through a thousand changes, varying perpetually, every motion revealing some new drapery unobserved before. And, imperceptibly, new faces were added to the circle-Mrs. Glittery appeared; the Snippery girls were there; all the lady visitors I had ever seen in the boudoir came thronging in, doubling and tripling the ring, yet apparently rendering it narrower and narrower at each turn. With a feeling approaching to terror, a sort of fascination of wonder and alarm, I continued to follow every rapid movement, in the midst of a silence almost supernatural in character. Vivid emotions of pleasure, curiosity, envy, vanity, mortification, played over all the countenances in succession; while the accompanying pantomime clearly conveyed the idea that each sentiment was closely interwoven, as it were, with the drapery floating about them. And still, without pause, without respite, the same thronging, bewildering, mazy waltz continued unbroken, unchanged in step and measure, while all these female figures flew about me with magical celerity, and in the midst of a silence truly appalling.

Suddenly they parted, breaking up into groups, or darting away singly A new frenzy seemed to seize them; the steps became yet more rapid, the countenances more excited, the pantomime yet wilder. White arms were thrown upwards-jeweled fingers were in eager play. In another instant, a thousand fluttering rolls of formless drapery appeared dropping from the ceiling, flowing from the hangings, fluttering out of the pictures, falling from the chandeliers, thrust in at the doors and windows, rushing upward from the heaving carpets. Swiftly turning and whirling, amid these varied fabrics, the figures seized upon them, examined, selected, rejected, with faces now all eager delight, now pondering, and profoundly thoughtful. Shop-boys, hitherto unseen, creatures all whiskers and fingers, flung themselves into the giddy circle, unfolding, exhibiting, cutting, wrapping. Maids, dress-makers, milliners, with nimble needles were there fitting, flouncing, sewing, trimming. The womenfolk of a thousand households, babies, children, nurses, housemaids, schoolgirls, aged dames, came pouring in at my door, joining in the same wild waltz. A cloud, or canopy, formed over the heads of the dancing throng, strangely

made up of ribbons, fashion-plates, gloves, gauzes, newspapers, magazines, fans, purses-generally empty-hoops, scarfs, bank-notes-all fifties and hundreds-and bills, many of fearful length -all these blending into one wreath, fluttering and whirling about the room as if driven by a hurricane of the tropics. Anon, fathers, husbands, lovers, brothers, were there, whirling, wheeling, pirouetting like the rest among them my uncle and fifty other gray-heads prominent in Wall street. Some were smiling, some remonstrating, one pleading, another admiring, this reasoning, that reprimanding. The pockets were all, I observed, crowded with paperswhether bills or love-letters, it was impossible to say-but the more fashionable the coat, the greater was this unnatural distension. Presently the male portion of the whirling ring increased amazingly; artisans, manufacturers, editors, merchants, legislators, seamen, smugglers, lawyers, doctors, judges, policemen, jurors, appraisers, constables, auctioneers, seemed to spring up from the heavy carpeting like mushrooms, and all alike were more or less under the general influence, compelled, whether willing or not, to submit to its power. Still, ever prominent among the motley throng, in brilliant and gay relief, were the familiar figures of the ladies of the house, and their chosen companionsthe Glittery, Frippery, and Snippery sisters. In fact, whether from a delusion or not I cannot say, but, at the moment it appeared to me as if the one great object of all consisted in decking and draping these young girls; and, the longer the extraordinary scene lasted, the clearer became this conviction. Never before, certainly, had I so full a perception of the immense importance of the toilet-the absorbing influence, the vast extent, the intricate ramifications, of this branch of American civilization. Teaching the nation, preaching to it, fighting its battles, making its laws, seem light and casual tasks compared with the arduous duty of dressing its daughters in the latest and most brilliant of fashion's caprices. I can reremember these reflections darting through my mind, with the rapidity of lightning, in the midst of the ceaseless whirl.

