green satin, quadrilled; the curtain is of green satin, with band of velvet at the edge and finished by a black lace: at each side is a large water lily; inside the brim, is a bouillon of satin, looped with narrow velvet; cap of fulled tulle; green satin strings with narrow black stripe at the edge. PROMENADE COSTUME. Fig. 3rd.--Dress of light purple silk, the skirt having two deep flounces with bands of plush, shaded black and grey, woven in them, and giving them the appearance of being trimmed with a beautiful soft fur. Manteau Royal of black velvet, beautifully embroidered: the pelerine, pointed in the front, is round at the back; the edge is festooned, and embroidered to correspond with the bottom of mantle; a very deep guipure lace is set on under the edge of the pelerine: the armholes which are cut lengthwise, are concealed by the lace which falls gracefully over the arm. Bonnet of blue terry velvet, the crown ornamented with black lace; a plait of black silk round the edge of front and crown: a broad black lace is turned back on the front and continued over the curtain; at each side a drooping black feather lays back from the front edge tûlle cap and broad blue strings. The dresses in this plate are by MME. MARTIN, 42, Rue chausèe d'Antin; the manteaux from MAISON LE PAREUR, 50, Rue Lafitte, and the bonnets by MME. SALVET, Boulevard Italienne. PLATE THE THIRD. BALL COSTUME. Fig. 1st.-Dress à deux jupes of green taffetas; on the first skirt are four bouillons of black túlle illusion on the second skirt are two flounces of black lace, one very deep, the other narrow; a wreath of flowers heads both flounces, but on the broad one a fringe of sea-weeds falls from under the wreath : low body, à pointe, and short bouillon sleeves: the top of corsage has three bias folds, at the bottom of which is a black lace headed by a wreath of flowers in the centre of corsage and on each shoulder are bouquets of flowers and sea-weed. The hair is dressed with wreath to correspond. EVENING COSTUME. Fig. 2nd.-Low dress of pale blue taffetas. Mantelet of ermine, trimmed with broad white lace. The hair is arranged quite plain : cache-peigne of black lace and puffs of blue ribbon, long streamers falling from under the lace: two tresses cross the head; at each side small bows of ribbon, and coral ornaments. BALL COSTUME. Fig. 3rd.-Dress of white tarlatane worn over a jupe of white glacée. The first skirt has a deep flounce with bouillon at the top : the second skirt is turned under, and at the sides is trimmed with lace and ruches of pink gauze ribbon, terminated by large bouquets of roses. Low pointed body and short bouillon sleeves; the top of corsage has a deep fall of lace and ruches of ribbon ; in the centre a bouquet of roses. Head-dress of white lace and roses. These dresses are by MME. LAFONT, 18, Rue de la Michodière. PLATE THE FOURTH. EVENING OR BALL COSTUME. Fig. 1st.-Dress à deux jupes of purple and white glacée: on each skirt is a deep flounce of rich chantilly lace, looped up on the right side by bouquets of wild flowers; the flounces are headed by a rûche of narrow satin ribbon. The corsage low and à pointe is finished at the top by a ruche; a second rúche is pointed both at the back and front, and forms a heading to a broad chantilly lace; bouquet in the centre of corsage. Short bouillon sleeves finished by a narrow rûche. ribbon; a double ruche round the neck of corsage, the lower ruche heading a tulle bouillon bouquet in the centre of corsage. Cache-peigne of roses with tresse of buds and small leaves. PLATE THE FIFTH. No. 1 is a bouillon sleeve of Brussels net, with deep wristband and cuff turned back over it: the cuff open at the back, is formed by rows of plain net and insertion; it is bordered by an insertion edged with narrow lace. No. 2 is a headdress of green velvet ribbon, striped with white, white blond and roses; rûche of tulle forming tress, with narrow green velvet in the centre. No. 3 is a morning cap of French cambric, the border edged with a narrow ruche of net at the top of the border is another ruche, and quilling of pink ribbon at each side large rosettes of net and ribbon ; pink bow at the top; cambric strings edged with a ruche of net. No. 4 is an evening cap of pale blue glacée, forming pointed fanchon, trimmed with blond, blue fringe, and rûche of tulle; in the front, borders of tulle, the edge of silk finished by a fringe and rûche; at the sides roses intermixed with blond bow at the top of narrow black velvet; broad strings of blue silk edged by a rûche of tulle. No. 5 is a cache-peigne formed by bias folds of pink satin trimmed with broad blond, rosebuds and bows of pink ribbon; bow of black lace at the top; strings of broad pink satin ribbon. No. 6 is a headdress of black lace, with coral-coloured velvet leaves and chenille ornaments. No. 7 is a bonnet of green velours èpinglèe covered plain; a broad black lace is laid on the curtain, and a narrower lace finishes the edge of front; a full round black feather is laid across the front, terminating at each side in long black and green drooping feathers: cap of fulled tulle; and broad green strings. No. 8 is a bonnet of light violet silk, the curtain trimmed