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FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE, CHITCHAT, &c.

THIS month has been one of the gayest which the chronicles of fashion have had to record for some time past. The grand entertainment given by the Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry to their Majesties, at Holdernesse House, on the occasion of the christening of their youngest child, on the 9th ult. was the first of a brilliant series of festivities which has continued, in an uninterrupted course, ever since. We sincerely wish it were in our power to give a lengthened detail of the Occurrences at the entertainment above specified-a short notice is unfortunately all that we can at present find room for.

The preparations were completed on Wednesday morning; and long before dusk the lighting was commenced of the brilliant illumination which was displayed in front of the drawing-room suite of windows. This display was the most tasteful and brilliant of its kind and extent that we remember to have witnessed.

Shortly after six o'clock, her Majesty arrived, unaccompanied, however, by the King, whom public business prevented from attending so early in the evening. Her Majesty was accompanied by the Landgravine of Hesse Homburg, and attended by a numerous suite, and escorted by a guard of

honour.

On her Majesty's carriage drawing up at the door of Holdernesse House, the noble host, Lord Londonderry, advanced, and assisted her Majesty to alight. Her Majesty then took the arm of the noble host, and advanced across the vestibule to the foot of the grand staircase, where the Marchioness was waiting to receive her Majesty. The Queen immediately greeted and affectionately saluted her, and then ascended the grand staircase, leaning on the arm of Lord Londonderry, and was by him conducted to the grand drawing-room, where the company were assembled. Her Majesty and the noble host were preceded to the drawing-room by Lord Castlereagh, the eldest son of Lord Londonderry, bearing wax lights.

Immediately on the arrival of the Queen and ber suite, the ceremony of the christening was performed, by his Grace the Arch

bishop of York, who was assisted by the Rev. W. R. Wyatt, Lord Londonderry's chaplain. The new Christian, who is a beautiful female infant fifteen months old, was named Adelaide Emmelina Caroline; the male sponsor to the ceremony being the Duke of Rutland; and the two female sponsors, the Queen and Lady Caroline Wood, sister to the Marchioness of Londonderry. After the ceremony was concluded, her Majesty presented to the infant a gift of a superbly chased silver-gilt cup and stand. The cup is chased with a Bacchanalian subject, and is of antique shape, with a spout and handle.

After the ceremony of the Baptism was concluded, the band in the vestibule struck up the national anthem, and the Queen was conducted by the Marquis of Londonderry into the Statue Gallery, where a splendid banquet was prepared. Her Majesty took the Marquis's arm on passing from the drawing-room to the banquet-room. The banquet table was placed in the centre of the saloon. Her Majesty sat at the right hand of the noble host, in the centre of the table, on the side opposite the door. On the left of the Marquis was the Margravine of Hesse Homburg; and opposite to him the Marchioness of Londonderry was seated. The other guests were placed in the order of their precedence.

The King did not arrive in time to take his seat at the banquet, not having reached Holdernesse House till ten o'clock. His Majesty was received at the door of entrance by Lord and Lady Londonderry; and on ascending the great staircase, took the arm of the Marchioness. The King wore a military uniform, and appeared to be in excellent health. By ten o'clock the greater part of the evening company had arrived; and at that hour dancing commenced in the Statue Gallery.

Shortly after twelve o'clock their Majesties retired; the Queen being conducted by Lord Londonderry, and the Marchioness taking the arm of the King. They were almost immediately followed by all the members of the Royal Family. On her Majesty getting into the carriage which first drew up, it was found to be the wrong

FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE, CHITCHAT, &c.

one. The King observed the fact, but it was not thought worth while to rectify the error. After the departure of their Majesties, a splendid supper was served in the diningroom, on the ground floor; and the party did not break up till a late hour in the morning. The following description of two of the dresses on the occasion may not be uninteresting.

HER MAJESTY

was attired in a rich white blond dress over a satin slip; beautiful lace lappets. Headdress of diamonds, and white ostrich plume; brilliant necklace and ear-drops.

THE MARCHIONESS OF LONDONDERRY.

