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ADALINE PATTI.-We have recently had a little wonder by this name singing here. She executes the most difficult pieces of vocalism in a manner truly astonishing. All the most celebrated of Jenny Lind's, Sontag's, and Alboni's songs come as trippingly from her as from the more elder artists. We commend her to our brethren of the press in the different cities she may visit.

WELCH'S PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON.-A magnificent production; one worthy of this great artist. It will be a fortune for our friend Welch, and we know of no person to whom we more heartily wish it. The price is five dollars, and it is very low for such a publication. Address Geo. W. Childs & Co., N. W. corner of Fifth and Arch Streets, Philadelphia.

THE PHILADELPHIA ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-This institution opened on the first of October last, at No. 171 Chestnut Street, O. C. B. Carter, Principal, assisted by Professor Whitcomb, the pupil of Lowell Mason and George James Webb, and by Mademoiselle Helene Schaaff, a young lady from Germany, of high qualifications as a pianist and an experienced teacher, and Professor Andrea Alfisi, from Italy. The object of this institution is to impart a thorough knowledge of the elementary principles of music, as the only key to a practical acquaintance with music as an art.

HORTICULTURAL PARTY.-It is rather an unusual season to write about horticulture; but, as our last number was in the press when the party took place, we could not do it then, and we should be wanting in good taste if we did not inake any mention of the matter. The party was given by Dr. Wm. D. Brincklé, at his mansion in Girard Row, and the display of fruits of all kinds was the finest we ever saw. Dr. B., notwithstanding the duties of his arduous profession, devotes a portion of his time to horticultural pursuits, and we know of no gentleman more ardent in the cause, or one more capable.

PARKINSON'S BUILDING, CHESTNUT STREET, ABOVE TENTH.This ornament to our city, and praiseworthy place, was opened to our citizens last month. It is intended as an ice-cream saloon, summer garden, confectionery, fruit store, and restaurant, and is likely to become one of the most popular and fashionable resorts in our city. There are four saloons in all, two of which are 22 by 50 feet, and all furnished in the most magnificent style. The paper, the painting, and the carpets are elegant, tasteful, and in admirable keeping. The enterprise is one of the most laudable character, and adds a new and attractive feature to Chestnut Street. The garden is embellished with a fountain, and many other appropriate ornaments. It is far superior to any of the celebrated establishments in New York. It must be popular; and already we hear that the worthy proprietor is reaping a rich harvest.

ence;

THE ASSEMBLY BUILDINGS, CORNER OF TENTH AND CHESTNUT STREETS. The apartments in these buildings were recently thrown open for the inspection of a large number of the ladies and gentlemen of this city. The rooms are beautiful. The basement is a restaurant, with every convenithe second floor is the lofty and elegant ball-room, 135 by 30 feet, and 26 feet in height, the walls and ceiling beautifully ornamented, and the room ventilated by flues, which pass through open tubes to the roof, all of which may be opened or closed in a moment, by simply pulling a rope. The next is the banqueting-room, 65 feet long by 30 wide, similarly ventilated. In the third story, are two large exhibition-rooms, lighted by sky-lights, and well

adapted for the exhibition of paintings. The whole building is a credit to the city.

James H. Farrand, Esq., 281 Chestnut Street, is the agent for the building Application for the use of the rooms must be made to him.

THE IRVING HOUSE IN NEW YORK-CHANGE OF PROPRIETORS. -Mr. D. D. Howard, who has made an independent fortune in this establishment, has retired; and we tender to him and his amiable lady many thanks for the many acts of kindness that we have received at their hands, and our sincere wishes that they may enjoy, in their retirement, every comfort that wealth can bestow! We also welcome the new-comer, Mr. W. H. Burroughs, formerly of this city. If anybody can supply Mr. Howard's place, he is the man, and we bespeak for Mr. B. a continuance of that patronage that the hotel has always enjoyed. We hope that our subscribers, visiting New York, will not fail to give Mr. B. a call. They may be sure of a hearty welcome, as they will go recommended by the "Lady's Book."

MERIT REWARDED.-Our esteemed correspondent, whose poetry has so often charmed the readers of the "Book," Anson G. Chester, Esq., of the "Buffalo Morning Express," has received the prize of one hundred dollars for the best poem to be spoken at the opening of the Buffalo Theatre.

