age, to whom nothing is so becoming as black. There is no prettier way of making these dresses than quite plain, with a sash with rounded ends, trimmed with a roll of moire antique edged with a narrow lace; the sleeves should be made large, with a turned-back cuff, and trimmed with rolls and narrow black lace, to correspond with the sash. A plain brown silk dress looks very pretty made with two narrow flounces round the bottom of the skirt, and coming up the front of it en tablier, or apron fashion, with the space between the flounces in front covered with narrow flounces, the same width as those round the bottom.

Plain silk dresses, of various shades, are likely to be most fashionable for young ladies this summer. They are prettier than figured or striped silks, as they can be trimmed and made in such a variety of ways. For ordinary wear, or walking dresses, mohairs still continue in vogue, as also poplinettes and chalés. these dresses there is nothing so pretty as a plain body and waistband, with a closed sleeve.

For

We will give two or three SLEEVES suitable for ordinary dresses:-1. A bishop sleeve, with a narrow wristband. 2. A bishop sleeve, the fulness gathered in to a band the length of the arm, this band being shown on the upper part of the sleeve, and also finished off by a narrow wristband. 3. A sleeve perfectly tight to the elbow, and finished off at the top with two puffings and a trimming to correspond with that on the dress. A grey mohair is very pretty made with two fluted flounces at the bottom of the skirt, headed by a band of lilac or mauve ribbon. The body should be plain, and buttoned with lilac or inauve buttons, and the bishop sleeve made with a band, as just described, that being trimmed with lilac silk buttons, and all round it a narrow row of pleated ribbon of the same colour. For morning or breakfast dresses there is nothing so pretty as a white piqué or marcella, made with a small loose jacket, and trimmed with a coloured washing material of some bright colour. For those who wear print dresses, a full body and bishop sleeve is the best and neatest mode of making them; and the sleeve may or may not be made with two puffs at the top, whichever is most liked. As these dresses are continually being washed, they cannot be too simply made; and tight sleeves and plain tight bodies seldom fit nicely after they have been through the laundress's hands. Muslin dresses also look better made with full bodies than anything else, but of these we hope to speak more next month, as the weather will not yet permit of such light materials being

worn.

Zouave JACKETS still continue to be much worn, with velvet or silk waistbands embroidered in silk or gold. We saw a very pretty and simple Zouave jacket, which would be suitable to wear with any coloured silk skirt. It was made of plain black glacé silk, and trimmed with black Maltese lace insertion, laid over a piece of white ribbon the same width. This kind of trimming is exceedingly stylish for many purposes.

Straw HATS, which in large towns are only worn by children, or very young girls, will be

universally worn in the country, and at the scaside. A straw hat, as worn by the Empress in one of her portraits, has a broad, turned-down brim, is trimmed with a large bouquet of field flowers, and a black velvet bow, the ends of which fall on the shoulders. The Tudor, or hat with broad, turned-up brim, will be worn of a rather more elongated shape than it was last summer; it is made in every variety of straw, grey, brown, black, and white.

White crêpe BONNETS, trimmed with black velvet, and fruit and flowers, are being generally worn in Paris for very stylish toilets; the favourite colours besides are violet, lilac, and green. For ordinary purposes, and for walking, there is nothing more suitable, at this season of the year, than straw bonnets, which are trimmed with black and white, violets, &c. Bonnets with straw fronts and soft silk crowns are very general, like the following, which was considered a very pretty spring bonnet :-The front was of rice straw, with a soft. baggy crown of mauve silk; and where the silk and straw joined was covered with a full wreath of violets; the bandeau inside was also composed of the same flowers.

Black lace, and black figured and spotted net, are much used in bonnet trimmings this spring. We have also noticed the crowns of many straw bonnets covered with a full, loose crown of black net, with ruched ribbon or flowers round it.

The shape of bonnets on the top is somewhat flatter than it was; but there is very little alteration in the size of them, for apparently they are worn as large as ever.

Little COIFFURES of ruched black lace, mixed with poppies, roses, and cornflowers, are still worn, with a black velvet bow and long ends behind.

CORONETS in black or coloured velvet continue in vogue, and are still fashionable, with a mixture of gold, although this will soon be too general to be considered very recherché.

