Godey's Lady's Book, Vol. 42, January, 1851 by Various

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But you will not be caught so again. You are wiser from fearful experience.
A similar invitation is met with an appeal to your very best party dress,
and you go armed _cap-a-pie_, even to white satin slippers. The clock
strikes nine as you enter the room, and there is your truth-loving hostess,
with her half dozen plain guests, who had given you up, and are sorry you
cannot stay long, "as they see you are dressed for a party." Capital
suggestion! Make the most of it, and retire as soon as possible under that
plea.

We appeal to you, ladies, whether this is a fancy sketch; and yet sometimes
it is not the fault of the hostess--you really do not know how you are
expected to arrange your toilet. It is to obviate this evil that we propose
giving a few plain hints on evening dress.

We once knew a very nice lady, who had come to town for the purpose of
taking music lessons. She was entirely unfamiliar with the etiquette of the
toilet, and living at a boarding house, there was no one she felt at entire
liberty to consult. A gentleman invited her to the opera. She was wild with
delight. It was a cold winter's night, and she dressed accordingly. She
wore a dark merino dress and cloak, a heavy velvet bonnet and plumes, and
thick knit gloves, dark also. The gentleman looked astonished, but said
nothing; and imagine her consternation, when she found herself in the
centre of the dress circle, in the midst of unveiled necks and arms, thin
white dresses, and white kid gloves. At once the oddity of her mistake
flashed across her; but she bore it with unparalleled firmness, and enjoyed
the music notwithstanding. The lorgnettes attracted by her costume, found a
very sweet face to repay them, and her naive and enthusiastic criticism
interested her companion so much that he forgot all else.

And how should she have dressed? Cloaks--and what is an opera toilet
without a cloak?--are nothing more than sacques of bright cashmere or
velvet, lined with quilted silk or satin, with loose flowing sleeves. A
shawl is, of course, thrown over this out of doors. One of the prettiest
cloaks of this season was made by Miss Wharton, of black satin, with a hood
lined with Pompadour pink. But cashmere is less expensive, and may be
trimmed with pointed silk or satin, and lined with the same colored silk.
Your dress is not of so much consequence, if it is light, for the cloak
conceals it. But the undersleeves should be very nice, and white kid gloves
are indispensable. A scarf or hood may be worn to the door of the box, and
then thrown over the arm. The hair is dressed with very little ornament
this winter; but, whatever the head-dress adopted, the two chief points are
simplicity and _becomingness_. Dress hats are allowed; but, as they
obstruct the view of others, are not desirable.

Nearly the same dress is proper for a subscription concert, where you are
sure of a large audience; of course, where Jenny Lind is the attraction,
the same thing is certain. All her concerts are _dress_ concerts. But, for
a ballad _soiree_, or the first appearance of any new star, a pretty hat,
with an opera cloak or light shawl, is quite sufficient. For panoramas,
negro minstrels, or evening lectures, an ordinary walking costume is
sufficient, and it would be very bad taste to go with the head uncovered.

A party dress should be regulated by the invitation, in a measure. In
"sociables," the most sensible of all parties, a light silk, mousseline, or
cashmere, is sufficient, with short sleeves and a pretty collar. Gloves are
by no means indispensable, and many prefer black silk mitts. If the number
of invitations exceeds twenty-five, a regular evening dress is expected, as
well as at weddings, receptions, or a dancing party. A full evening costume
we have often described, and shall give some new styles next month.

Of course, we have spoken only of young ladies, a more matronly style being
expected from their chaperons. For instance, caps at the opera or concerts,
a charming variety of which were seen at Miss Wilson's November opening.
Turc satins, velvets, and brocades are to those in place of white tulle or
embroidered crepes. And again, our hints of course are intended for the
city alone, and for the guidance of those who are making that perilous
venture, a "first winter in society."

FASHION.

* * * * *

THE BOOK OF THE NATION.

GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK FOR 1851,

LITERARY AND PICTORIAL,

DEVOTED TO AMERICAN ENTERPRISE, AMERICAN WRITERS, AND AMERICAN ARTISTS.

