lous to one gifted with an esprit moqueur, than to see a lady laboring under the consciousness of a fine gown; or a gentleman who is stiff, awkward, and ungainly in a bran-new coat.

In this country the rules of etiquette vary as regards evening dress for gentleIt is always correct, and is insisted upon in the society of large cities. in other parts of the country a frock-coat is regarded as a suitable evening coat.

The Lady's Dress.

In the dress of ladies, great latitude is allowed; but the aim of the gentle sex should also be simplicity and taste.

On the other them to look

A lady must always consider what colors will suit her complexion. If she be dark, blue will not look well upon her; or if she be fair, pink will not become her. The most trying color is yellow. Only very pronounced brunettes can wear it. A lady must also take her size into consideration in selecting her dress. Stripes running the length of the dress have the effect of making a short person fook taller, and should not be worn by a tall person. hand, flounces may be worn by tall persons only, as they cause shorter. Dresses should always be suited to the occasion upon which they are to be used. In the morning, at home, a lady may wear a loose, flowing dress, made high in the neck, with a belt at the waist, and with loose sleeves fastened at the wrist. On the street a walking-costume should be worn, and the dress should clear the ground. Fashion may sometimes demand a trailing dress for the street, but no lady should submit to such a demand. There is nothing more disgusting than to see a rich dress sweeping up the dirt and filth of the street. The shoes for the street should be high, warm and easy to the feet, with a low, broad heel, and should be always neatly blackened. For ordinary street wear a lady may use either a hat or a bonnet. This is a matter of taste.

The evening dress of ladies is governed by the fashion of the time. It always means full dress, but it is impossible to give any fixed rule regarding it. A competent dressmaker, or the fashion publications of the time, will give the necessary information. In Europe, the evening dress requires the exposure of the arms and neck; but in this country the more sensible plan of covering these parts of the body is fairly the fashion.

The street dress of a lady should be simple and without display. To dress conspicuously or in brilliant colors for the street is a sign of bad breeding. In bad weather, a light India-rubber waterproof with a hood is more convenient and a better protection than an umbrella. To wear much jewelry on the street is vulgar. In large cities it subjects a lady to the danger of robbery.

A lady should always dress neatly at home. She is then ready to receive a morning caller without having to change her dress.

A lady should change her dress for the evening. Some neat and dainty

costume should be worn, according to her taste, for it is in the evening that she is thrown most with the male members of her family, and is most likely to have visitors. In making evening calls upon her friends, a lady should wear a hood, or some light head-wrap easily laid aside. A bonnet should always be removed at the commencement of such a visit.

For balls, or soirées, the dress should be of the richest and most elaborate description, with elegant jewelry. This is a matter of taste with the lady, who should avoid being over dressed. White kid gloves and white satin or kid boots are most suitable to a ball dress. If the overdress is of black lace, black satin shoes are worn.

For church the dress is simple and plain. Very little jewelry should be worn, and the costume should be of quiet colors. It is a mark of bad taste for ladies to attend church elaborately or conspicuously dressed. It shows a disregard for the solemnity of the sanctuary, and is calculated to draw off the attention of others from the duties of the place. In receiving the Holy Communion, the hands should be ungloved.

For the theatre and other places of amusement, the ordinary walking-dress is suitable. A rich and elegant shawl may be worn, as it can be thrown off when uncomfortable.

This must be governed

For the opera the richest full dress should be worn. by the prevailing fashion. The head should be bare, and dressed in the most becoming style. Jewelry may be worn, according to taste, as there is no place where it shows to better advantage. A light or brilliant colored opera cloak will add greatly to the lady's appearance and comfort. Gloves of white, or delicately tinted kid only are to be worn.

For the country or sea-side, simple and inexpensive dresses should be provided for ordinary wear. The bonnet should give place to a hat with a brim sufficiently wide to shield the face and neck from the sun.

The skirt should

Bathing dresses should be made of blue os gray flannel. come down to the ankles, and the sleeves should be long. An oil silk or Indiarubber cap, fitting tightly around the head, will protect the hair from the salt water.