To those of our readers who require MOURNING TOILETS, perhaps the following suggestions may be useful:-A black crinoline bonnet, trimmed inside and out with branches of black lilac; with this bonnet, a black barège or grenadine dress, with very tiny flounces, and a shawl of the same material, would be very suitable. For slighter mourning, a black silk dress, with five narrow flounces at the bottom, edged with lilac silk; a black silk mantle, trimmed with lace, and a lace pelerine; and a white tulle, or crêpe bonnet, bound with black velvet, trimmed outside with a black and white rosette, or a bunch of black and white feathers, and inside with a bandeau of violets.

As all skirts are made so full and long, CRINOLINE is more necessary than ever, to give the dresses a proper appearance. The favourite crinolines appear to be those made of very narrow steels fastened together by small metal claws; the pieces of stay-binding on which the steels are supported being passed through these pieces of metal, so securing them in their proper place. These skirts are very

DESCRIPTION OF THE COLOURED PLATE.

1ST FIGURE TO THE LEFT.-The bonnet, of white crêpe and violet-coloured velvet, is trimmed with a bunch of poppies the same colour. A band of crossway velvet is placed in the middle of the front, which is trimmed with two rows of broad blonde. The curtain is made of velvet, and trimmed with a row of deep blonde, the same as that on the front of the bonnet. Pardessus Impératrice of black silk, all the seams of which should be corded with violet-coloured silk, as also the bottom of the mantle. It is trimmed with black and violet silk buttons. The dress, of green silk, is brocaded with black stars.

2ND FIGURE.-Tudor hat, with turned-up brim, trimmed with velvet, a white tuft, and long feather. The mantle is made of light summer cloth, and is trimmed with mauvecoloured silk, cut on the crossway of the stuff, the points being finished off with a double row of black cording. This cloak opens down the front as far as the coloured silk goes, which will be seen in the illustration.

3RD FIGURE.-The straw bonnet is trimmed with roses and pink ribbon. Pardessus of striped silk, fitting tightly to the waist. The sleeves are full, with a turned-back cuff, slightly scalloped. The front of the mantle is trimmed with rows of narrow black lace.

4TH FIGURE.-The rice straw bonnet is trimmed inside and out with green ribbon. The mantle is made of black silk, with a broad band of pale green silk close to the edge, and covered with a black lace insertion; the bottom of the garment being trimmed with rather a broad black lace. The pelerine is of guipure, and the mantle should be finished off in front with two large tassels. The pattern of this elegant article of apparel is given on the back of the sheet of patterns accompanying this number of our Magazine. Light silk dress, with one deep flounce, trimmed with a green ruche at the top and bottom.

LITTLE GIRL'S DRESS.-The Tudor hat, of blue velvet, is trimmed with a blue tuft and white ostrich feather. Black silk Pardessus, trimmed with gimp and tassels. Striped silk dress.

Our readers will perceive, and with pleasure, we hope, that with this double number of the Magazine we have given a very much larger Buff Sheet of Patterns than usual; and that this sheet also contains beautiful engravings of the most fashionable shapes of Bonnets and Hats.

DESCRIPTION OF THE COLOURED

PLATE OF BONNETS.

No. 1.-Rice straw bonnet, trimmed with white tulle, blonde, narrow black velvet, laid on close to the edge of the blonde, and pink roses without leaves. The bandeau inside is composed of roses, black grapes, and quilled blonde. The strings are of plain white silk ribbon, with a narrow satin edge.

No. 2.-Rice straw bonnet, trimmed with poppies, ribbon, and lace; the ribbon is brought to a point on the top of the bonnet, and appears to fasten the bandeau of poppies inside. The strings commence from the top of the curtain outside, and are carried down to the ears. The curtain is made of silk, and is trimmed with a broad piece of lace.

No. 3.-White tulle bonnet, trimmed with black ribbon, black lace, and straw flowers, with cords and tassels. Á small blonde ruche is placed quite at the edge of the bonnet, with rather a wider one at the top of the curtain. The strings are made of rather broad white ribbon.

No. 4.-Crêpe bonnet, trimmed with three bows of graduated lengths falling down on each side, with a bunch of daisies and white blonde at the top. A feather is placed on each side and fastened at the back of the curtain, almost concealing the crown. The curtain is made of silk, trimmed with blonde; and inside the bandeau is made of white and coloured daisies.

No. 5.-Pink crêpe bonnet, trimmed with pink ribbon; the front being pleated in long pleats. The crown is tight, and the pink ribbon is put on plain on one side, with a bow and ends on the other. A bow of the same ribbon forms the bandeau, and the strings are of broad pink silk ribbon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BERLIN PATTERN.

