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But we cannot help remarking that this feature of the human form, when rendered conspicuous by the singularity of its decoration, will attract without pleasing; we naturally turn with disgust from that species of art which obscures and disguises the symmetry of nature; we confess ourselves a votary to neatness and elegance combined; and therefore wish not to see the above mentioned fashion become general amongst females who have been celebrated for unobtrusive loveliness, simplicity, and virtue.

We have little to remark on the articles of trinkets, they have undergone little alteration since our last Number; the wedding hoop-ring, with a single brilliant, ruby, emerald, or amethyst in the centre; the Carmelite cross, the jessamine brooch, with bottles formed of Egyptian amuletwood embellished with correspondent characters, are the only ornaments in this line which strike us as worthy of observation.

Gloves and shoes are governed by no particular standard, but left to the choice of the wearer; the prevailing colours for the season are, rose, green, purple, salmon, and melbourn brown.

LETTER ON DRESS.

EXPLANATORY AND DESCRIPTIVE, FROM ELIZA
TO JULIA.

|| therefore, dear Julta, those beings the most politic and the most happy, who like the inhabitants of this hospitable mansion, fulfil the duties of their station, content to take the world as it goes, and catch pleasure as it flies?-You will doubtless look at the date of my letter with some degree of surprise, and will think us guided by a weathercock influence, in being thus sudden and unexpectedly, transported from one place to another. The truth is, dear Julia, that the sulky fits, and mysterious conduct of Sir James M'Laurence, together with the spirited harangue of his intolerably vulgar spouse, induced cousin Mary to accept an invitation to accompany her brother, on a shooting party, to this delightful spot. The change, dear friend, is productive of considerable advantage, both on the score of fashionable information, the introduction to polished society, and the enjoyment of intellectual pleasures. This beautiful retreat has been in the family of its present possessor (Lord John P-) upwards of seven centuries, and in the sublimity of its architectural construction, picturesque beauty, and local situation is not exceeded by any in this charming county. You, my dear Julia, would enjoy the very perfection of rural happiness in the gardens, park, and surrounding scenery of this earthly paradise. Our host is a man whose natural hauteur of manner is evidently softened by the mild graces, and amiable dispositions of his lovely wife: she is the second choice of his Lordship; and amply repays him for a lack of connubial felicity experienced in his former marriage.

After the mixed assemblies which present themselves at the several watering places we have lately visited (where the adventurer of both sexes are permitted indecorously to mingle with people of distinction and virtue), it is pleasant to find one'sself in a society whose unquestionable respecta

Henley Grove-House, Surrey. You preach much, dear Julia, in your epistle now before me, of the quiet pleasures of domestic life, of those still and tranquil enjoyments within the vicinity of our own domains; and give (I must allow) an interesting portrait of your fair friend and her rational and amiable spouse; who, educated in the tenets of the old school, love one another with all their hearts-educate their children, and attend to the religion, morals, and personal comfort of their surrounding tenantry.bility, elegance of deportment, and urbanity of I respect, dear Julia, the purity and delicacy of your sentiments; but allow me to say, that in this sad world it is dangerous to refine too highly. "He (says Dr. Johnson) who too delicately refines his feelings always endangers his quiet."

manners, divest one of restraint, and render unnecessary that reserve so painful to the open and generous breast. This mansion is seldom without visiters of rank and fashion; and we frequently set down sixteen or eighteen to dinner. The fortune of Lord and Lady P——— is ample-their establishment splendid, and their hearts expand at the call of hospitality. Can I then have a more extensive field from whence to gather the choicest

Alas! Julia, when in early youth, you and I traversed the vicarage garden, and rambled in girlish confidence through the old ruins of FAbbey, our affection and imagination took the lead; our unadulterate hearts, in love with good-flowers of fashion, taste, and elegance.-Out ness, delighted to paint objects as we wished, rather than as they are, and to wander in paths of visionary happiness. Where, alas! shall we look for a realization of those prospects of felicity, those air-built castles which our vivid fancies delighted to rear? Not in the region of romance, for that is but an ignis fatuus that deludes with false hopes and vain expectations. Are not

morning and out-door costume (which in visits of this sort require a particular attention) exhibits some little variation since my last address. The Carmelite cloak, though much in esteem, is rivalled by the Rugen mantle, or Swedish wrap, which owes its origin to the exquisite taste, and invention of my dashing cousin. In its construction it is not unlike the cassocks worn by our

