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are circulated, as if on the wings of the wind, through the whole. The merchant, without leaving his countinghouse, learns the state of the markets from Orleans to Maine, and gathers, in a few hours, from the arrivals at every port, the course of trade in Europe: while commerce derives, from quick and certain intelligence, a new and vigorous impulse.

Behold yon group of eager politicians waiting the arrival of the mail. How frequently they inquire the time! A minute has elapsed since it should have arrived, and their impatience has become ungovernable. The lively interest excited by its delay discovers how much it contributes to our interest or our happiness. The lover, too, is indebted to this establishment for the favours of his absent mistress. Her letter is brought him, the seal yet moist, and even the kiss it contains has not lost all its fragrance, although an hundred leagues have been passed since her rosy lips impressed it.

Benjamin Franklin was the first superintendant of this department. Since the period of our revolution it has been constantly advancing to perfection under the direction of a Pickering, a Habersham, and a Granger.

The following table will give a tolerable correct idea of the improvements in this department since 1793; and while it shows that much was done under other superintendants, it also proves that a great deal has been accomplished under the present postmaster general. It is not surprising that there should be some interruptions in transporting the mail which runs five millions of miles in the year. Nor is it matter of the least wonder, that, among two thousand postmasters there should be some inattentive or disobliging. But in a business so extensive, employing so many persons, and in which the least failure excites so much sensibility, it is rather singular that there is not a greater interruption and more cause for complaint. And surely it is neither generous nor just, as is too frequently the case, to ascribe every failure to the postmaster general. I scorn that narrowness of spirit that denies to merit its reward. The liberal mind will disdain to be influenced by the spirit of party, to withhold the meed of honest

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and well deserved praise from a public officer. In performing the duties of post-master general, Mr. Granger has discovered those enlarged views, that liberality of sentiment, and that devotion to the public interest that will secure to him the approbation of every man whose good will is worth possessing.

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* Mr. Granger entered upon the duties of Post-Master General in December, 1801. + Since the third of March, 1801, the post roads have increased 44 3-4 per cent. The esta blishment of mail coaches has increased 69 1-2 per cent. (which are of incalculable utility to the eitizens generally, independent of the great additional security to the mails). The daily transpor tation by stage has increased 2427 miles, and the whole daily transportation has increased 3950 miles.

Of which it is carried in stages 2280252: in sulkies and on horse-back 2682264.

COURT OF FASHION FOR NOVEMBER 1809.

Although fashion has not yet decidedly entered on her gay career for the ensuing winter, yet has her way been marked out and made known, to a select few of her favourite votaries and chosen servants. The capricious goddess, ambitious of universal sway, has however forbidden the production of her several novelties until our favourite watering places, and other summer retreats, shall have delivered up their fair visitants, and the influx of rank and

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fashion have become greater, that her range may be wider and more diffusive.

For the out-door costume, pelisses have taken place of every other species of covering. Velvet is the favourite article used in their construction. They are made for the most part in the wrap form, of a walking length, fitting with such minute exactness to the shape as to require the hand of a very skilful milliner; with high plain collars variously wrought in gold, silver, and coloured chenille, confined to the waist with a band of gymp net and small square steel buckle. Gold and silver borderings ought only to be seen on those who have the convenience of a carriage; light edgings in chenille may be worn with propriety by such as more frequently indulge in the pleasure of walking; but the simple swansdown trimming we are assured will be of more elegant and lasting adoption. The swans-down tippet will also be considered by our fashionables as an almost indispensible appendage to the promenade dress. The Roman mantle, in orange, scarlet, or blue Georgian cloth, edged with a narrow gold tape, is a very graceful and convenient defence against the night air.

The Theresa handkerchief, in fine sprigged muslin trimmed with lace, or of white satin ornamented with swans-down, cut round behind, with a small collar meeting before, sloped off from the shoulder, and falling in long ends about twelve inches below the waist, forms a graceful finish to the evening dress.