A group of flowers in Berlin wool work is suitable, we might almost say, for any purpose. The pretty bouquet accompanying this number of our Magazine may be worked for an ottoman, sofa-pillow, or banner-screen; when used for the latter purpose, a wreath of leaves should be worked all round the edge of the screen, which would add very much to the effect. Bright shades of wool must be selected for working this pattern, and a medium-sized canvas. The price of wools and canvas sufficient to work a sofa-pillow, including the grounding, is 4s. 6d.; and, with cords and tassels complete, 8s. Wools and canvas for an ottoman, 6s. The price of sufficient silk canvas for a banner-screen, with the wools to work the pattern included, is 9.64.: and may be had of Mrs. Wilcockson, who will send any of these materials by post for 15. extra. We may remark, that if this pattern is worked for a sofa-pillow, it would be well to omit the top flowers at the left hand corner, and reverse the position of the carnation and the bud, making the open flower nearly occupy the position of the bud,

A. M. W.-The first volume of the "Dictionary" embraces the letters "A to D;" the second goes to "L;" the third will complete the alphabet. The last half-dozen parts will be double parts-i. e., they will contain sixty-four pages, and be charged 6d.

ELISE R. Muslin and fancy curtains are now manufactured so cheaply, that few people take the trouble to make them for themselves.

MARY STUART.-We do not think this pattern would be much cared for by our subscribers.

F. M. V. These will appear in due course. LAURA.-Gentlemen do not wear engaged rings. LISETTE. The pattern you mention appeared in No. 2 of the ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE, New Series. You can have this number from us for two postage stamps.

EMMELINE.-The Gardening book does contain the information you seek.

MISS STOKES.-There will be such patterns as you ask for issued in due course with the ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE.

M. SHEPHEARD.-Earthenware moulds are better than tin ones for jelly, as the latter are apt to spoil the colour of the preparation.

N. E. We do not think our young lady friends would care much about this; besides, our correspondent appears to require three patterns of one shirt.

ELEANOR FRANCIS.-We will, if possible, mention your suggestion in the Fashion article; but it would be impossible to give an entire pattern.

ELLEN BATCHELER.-We really cannot entertain your proposition at all.

D. Ó. N. E.-Any of the Cambridge local papers will give you the information you seek.

MRS. WANNOP.-This shall be given the first opportunity.

P. G.-Apply to a chiropodist.

FLORENCE The patterns and fashions of the ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE may be bound up in the volume, but we have adopted the plan of inserting the buff patterns in an envelopewith which we can supply you-and attaching this envelope to the volume by an india-rubber band. C. C.-Seven recipes for Omelets are given in Mrs. Beeton's "Book of Household Management." E. H. must declare the name of her father and mother.

MISS F. SAUNDERS. - Apply to Mr. Lacy, Theatrical Publisher, in the Strand, London, for a catalogue of his works, and you will get from that all the information you require.

A CONSTANT SUBSCRIBER.-It is somewhat questionable, but we think the interest can be claimed.

A SUBSCRIBER.-At the National Debt and Government Annuity Office, 19, Old Jewry, London, you can obtain the information you require.

MINNIE AND LENA are informed that the cheque in the April part of the ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE for this year must be sent up with the other eleven cheques to entitle the subscriber to a chance in the ballot.

SARAH.-Send us your address with the mutilated collar, and we will forward you a perfect one, post free.

JULIET, A. B. C.-The title-pages and indexes to the first two volumes of the ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE, New Series, can be had without the covers at 5d. the two, post free.

PETEA We shall have much pleasure in giving the pattern you ask, if we can contrive one to suit a number of our subscribers: otherwise it would be impracticable.

C. COPEMAN.-The best advice we can give you is, in the event of nothing turning up to your advantage, to determine upon the occupation which best suits you, and then try and make arrangements for giving your services for awhile to somebody who would in return instruct you in his or her business.

ESTELLA. A piece of coloured ribbon should be tacked under the cuff, which throws up the embroidery and hides the piece of muslin ESTELLA complains of. By sending twelve postage-stamps to Messrs. Vincent and Conrad, 4, Princes-street,

Fitzroy-square, they will trace you a collar the same pattern as the "Garibaldi," but rather larger round the neck.