* * * *

The publisher of the Lady's Book having the ability, as well as the
inclination, to make the best monthly literary, and pictorial periodical in
this country, is determined to show the patrons of magazines to what
perfection this branch of literature can be brought. He has now been
publishing the Lady's Book for twenty-six years and he appeals to his
subscribers and the public whether the "Book" has not improved every year,
and he now pledges his well-earned reputation that, in the MORALITY and
SUPERIORITY of his literature, and in the PURITY and BEAUTY of his
engravings,

THE LADY'S BOOK FOR 1851 SHALL EXCEED EVERY OTHER MAGAZINE.

The literary department will still be conducted by

MRS. SARAH J. HALE,

whose name is now recognized throughout our country as the able champion of
her sex in all that pertains to the proper rights of woman. Arrangements
have been made with other than our well known contributors, and we shall
have the pleasure of adding to the following some writers of great
celebrity, whose names have not yet appeared in the "Book."

Mrs. J.C. Neal,
Mrs. E.F. Ellet,
Enna Duval,
Mrs. E. Oakes Smith,
Mrs. A.F. Law,
The Author of Miss Bremer's Visit to Cooper's Landing,
Mrs. L.G. Abell,
Mrs. O.M.P. Lord,
Kate Berry,
Mrs. S.J. Hale,
F.E.F.,
Mary Spenser Pease,
The Author of "Aunt Magwire,"
Mrs. C.F. Orne,
Mrs. J.H. Campbell,
W. Gilmore Simms,
H.T. Tuckerman,
Park Benjamin,
Hon. R.T. Conrad,
John Neal,
Tom Owen (the Bee Hunter),
Alfred B. Street,
George P. Morris,
Rev. H.H. Weld,
H. Wm. Herbert,
Professor Wm. Alexander,
Professor Alden,
Professor John Frost,
T.S. Arthur,
Richard Coe,
Herman Melville,
Nathl. Hawthorn,

and a host of other names, which our space will not permit us to mention.
In short, no efforts will be wanting to retain for Godey's Lady's Book the
proud title of

THE LEADING PERIODICAL IN AMERICA.

It will be seen that we have commenced furnishing original designs for our

MODEL COTTAGE

department, than which no set of illustrations have ever given more
satisfaction.

THE LADIES' DEPARTMENT

is one that we particularly pride ourselves upon. We have been the first to
give everything new in this line--Crochet Work, Knitting, Netting, Patch
Work, Crochet Flower Work, Leather Work, Hair Braiding, Ribbon Work,
Chenille Work, Lace Collar Work, D'Oyley Watch Safes, Children's and
Infants' Clothes, Caps, Capes, Chemisettes, and, in fact, everything that
we thought would please our readers. In addition, we have also commenced
the publication of

UNDOUBTED RECEIPTS

for Cooking, Removing Stains, and every matter that can interest the head
of a family.

GODEY'S RELIABLE FASHION PLATES.

This department will be under the sole superintendence of a lady--one of
our first modistes--who receives proof sheets of the fashions direct from
Paris, and is intimately connected with the publishers in that city. This
favor is granted to her exclusively. They are arranged, under her
direction, to suit the more subdued taste of American ladies. There is no
other magazine in America that can be equally favored. We have so long led
in this department that the fact would hardly be worth mentioning,
excepting that others claim the merit that has so long been conceded to the
"Book." They will be got up, as usual, in our superior style to the French.

NEW MUSIC, PRINTED SEPARATE

on tinted paper. This is another advantage that Godey possesses over all
others. A gentleman is engaged expressly to attend to this department, and
no music is inserted in the "Book" that has not undergone his strict
supervision.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

In artistic merit, the "Book" will still retain its pre-eminence, and, in
order to show the public wherein our superiority will consist, we give the
titles of some of the plates that we have now on hand ready for use, all of
which will be given in succession. It will be observed that we have, in a
measure, quit the beaten track of copying from engravings, as most of our
plates are from original designs, prepared expressly for the "Book," by

CROOME, ROTHERMEL, TUCKER, PEASE, DALLAS, PETERS, & GILBERT.