WHY DO LADIES STARE AT EACH OTHER?-This question was seriously propounded to us a short time since by a respected bachelor friend, who, in truth, seemed to be greatly annoyed at the practice, and therefore greatly interested in having it satisfactorily accounted for. He appeared to think that such conduct, on the streets, evinced a vulgar amount of boldness, which he even went so far as to characterize as downright insolence and impudence. "Look," said he, "at some of our ladies of the first circles, in their promenades upon that great thoroughfare of pride and fashion, Chestnut Street! How haughtily, and with what contempt do they peer into the countenances, and how minutely do they scan the dresses of those who are equal to them in society, or above or below them in that respect! Did you ever observe," he continued, "how formally and imperiously they turn themselves round, as if deterred by no sense of modesty or propriety to take a second and a third view of each other, and as if determined to lose sight of nothing that might avail them in securing the least triumph of a most insolent curiosity? Men," said he, with increased emphasis, "are never guilty of such impertinence."

This is, indeed, a terrible denunciation against our fair friends, thought we, and, for a moment or two, we felt almost conscious that the petulant declaimer was not altogether in error. There was no denying the fact. But how to satisfy him in regard to this innocent female propensity, as we knew it was, and which he had taken too much to heart, seemed at first beyond our humble powers of extenuation or apology. At length, however, somewhat recovering from his abruptness and severity, we said to him, calmly, "Perhaps it is all owing to their desire to know the fashions!" And, taking courage at this happy thought, we proceeded to illustrate it thus: "You, sir, mistake the whole matter. You think the ladies are staring into each other's faces. No such thing. They are only staring at each other's manner of dressing the hair-at each other's bonnets and trimmings; and, when they turn round to look after each other, it is not, as you suppose, to criticize the neatness and elegance of each other's person, but to assure themselves of the neatness, the elegance, and the appropriateness of the dresses worn by the fashionable passers-by, of whom, personally, it is probable they are far

more indifferent than you really are, with all your pretensions to bachelorship."

"But what can be done," said our friend, after a pause, "to reform this apparently immodest and unmannerly practice? I say apparently unmannerly practice; for, with your explanation, I do not see that it is so very reprehensible, after all."

"Well," said we, with great good feeling and sincerity, "we think that the best method that could be devised to wean the ladies from a practice which has given you such unpleasant apprehensions, would be for yourself, and your numerous bachelor, fault-finding friends, to subscribe liberally for the Lady's Book,' and to distribute the numbers liberally among such of your female acquaintances as do not already take it, in order that they may see our fashion plates for every month, and read the instructions furnished by the editor of the fashionable department; and we warrant you they will no longer offend you by staring at the curls or the bonnets, the jewelry, the laces or the dresses of the ladies whom they casually meet upon the streets. No lady reader of the Lady's Book' was ever charged with any such impertinence. The fashions are furnished to them regularly from the best authority; and, therefore, having no cause to apprehend the least deficiency or impropriety in their own dresses, they never seek to compare them with the dresses of others."

Our friend was convinced; and, bachelor as he was, such was his detestation of the practice of staring, as he persisted in calling the habit, that he left us determined to raise a large club for the distribution of our excellent "Book," as he was pleased to compliment it.

WHAT BECOMES OF ALL THE CLEVER CHILDREN?-We once bad the curiosity to ask what becomes of the pins, but, to this day, we have never received a satisfactory answer. We very much fear that a similar fate will attend our present inquiry, and that we shall never learn the truth about the clever children. It is Victor Hugo, we believe, who says that "to most young couples, the unto us a child is born' seems something so astonishing and remarkable, that one would imagine they had never looked forward to it as a probable result of their union, nor even observed that their friends also had children. Every young father and mother look upon their first baby' as Adam and Eve must have looked upon Cain, with delight, wonder, and something of triumph in their own creative ingenuity. And it is a happy instinct which enables us to value these

little prizes so highly; and a curious thing to reflect, as we stumble through the parks, knee deep in children, that there is not one little unit in those diminutive millions that has not-God bless it!-a circle of admiring relatives, to whom it is the prettiest, the dearest, the cleverest-in fact, the only child that ever was worth a thought."

