GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON FASHION AND DRESS. Winter now having given notice of asserting his dominion, after a summer of peculiar brilliancy, and indeed of prolonged duration, we find the British fair beginning to cast aside the silken scarf, worn more for drapery than warmth, for the closely folding spencer, and yet more enveloping pelisse. The twilled sarsnet gives place to the gros de Naples; an article adapted either to summer or winter wear, but certainly warmer than sarsnet, particularly the improved figured gros de Naples, called the shagreen, which is richly spotted in figures as small as the skin from whence it takes its name. We have noticed some pelisses made of the new Glasgow silk, but we do not much admire them; the material is of too hard a nature for out-door costume in the present season: yet, for dresses for matronly ladies during the months of December and January, they will, no doubt, be very prevalent. At present, the beautiful tabinet triumphs, and as an article of dress for the social party, is likely to be long unrivalled. cachemire shawl begins to be closely wrapped round the female form. Opera cloaks we imagine will now be confined to the theatres, or as mere wraps on departing from the crowded evening rout. They were so very common last winter, that they are not likely to appear again as a promenade dress on any of those ladies who rank amongst the members composing the fashionable world. Muffs have already made their appearance: they are, at present, of swansdown; they, therefore, do not affright us by their wintry appearance. The grey squirrel, the sable, and the ounce, as the cold sets in, will, no doubt, succeed to the delicate cygnet. Bonnets are still worn enormously large; many attempts have been made to curtail their size, but in vain: even the hat à la bergère, simple, elegant, and becoming to every youthful face, has lost much of its attraction by its increased size, which gives to it the slouchlike appearance of the white hat of Pierrot the clown. Yet every elegance is adopted in the ornaments of these large head-coverings, and much depends on the manner of putting the bonnets on, to render them becoming. Every auxiliary of fine blond, beautiful plumage, and variegated flowers, adorns them: the bonnets themselves are chiefly of satin, white or coloured, gros de Naples, fine Leghorn, and cotton straw. Those that are ornamented with plumes of feathers are entire The fashion of the pelisse given in our print of the walking dress, is both unique and elegant, and promises to be much in favour as a carriage or out-door covering. Fine kerseymere or Merino cloth it is expected will be more general for the promenade; and the furriers are preparing some costly and novel furs for these envelopes, ren-ly confined to the carriage. Highdering them at the same time both ornamental and comfortable. Spencers of gros de Naples or satin are at present very prevalent; and the land caps, it is expected, will be much worn this winter. Dresses of white muslin are on the decline, except that cambric | dian ground; a superb border of the Persian full-blown rose runs round it; and this turban, when pinned up by the hands of a tasteful priestess of the toilette, appears, by the ingenious disposal of the border, as if encircled by wreaths of roses with their verdant foliage. When the head is full yet prevails as a déjeuné dress, and clear India muslin continues to be worn by very youthful ladies for half dress but figured poplins, gros de Naples, both plain and figured, with a light gossamer kind of satin, are most in requisition for evening parties; while for the concert or ball, the younger votaries of fashion adopt the full-trim-dressed, the fancy open coronet med frock of fine net or gauze over sarsnet, gros de Naples, or satin slips. turbans are most in favour, which partially discover the exuberance of a fine head of hair, and give at The favourite morning head-the same time the most finished apdress is the Mary Stuart cap, of pearance to grand costume. white net and satin, without any Pearls form a favourite article in ornament. For half-dress, the In-jewellery, and though pale colours dian turban claims a pre-eminent rank: it is reckoned most elegant when formed of the white Bengal silk, in a beautiful pattern of squares of white satin on a delicate In yet continue in favour, we expect to see them soon succeeded by the more rich, as well as the more sombre, hues of winter, INTELLIGENCE, LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC, &c. EARLY in December will be published, superbly printed in atlas 4to. An Essay on Man, by Alexander Pope illustrated with designs by Uwins, which are engraved in the first style of the art, and in the line manner, by Charles Heath, Rhodes, Scott, and Warren; and a full-length portrait of the author, engraved by Robinson, from the original by Jervas, in the possession of George Watson Taylor, Esq. M. P. The illustrations of this edition, which is necessarily limited to 200 copies, are all on India paper, and are the only proofs taken off previous to the insertion of || the writing; the subsequent impressions of the