But, suddenly, while following with increasing wonder the ever-unwearied movement, I became aware of a most

Dull

fearful change; still whirling, still eagerly engrossed by the mad gallopade, faces and figures were no longer the same. Horrible to relate, they lost their human form and expression; all natural womanly beauty and grace utterly vanished; limb and feature, nerve and muscle, all underwent a wretched metamorphosis wholly amazing. glassy beads took the place of the most beautiful eyes; lips stiffened into a still, coral-like substance; delicate ears were turned into plates of wrought gold or silver; the softest tresses bristled into hair-pins and wires, or became tangled threads of silk, or coarse ravelings of ribbons and fringes; the teeth were so many jeweled buttons; the beautiful fingers expanded into ribbed fans; the entire flesh seemed converted into rolls of cashmere or satin; cords and wires took the place of muscles; the veins flowed with essences and washes; nay, the very brain became a dull mass of cosmetics and pomatums, while the heart itself, filled with shreds and ravelings, showed little more true sensibility

than a fancy pin-cushion for the dressing-table. Yet, the ill-fated creatures, wholly unconscious of the spell upon them, continued tripping and reeling about the room, active as ever in movement, their costly draperies unchanged, delicate in design and workmanship as the perfection of modern art could make them, as if in bitter mockery of the unsightly figures they clothed. The horror I felt, at a catastrophe so fearful, was increased by observing something of familiar feature and expression in each of these hideous creatures; indistinct, imperfect, vaguely defined, it is true, yet sufficient for me to have known any one of the whirling circle, under her frightful metamorphosis. Strange to say, physical life in full measure seemed still to pervade each form; they all breathed, they all moved as easily, as rapidly, as they had done, under the light of that day's sun; their stiff lips parted and closed over the double row of button-teeth; the cashmere eyelids rose and fell over beads, blue, black, and brown; the fan-like hands opened

and closed as frequently as ever. But, most painful of all was the conviction which forced itself upon me, from observing gleams of thought and expression passing over these unnatural faces, that each was still endowed with a human soul, a rational spirit, though so closely fettered and shrouded within a mask of dry goods!

Unluckily for me, a feeling of compassion got the better of the awe which had hitherto kept me silent. A half smothered cry struggled to my lips. Wretched man that I was! The attention of the strange creatures, hitherto wholly engrossed by the objects immediately before them, was thus suddenly drawn upon myself. A glare of wicked joy flushed from their beady eyes; a ghastly grin sat upon their cold lips; with one whirl they all flew towards me, alighting on the bed like a flock of illfavored bats. Some seized me by the hair, others clutched at my arms and legs with their dry, ribbed fingers, while fresh assailants came dragging with them an endless train of laces, ribbons, etc., etc., and began a merciless process of homicide by strangulation. In a moment lace flounces and scarfs, apparent ly millions of yards in length, were wrapped about my throat and limbs; an entire piece of pink moire-antique was forced into my mouth; a medley of all things extravagant, in the way of baubles and trinkets, was thrust into my blinded eyes, my lacerated

ears.

me,

Summoning, by a prodigious effort, all the little strength yet left within I gave a fearful groan-a shriek it may have been. Robert-the footman allotted to me-rushed to my bedside. I endeavored, by pantomime, to implore him to release me, to clear the room of the hideous female train. He could not comprehend my meaning. In another moment my worthy uncle and several physicians were gathered about my bed. But no relief did they bring me, not one of these horrid, hag-like figures could they drive away. They evidently considered my case as most extraordinary; they avowed themselves completely puzzled. To them the powers of speech seemed wholly lost. Dolts that they were, they could not discover the thousand yards of lace so tightly drawn about my windpipe, nor the entire piece of moire-antique, thrust into my mouth. At length, by an effort of al

most superhuman strength. I succeeded in muttering a few words, as Dr. Gbent anxiously over me

"Dying! Frippery!'-What can be the poor fellow's meaning?" he exclaimed, turning to Dr. H, and repeating the only words he had clearly heard.