Alas! what does become of all the prettiest, the dearest, the cleverest children that throng the world in their infancy, and who for a while are the delight and the joy of affectionate parents? We do not mean to push our inquiry in regard to those who have died before they attained the responsibilities of a half-awakened consciousness. It is only in regard to those who, in their earliest developments, promised to be the noblest, the brightest, the purest, the rarest in genius, in learning, in courage, and in renown, of all the other children that were ever born into the world. What has become of them? Who can tell? Where are the evidences of their existence among the crowds that pass us on the streets, or among the multitudes that people the world? How few! how far between!

ONE of the New York papers says: "The witty editor of the Mercury,' Mr. S. Nichols, who would be a man of mark among the keen epigrammatists of Paris, suggested, the other day, a capital idea for another, which he is capable of performing himself-to make a collection of specimens of American humor, and deliver them in the form of lectures." We bear witness to the wit and humor of Mr. Nichols. We know of but one other person that is as capable of the work, and that is Mr. Wm. E. Burton. Mr. B. is as amusing off the stage as he is on, a ripe scholar and a keen humorist. Such a series of lectures would be a rich treat.

SINGULAR ASSOCIATION.-We observe, in the last number of the "London Arts Union," the following advertisement: "The celebrated picture of the 'Sermon on the Mount' will be raffled for," &c.

A REASON FOR NOT LIKING STEP-FATHERS.-A little fellow once observed, "I do not like these new papas; they whip the old papas' children."

THE following are neat: A moneyed man's objection to stays-because they reduce the circulation.

Why are deaf persons like camel's-hair shawls? Because you can't make them here (hear).

Centre-Cable Gossip.

NOVELTIES IN GOTHAM.

ONE of the cleverest women we know says that "travelling is to people what whiting is to silver," a proposition that is proved in everyday life. We shut ourselves up in a Hittle world of our own, a good enough world in its way, with music and books, and elegant household pursuits, but, nevertheless, a world of routine, until we come to think our planet an entire paradise, and our sun the centre of the universe.

Alas for such a theory, when the enterprising traveller is suddenly set down, in the midst of busy, bustling Broadway! Be his name recorded on the books of the Irving,

the Collamore, or the Metropolitan, the rubbing process has commenced-the whiting will very soon absorb the dull tarnish of retirement. One morning's walk will give more food for thought than a year of books.

THE NEW HOTELS

are just now the topic of conversation at all tables d'hôte. "[Fish, with oyster sauce, waiter.] Yes, I am told the Metropolitan has been full from the moment it was opened. I remember when the Astor, sir, was the ninth wonder of the world. I brought my wife down to see it. [The castors, boy.] Have you seen the St. Nicholas Rubs the Metropolitan close, I am told. Splendid saloon! A three dollar

house, though, must be exclusive." And then the bill of fare is studied, and bread crumbled while the courses are renewed, and the ancient chicken, who evidently has no relations in Bucks county, suggests Alboni, who is discussed in turn.

The St. Nicholas-well named for the patron saint of Gotham-was not quite completed when its beauties were first displayed to us. But the classic dignity of the front, of purest marble; the broad entrance and lofty staircases, disfigured, as the last were, by scaffolding, gave full promise of the future. The walls and ceiling are delicately frescoed, the cornices exquisitely carved. The dining-saloon is cer tainly the most beautiful room we have ever entered, for height, depth, and purity of coloring. We could not but congratulate the proprietor on the perfect taste shown throughout, which has by no means excluded any ima ginable convenience or luxury. Those of our lady friends who dislike living in trunks will appreciate the beauty of abundant closet-room in each chamber, and Mrs. Butler might find "A Year of Consolation" under that hospitable roof, with every comfort which she so strenuously denies to American hotels.

If our readers are like ourselves, they will not hesitate to stop by one of the lace-curtained windows opening into the hall, and take a peep

BEHIND THE SCENES.