JULIA MARY.-Your request will be complied with as soon as possible.

ALICIA. Short remnants of silk ribbon may be purchased at almost any respectable draper's, and at a reasonable price. But there are places in London where "pieces" of anything can be bought, and your draper would give you their addresses, we should think.

REGINA. An anti-macassar pattern, with full instructions for working the same, appeared in the November number of the ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE.

C. A.-The "Ladies' Dictionary of Needlework" is out of print.

PAMELA.-A little scraped French chalk laid on the greasy spot will sometimes remove the grease. The Garibaldi" cuff should be folded over so that the two B's come together.

MRS. BLUNDELL-The stationer from whom you procure your note-paper will be the best person to apply to.

EMMELINE.-The best way would be to get a good milliner to make one of these up. In making up caps of this sort so much depends on taste, that it would be almost useless to give the pattern of the mere head-piece.

E. BUTTERWORTH should send to one of the many houses who undertake to forward these patterns by post.

BLANCHE should read Brillat Savarin's "Physiologie du Goût," and when she has read it-follow his advice. If after this she get too thin, she may return to the same book for hints how to get stout again.

MISS ALLT.-Perhaps we may be able to attend to some of these requests, but certainly not to all of them.

MISS CARROLL.-Directions for tracing the patterns on muslin will be found in the May number of the ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE, Vol. III.

ETHEL MAY.-Your question is one which it would not be exactly discreet to answer in these columns: it is a question for a medical man to answer. But, touching the smoking of tobacco by women, we know it is practised extensively in Eastern lands, and even in England and Ireland, with more picturesque than sanitary effects.

P. H. EDGE. The cost of binding, in cloth, the four volumes of the ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE, Old Series, would be 4s. 8d.; the four volumes of the "Family Friend," 48.

NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.

Covers for Vols. I. and II. of the ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE (New Series), with title-page, preface, index, envelope for holding the pattern sheets, Berlin patterns, &c., and directions for binding, are now ready, price 18. each. Sent free by post to any address on receipt of 12 postage stamps.

Volume I. of the ENGLISEWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE, elegantly bound in green and gold, is now ready, with the six Coloured Berlin and other Patterns, and 129 Designs for Embroidery and other Needlework. Price 4s. 6d., free by post on receipt of postage stamps for this amount.

Volume II., uniform with Volume I., now ready, price 58.

Our Subscribers are respectfully invited to give their orders at once to their Booksellers for the regular supply of the Numbers of this Magazine, so as to be certain to receive them as soon as published, with the Fashion Plates and Berlin Wool Work Patterns complete, the Publisher begging to notify that he cannot guarantee the supply of the Fashion Plates and Coloured Berlin Patterns beyond a month after their first issue,

London, 248, Strand, W.C.

CherishWOMANS CONVERSAZIONE

There are, we were going to say, thousands of specifics for curing corns, hard and soft. But such as we know of are adapted

to different constitutions. You cannot do better, we think, to rid yourself of your soft corns safely and effectually than bathing the feet nightly in warm water, and paring away the corns until they disappear.

VIOLET. We should say that the very best thing you can do is to make yourself worthy of any gentleman who may propose to you, and be quite sure your whole and sole affections are centred upon him who is to be your partner through life.

MARION W.-Mrs. Beeton's "Book of Household Management" will come out first in one volume, but future editions may probably be issued in other forms. You can have ours or other books bound in any fashion you choose, if you send your instructions in full.

A SUBSCRIBER.-Nothing but dye will turn grey hair brown or black. The stain is not permanent: It is merely the one good turn which will deserve another.

LOTTIE.-We are obliged to study the generality of tastes in selecting the Berlin patterns, and as Lottie says a Scripture subject would be considered old-fashioned, and is in reality old-fashioned, where would be our warrant for inserting such a thing in the ENGLISH WOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE? Our grandmothers used to work such patterns, our subscribers would not, and for them we study novelty.

VICTORIA." Piesse" is sometimes pronounced in the same way as the French word "pièce." It is also often pronounced "peace." Write to Mr. Piesse himself, and ask how he likes to be called.

CELIA. The pamphlet we think you mean is intituled "Courtship and Marriage." and is published by Hamilton and Co, price 6d. It is the substance of a lecture delivered in Birmingham by Dr. Miller, and is a most humorous, hearty, and sensible effusion. Both sexes might read it with immense profit, be they married or single.

