Year: 1864




The total here presented was much more
alarming to the young lady principally interested
than it can possibly be TO the reader She had
come to New York with check for three thou
sand dollars to purchase an outfit, exclusive of
watch which she possessed, and jewels which
were to be presented by her lover. To her as
tonishment she found herself one hundred and
ninety-6ve dollars ahead of her cash-book, and
sundry articles, such walls furs, scarfs, fancy
combs, collerettes, handkerchiefs. and the like,
still unpurchased. She could not charge herself
with extravagance A Paisley shawl and a real
lace shawl had been among the desffabIes insisted
upon by her mother, and rich wedding dress
was an ultimatum with her father She had
bought no hundred dollar handkerchief or camel's
hair shawls. no fnrs, no expensive winter cloaks
or delicate by0ufeTie, vet the fact stared her
plainly in the face that the money which she had
imagined capable OF buying all these was gone,
and that two thousand more would be needed be
fore this year was out to supply other ndspensa-
BILE requisites TO a fashionable wardrobe Is il
any wonder that young men afraid to marry,
when, after that event, they feel called upon to
keep up the same rate of supplies, and even in
dulge to greater extent the costly fances of
their young and pretty wives?


The statement, moreover, provides for none of
the extraordinary occasions for which an extra
ordinary toilet has to be procured, and which
not untrequently costs the wearer thousands of
dollars.


AT a fancy dress ball, for instance, given only
few weeks ago, in Madison avenue, the cost of
the dresses would be deemed fabulous One
beautiful lady wore superb rose du chine satin.
embroidered with real pearls Upon her head,
and enveloping her entire person. a nagnif-
cent veil of real lace, also embroidered with
pearls. The Goddess Diana was represented by
young lady in short dress of ponceau satin,
emb roidered with golden arrows; the top boots
were OF red satin to match the dress, and were
finished with golden heels and tassels. Another
young lady wore short dress of green satin,
green satin boots with silver heels, and laces, and
hair powdered with silver dust. lady, we'll
known i'm the world of fashion, wore rich robe
OF white satin, embroidered all over with domi-
noes; head dress and white satin boots were made
to correspond The cost of these splendid cos
tunes is greatly enhanced by the extreme diff
Guilty OF having every part made to correspond
with the others The city must frequently be ran
sacked for some small, yet indispensable item of
material, and as only few artists are capable of
executing the orders. their time and ingenuity
become doubly valuable


Gentlemen are frequently not whit behind
ladies even in the matter of dress On the occa-
sion above mentioned, the costume of the gen
tlemen consisted OF suits of black velvet, knee
breeches ruffies of lace, and diamond buttons
This costume cost one of the gentlemen nearly
one thousand dollars, including the hire of a
superb set of diamonds worth ten thousand dol
lars, and the purchase of lace ruffles of extraord
narv depth and ineness.


What we coming to, when in the midst OF
republican simplicity. without the necessity
for upholding State forms and ceremonials, such
sums lavished on frail and perishable articles
of attire, it is worth while seriously to consider,
and having considered to determine whether or
not to go and do likewise-(N. Y. Round
Table