A perfect fairy-land of a saloon opens a vista before us, lined with magnificent mirrors, perfumed with a thousand extracts, scented waters, and impalpable odors that are used for no lady's boudoir, but are here wasted upon the sterner sex, so called. There they are, leaning back in the most luxurious fauteuils that can be desired, calmly resigned to the hands of the operator, their faces already "smothered in cream," which the sharp glancing steel is as quickly removing. "Not to put too fine a point upon it," as our friend Tungsby would say, they are enjoying the luxury of "a shave," not in Wall street parlance; and, looking unobserved on the placid content beaming through their half-closed eyes, we for the first time decided that the beard might be considered in the light of a luxury. What can a Turkish bath offer surpassing Phalon!" a Gothamite might indignantly inquire of an Oriental traveller. But, while our gentlemanly escorts are transfixed by the novelty which makes to them such forcible appeals, we have strolled through the still more dazzling beauties of Alcock & Allen's, glittering with silver and crystal, and have even arrived at "Haughwout & Dailey's"

MANUFACTORY OF PORCELAIN,

before they join us. We have come here because we never have known, until a moment ago, that painting on porcelain was carried on to any extent in this country, and our most obliging and thoughtful guide has proposed our stopping to see the mysterious process on our way to the Metropolitan, almost "over the way" from its fair rival, the St. Nicholas.

The huge windows are glittering with fine dinner and tea services, displayed in most tempting array; and we pass by cabinets filled with far more costly products-delicate vases, lifelike statuettes, in porcelain and Parian-to the room beyond, where the musical murmur of the pendants to innumerable chandeliers reminds us of our own Cornelius, from whose celebrated manufactory they have indeed been sent. The second story is similarly occupied; but onward, and upward still, we come to the workingroom, where twenty or thirty men are silently occupied in their graceful employment. The plain white surface of a fruit dish, for instance, is to receive bands of gilding. It is

placed on a little stand that revolves slowly before the workman, who traces the lines with his pencil dipped in what we should say was excellent liquid blacking, but which is in reality pulverized gold, mixed with oil and turpentine. The furnace heat to which it is then subjected dries out the mixture, leaving only the dull, whitish-yellow gold, which must be subjected to the process of burnishing before its full beauty can be seen. Side by side, we see an artist with an enormous vase before him, on which he is painting, as delicately as if it were an ivory plate, an exquisite woodland scene-a young girl crossing a brook, and pausing midway, with the water gurgling over the stones at her feet. He has been already four weeks at this single picture, so that the worth of this one piece of porcelain may be calculated. Still above, in a gallery running round three sides of a lofty room, we find women, and even little girls, busily employed in burnishing. This is a simple process, but producing a wondrous effect, in "gilding the refined gold." At first sight, it would seem that each ope rator, for the love of destruction simply, was occupied in rubbing and scratching off the golden bands, leaves, or figures with which the vase or cup at which they are at work is decorated. But we find the small knife or chisel does just its appropriate task, and no more, removing only the dull surface rapidly and skilfully. The little girls of ten years old are working away as demurely and industriously as if they knew the worth of all their earningswhich doubtless they do, poor things! We should like to transcribe the interesting information with regard to this branch of manufacture, for which we are indebted to the kind politeness of Mr. Haughwout, and to speak of the process more minutely; but the morning wanes away apace, and we shall not have time for the "Metropolitan," if we linger longer where piles of China are being manufactured for the St. Nicholas, as the curious traveller can see the very plates he is to cat from when he patronizes that palace-like hotel. So, stopping to overlook for a moment a workman in still another room, who is engraving a crest upon a set of crystal just ordered, we bid our pleasant conductor "good-morning," and cross Broadway to

THE METROPOLITAN.

Strange as it may at first seem, this mammoth hotel is on the "shilling," that is to say, on the unfashionable side of Broadway. Many of our readers remember the situation of "Niblo's," that theatre which is not a theatre, if the paradox can be made out, where they have passed many a pleasant evening. The Metropolitan extends nearly a whole block, directly in front of the gardens, its long corridors opening upon them on the one side, and into beautiful parlors and suites of rooms on the other. No more enchanting scene can be imagined than these corridors brilliantly lighted by enormous chandeliers, foliage waving by the open windows, and beautifully dressed women leisurely pacing to the softened music of some delicious overture. We like the plan of a suite of public drawing-rooms, instead of one huge apartment, where each party can scan their neighbors, and overhear every word of a conversation. Nothing but a ladies' reading-room could be added to the attractions of this luxurious hotel. The children's diningroom is a novelty; it is as large and well arranged as the ladies' ordinary of most hotels, and given up entirely to the children and their nurses. Once a week "a hop" is given to them, a grown-up fashion whose wisdom we leave our readers to decide upon,