Dr. H- advanced-felt my pulse -looked at my tongue-laid his hand upon my heart, and put his finger to bis nose. A ray of light had struck him; he withdrew with his learned brother into one corner of the room, and confided to him his opinion:

"The case is now clear, my dear sir. It is evident that Mr. Fairfax is desperately in love with Miss Frippery. the great belle-perfectly natural !"

A bound which I made in my bed, on hearing this observation, terrified the anxious group about me.

"In love with a Frippery girl! That I should live to hear the words!" But hear them I did, and without the power of contradiction, owing to that vile scarf of Mechlin lace, and the entire piece of moire-antique. Dr. Gnow returned to my bedside, a potion in his hand. I swallowed the mess, though it tasted detestably like "Bouquet de Caroline."

I must have slept nearly two days and nights. Awaking at length, I found myself feeble, but refreshed. Robert was at my bedside; he urged my taking breakfast in the boudoir. The very word made me shudder; Robert, however, considerately informed me that the young ladies were all out for the day. Under these circumstances I thought it best to change the room, for the curtains and hangings about me were too closely associated with the events of that terrible night.

Leaning on Robert's arm to the boudoir-good reader, before entering I stood as if entranced on the thresholdenchanting was the sight which there met my eyes. Standing near a window with her back towards me, in much the same position in which I had first seen her in the car, was the sweet EmilyEmily of the gray dress-Emily of the plain straw-Emily of the simple shawl! And near her sat her father, a respectable old man.

It was no deluding vision which I had seen a week or two earlier: there could be no mistake; a dress so unfashionable as hers had never yet blessed my eyes

under the Glittery roof. It was the very Emily of the car-Emily of the railroad cabin. The first glimpse of her brought refreshment to my dazzled sight-balm and peace to my feverish spirit. Judge, then-if you can-how happily that morning passed for me; how kindly she spoke, how sweetly she looked, and-how very plainly she was dressed! I actually forgot I was in the Frippery boudoir! With delight I observed, that, although six calendar months had passed since our first eventful meeting, she wore the very same dress which had charmed me then; nay, partiality may possibly have blinded me, but it occurred to me that the gown had even been turned! There was, also, a pleasing, faded tint stealing over the folds of her shawl, as soothing to my eye as the charms of soft moonlight after garish noon. But I rave; aware of my weakness, let me abridge matters as much as possible. Suffice it to say, that Emily, on a nearer view, proved the very angel one might have foretold from that hat and shawl; a woman half so lovely I had never met before. Pretty, amiable, and accomplished, she was full of pleasantness and lovely qualities. Strange to say, she was a cousin of the Frippery girls, niece of the present Mrs. Glittery, and her father-excellent man-had just brought her to pass a month with her relatives. Most happy was that month to me; Emily's influence was invigorating, inspiriting, cheering, renovating to body and mind. I recovered health and spirits rapidly, and from the day she set foot in it, never felt any further ill

effects from the Glittery boudoir. I told her one morning that she had saved my life; that when she arrived I was dying of Frippery; and that the wisest doctors in the land-even her own respected father-could not have saved me, without the help of a rational woman like herself-a sort of moral as well as physical nurse. Emily laughedbut she blushed, too; and, in short, at the end of the month she was mine, good reader-actually deigning to accept me, crutches and all! From that hour to this she has been my chief joy. Only one quarrel have we had as yet, and that was before marriage. I entreated her to wear, at our wedding, the old gray dress and plain shawl. Sotto voce I am compelled to confess, that on this occasion, Emily proved to me that she was not quite as near perfection as I had fondly supposed. She laughed at me, and declared the old gray dress to be entirely out of the question. Well, one must forgive something to the natural willfulness of the sex; and I am obliged to admit that, on the important day, she looked charmingly in some transparent white fabric or other. was, moreover, made supremely happy on that occasion, by overhearing Laura Frippery declare to Julia Snippery, that there was absolutely nothing in all Emily's wardrobe "fit to be seen!" With these delightful words ringing in my ears, I set out joyfully on my wedding tour. And now, good reader, these two years later, if you care to see a happy fellow, blessed with a truly choice wife, I invite you to spend a week with me at the Stumpery.

