, 1888-12-27

lat, said middle-aged man to IN l8.
yesr-old, a. he indicated thin, scrawny,
hollow .chested woman.
''lndoedW exclaimed the girl.
''Yes; she has skill in scul lpture. She
has modelled several busts admirably"
We'll: then, she ought 70 make . 60 at
her own" ~ - I.I
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 n. critical observation Of
himself in q mirror. s .t.
ABOUT THE BALL FASHIONS.
As shown on this occasion. let me fret
note general eccentricities. Mrs. John
Bloodgood's gown WAS of yellow and silver
brocade, with deep bordering OF beaver
fur. jeanne BorroWe wore cross between
the Empress Josephine and syiphidet
costume, as her waist was short. her skirts
narrow, and two large silver wings were
attached to either shoulder. IL was ex.
tremely becoming, however. as was Mrs.
Bloodvood's, and'botli were pleasant In.
terruption to the generally coloriess COM
plexion Of the ball. To add to that spice
If life which variety il said to
supply, Mrs. Mary Hoffman and
Miss Gift appeared WITH feather
boas wound about their neck.
while among tho men there was curious
display of embroidered shirt fronts and
quilted satin lappels to dress coats, which
were not suggestive OF AnvlOmania. "Do
men 'prink?'" unsophisticated lovely
woman may ask. Do ducks swimp The
men who 70 to q Delmonico ball include
fond fatbers and indulgent husbands who
would much rather be at home in bed,
blase bachelors who attend either
because IL has become second nature
to them to go to the pstriarchs or the as-
senbly. 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 indefatiQa dancing
men from Philadelphia, Baltimore and
Boston. The old guard yawn-and it is
only 1l;30-the patient husband looks for
ward complacently to supper, the noble
stranger admits q monocle and assumes an
imposingiy irresistible manner. and ire
pressibe youth nearly breaks into waltz
step as white waist-coated, fower.decked,
wbite.Qloved and cravated the cavaliers
make their way down the staircase.
For sixteen year, 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
theu has been as eagerly desired by the
ladies of the fashionable society as it has
been among the men to become members
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 ruchinQ
at the edge of the skirt. Above this was
often Greek drapery of tulle or tinted
silk net. made with q wide hem. into
which gold and silver threads are worked.
Trails OF delicious French flowers were
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 fall Of
soft, creamy lace quite deep), fringe of
fine artificial flowers (such as tiny
forget.me-hots, bluo-bells or. lilies
Sn,fsssitea Gf ssi vsla7 f4ii7 Of .k msIi sis rbs
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 6nely-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
10y artificial light. Among the favored
shades were golden willow, a rare tint In
rkWn "A tyOllnn ptnk fiu-
rose; Parma violet; golden tan; pale terra
Gotta and dove gray AL alike charming
10 the eye, but not alike IA regards
general becomingness. Pale blue beau
de sole gowns were draped 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 II full puff of crepo lisse. Some
beautiful dresses OF white crepe de chine
we're embroidered elaborateIy in silks and
Venetian metal work In various colors.
THE BRAND NEW DEBUTANTEs
present were Margaret Schieffelin, Flea
nor Duer, GeorRiana WilmerdlDg, Louise
Shepard, Maud Jaffray, Euretta Kerno-
chan, Charlotte Goodrich. Adelaide Clark
son. Sallie Hargous. 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 q fair leader Of the cotillion and one
given to cliques. She becomes an expert
IN deciding as to the exact merits
in that capacity of the very younR leader.
the not-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
ask her not. All this, however,