The regular dining-room of the house surpasses our descriptive powers; nor dare we venture to disclose the beauty of decoration which distinguishes the suite of bridal apartments-a fashion, by the way, that has too much of vulgar

notoriety to be especially commended. Enough that the state chamber of an European palace can scarcely surpass them in splendor and Oriental luxury. Verily, we live in a wonderful age. But we do not quarrel with beauty, in any shape in which it may present itself, when open to all. Though our hotels are palaces, a passing residence in them will not injure the taste of the traveller, who may take with him, to his plainer home, pleasant and wonderful memories. If the people of this country are "all sovereigns," who could more worthily fill them?

LESSONS OF SOCIETY.}

It is often a matter of notice among travellers, that an American girl sees as much of society before coming out as after. At no period beyond pantalettes does the schoolroom wholly obscure the parlor; and any one knows that with so many buds it is rare to find a full-blown rose. Sanderson, that cleverest of all travellers who have ever attempted to sketch society, has an "apple of gold" on this point which ought not to be suffered to remain ungathered. Writing from Paris, he says:

"As long as college beaux and boarding-school misses take the lead, it must be an insipid society in whatever community it may exist. Middle age in this country never loses its sovereignty, nor does old age lose its respect; and this respect, with the enjoyments which accompany it, keeps the world young. It turns the clouds into drapery, and gilds them with its sunshine, which presents as fine a prospect as the clear and starry heavens. Even time seems to fall in with the general observance. I know French women who retain to forty-five, and even beyond it, the most agreeable attractions of their sex. Is it not villanous in you of Philadelphia to lay us, before we have lived half our time out, upon the shelf? Some of our native tribes, more merciful, eat their old folks out of the way. Don't grow angry, young ladies-you will one day be as old as your mothers..

"An important item of a lady's studies in Paris (and it should be a leading branch of education everywhere) is her beauty. Sentiment and health being the two chief ingredients and efficient causes of this quality, have each its proper degree of cultivation. Everybody knows that the expression of the eye, that the voice, that the whole physiognomy is modified by the thoughts and passions habitually entertained in the mind. Every one sees their effect upon the face of the philosopher and the idiot, the generous man and the niggard. Give, for example, any woman a habit of self-complacency, and she will have a little pursedup mouth; or, give her a prying and busy disposition, and she will have a straight onward nose. This is not forgotten in the education of the Parisian ladies-they take care that while young and tender they may cherish honest and amiable feelings."

OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

THE music referred to in our last number can be procured at Couenhoven's, or any of the principal music stores in Philadelphia. The sheets can easily be sent by mail, at a very small charge, with the present rates of postage. There are two new songs by Wallace, who is the author of the "Cradle Song," as our correspondent supposed. They are published in New York, but may be had in any of our larger cities. The "Glendon Polka," by Dodworth, is a great favorite at sociables; the "Home Schottisch," introducing "Old Folks at Home," and the "Grace Schottisch," by Dodworth, are also in much demand.

S. L. B. is quite right in thinking that a black dress diminishes the figure. A toot looks much smaller in a black

boot; a hand in a dark glove. Alboni, whose figure is enormous, has the taste and good sense to adopt this wellknown rule in dress. Black brocaded silks are her favorite style, with crimson flowers, roses, or scarlet pomegranates; and magnificent diamonds her sole ornaments. Her dark hair is cut close, and admits of no decoration.

Certainly, if our little friend "Elsie" cannot afford pictures, we advise well chosen prints as an admirable substitute. "The Rendezvous" is very graceful, and though it has been reproduced in so many forms, has not lost its beauty. We have seen the one she mentions of John Bunyan in Bedford Jail. It is a beautiful scene, and fully worthy to be an accompaniment to the treasured volume which the "Pilgrim's Progress" has become in almost every family. A parlor may be made much more cheerful by a few good prints, in neat and simple frames, than by the gaudiest wall paper that ever was designed.

