venetian metal work IN various coiors.
THE BRAND NEW DEBUTANTEs
present were Margaret Schieffelin, Flea.
nor Duer, Georgiana Wilm.rdiDq Louise
Shepard, Maud Jaffray, Enretta kerno. |
chan, Charlotte Goodrich. Adelaide Clark. |
son, Sallie Hargons. Florence Hurst Miss |
Bronson, Elizabeth Van Rensselaer,, May |
Perkins. the Misses Morgan, Amy Bend,
Lizzie Beach, Mamie Furman and Elizabeth |
Morris. As a rule they wore white gowns
and their arms and bosoms were decor
ously covered. The unsophisticated rose
bud gradually learns to distinguish be- |
tween fair leader Of the cotillion and one i
given to cliques. She becomes an expert |
In deciding as to the exact merits
in that capacity of the very young leader.
the so.very young leader and the mid !
dle-aged leader. She learns to ask out the,
men who ask her out. and to pass
by with stony stare, those who