ENGLISH COSTUME.

No. 1.-WALKING DRESS.

A Polish Robe of purple velvet, flowing open in front, rounded gradually from the bottom towards the lappels, which are continued across the shoulder, and finished in regular points on the back. A chemisette of the same, with high full collar; the whole trimmed entirely round with the red fox, mole, leopard spot, or grey squirrel. A rich cord and tassel fastened in the centre of the back, which occasionally confines the robe. The back and skirt cut in one; and

the sleeve nearly to fit the arm. Polish cap of the same material, trimmed round the edge, and across the crown, with correspondent skin; a cord and tassels suspended in irregular lengths from the right side of the crown. gloves; and primrose, or purple shoes.

No. 2.-AN EVENING DRESS.

York tan

A round train dress of soft white satin, buttoned simply down the left side; the back very low, and quite plain. High, and double puffed sleeves, with wrap front. Military sash of cobweb muslin, embroidered in gold spots, commencing from the back of the right shoulder, crossing the waist behind, and passing under the right side of the bosom, gathered into a pearl brooch at the opposite corner, and flowing within a quarter of a yard to the bottom of the dress, where it is finished with a rich gold tassel. Hair turned up in the Grecian style; plain bands brought to point on the forehead, irregularly

'curled at the ears and on the crown of the head, where it is confined with a coronet, or diadem of pearl. Pearl necklace, earrings, and bracelets; gold armlet. White kid gloves. Shoes of white satin, embroidered with gold. Fan of white crape, with gold spangled border.

No. 3-A BALL DRESS,

Of plain crape, over a white satin slip, made a dancing length; plain back and sleeve, with

quartered front, trimmed round the bottom, on the waist and sleeves, with a white velvet ribband thickly spangled with gold. A white satin sash, tied in long bows and ends on the right side, terminated with splendid gold tassels. High gathered tucker of Brussels lace. Hair in dishevelled curls, confined with a white velvet band similar with the trimming of the dress; bow of the same blended with the hair, and placed over the left eye. India shawl, a deep amber colour, with a rich and variagated fringe and border, negligently drawn through each arm, so as to form a flowing drapery on the right side of the figure. Necklace composed of bright top z, set transparent, fastened with a diamond stud in the form; gold elastic bracelets. French kid gloves. centre. Topaz earrings of the fashionable shell White satin shoes, with gold rosets. Fan of amber crape, with devices in purple and gold.

PARISIAN COSTUME.

No. 4.-PARISIAN WINTER DRESS. A promenade coat of soft Circassian cloth, a pale olive colour, buttoned down the front, and formed high in the back, with open round lappels at the bosom, double roll trimming round the arm-hole and wrist; full lace tucker, and double demi ruff à la Queen Elizabeth, plaited in vandyke. Sash of pale salmon colour, or pink sarsnet, tied in small bows, and long ends on the

right side. Equestrian hat, composed with simi

lar materials with the coat, projecting leaves in front of the same. Hair close cropt behind, divided on the forehead, and curled on the sides. Shawl of pale salmon colour, with blue and crimson border, carelessly thrown over the left arm. Necklace, two rows of fine pearl; earrings of gold; and fan of white tiffany, embroidered in blue and gold. Straw-coloured gloves and shoes.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

ON THE

MOST PREVAILING FASHIONS.

CAREFULLY SELECTED.

IN those antediluvian days, when fashion checked the reins of variety, and prescribed to taste and fancy their regular limits, when in an assembly of elegant females one universal standard prevailed, and diversity of colour was the only distinguishing mark of individual selection, the pencil of the artist, and the pen of the delineator were confined within narrow bounds; but in this enlightened age, when fancy is permitted to range at large, and fashion is confederate with taste and variety, the lesson is more complicated, the labour more diffuse. We are puzzled with the diversity, we are dazzled with the brilliancy of the objects we attempt to pourtray, and it requires a perspicuity of discernment, and an intense observation, to select with judgment, and combine with effect; for scarcely has our admiration payed due homage to the well-chosen | costume of one tasteful female, before our attention is as forcibly excited by another; and we readily acknowledge that the fanciful inventions of our English belles was never more conspicuously displayed.

We presume not to say how far our delineations have contributed to that taste in personal decoration which so eminently distinguishes the present race of British fair; but we can assure them of the continuation of our efforts to afford such information as shall secure to them that necessary auxiliary to beauty-a good taste.

Independent of the Polish robe given in No. 1. of our Prints of Fashion, we are enabled to give a description of a species of Pelice equally new. This most graceful habit is styled the Hibernian vest, and is formed of velvet, the colour pigeon's breast; it is formed as a flowing robe in front, so as occasionally to wrap round the figure; the back is cut round in form of a high gown, without cape or collar, and is trimmed entirely round with a full waving skin of grey squirrel. The vest is formed by a width of velvet fastened down on the inside of the waist, brought across the bosom, and gathered into a brooch on the left shoulder; it is hemmed on the edge next the|| throat, with the same skin. The back is formed very broad, and is drawn loosely at the bottom with a band, which is brought through the lining and confined in the centre of the waist with large topaz clasps, leaving the sides flowing open. The Hibernian hat worn with this pelice, is of the Spanish form, perfectly fit in the rim, and trimmed round the edge, on the inside, with a skin the same as the pelice; it is turned up directly in front, and over the edge waves two

short brush feathers of the same colour. The chastity and elegance of this habiliment stands almost unrivalled

The Cottage cloak, of scarlet kerseymere, is another very attractive covering; it is made with a hood, or cape, and ties immediately on one side of the throat, leaving the shoulder occasionally exposed. The front end of the cloak is pointed, the other rounded; and the whole is terminated with a Turkish ribband, or fur, happily contrasted as to colour. With this cloak is worn a Jockey cap, or Cottage bonnet, composed of the same material. Some females of fashionable celebrity have sported lately silk stockings the colour of the pelice, with open-wove ankles. The mild and spring-like season, has partially introduced the spenser; we have witnessed several in carriages, and in the Park, of dovevelvet, and twill sarsnet, formed with a deep lappel, which is lined with pink, and trimmed at the edge with skin.

The Cardinal coat seems chiefly to be laid aside, but the Opera coat is still as prevalent as ever; we witnessed one of a bright, but pale, morone velvet, trimmed all round with a deep and most elegant gossamer fur. Opera tippets à la pelerine, of white satin, or velvet; the latter trimmed with swansdown, the former vandyked with coloured velvet, with full puckered collars, are very distinguishing, and particularly well adapted for slender figures. We never recollect the full dress costume to be more graceful or consistent, except that the long sleeve is too generally adopted, which cannot properly belong to this style of costume. The veste, à la Catalani, as given in our last Number, is much introduced amongst fashionable circles; it is usually composed of gold or silver chambrey, and sometimes of coloured Italian crape, embroidered in a neat border of silver; and is worn over a white satin or sarsnet under dress.

We have lately been favoured with the sight of a most elegant round robe, formed of a delicate white Italian crape, embroidered all over in small silver stars. This dress was made with a train, and worn over a white satin slip; the bosom sharply rounded at the corners, with a fall of Mechlin lace round, and a drawn tucker above it; the sleeve a plain wrap, trimmed at the edge with silver à la corkscrew. From the left shoulder flowed the Peruvian scarf, of a deep salmon colour, with Indian border. The round apron of lace, or patent net, in white, or morone, with light border in silver, gold, or coloured foil, is considered as very elegant; it is generally worn with a round dress of white satin, or sarsnet, and is confined tight round the figure, the fullness being thrown quite behind, where it is tied with bows of white satin ribband, or tassels to