We believe the getting up of rich laces to look like new is in part a secret. We have seen Valenciennes and Mechlin, done by Madame Humbert, of this city, that could not be told from that just purchased. It is well worth the price charged, which at first seems extravagant; for lace badly washed loses its beauty at once. "Nora" can have it attended to by the editress of the fashion department, and we do not think there would be any difficulty in having it sent by mail.

We will get the directions for the "Hour-glass Table," and forward to Mrs. B.

For Aprons, Miss B. L. will see our present gossip. The "Indestructible Spelling-Book" is certainly a comfort to mothers: it is printed on strong linen cloth, that cannot be torn, yet is beautifully clear and white: can also be sent by mail to "The Evergreens."

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Having had frequent applications for the purchase of jewelry, millinery, etc., by ladies living at a distance, the Editress of the Fashion Department will hereafter execute commissions for any who may desire it, with the charge of a small percentage for the time and research required. Bridal wardrobes, spring and autumn bonnets, dressos, jewelry, bridal cards, cake-boxes, envelopes, etc. etc., will be chosen with a view to economy, as well as taste; and boxes or packages forwarded by express to any part of the country. For the last, distinct directions must be given.

Orders, accompanied by checks for the proposed expenditure, to be addressed to the care of L. A. Godey, Esq., who will be responsible for the amount, and the early execution of commissions.

Instructions to be as minute as is possible, accompanied by a note of the height, complexion, and general style of the person, on which much depends in choice. Dress goods from Levy's or Stewart's, bonnets from Miss Wharton's, jewelry from Bailey's, Warden's, Philadelphia, or Tiffany's, New York, if requested.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FASHION PLATE.

Fig. 1st.-Evening dress of pale violet silk, opening to show a jupe and corsage of fine cambric. The trimming consists of three narrow puffs of ribbon, the centre white; the outside rows correspond to the violet shade. Bars of the same cross the bust. Sleeve demi long, very open, and trimmed to correspond. A double fall of rich lace makes the undersleeve. Headdress of lace and knots of pale pink ribbon.

Fig. 2d.-Dinner dress of cambric, the skirt consisting entirely of seven flounces, superbly embroidered, the top one being gathered in at the waist. Gilet corsage of green watered silk, a close fitting and novel style, without a basque; buttons in imitation of emeralds. Opera cloak of straw-colored cashmere, a very pale hue. The hood is of a fine shade of rose-colored silk, lying on the shoulder. It is lined with the same. Hair dressed in bandeaux of Grecian braids-a classical and favorite style; the front braid forming a coronet above the forehead.

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WE have given in our late number so many directions for cloaks, that in the month for their adoption little remains to be said. Stewart's rooms exhibit an infinite variety in shade, shape, and material; the most costly being of velvet, lined, or trimmed with fur, and at prices attainable only by the wife or daughters of a millionaire. At least, no one whose income is not almost incalculable, ought to dream for an instant of spending six hundred or a thousand dollars on a single garment.

One of the prettiest novelties formed a close vest corsage in front, fitting to the figure by means of a laced back, beneath a flowing cape, which falls over the shoulders and arms, in graceful outline. This was of cloth, a pale fawn shade, embroidered with silk a little deeper in hue; the moderate price fifty dollars. Other cloth and merino cloaks were distinguished by the trimming being placed lengthwise of the cape, so as to cut it in quarters-as you would mark the skin of an orange to peel it-instead of encircling the cape, as heretofore.

Velvet ribbon of every shade, width, and quality is employed in the trimming of bonnets, caps, headdresses, dresses, capes, cloaks, etc. It is put to every use to which gimp has been heretofore applied. For shaded silks the velvet is also shaded; and if put on in many rows, the width is almost always graduated. Bunches, not rosettes, of velvet bows are worn in the hair for dinner and evening dress; black or brown is the most usual color, but deep blue, and even pink mixed with black is often seen. It is the simplest style of headdress that can be worn, and almost universally becoming, unless too many pendent ends are worn for a short figure. We have seen a dark gray silk, trimmed with black velvet ribbon, five rows placed closely at the neck, but widening over the bust, an inch apart. They are narrowed into a point, at the waist, and then widen as they encircle the basque. The sleeves had a deep cuff, opening on the top of the arm, also with five rows of the narrow velvet.

