hem, which even exceeds the usual breadth, is simply finished by three small rouleaus of satin, of a corresponding colour, placed very near each other, immediately above the hem. The corsage, cut excessively low, and made to set close to the shape, is ornamented round the upper part by drapery folds of satin, which are fastened in the centre of the back and bosom, and on the shoulders, by agraffes of pearls. The sleeve is en béret, extremely short and full.

Another dress was made in a similar manner, except the sleeve, which was composed of blond lace over white satin; it was extremely full, and divided in the middle by an arınlet of purple velvet, (the material of the dress,) round which was twined a string of pearls. The upper part of the sleeve had the béret form, while the lower part fell loosely over the point of the elbow, in the ruffle style.

Black satin dresses, trimmed with gold guimp, or fringe, or with bands of gold net-work, are also in great favour in full dress. The corsages of these dresses are much ornamented: some have the front of the bust covered with a drapery arranged in the stomacher style by gold bands; others have the corsage cut in front in the form of a V, which is edged with a narrow band of gold net, or else a guimp. The under body, composed of white satin, which is thus very much displayed, is sometimes adorned with a slight embroidery in gold, in the centre of the bosom.

Splendour is also the prevailing feature of ball dress, except for unmarried ladies, who, in France, always dress with great simplicity. At a grand ball lately given by a distinguished member of the corps diplomatique, the dresses were in general superb. Crape, tulle, and various kinds of gauze over satin, or gros de Naples under dresses, were the materials most in request. There were also some gowns of blond net, and a good many of English lace.

One of the prettiest dresses was a gown of Persian gauze, spotted with gold, corsage en cœur, and sleeves orielles d'elephant. The hem was, as usual, very broad, and the trimming placed on its upper edge was a garland of oak leaves, embroidered in gold.

Another dress of white gaze de laine was trimmed above the hem with the same material; it was arranged in folds to form triangles; these ornaments were about a quarter of a yard in depth; they are bordered by a light embroidery in gold, and separated by gold bands.

A dress of white gauze was much admired for its elegant sim

plicity: the corsage, made to set close to the shape, was finished by a deep fall of blond lace, arranged in draperies by pearl ornaments. A Siamese sleeve of blond lace, over white satin. This sleeve is very full: it is confined to the arm, about two inches above the elbow, by an armlet of gold, finely wrought; the remaining part of the sleeve hangs loose from the armlet to the elbow, but does not descend below it; it is rounded, hangs very full, and has altogether a very graceful effect. The trimming of the skirt is a single row of white feather fringe, so deep that it nearly covers the hem.

The coiffures were remarkable for their elegance; the greater number were, of course, en cheveux. Several ladies had their hair dressed lighter on the temples than usual; it was also not so high behind, being usually arranged in two or three bows only if there were three, one was very large, and the two others smaller; if two, they were of equal size.

Many coiffures were composed of a mixture of flowers and diamonds; a bouquet, composed of ripe ears of corn in diamonds, was placed on the right side, and a sprig of roses on the left.

A most tasteful head-dress was composed of a half wreath of white plumes, placed round the crown of the head, close to the bows of hair; it terminated on one side by a long spiral feather, which fell upon the neck.

Another charming coiffure was composed of a garland of laurel leaves in pearl, brought low upon the forehead, and two large butterfly bows of lavender-coloured gauze, spotted with silver, placed very backward, apparently supporting the bows of hair. Two long ostrich feathers were inserted in one of the bows of hair, in such a manner as to form a V; a letter which is a favourite ornament in the disposition of decorations for the hair as well as for dresses.

A singular, but very beautiful, head-dress was composed of tresses of hair, arranged in a kind of net-work, from which the flowers called Reines Marguerites appeared to be on the point of falling. A bandeau of large pearls, ornamented in the middle with a cameo, went round the head, and was brought very low on the forehead.

A wreath of small light feathers, placed very much to one side, and of two different colours, is a favourite coiffure with those ladies who affect simplicity; there is something of grace and originality in this style of head dress.

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Fashionable colours are citron, granite, carnation, ponçeau, blue, and various shades of rose-colour.

LADIES' MUSEUM.

APRIL, 1830.

ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS.—NO. I.

THE SHARK.

Increasing still the terrors of the storm,
His jaws terrific armed with threefold fate,
Here dwells the direful shark. Lured by the scent
Of steaming crowds, of rank disease and death,
Behold! he rushing cuts the briny flood,
Swift as the gale can bear the ship along,

And. from the partners of that cruel trade
Which spoils unhappy Guinea of her sous,

Demands his share of prey-demands themselves.

Thomson.

Nor of the finny tribe alone, but of all the productions of animated nature, the shark is the fiercest and most voracious. In size it is little inferior to the whale, which it surpasses in strength and celerity. No fish, indeed, can swim su fast: it outstrips the swiftest vessels. Being of the cartilaginous kind, that is, having cartilages, or gristles, instead of bones, they seem to have no bounds placed to their dimensions; and it is supposed that they grow larger every day till they die. There are several species, some of which are frequently thirty feet long, and weigh four thousand pounds.

It is an observation as old as the days of Pliny, that the shark is obliged to turn on its back to seize its prey; this, however, they do on one side. Its jaws, above and below, are planted all over with most terrible teeth, said to be one hundred and forty-four in number, and its mouth and throat are so enormously wide as to be capable of swallowing a man with great ease. It must have been a species of shark that swallowed the prophet Jonah, for a whale it could not be without an additional miracle. Its voracity is such that it is said not to spare its own offspring, and it often swallows its prey entire.

Among its singularities may be reckoned its eninity to man, or rather its love of human flesh, which having once tasted, it never desists from haunting those places where it expects the return of the prey. Along the coasts of Africa, where these animals are found in great abundance, numbers of the negroes, who, for various purposes, are obliged to frequent these waters, are seized APRIL, 1830.

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