Morning and walking gowns are still made high in the neck without collars, but with long sleeves, finished with a plain hem, and worn with large coral necklaces and bracelets. We have observed several in the corded cambric, in imitation of the corded sarsnet, confined in at the waist with a correspondent ribband. The straw striped muslin is likewise a favourite article, in this style of dress. In the afternoon, or intermediate rank of dress, the bosoms of gowns are either cut low and square, in the Egyptian manner, or made high, after the costume of the Romans, with a plain falling collar of antique lace; the sleeves are worn long and not transparent. Imperial and coloured bombazeens, with broad satin striped sarsnets, are well adapted to this class of attire; with this dress is very appropriately worn the Roman mantle, or swans-down tippet.

In full or evening dress the bosoms of the gowns are made low and square, the backs high and wide, laced up behind, the sleeves

moderately short and plain, if in sarsnet they are much trimmed with swans-down; the newest and most becoming front has two stars of Gothic lace let in on the bosom; we have observed but few trains. The bottoms of the dresses are much ornamented by an embroidery in natural flowers, wrought with lambs-wool; the geranium pattern, and the holly berries has a very pleasing effect.

The Jubilee uniform is garter-blue net, worn over white satin, ornamented with gold. We must here remark, that this dress will be considered by no means elegant after the joyous event it is meant to celebrate, and will be entirely laid aside by our fashionable fair. The emroidered cestus, and gymp net band, with diamond buckles, are the most approved ornaments for the waist; the satin sash has tassels attached to the ends.

A lady justly celebrated not less for her taste than rank and beauty, very lately appeared in a dress which we think we never saw equalled for its elegant simplicity. It was composed of beautiful shell láce, wreathed round the figure, without cutting, slightly confined together, forming the petticoat, giving the effect of a hoop without its grotesque and unnatural appearance; the body and sleeves were of the same material, with a small intermixture of frosted satin; it was worn over a very pale pink satin slip. White kid Grecian sandals, embroidered in silver, adorned her feet. Her gloves were of white kid, very short, and in her hand she held a silver tiffany' fan. But the style of her hair was more peculiarly adapted to the charming air and turn of her features; it was combed back in a light wave, à-la-Sappho, closely turned up behind, and confined by a diamond comb in the form of a shell; two diamond bodkins were placed transverse through her hair; her necklace was of brilliants, and in her ears she wore small brilliant snaps, with pearl drops. Another lady we observed richly dressed in oriental silk, her ornaments were pearl and ruby.

Within the last few days we have observed a few variegated straw hats with long shaded ostrich feathers. The intermixture of satin and lace in caps and hats is now become too general to meet with fashionable approbation. The Spanish hat and Turkish cap have now a decided perference; they are mostly made in velvet, or rich eastern silk, worn up on the left side, ornamented with two or three small undressed ostrich feathers, if for the promenade, of the same colour as the hat. The Brunswick mob and hive cap, VOL. III. #h

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with small bunches of geranium, or fancy flowers, are becoming head-dresses for the morning.

The fascinating simplicity in the mode of wearing the hair still prevails. In full dress few curls are to be seen, it is combed lightly back in front, and closely twisted up behind, or banded round the head after the Grecian manner. The diamond bodkin is the newest and most esteemed ornament for the hair; it is a gold pin, with a head about an inch long studded with diamonds or other jewels, and is much used for confining the lace veil and Turkish handkerchief to the head; small bunches of foil flowers of the ruby or emerald colour, are just introduced, placed over the left side, and worn with a very pleasing effect.

No variety has taken place in the shoes since our last. The Grecian sandal is very generally worn by our elegantes, it is mostly embrodered in silver, coloured bugle, and foil; rosettes are often seen to adorn the slipper.

Jewellery is far more worn than during the last month. Necklaces in ruby, emerald, garnet, and coral, seem to have the preference. Pearls and diamonds are much intermixed. The diamond snap, with pearl clasp, is the prevailing ornament for the ear. Buckles are sometimes seen on the shocs, we hope it will gain ground, as it is certainly a very elegant addition to the foot.

The prevailing colours are garter-blue, amaranthus, amber and geranium. The most fashionable mixtures Spanish-green, amaranthus shot with white, red, and brown.

La Belle Assemblée.

ACCOUNT OF THE SPANISH CORTES.

An order has been issued in the name of FERDINAND VII, respecting the convocation of the cortes, which is represented as being "the most important object that can or ought to employ the supreme junta." The executive council of Spain seems at last to be convinced of the necessity of this measure, which has been so repeatedly urged as indispensible to the salvation of the country. A short explanation of the constitution and the duties

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