The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24

1857 CIV
yet the working classes will find reason
for rejoicing in the happy conjunction
OF Sunday and Christmas-Day, which
gives them a little longer holiday. Ard
those possessed Of this worlds goods
cannot rightly be accused Of boarding
them, for purses have been opened wide
ly and abundant contributions have pour
ed into all the benevolent funds. The fact
that some Of the churches have even con-
yerted the fund for church evergreens
into one for feeding the poor, and have
allowed their churches 10 go bare, shows
that there is a hearty effort TO spread
the good cheer OF Christmas time. To-
night, when the family gathers about the
gurdened tree, and the room IS gay with
holly and light, and the fire burns with
a particular Christmas glow. young maid
ems Will get out their prcttiest gowns, mo
will make themselves particularly charm
ing in view of the graceful scenes in
which they must participate later, when
the low courtesy Is given In acknOWl-
! edgment of the mysterious packages that
bear their names. Even grandmother
viii wear her daintiest kerchief and her
richest lace, and the little tots will be
respondent in their gayest dresses.
But it is the young girl that viii come
in for the greatest share of attention.
IAN oAFifN iVA Alilr rtdoVit nhNG 4itsi'te IL
al easy matter to get a lovely at-home
uress for the evening at but slight cost.
For the daintlest, one makes them of
silk; with both skirt and bodice ACCORDION
plated. Even the short sleeves are plait-
ed, so that they stand out like veritable
balloons. The trim dancing skirt Is most
graceful when it is simply plated, with
no trimming whatsoever. Then the crepe
gowns, those of soft, white stuff. such
as albetross. and silk null, make pretty
gowns, trimmed with bright yelvets. But
for The truly economical and inexpensive
dress. get you a cotton crepon of soft
tint, that costs but twenty cents a yard.
You may make it up with an excellent
quality Of velyeteen. which will cost about
a dollar a yard. The velveteen will make
the full sleeve and slender girdle; and. II
the dress be high-necked, the stock coll
lar. a roll or two may also trim the
skirt. Have long velvet ribbons to fall
in front. matching your Yelveteen. l saw
"A most charming gown made after this
fashion. The crepon was a pale hello
trope. the trimmings. a rich, dark-red
veiveteen. Midway between the top and
bottom OF the skirt was added a crepon
rufle, gathered in the middle. from be-
heath which fell a rufie Of delicate white
lace. There was "A berthe ON the bodice,
or the crepon, which was brought down
and across. IN front. like a hchu. Two
inches above the edge was an Insertion
or lace and the edge was also lace. The
crepon sleeves. reaching only 10 the elbow,
had two rows Of insertion, several inches
apart. Donkey's ear bows, crepon and
red velveteen. stood gaily up on each
shoulder. Such a dress costs but little.
but Is most taking.
A pretty pale-blue gown has an entire
front OF mousseline de sole Of white. The
dress is a princess. falling i'm "a vatican
at the back. The white front is gathered
at the low neck under velvet choux: and
from there falls straight and full to the
feet. IL is a genuine homegrown: but IS
lghtened by the fan arrangements OF
lace that spread out over each shoulder
IN novel fashion. Beneath the lace are
double puhs of pale blue, edged with
lace bouncing.
In the overskirt idea. very pretty effects
ca be- produced. a fanciful Paris gown
has a plain brocade skirt in rose color.
with a garland at the feet made Of rose
and green velvet leaves. The overskirt IS
simply a long blouse, ACCORDION plated
from top 10 bottom, Of rOse-colcred
gauze, and falling half way over the skirt.
IL is cut into deep, sharp teeth at the
bottom and a berthe. similarly cut. IS
added at the round neck. 10 harmonic
with the bottom. The neck is banded
with dark-green velvet. and stiff. long
loops Ia velvet stretch across the front
Of the berthe. At the waist line there
rails over each hip a very full and very
snort velvet ruhie, caught in at the front
by a wide buckle. IL is a novel idea and
could be utilized in a simpler gown.
one sees rare loneliness I'm the theatre
boxes these clear. wintry evenings. and
one Is Immediately taken with a lace few
Pr upon looking around. BY common CON
sent all swell-dOwn display the flmv
'and-not so much on gown. perhaps. as
)n cape and toque. Every other woman
wore a black velvet mantle Of some de-
and IL was invariably trimmed
With Insertions Of rich lace. In my opin-
on, II We'd very successfully with an or
nine cape or two that was scattered i'm
between that array Of black velvet and
cal, and brocade. The handsomest had
hort rutiies Of velvet, with a lace inser-
ION put on an inch or two inside the
dge; and had lace bands running down
ne front and at the bottom Of the cane.
here was but little edging. One triDla
rhine cape w0s truly magnificent. lined
With pure white, and made Of three very
hort capes. the uppermOst scarcely more
han a Tufiie. Another triple beauty was
Z fine, white cloth, each cape edged with
rhine. Lace was introduced very pret- !
in connection with a sable boa. that
'as tied in front with a long, loose bow I
{ deep yellow point. I
There were some wonderful gowns !
iere that night, also. A heavily corded I
sill baI a clint 81 . -. at-ff -