The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-12-28

HAS, NlpiA pliOll WdAy iC6NOos I4iio e5oWA
was for my first ball, and in beholding it
for the days while; it was being evolved
from package of simple white stuff into
it's perfection / was filled with the most
perfect delight of my life. Not even the
tiny face of my firstborn seemed as pre-
cious. Was it because I was SO young
when had the first ball dress, and was it
not child's delight do not know, but
/ have searched in vain long years since
then for the same pervading joy over a
new possession.
And when 1 wore it was in dream,
a vague, cloudy realm Of newness. The
music throbbed, / could hear its pulsing
sounds for days after, and did not walk
or step. I simply fioated in an unknown
sea, with new lights, new sounds and new
music around me. Even the familiar peo-
ple-my mother, every body-appeared to
me under new and enchanted aspect. l
could weep over the whole of it now just
to remember the sensations that were born
of that first ball dress. Do you know, it
was made SO nearly like the fashions OF to-
day that can hardly realize that SO many
years have come and gone? And half be-
ieve that I am dreaming now. There was
full skirt, gathered at the belt; full
waist, with a double frill of fine lace
around the neck; old lace, ivory white.
My sleeves were puffed, and / had white
"watered" ribbon sash. There was a
white satin slip, and there were camellias
on the shoulder and one in my hair, and
this, remember, was curled in two rows
all around and hung in ringlets
Today 1 saw the very prototype of that
gown worn nearly 40 years ago. Just
think of It'll / wonder If ever old men re-
member their first pants-new for some
grand occasion? If they do, the remem-
brance cannot be half as pleasant as ours
is, for trousers are not poetic and ethereal,
and ball gowns are. We wore them in Ar
oady, and none else will ever seem as fair.
Perhaps the very girls whose gowns 1
saw today will in future years look back
to them with tender regret. Teas and re-
captions and dinners bring forth some
lovely robes for maidens. One makes her
debut today at a grand tea, wearing a
white taffeta slip, with an overdress of
white silk net Around the bottom are
three tiny lisse rufles The waist is full
at the neck and gathered at the belt. In
perpendicular lines are rows of fine va
lenciennes insertion and the same are set
on the elbow sleeves. There is a Marie An
toniette fchu OF net, with graduated
ruffie of crepe lisse, bordered with inch
wide valenciennes. The stock is of lisse,
and blush rose on the shoulder adds one
lovely lingering touch of beauty and girl
ish grace.
For the proud mother scarcely older
looking than e daughter there was a
superb gown of satin duchess brocaded
in very large pattern Of laurel leaves.
The coloring was shaded green over
mahogany brown, There were faroy
wrought filigree belt and small e
collar Of dark green velvet studded h
gilt nailheads and edged with gold passe-
naenterie. A piece of honiton point was
draped around theupper part of thecollar.
For young lady who was to assist in
receiving the guests there was a dainty
printed india silk in a delicate rnauge and
white. The style Of making was as simple
as It well could be. There were shoulder
knots of lace and lace ruohing around
the low bodice Here, too, pale rose
rested on the left shoulder.
There are some really elegant novelties
in bodices and basques. One shown today
was rich brocade basque in several
shades of gray satin. The skirts to it were