with black lace; across the bonnet is laid a broad band of black velvet terminated on the right side by a large lace rosette; on the left side the velvet forms a broad lappet which is trimmed with lace, a small rosette being placed where the velvet is gathered in folds; cap of fulled tulle and broad violet strings. No. 9. is a bouillon sleeve of tulle, for evening dress; below the large bouillon is a frill of double tulle through which is drawn a broad satin ribbon of any pale colour, pink, blue, or green; above the frill is a narrow puffing ornamented with small bows. No. 11 is a dress bonnet of pale pink velours èpinglèe; a narrow white blond lappet ornaments the crown; the curtain is trimmed with a narrow blond, and a broader one is turned back from the edge of front; at each side are pink velvet leaves: cap of fulled tulle with velvet leaves. No. 11 is an evening cap of white blond; across the head is a trimming of narrow pink velvet at the front edge is a bouillon of tulle looped with narrow velvet; at the back and sides a bow of narrow ribbon with long ends: blond lappets with narrow velvet down the centre. No. 12 is a bonnet of cerise velours èpinglèe, the edges of front and curtain of white silk covered by a network of black chenille; a black feather trimming crosses the bonnet ; tulle cap with black feather rosette and large poppy: strings of cerise ribbon with broad black stripe at the edge. DESCRIPTION OF FULL-SIZED PATTERN. Our full-sized pattern this month is that of the Manteau d'hiver, represented in our 1st plate of costumes for last month. The pattern consists of four pieces; the front, back, sleeve and collar. We have not been able to give the entire length of either piece : to the bottom of sleeve a length of four inches must be added. The back and front must be lengthened 15 inches, or more if the height of the lady requires it. In making up, the side-seam of back and front must first be joined; this seam is indicated by one cut near the top of the seam in each piece the seam of the sleeve must then be joined; this seam is marked by two cuts: the sleeve must then be joined in, placing the seam opposite the notch cut in the side of front. This manteau may be made in plain cloth trimmed with velvet; in velvet trimmed with broad silk braid or guimp; or in chinchilla cloth, which requires no trimming. very thin book muslins embroidered in cerise, blue, pink, &c., are all equally in favour, flowers and lace being used in profusion in ornamenting them. Black lace will be as much worn as ever on light silks, for dinner and evening parties. The short full sleeve is decidedly coming again into fashion; with these, the shoulder-strap should be very broad; some will have lace ruffles, but more generally will be finished by a narrow band or ruche. In our first and second plates will be found a variety of costumes for the promenade the velvet Pelisse and striped Burnous in the 1st plate, are exceedingly stylish and lady-like. Casaques in various warm materials maintain their favour, they are worn longer than last season. The black velvet mantle trimmed with rich lace will be worn as the season advances : with these, the dresses should always be extremely rich and elegant. For all dresses, except those for ball and evening costume, the bodies will be made quite high and plain, generally buttoning to the throat; some will have biètelles capes, others deep fringe set on à la bèrthe; some ladies are preferring them without any trimming whatever the jacket style is the most in favour, the jacket trimmed to correspond with the skirt and sleeves. : Sleeves continue to be worn very wide, and open to the shoulder, and are arranged so that they can be closed to the bend of the arm if required; some are left square at the bottom, others have the corners rounded : the pagoda sleeve retains its favour, but is immensely wide at the bottom. Flounces continue to be worn on plain silks. Double skirts, with quilles or side trimmings are decidedly the newest in style; when these are not woven in the material they are generally of velvet. There is little change in the form of bonnets; the curtains are still worn very deep, and are trimmed with lace; feathers and flowers are all employed as trimmings: broad velvet strings are being much worn in Paris. Our 5th plate contains some pretty styles of headdresses and caps, as well as a few of the most useful bonnets. The Court and Bigh Life. Preparations for the marriage of the Princess Royal have occupied the attention of the Court during the whole of the month; the greatest activity being observed among persons whose duty it is to see that everything is properly arranged for the auspicious occasion. The Chapel Royal, where the nuptials are to be solemnized, is being decorated in a very gorgeous manner. The Queen and Court will be in town early in January, and a series of splendid entertainments in honour of the marriage, will inaugurate the commencement of the season of 1858, at an unprecedentedly early period of the year. The newly-married Princess will, it is said, hold a farewell reception previous to her departure from England. The Queen came to town to attend the meeting of Parliament, on which