I

I

WAS sitting on the brown settle before our kitchen fire, thinking of nothing but the hickory-blaze, and how beautifully its tongues of violet. crimson, blue, even sometimes sea-green, flame rose, flickered, hung, stemless, in air, fell, and, gathering again, rushed up the chimney, in a stream of parti-colored light; while one end of the fore-log hissed, and squealed, and sung, all the time dropping sweet and smoky sap just beyond the old iron fire-dog, that had a round ring at top, like the moon, where it was the delight of my childhood to niche a red apple and see it roast, burning my fingers to turn it round, and getting all manner of snaps and sniffs from old Lucy, who "never could keep them 'ere dogs clean, so long as there's a pack of childern round!" I believe I must have been dreaming all this over; for I was so lost thinking, that I fairly jumped when Gilly entered the kitchen and threw herself down on the other end of the settle.

But I forget-everybody does not know who Gilly and I are. And, as I am oldest, I put myself first. I am an old maid, from necessity, not from choice or inclination; for I believe it is a woman's natural state and intended position to be married; and I think every unmarried woman is, to a certain extent, pitiable, though some marriages are far worse than any solitude. But I had an unhappy time enough about such things when I was younger-and so I am an old maid. But I always say what I think about marrying, for all that, and I suppose that is the reason why so many people tell me their love-affairs, and come to me for comfort and help; so that I know almost everything of the kind in our town. Then my having sharp eyes on such points makes me see more than some persons see about themselves, so I knew that Gilly-. I must tell you who she is first. Her real name is Mary Stock, she is my cousin; but as I have got four other cousins, as well as an aunt, and two uncles' wives named Mary, there did seem to be some other name needed to distinguish this one, and she was such a spicy, charming little

thing, that my dear mother always called her by the name of her favorite old-fashioned blossom, that grew every year, in thick red and purple spikes, on our posy-bed – -"Stock gilliflower." This was too long, so we shortened it to Gilliflower, and then to Gilly, which she keeps to this day; but does not, therefore, write her name Gill-i-e, like those particularly silly boarding-school girls who flourish as Sall-i-e Cucumber, or Agg-i-e Squash, thereby disgusting all well-bred people, and making special fools of themselves "before folk." Excuse me, dear reader! Really I am so sick of this affectation that I must "free my mind," as the Methodists say.

And that is Gilly. She was my cousin, and Joseph Payne was my cousin, but they weren't cousins to each other; and now we were all at Aunt Payne's, for, when father and mother died, Uncle Payne moved into our house, and I went there to live; and, this autumn, Gilly had changed with Sibyl Payne, who wanted to attend the Academy in Centreville, and Gilly wanted to go to singing-school in Taunton, where we had a first-rate teacher, a blind man, Mr. Masters by name. So Sibyl was at Aunt Stock's, in Centreville, Gilliflower with me, and, as Uncle Payne farmed it, Joseph was at home helping him, and we had generally a very good time together.

But, to-night, something troubled Gilly, her long, brown eyes were full of tears, and her face looked sorrowful enough; she was not handsome, but she had a rich, expressive face, with marked features, and the swiftest changes in them I ever saw; so when she was well and happy, with rosy cheeks, and her soft, thick hair gathered into heavy knots and loops about her fine head, she looked absolutely pretty, though nobody called her so. But Joe troubled her very much. Without knowing it, Gilly loved him dearly, and he was more attached to her than he liked to own, even to himself; but Joe was a strange fellow; I know he seemed to me the last person Gilly ought to marry; however, she was in love with him, and