plates being in- || tended as embellishments to a foreign translation of the work. The admirers of Shakspeare will be glad to learn, that the very scarce and admirable Essay on the Dramatic Character of Sir John Falstaff, by the late Maurice Morgann, Esq. formerly Under-Secretary of State, is reprinting in 8vo, with a biographical and critical preface. In a few days will be published, A Letter on Superstition, by the Right Hon. W. Pitt (afterwards Earl of Chatham), first printed in 1733: addressed to the multifarious sects of the British empire. The Emigrant's True Guide to the British Settlements in Upper Canada is nearly ready: it contains the best advice and directions respecting the voyage to Montreal, and mode of travelling and conveyance up the country; with an itinerary || four or five 4to. volumes, the first of which is now printed, and the remainder of the work is in a great of the distances, and an account of the Falls of Niagara: to which is added, an account of the settle-degree of forwardness. No other ment on the banks of the Lake Erie, called London, with some original letters by a Lancastrian farmer now resident there: with prefatory remarks on emigration, proving the superiority of the British Canadas to the Cape of Good Hope, &c. work on universal history will be found equal to the above, combining at once brevity and perspicuity: yet it embraces a complete course of political, military, and ecclesiastical history; where every one may discover somewhat to amuse and instruct, whatever may be the peculiar bias of his genius, or the nature of his pursuits. Historical, Military, and Pic The author of Affection's Gift, &c. &c. has nearly ready, Letters on History, part II. Profane. A Systematic Analysis of Univer-tureque Observations on Portugal is sal History, from the Creation to the in the press. It comprises the mipresent Time, is in the press. It litary and political account of that presents a compendium of History, country, from the earliest period Chronology, Geography, and Ge- down to the present time; with manealogy: wherein is exhibited ny curious documents and French a general view of every country, papers, never hitherto published; kingdom, empire, and state, of also the author's military reconwhich any records remain, under noissance, the local history, and the various heads of geographical picturesque observations: embelsituation, extent, boundaries, and lished with views, selected for the divisions; natural history and cu- purpose of conveying as much miriosities; original inhabitants and litary information as possible. By modern population; manners, cus-George Landmann, lieutenant-cotoms, laws, and government; sove- lonel in the corps of royal engireigns and distinguished charac-neers, lieutenant-colonel in the ters; religion, language, literature, same corps in the service of Spain, arts, and commerce: methodically with brevet rank of colonel. Elearranged, and illustrated with ex- gantly printed in two volumes implanatory and critical remarks; ta-perial 4to. illustrated by numerous bles of comparative chronology,and coloured views, and authentic plans geographical maps, ancient and of all the sieges and battles fought modern; historical charts and en- in the Peninsula during the late gravings, and accurate genealogi- war. cal tables of all the illustrious families of ancient and modern times. To it is prefixed, an introductory essay on the nature, definitions, and classifications of history and chronology, and the systems of various writers. By Jehoshaphat Aspin, professor of history, &c. To be comprised in An Elementary Treatise on Astronomy, or an easy Introduction to a Knowledge of the Heavens; intended for the use of those who are not much conversant in mathematical studies, by the Rev. A. Mylne, A. M. minister of Dollar; with plates, in one volume 8vo. will appear without delay. THE WANDERER. By J. M. LACEY. Poetry. 'MID weary wilds the wand'rer rov'd, Through scenes unknown his footsteps bending; Far off was she he truly lov'd, That spot alone his fond fears ending. Fatigue and danger daunted not; Onward he sped through pain or pleasure, Till fortune kindly shew'd the spot Where liv'd his love-his dearest treasure. Then rests the wand'rer from his toil; He soon forgets his ev'ry trouble; One true affection-breathing smile Dispels each doubt, makes pleasure double. With satisfaction on his brow, And peace within his placid bosom, He finds delight's best comforts nowOh! may the wand'rer never lose 'em! LINES Addressed to Mrs. H--GG--T, at B--NT--NE, near F--. "The poet's lay to beauty due," Where ye the Fashions have before ye, A present from your faithful friend. Ye have from France and foreign parts, But far more pleased am I,that mine should be Such is the grace that art like thine can give, I feel the gladsome grief, the tender woe, The charm that vulgar mirth can ne'er bestow; And as the warm blood gushes round my heart, I turn aside, but cannot dare to part, But look once more with rapture-glistening eye, And then "No sooner blown than blasted" sigh. And how does art such magic influence hold, It owns an echo in the musing mind, B. L. Harrison, Printer, 373, Strand. |