occasion the scene in the House of Lords was magnificent in the extreme. The seats set apart for peeresses, had the appearance of a gorgeous parterre of flowers; the varied coloured dresses contrasting very effectively, and waving as beneath some gentle sunny breeze. There were pinks and blues in profusion, with some ambers, and here and there the sombre black. Before the arrival of her Majesty, Prince Frederick William of Prussia was conducted into the House. Of course, there was some anxiety evinced to see the future son-in-law of the Queen. The Lord Chamberlain begged the ladies to sit close, and diminish as much as possible the spreading amplitude of their skirts, in order to afford room for some late arrivals. Then appeared the charming young Princess Royal accompanied by the Princess Mary of Cambrige. The whole company rose en masse; the ladies having already seen the expectant bridegroom, were anxious now of beholding the future bride. The Princess was looking, as usual, remarkably good-tempered and happy. She wore a black dress; a circlet of diamonds and a small white plume formed her tasteful headdress. Her Majesty soon afterwards arrived attired in white and gold, and a magnificent crimson robe. The scene was such as no other country in the world could equal. The Christmas festivities in the fashionable world have commenced in the accustomed style, and Pleasure rules, lord of the ascendant, as it should do at this season of the year. Matrimonial arrangements are announced between the Hon. R. Curzon, son of the Earl of Howe, and Miss Anson, daughter of the late General Anson. THE YOUNG BACHELOR, AND HIS LEGACY. A New and Original Novel. By a Popular Author. INTRODUCTION. THE PARISH CLERK'S STORY. "Ah! then and there was hurrying to and fro, "You have witnessed many such sights as this?" said I, as the last of the carriages drove away from the ivy-covered porch of the village church, addressing a pleasantlooking, but very old little man, who stood looking after the wedding party, and seemingly, in his mind, wishing the united lovers a perpetuity of that happiness which the solemnization of their marriage had occasioned. It was the clerk of the parish. He turned towards me, and the smile still lingered on his countenance, and his little grey eyes twinkled with a momentary resuscitation of their pristine lustre as he replied, "You say truly, sir; I have served this church five-and-sixty years, and have said 'Amen' to plenty of weddings in my time." "Why, you must have gone into the desk when you were quite a boy!" "Not so much of a boy, indeed. I was turned two-and-twenty when the Reverend Mr. Hartley gave me the place, rest his soul! -It was not the Mr. Hartley that you heard read the service just now, he was not born then; and his father before him was not born:-lor, lor! to think how Time goes on, and leaves me quite alone behind him!" There was so much pleasantness in the tone of the old clerk as he made this reflection, that I could not forbear asking him further questions, and soon found that he was as pleased to talk as I was to listen. He knew the histories of the families of the neighbourhood, and indeed, there was scarcely a living being there whose christening he had not attended. The companions of his youth and early manhood, however, were long since dead, and many were forgotten; and," for my own part," he said, "I sometimes fancy that Death has forgotten me altogether!" He had lived a life of temperance, and was always at peace with mankind "I never," said he, "took a dose of physic in my life, but once, and that was out of compliment to my cousin, who had opened a shop in the village. He found the place too healthy for him, and went away to London, where he died. Bless me! it's near thirty years ago that he died.” The old man then gave me some details of weddings that had turned out well, and of weddings that had turned out ill; and of the funerals of those whom he had seen standing at the altar, in all the hope and happiness of matrimony. Some had experienced many years of felicity, others had fallen, "I broken-hearted, to the grave. can always tell what a marriage will end in, now ;" said the loquacious little man, "provided that I know something of the people beforehand. I have seen so many." "And what is your opinion of those two happy-looking persons that have just been united ?" "I'll give her three years," said the little old man, looking up into my face with his keen grey eyes, as if the power to destroy with a glance lay in them. "What do you mean?" "She will be brought back to me in three years-perhaps sooner; but it will not be more than three years. I know where she will be put; and will have it all ready before the time." I involuntarily shuddered at the coolness with which this very old man centemplated the death and burial of the bride, who, in the fulness of nuptial joy, was at that moment about to commence her honeymoon tour. He noticed my uneasiness, and said, "Ah, master, you are shocked at my taking things so coolly; but experience blunts the feelings. I am used to all this. That bride is deceived. Her mother is deceived. They are all deceived. But they can't deceive me. He's married her