Those that are not from original designs, prepared expressly for us, are
from the original painting. Furthermore, the publisher of the "Book" would
state that they are ALL STEEL PLATES, and that there is not a WOOD-CUT
amongst them. We will not deceive by publishing a list of plates without,
at the same time stating whether they are engraved on wood or steel.

It may as well be also stated that Mr. Tucker, our own artist, than whom no
one stands higher in America, has been in London for more than a year, and
all his plates are now finished. One series of our plates in line engraving
will be

CONSTANCY AND COQUETRY,

done in a style to defy any imitation in mezzotint,

GOOD COUNSEL AND EVIL COUNSEL,

DRESS THE MAKER AND DRESS THE WEARER

* * * * *

[Illustration]

THE VALENTINES.

The fires of February lit the hearth,
And shone with welcome lustre on the brows
Of two most lovely maidens, as they sat
Expecting, in their heart of hearts, the notes
Called "_Valentines_," that February brings
Upon its fourteenth day, to tell, in rhyme,
All fair and gentle ladies whether they
Have made new conquests, or have kept the old
As fresh as new-blown roses in the hearts
Of their admiring slaves. One of the girls
(Laughing and lovely was she), ever won
High hearts to do her bidding, dreaming it
No sin that _all_ should yield her love and homage,
Yet was no trifling, passionless coquette.
Her winning beauty was the standing toast
Of the wide neighborhood, and serenades
From many a gallant woke the sleeping echoes
Beneath her window, and her name was like
The silvery pealing of a tinkling bell;
(Perhaps 'tis yours, fair reader,) "Clairinelle."

May sat beside her with a graver air,
Something more matronly controlled her mien;
Yet was she not a sighing "sentimentalist,"
But, like her cousin Cary, could be gay:
Two Valentines had come for these fair girls,
Which made the dimpled smiles show teeth like pearls
Pray, read those tender missives--here they are--

CLAIRINELLE'S VALENTINE.

The maiden I love is the fairest on earth,
Her laugh is the clear, joyous music of mirth;
I think of the angels whenever she sings--
She's a seraph from Heaven, but folding her wings.
The least little act that she doeth is kind;
Her goodness all springs from a beautiful mind.
I love her much more than I know how to tell;
Let her do what she will, it is always done well:
Her voice is the murmur the mild zephyr makes
As it steals through the forest and ruffles the lakes:
Her eyes are so gentle, so calm, and so blue,
That I'm sure that she's constant, and trusting, and true:
Her features are delicate, classic, and pure:
Her hair is light chestnut, and I'm almost sure
That the sunbeams that bathe it can't set themselves free:
Her teeth are like pearls from the depths of the sea.
A bee in a frolic once stung her red lip,
And left there the honey he hastened to sip:
Let her go where she will, she is always the belle,
And her name, her sweet name, is the fair Clairinelle.

MAY'S VALENTINE.

MY UNSENTIMENTAL COUSIN:--
The moon was half bewildered by the vexing clouds
That did beset her in her path serene,
Veiling her beauty with their envious shrouds,
Hiding her glorious, most majestic mien.
There was a depth of silence in the night--
A mist of melancholy in the air--
And the capricious beams of Dian's light
Gave something mystic to the scene most fair.
I gave my cousin Dante's divine "Inferno,"
_Imploring_ her to read _il primo canto_.
"Lo giorno s'andava," she drawled; but, tired of plodding,
Directly fell asleep, and pretty soon--_was nodding_!!
"Cousin, sweet cousin," cried I out, "awake!
I long for sympathy--compassion on me take:
They say yon stars are worlds--dost think 'tis so?"
"Really, my--dear (_a yawn_), I--don't exactly know."
"Cousin," said I, "upon a night like this,
Back to the heart steal distant memories
From out the vista of the waning past"--
"Harry, I've caught the horrid fly at last!"
Shades of the angry Muses! worse and worse!
She disappears!--is gone!--_to knit a crochet purse_!!
"Cousin, come back again!" in vain I cried;
Echo (the mocking-bird!) _alone_ replied.

CARA.

* * * * *

CORNERS FOR POCKET HANDKERCHIEFS.

[Illustration]

* * * * *

BIRTHDAY OF THE YEAR

[Illustration]

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