The costume for travelling should be simple and of quiet colors, such as will not show dirt. A very slight display of jewelry should be made, especially if the lady is travelling alone. A waterproof cloak should be carried along, as no one can tell at what time it may be needed. In the summer, a long linen duster should be worn over the dress. It should be belted at the waist.

A lady should consider her age in choosing her costume. An old woman cannot afford to dress like a young girl. No one should dress in the "height of the fashion." Moderation is a sure mark of good breeding.

It is impossible to prescribe an exact style or mode of dress for ladies. Fashion will change, and, it must be confessed, in the matter of female costume, its changes have been for the better.

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NOTHING is of greater importance to a lady than the selection and arrangement of the colors of her dress. The effect of the most elaborate and costly costume may be ruined by an error in this respect. The color of the dress should be in keeping with the lady's appearance and age. Bright, gay colors suit the young; quiet and subdued shades those of middle life or the aged. Colors that are becoming to a blonde cause the brunette to appear at a disadvantage. Again, there are shades that look well by the light of the sun, but are greatly changed by gas or other artificial light. Perfect blondes or brunettes may wear hues which are not suited to those of less pronounced complexions. The colors of the head-dress and the lower drapery should always harmonize, and all should blend with the appearance of the wearer.

Blondes may wear dark violet shades, with lilac and blue; green, with darker or lighter tints. If the blonde is very rosy, the lighter shades will be more becoming. White blends well with these colors, and will add to the charm of the fair wearer. Neutral tints, such as slate, russet, maroon, and the various shades of brown, are becoming to blondes. Gray, drab, fawn, and stone colors may be worn by them to advantage.

Brunettes look well in glossy black. Green is also strong colors suit them best. White is also becoming. black, is a striking costume for a brilliant brunette.

becoming, and bright, Yellow, trimmed with

In cold weather dark or quiet colors are best; in warm weather the lighter hues should be worn. There is nothing so charming in the summer as white. Black is always neat and in good taste.

Having chosen the colors to be worn, it is important to know how they should be arranged. One color should predominate, or give tone to the dress; the others should set it off either by contrast or by harmony. A few hints upon this subject may be useful.

Black and white.
Black and orange.

Black and maize.
Black and scarlet.

Colors that Harmonize.

Black and lilac.

Black and pink.

Black and slate color.

Black and brown.

Yellow and crimson.

Yellow and black.

Yellow, purple, and crimson.

Yellow, purple, scarlet, and blue.
Yellow and purple.

Yellow and violet.

The various modifications of these shades must be provided for by the taste and good judgment of the person using them.

Dress for Children.

Avoid display in the clothing of your children; but dress them well. Good clothes, neatly made and fitting well, increase the self-respect and personal pride of a boy or girl.

If you can afford it, never require your son to wear your cast-off clothing. Let his clothes be made for him. It will be money well spent. Your boy has a pride in his appearance as well as yourself. Cultivate it, and spare him the mortification of appearing in old or badly fitting clothes. Do not cultivate vanity; but by all means encourage self-respect. It is a sheet anchor to a boy or young man.

Attention to the principles we have laid down will render one fit to make an appearance in society.

IT is the common custom among a certain class of persons in this country to introduce friends or acquaintances to everybody they may meet, whether at home or abroad, or even while walking or riding out. This is wrong. Great care and discrimination should be exercised in making introductions of gentlemen to each other, and still greater care in the introduction of gentlemen to ladies.

In introducing one person to another you assume a sort of social responsibility for the person you introduce, and you should be careful as to whom you give this indorsement. By introducing a man of bad character to a lady, you do her a positive wrong. She cannot shake him off as easily as a man can, and his association with her is an injury to her reputation. You should be especially careful in introducing strangers into your family. Be very sure whom you bring into your domestic circle, for great trouble may arise from bringing in bad or worthless persons.

No gentleman should be presented to a lady without her permission being previously asked. Ladies should grant this permission with caution, and only where the person making the request is one in whom they have confidence. A