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idea of their form and effect. As Mary and my. self proposed to join the throng of Terpsichore, we of course wore our robes appropriately short; these were formed of undressed Italian tiffany, made round, and cut in deep scallops at the bottom, round which was a most delicate border of barberries, painted to nature. The under dress was a slip of gossamer satin, edged at the feet with a very narrow Vandyke in silver; the bosom and bottom of the sleeve ornamented with the same. Our hair fell in irregular ringlets round the forehead, divided over the left eye, and a small Arcadian hat of silver frosted satin, orna.

divines; it is formed of a Chinese silk, a pale olive colour, and is ornamented all round with a most delicate fancy border of embroidery in coloured silks; a deep silk fringe is placed at the extreme edge, and the sash (which is brought across the left shoulder, is fastened in a tuft on the opposite side of the waist, and the ends trimmed with the same. With these wraps we wear hats of black satin-straw, somewhat of the Spanish form, with a damask rose, or carnation, placed in front, or towards the left side near the hair. There are four of us at this hospitable mansion who appear in these novel habits, and I assure you we not only attract the beaus of sport-mented with a wreath of barberries, was placed on ing celebrity, but move the wonder of surrounding villagers. In our breakfast attire we do not exclude the French coat of cambric or muslin, but our peasant jacket and petticoat we consider as a more unique article. It is necessary how-beautifully turned arm was displayed the armlet ever that I observe to you, that unless the figure be tall or slender, no advantage can be derived from this habit.

one side of our heads. Mary wore a single row of fine brilliants, by way of necklace, from the centre of which was suspended a Carmelite cross, her earrings and bracelets to correspond. On her

of fashionable adoption, and which is composed of the hair of your lover and dearest feniale friend, as a souvenir de l'amour par et de l'ametie. My ornaments were of pearl, and we each wore bouquets of the Labradore rose, Cape heath, and jessamine; our shoes were of white satin, em

gloves of French kid, rucked so as to display the round of the arm; and we had Opera fans of white crape, with naval devices in transparencies. Lady P very kindly complimented us on the choice of our attire; and assured us that we were considered the best dressed girls in the ballroom. Forgive this egotism, dear Julia, and believe me not the less your faithful and af

At this season of the year there is no novel standard for full dress, but its alterations and embellishments are at the direction of fancy; the style however is preserved, and a correct taste,broidered in silver jessamine at the toes; our and ready invention, can at all times vary the effect with advantage. Lord P— visits all the families of distinction within twenty miles of his mansion, and we have therefore a succession of dinner visits, and inducements for drives to town. Last week Mary and myself accompanied our elegant hostess to the aniversary ball of the Honourable Mrs. C. Here was collected all the splendour and fashion of the gay world;fectionate never did I sce taste, beauty, and grace so universal. My time will not allow a description of the furniture and decoration of this splendid seat; suffice it, that the Grecian and Chinese taste took place of the Egyptian of antecedent celebrity; and lights transmitted from lamps of alabaster, painted in elegant devices, diffused a mild and chastened light, which gave an enchanting interest to the objects which moved beneath their rays.

As our dresses for this gay occasion were necessarily select, I will endeavour to give you an

ELIZA.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

THE Letter of our Sandwich Correspondent, containing thoughts occasioned by reading a recent publication by Diogenes, entitled "The Royal Eclipse, or Delicate Facts," came too late for insertion in our present Number but will appear in our next; and likewise the continuation of the "Antiquarian Olio."

London: Printed by and for J. BELL, Southampton-Street, Strand.

OR,

Well's

COURT AND FASHIONABLE

MAGAZINE,

FOR OCTOBER, 1807.

EMBELLISHMENTS.

1. An elegant Portrait of HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE CROWN PRINCESS OF Denmark, 2. FOUR WHOLE-LENGTH FIGURES of LADIES in the London Fashions for the Month. 3. AIR FOR THE ELEPHANTS; Composed by the celebrated GLUCK.

4. A new and elegant PATTERN for NEEDLE-WORK.

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London: Printed by and for J. BELL, Proprietor of the WEEKLY MESSENGER, Southampton-Street,

Strand, November 1, 1807.

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