for money. I know it by the look of him. I know how he induced her to marry him. I know it by the look of her. And I know how the mother was persuaded into it. I know it by her look too. If I had been invisibly in the presence of the whole of them, I could not tell their story better than I could now. She'll come back to me in three years, and it will be a grand funeral, I warrant. He won't mind the cost of a grand funeral, as he's got so much by the wedding." And the old man chuckled, as if he had found something amusing in his reflections. "And does use make these things so much a matter of business," I enquired, "that your feelings are never interested by them?" "I am sorry, sometimes," he replied, "when good people-people whom I know to be good people are brought to be put away. For instance, do you see that waggon, toiling up the hill, yonder? There's a marble monument in that waggon. It's coming here. Young Squire Thornhill ordered it to be made to the memory of his mother. There was a woman! I married her, sir. I could not help crying over the book when they brought her to me again. She's an angel in heaven, though she was sixty-two years old when she went there." This mixture of the serious with the homely sounded so strangely in my ears, that I could scarcely refrain from smiling; but I saw a tear in the old man's eye, and his clasped hands and the movement of his lips indicated that his heart was at prayer; and the tone of my thoughts was restored. was Lady Thornhill" the old man said, the kindest, most charitable, most benevolent woman I ever knew. She had a good husband in the knight, Sir Roger Thornhill; but he did not live with her more than twenty years. It was a great loss to the poor when I buried him. But nothing to the loss they felt when Lady Thornhill died. And it came so suddenly too! It is more than a year ago, now, sir, but I recollect the time as if it was but yesterday. It was a bitter cold, frosty night, and past eight o'clock, when she knocked at my door. I was at supper, and she cried, Robin Gray! Robin Gray you must leave your supper, Robin; for Martha Windsor's worse; and Mr. Pestle, (that was the doctor, sir,) has gone out to Birkham ferry; there's a revel, there, and he'll not be back till morning, unless you fetch him. Poor old soul !" continued the clerk, "she was so earnest about Martha Windsor a lone widow woman, in a fever, sir-so I got out the old mare, and went for Dr. Pestle; and he didn't want to come, for he said he knew Martha Windsor could not be worse than when he'd seen her in the afternoon; but I wasn't going to let the old lady be disappointed; so the doctor and I set off; and when we got to Martha Windsor's, Martha, sure enough, was no worse; she was rather better, indeed; but the poor old lady herself was there, and worse than Martha had ever been, for she had thonght it would be moonlight that night, on her way home, and had brought no lanthorn-she was used, sir, to wander about at all hours, to poor people's houses, and had never met with an accident before: but this time the frost was very hard, and a snow-storm had set in, so that she could not see her way clearly; and it had come over very dark of a sudden, and the snow being in her eyes, she mistook the path, and her foot slipping, she fell heavily from a high bank into the road. Her cries were heard at Martha's cottage, and assistance was soon at hand; but the injuries the poor old lady had received were very serious; indeed, they proved fatal to her. She died in less than a week." The old man here paused. Feeling was not dead within him. He stood for some moments with his handkerchief to his eyes. At length, with that sudden change which is often observed in very old people, he pointed to the waggon, that was now approaching the spot, and said, "You never saw a finer piece of marble than that! it is beautifully worked, too; for the young squire has spared no expense. It will be a beautiful ornament to the church, and we shall have much company to see it from all parts. We shall be gay.' "The son of so deserving a lady inherits his mother's good qualities, I hope," said I. "Well; I don't know," replied the clerk. He has been abroad a great deal. I don't like his friends. The estates hereabouts are very fine, but he is not partial to the country : and although he has not been down here more than a week, I fancy he would not stay another day, if he could get Miss Sybil to leave." "And who is Miss Sybil !" "Miss Sybil O, she is his legacy." "Why, you see, the old Lady Thornhill, some eighteen years ago, took a poor little orphan child under her protection. That's Miss Sybil. She loved the child; and she was a sweet little thing, too! O, yes, and many's the time I've carried her on my shoulder and on my back, and she has laughed so loudly, and sang so merrily! She loved the old lady dearly, and the old lady loved Sybil dearly; and everybody loved Sybil. So, when the good knight diedSybil was quite a child then-the old lady made her will, and, bequeathing all her possessions to her son, imposed the condition that Sybil should always have a home where her son had a home. The dear old lady forgot that Sybil would one day become a |