Also a cape, suitable for evening dress in half mourning, and very simple. A pelerine of ordinary white lace, round on the back, and descending half way to the waist; in front it is pointed, and falls below it. This has several rows of black velvet ribbon, not quite half an inch in width, which contrasts beautifully with a delicate complexion. But we might multiply examples of the immoderate use of velvet ribbon infinitely, and now have a succession of novelties to present.

Remembering our promise to give the variations of nursery fashions, we have consulted the oracle of Gotham in that particular, for, not satisfied in being first "in the heads of his countrymen," Mr. Genin, well known to our readers, has opened, in one of the fine saloons beneath the St. Nicholas Hotel, a magazine of all that can belong to a child's toilet, most of the articles being imported directly from London or Paris. It is called "Genin's Bazaar," and is well worth a visit from any stranger in town, whether intending

to purchase or not; they will be just as politely received, and shown all that is new and curious. It is the refinement of shopkeeping, the elegant decorations, the comfortable divans and lounges inviting one from the glare and crowd of Broadway. And here we ensconced ourself, and, from "the loopholes of our retreat," surveyed at leisure the novel appointments, and the kaleidoscope crowd.

"Oh! mamma, mamma, see this beautiful little girl in her glass house! it is Julia, mamma, isn't it?" shouted a little child, clapping her hands at the elegantly dressed wax model at the door: "oh, come in, mamma!" and in mamma came, led by the young tyrant and her little brothers. "Mamma" passes by the cases of boys' hats and caps in infinite variety, the tempting stands of miniature canes and French parasols, and the children rush to the cut-glass fountain, nearly twice as tall as their conductor, in whose sparkling vase the gold-fish are contentedly basking. It is the first one ever manufactured in this country, and was got up by Mr. Genin himself at a great expense, for the amusement of the little people, and the admiration of their elders and betters. It is placed in the centre of the store, directly beneath a fine dome of brilliantly colored glass, which admits light to the children's department immediately below, the circular chasm being surrounded by a light and graceful railing. Beautiful girandoles, supported by tall cut-glass pedestals, are also stationed here; and on either side are "model young gentlemen," in their "glass houses," which would entirely preclude the juvenile amusement of "throwing stones," were they not inanimate. And here "mamma" pauses, while "Harry" is taken in hand. "Don't you see, Harry, this little boy has his cuffs turned down, just as I desired you to wear yours? There, so"and Master Harry's sleeves, neck-tie, and hair, are rearranged by this "glass of fashion." Their mamma must have a pair of boots herself, and here they are to be found, behind this fanciful screen, where we have ensconced ourselves. Dainty French boots, and slippers of every hue and form; quilted breakfast shoes, and even "ladies' Wellingtons," a new article, which Mr. Genin conscientiously urges upon our ladies as the best preservative of health in our changeful climate. Imagine that your brothers can wear delicately made French morocco "threes" with heels to them, and their boots show forth the "ladies' Wel lingtons."

"Bonnets? certainly, madam, this way;" and we follow with our eyes to see the niche devoted to millinery for ladies and children, also prettily adorned, and well filled The fur department is near, and here we find the new shapes of victorines, cuffs, and muffs which it includes. Ermine is decidedly to be the fur of the season; it is more reasonable in price than it has ever been before, and is elegantly lined with quilted white satin. Muffs are not generally carried, and are much smaller than heretofore. Fur cuffs are still a prevailing style; at least so say Mr. Genin's bandboxes. And now descending to the cabin, as it were, by a short flight of steps, we come to the children's department, where every style of nursery wardrobe can be procured. Here again we meet Master Harry and his mamma, and here are every variety of children, from babies with their long robes sweeping over their nurses' arms, who have come to be fitted to one of those daintily embroidered bonnets, to the little girl of twelve, surveying a new walking dress with unmistakable admiration. Nor must we fail to remark upon the busy lady looking at everything with a view to "the pattern," and not to purchase, who informs her companion in an aside, that "really that sacque puzzles her, and she shall be obliged to bring her seamstress to help her make it out." But of children's fashions, more in our next number. FASHION.

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