E. C. N., JULIA.-Groups of flowers and borders will appear, suitable for the back of a chair; but the size of our Magazine will not admit of a pattern being given for this purpose alone. A very little ingenuity will suggest combinations of the patterns already supplied, so as to adapt them to a variety of purposes. A beautiful group of flowers appears with this Magazine.

MARY T.-We have heard of most wonderful cures of warts by a process called "charming," cures so wonderful indeed, that we can neither account for them nor deny them. There can be no objection to your submitting the eradication of your warts to a charming friend; but, before you submit to the operation, be sure you are not placing yourself in the hands of a quack. One of the latest theories upon warts is, that they are nervous excrescences, and that they appear or disappear according to the state of mind of the person who has them.

PENELOPE.-We most reluctantly tell PENELOPE that she is not altogether as amiable in manner as was her fair sister, whose name she assumes. Our modern PENELOPE is very abrupt in her style of raising objections. She may not wear nightcaps, but there are thousands who do; and we hope that the pattern given with this number of the ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE will please a large number of our subscribers. If PENELOPE cannot work the collar and cuffs she should take lessons in embroidery. The pattern was chosen for its sim

plicity. Bead patterns will appear in due time. Rowlands' Kalydor is undoubtedly to be recommended for the complexion. As to your handwriting, it is far too thick and stiff to be elegant.

MARIANNE F., T. JEWSBURY.-We have no room for the contribution you propose, and we cannot supply the nom de plume you ask for. We must have the proper name and address with every communication, but we need not insert other than the nom de plume.

MARTHA, ROWENA, A. KINLOCK.-There is no rule laid down by any editor or editors as to the reception or rejection of manuscripts from outsiders, and the price of payment for such as are accepted is purely arbitrary. We would advise you and any contributor who desire to make way in the literary world, first to submit your manuscript to somebody who can, and will, give an opinion upon its worth, and then to endeavour to obtain an introduction to an editor who would give your contribution his consideration. We have no room for the manscripts you propose to send.

LUCY will, most probably, soon find the names she requires for the corners of handkerchiefs; but with the Alphabets, large and small, before her. what is easier than to make the names for herself?

JANE. We are a little surprised at your not The understanding how the collar is worked. leaves should be worked solid, the stalks either sewn over or in button-hole stitch, and the pieces of muslin between the outer edge and the leaves should be cut away, leaving a net ground, which should be dotted after the muslin is cut away. No other part of the muslin should be cut away except that marked with the little crosses.

ROSE MAY. As announced in the answer to PENELOPE, bead patterns, and other novel and pretty designs, are in progress for our Magazine. The border in Part 5 of the ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE would make a very pretty fender stool.

LA JEUNE FILLE.-Net in the usual manner by commencing on one stitch and then increasing at each end. When you have netted sufficient for the width of the anti-macassar, continue to increase at one side only, marking the side with a piece of coloured wool, that no mistake may be made; after having worked as many rows as are required, decrease at both ends until you have but one stitch left. The netting should then be washed, starched, and pinned out in the right shape. Before LA JEUSE FILLE attempts to write French, we should advise her most respectfully to study the genders of substantives.

A. MACKINSON.-We have many other subscribers besides High Church people, and we are sure (or, as our correspondent spells it, shure) no one but herself would care to work such a pattern as the one she describes. Our Saviour on the Cross, drawn upon "a dark ground, almost black, the expression of grief on the features most impressive, the body a beautiful flesh colour, and the blood streaming from the wounds most natural," are pictures to be preserved in the innermost recesses of the home, not to be trifled with and made common.

LOTTIE. Your habit of "frequently yawning when reading aloud" is owing to one of two thingseither you are sleepy, or inattentive to both your subject and your auditors. When you have had a good night's rest, read Longfellow's "Evangeline" or Dickens's "Christmas Carol" to your lover, and, if you do not yawn, remember henceforth that it is concentration of purpose which prevents the inelegant habit you complain of.

ISIDORA KATE.-You really cannot do better than put yourself under the hands of a respectable hairdresser, who will solve one question-we can settle the other so far as a matter of opinion is concerned Curls are not "suited to a round, somewhat fat and rosy, childish face:" we should think the style à la Eugénie would become you better. Try half-adozen or more styles, and take the opinions of your friends. Nothing will prevent the hair falling out of curl in damp weather, if you go into the damp.