Year: 1864

From the New York Round Table
/ Modern civilization and refinement
is developed among US, from the fe-
male chrysalis, brilliant creature,
who bears about the same relation to
woman that meteor docs b the sun.
This peculiar and radiant specimen of
feminine human nature is the "lady"
par excellence. One occasionally shoots
across our pathway in going up or
down Broadway. We notice her
stepping from her carriage or daintily
crossing the sidewalk, and wonder
anything so exquisite and perfect in
its way was ever put together or how,
being completed, it remains so mystic
riousy charming and unapproacha-
BILE, SO wondrous and admirable acre.
alton of beauty and art, as to scarcely
betray suspicion of q human origin.


We gaze with admiration, mingled
with awe, on the fair and dolicately
moulded figure, on the stately and
immaculate folds OF silk and lace in
which it is enveloped, on the swim
ming motion which presses and parts
the air without apparently touching
the earth, and on the marvellous
whiteness of the ieweled fingers which
disdainfully hold tho rich robe from
any fear of passing contact


The idea OF wearing so peerless a
creature next 10 one's heart as a wife,
sister or mother, is simply an absurd
ity. She is quite too bright, If not too
good for natures daily food. Kisses
would discompose her, tears commit
unheard of ravages, even smiles must
not be lndulged in too often, and
laughter never. This superb stoicism
is chief point Of difference between
lady and woman. A woman is
emotional; she is sympathetic; she is
quickly excited TO luughteror to tears;
she Will even neglect her personal
adornment and forego her own wishes
and inclinations, where her feelings
are very much interested. But the
modern ''lady" never by any accident
forgets herself unlnr nll eircum-
stances, her own individuality is tho
irst object Of her attention and the
last Of her thoughts, and the result is
dazzling female phenomenon, which
we are content to worship at dis
tance, and have no wish to appropri-
ate.


Such an idea, in fact, would be lit
tie less than insanity, in anything
short Of millionaire. A lady, at
present prices, is luxury too great
for an ordinary man to contemplate
the figures attached plainly to her
making up and adornments would
frighten any man who did not possess
a printing press Of his own that could
turn out an unlimited number Of
greenbacks.


Take the lady, for instance, who
sweeps the pavement, as she passes to
the marble steps Of dry goods pal
ace. Her dress is a rich mauve moire
antique, at eight dollars per yard and
1T is trimmed with lace leaves, edged
with tiny drop buttons, which we hap
pen to know can be purchased only at
SIX dollars per pair. Twelve pairs,
Including the epaulets and trimming
for. the bndy would be required at the
very least, involving u cost of seventy
i've dollars for the trimming alone. -
Add fifteen yards Of moirc, at So, and |
you reach two hundred dollars with
out the making, which, ogether with
Innings and smaller items, will be thir-
ty dollars more. Her magnificent
cloak is of black velvet, enriched with
a profusion oi JET aud guipure lace,
aud was imported at a cost OF five
hundred dollars. Her hat is Parisian
also, and with its sweeping plume,
which is the envy Of half her female
friends, WAS considered chap at fifty |
dollars.


Were it worth while to come down |
to smaller details, we would enumsr-
ate her collar of real point which cost
fifteen dollars; her lace covered para
sol, which cost twenty-five; her lace
edged mouchoir, a bargain at forty,
and her dainty walking boots, which,
it is complained. do not pay the price
of exchange at seven dollars par
Even then we leave cut the Jewelled
watch, the daintily fitting gloves, once
one dollar, now two dollars pair, and
two boxes Of which scarcely suffice
for season. aking the more prom
inent articles of costume, which can
be seen at glance, we have the fol-
lowing result: