Evening star., 1911-06-11

ao:lety Dal poudre In June. Several
private costume balls are already an
nounced, and some leading society
Ihostesses will give period dinner parties
during the next eventful months Never
since the days of the Georges, in fact.
have costume functions been SO much
| in favor in England.
Haunts of Merry Monarch.
National self-consciousness has pre-
vented the English delight in costume
balls and fetes which is still taken in
them in other countries. There used,
Iof course, to be wonderful entertain
ments at Ranelagh and vauxhall, and
before then at Whitehall and other
haunts of the Merry Monarch. But in
| more modern times we have become
too much afraid of making ourselves
ridiculous really to enjoy these things.
Nevertheless, there have been outstand-
ing occasions on which fancy dress has
produced memorable results. In the
early days of Queen Victoria's reign
such entertainments were looked upon
slightly askance. There were too many
stories Of famous beauties who had
gone to costume balls in too classical
attire. But in 1912 the outstanding
entertainment of the year was a bal
lcostume given at Buckingham Palace
The French ambassador is to give
ball this year in honor Of King Georges
coronation. 1t is not known yet if it
will be fancy dress. 1t will take place
in the great new ballroom. which the
enlargement of London society has
made necessary. 1t was in the old ball
room that a historical costume ball
was given by Count Walewski when
he was French ambassador. The
their usual rule and attended the ball.
where they stayed some hours, fact
which was recognized as having some
international significance, for 1t marked
the value attached in this country to
the French alliance of 1854.
At this years ball the institute will not
give any tableaux, for fancy dress in it
self has become SO popular that no extra
entertainment is necessary. Perhaps the
loveiiest gown in 1887, apart from the
tableaux, was worn by Miss Tadema,
the daughter of the painter. and consist
ed Of brocade in mingled silver and a.
faint tone of lilac, which in sentimental
days was known as .'stified sighs."
Famous Costume Ball.
ever given in England-and 1t may be
doubted if any more wonderful was ever
known in either Italy or France-was the
Duchess of Devonshire's ball in honor of
the diamond jubilee. The great range Of
Eine staterooms In the mansion of Pic
cafilly was crowded by an unparalleled
throng of royalty. rank and beauty. An
extra supper room was built In the gar
den. with a temporary staircase to 1t.
leading from the ballroom, which over
looks the trees of the garden. Staircase
and supper room were hung with glorious
tapestries and the garden was filed with
myriads of colored lights. The very
servants Of the house were in fancy
dress.
On this occasion both the Prince and
Princess of Wales were In costume. The
prince was in black velvet as a Knight
Hospitaller OF Malta, and Alexandra was
dream of loveliness as Marguerite of
Valois, in white satin. ablaze with d1a-
monds. and a train of cloth Of gold car
ried by two pages. The present king was
in gray brocade embroidered with gold
and pears and diamonds, as George Cliff
ford, Earl Of Cumberland, and Queen
Mary, then the Duchess of York. in pale
blue and silver, was in Marguerite or
ValoiS' train.
One or two figures even in that amaz-
ing scene stood out The Duchess OF
Devonshire herself (now Louise. Duchess
Of Devonsnire) was dressed as Zenobia,
Queen of Palmeira. Reduced to the short
est terms her costume makes one gasp.
She had a skirt Of gold tissue embroid-
cred all over with emeralds, sapphires
and diamonds in a star design, with two
enormous peacock's tails at either side
Of the front. carried out in jewels. over
white petticoat sprfnkled with dla-
monds. Her green velvet train was en-
sapphires, emera,os. amethysts and dia-
monds The gold crown. incrusted with
the same jewels, was placed above Ies-
toons of pearls, one enormous pearl Deing
pendant OH the forehead
Glory of the Arabian Knights.
Georgiana Lady Dudley was a most
glorious vision straight from the Arabian
Nights as Queen Esther. Her white
yyyfb dull
gold, was edged with green embroidery
studded with amethysts. turauoises and
pearls Over 1t fell chasuble of solid
gold tissue embroidered with jewels. The
headdress consisted OF white veil en-
broidered with gold under purple veil
embroidered with gold, under a crown OF
dead gold incrusted with jewels, and fif-
teen pearl drops falling on the forehead.
The beauty OF Lady Warwick as Marie
Antoinette, in pink and gold and dia-
monds. is lasting memory with all who
saw her. and Lady Paget then Mrs
Arthur Paget. as Cleopatra, was another
vision from the land OF dreams, all in
black embroidered with gold. incrusted
with jewels, and the bodice abiaze with
diamonds The square Egyptian head
dress was also on fire with rubies and
diamonds ard the sacred ibis above 1t
outstretched wings OF diamonds and sap
phires. At the back peacocks feathers
rose. and the hair was looped with pearls
to this simple gown Lady Paget woe
necklaces row upon row. from throat to
waist, and all this beauty and richness
of display Is to be outdone. this corona
tion year. IL Is said!
1t will be seen how difficult is the task
of any hostess who tries to outshine such
an occasion. a task made doubly difficult
by the marvellous way in which the mod
ern woman keeps her beauty. Lovely as
the young women OF today are. they have
much to contend with in the still radiant
beauty of Lady Warwick, Georgiana
Lady Dudley and Lady Paget. to say
nothing Of Princess Pless. who as the
Queen of Sheba, IN gold and purple shot
cloth OF gold, was, as 1t were. the dis
titled essence OF fairy tale, and who looks
today perhaps a little younger than she
did then.
which seemed to indicate the high-water
mark of fancy dress entertainment In
England. Yet the coming season may