The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-29

And the cost Oh, say $l5,0OO.'
"Who will be the most beautiful woman
at the balliv
"Ah. there YOU touch question upon
which should prefer to express no opinion.
New York Is a city OF beautiful women
Your duties keep you much occupiedT'
YES, am tremendously busy; give my
persci al attention TO every detail. There
nave been people who have said 'McAilis-
ter, socially, IN too liberal; | am liberal.
| believe in being liberal. That talk about
the -Four Hundred is all very well. but the
-Four Hundred is much like the Light Brig
ade, II wouldn't take long to shoot il away
in charge. There are good many old
fellows among us, and we must have new
blood IL society is TO exist at all. Besides
this Is growing town. No, II is not my
policy 10 he too exclusive"
DINNER AND DANCE GOWNS.
seldom have dinner and dance gowns been
more graceful and picturesque than at the
present moment, and must confess that !
was greatly pleased with two beautiful tot
lets shown me last Monday by an American
woman who figured prominently and sue
cessfully in London society and who is just
now making visit 10 New York 10 renew
her acquaintance with her girlhood friends
Her husband, who is ndNN dead, had minor
title and lcft her big income On these
accounts and also. 1t II only fair 10 suppose.
because she herself is charming. she is in
Nlted everywhere.
Dress number one was having the last
coqucterics added 10 it for a dinner in the
wearer's house. The lady is quite hand
some, with fair complexion, and masses
Of h iir Just touched with an auburn tinge
which she curls loosely on the top Of her
head. The gown was a creamy white
satin, brOcadcd in raised design with pale
peach color. II was finished with a belt
with gold tracerios, through which was
thrust an antique dagger set with jewels.
Dress number two was brought with her
from England, and was meant, 30 under
stood, to make its first appearance next
Thursday evening at McAllister's New
Years ball. 1t was nOticeably magniil-
cent toilet. having petticOatof white bro
cade, bodice train Of amber satin with
high papillon bows on the shoulders, 10 be
worn with quantity Of diamonds.
DRESSES AT THE NEW YEARS BALL.
There will be no fancy dresses at the New
Years ball and no attempt at cOstuming
after any particular period. 80 Mr.. McAllis-
ter tells me. Most Of the costumes for that
great social occasion are finished and in the
hands Of their happy prospective wearers.
One. which Was finished al leading New
York house early in the week, Is 10 grace the
person Of young married belle. il IL a
charming opal satin draped in front with
white lisse which r. embroidered with small
bouquets of flowers copied closely from ma
ture in shades ofmyrtle green, old rose and
gObeln blue. The bodice il very pretiily
cut and is drawn TO a point in front under a
N-shaped band Of opal tinted passementerlc.
Several Of the debutantes have chosen
Russian net, which is the pre;tiest and soft
est of the new transparent materials for
their ball gowns, and two girlish toilets Of
this order. which were shown 10 me this
morning, were very pleasing. Both were
draped over white satin; but while one was
draped full in Nandyke points across the
front Of the skirt the other fell IN long
Greek folds, with silver cords run through
the meshes 20 give little weight 20 the airy
material. The beauty Of both these gowns
was in the floral garniturcs. The first was
looped with velvet tulips mounted with
ribbon bows i'm white and crimson, and the
second was festOOned with white marguer-
ties. threaded as children string them, encirc-
ling the waist and combining hlletwlse the
pulls Of yellow hair.
Miss Emily Price. the daughter Of the
Tuxedo architect. who has been declared
10 be the most beautiful Of the seasons de-
butantes, is TO wear. | hear, silver white
| Wlle trimmed prOfusely with costly White
I IlI. Inc NWM II II lllhiF WIN ~ NiANNA SIN
petticOat. bOrdercd with iur band. over
this hangs the tulle embroidered with far
away shadows of witch hazel flowers
which seem TO belong to the fur and the
snew. The bodice opens in Y edged with
fur.
The most Respondent toilets seen will be,
OF course. the rich brOcades. which are now
the right Of matrOns, however Young. An
exceedingly handsome gown which awaits
the eyenthl evening has bodice and train
of dark ruby velvet The whole of the I'M
derskirt and the panels at the sides are oil "A
! splendid brOcade in "a delicate shade of pale
pink, while the front of the skirt is draped
| from waist 10 hem with beautiful tablicr
of cream lisse closely embroidered with an
elaborate design in fine pearls. The bodice
is Of dark ruby velvet, arranged with a vest
| of brOcade and chemiscttc Of mOussellnc
de chiffon bordered with pearls.
It's of 10 use 10 anticipate the diamond
show further eian TO promise that several
| ladies. following possibly Mrs. kendall 3
example. though the chances are they
wouldn't own it, have had the stones Of
bracelet. and nocklets reset in stars and
suns.
There were many fine gowns at the Union
| League Clubs reception 90 the Pan-Amcri-
can delegates. One Of these was Il hand
some girls de perlc with train, and with the
front of the body studded with diamonds \
dark, picturesque woman wore yellow poull
de sole. one of her companions was M
dove gray MORE. and another in maize
colored silk. trimmed with a harmonizins
shade Of green. Perhaps the smartesl
toilet of the occasion WAS brown and vel
low silk i'm stripes, brocaded with gold and
black pompad0ur designs.
Every shade and gamut Of color was rep
resented i'm the toilets Of a large dinner re-
Gently. The hostess was brilliant in pal,
pink MORE, bordercd with gold and silver
passementerie, and worn over petticoal
of crimson velvet. And yet 1t is good plan
to remember that there are women who
dress well ON 500 year.