A beautiful white blond lace dress, of the most costly description, and richest manufacture, over a white satin slip; a zone entirely composed of brilliants. Headdress, a beautiful and brilliant garland of diamonds, with a comb ornamented with large pearls; an esclavage necklace, composed of immense pear-shaped pearls and diamonds, which is said to be unrivalled in Europe for its beauty and value. Her Ladyship also wore a bouquet of costly brilliants at her left breast, and three rows of pearls suspended from the left epaulette by a lozenge of brilliants, terminating on the right side towards the waist. Head-dress, an immense tiara of diamonds, surmounted by movable pieces, with a plume of fifteen rich ostrich feathers. The most conspi. cuous part of this attire was the zone or cincture of brilliants, full two inches in width, and consisting of one entire mass of brilliants, divided only by the invisible setting of each.

Her Majesty has held two DrawingRooms during the last month, which were of course fully attended by the whole of the haut-ton at present in town. The days fixed on for the continuance of these brilliant fetes are the 14th and 28th of April, and the 12th, 26th, and 28th of May.

In the political world affairs appear to be approaching a crisis. The demon of Revolution is stalking, with gigantic strides, over continental Europe, subverting the order of nations, and spreading dismay and ruin over scenes where Peace and Tranquillity have so long presided. Abroad all is confusion. Belgium, divided in the choice of a King, finds her situation in nowise a comfortable one-in France dark clouds are approaching, bearing on their front anarchy and devastation-in Italy, in Poland, in Spain, in Portugal, in Sicily, in Greece, &c. &c. things are in a state of "most admired disorder;" while at home, in the loud cry for Parliamentary, people altogether forget individual, Reform. But, as we have before observed, we leave

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politics to wiser heads than ours, and proceed to more interesting matter.

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Mr. R. Jarman, Editor of the "Olio," has, we are given to understand, a Poem nearly ready, entitled, Omnipotence." We trust that he has not "soared to fall." It is a grand subject, and requires a powerful pen.

M. Champollion has made a discovery that affords an additional proof of the authenticity of Scripture. Among a considerable collection of portraits which he has brought from Egypt is that of Secouchis, father of the twenty-second dynasty. This individual is the Shecouk, or Shishak, of Scripture, by whom Jerusalem was taken, and the Temple spoiled. On the remains of the edifice erected by this Sovereign, M. Champollion has also observed Rehoboam, Solomon's son and successor, among the effigies of the captive Kings.

Those readers who have been delighted with Mr. W. H. Harrison's "Tales of a Physician," will learn, with pleasure, that a second series is preparing for publication.

It is pleasing, while yawning over the dry columns of Parliamentary debate, to alight upon a pun, albeit not the voluntary production of the speaker. The Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, in discussing the merits of a petition the other night on the Beer Bill, observed, that there could be no doubt of its demoralizing effects. "He would again bring the question before the House, if the evils of which he had so much reason to complain should continue to flow from the measure."

The 12th half yearly general meeting of the Members of the City of London Literary and Scientific Institution, Aldersgate Street, took place in their theatre on the 2nd ult. W. G. Prescott, Esq. in the chair. The report, which was highly satisfactory, was read by the Secretary, George Stacy, Esq.; by which it appeared that the library had been increased upwards of 4,200 volumes, and that during the half year the language classes had been in full activity. The debt due for the erection of the theatre had been reduced to 650l. and there was no doubt of its liquidation within the time originally proposed. The report spoke with gratitude of the assistance afforded by the gratuitous lectures of Dr. Southwood Smith, Dr. Mitchell, and other scientific gentlemen, and acknowledged several donations of Books, and specimens for the Museum. This gratifying account was most favourably received by a numerous and respectable body of members, and we rejoice to find that Institution itself bids fair to become as successful as it is useful.

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A HABIT Composed of very fine cloth; the colour is vert des Indes; the skirt is of the usual length, but rather wider than they have hitherto been made, and disposed in deep plaits round the waist. An embroidery in braiding adorns the border. The corsage is of a novel form, being made close up to the throat, with a small falling collar, and beautifully embroidered in braiding of the finest kind on the bust the braiding corresponds with the habit. The sleeve is wide to the bend of the arm, from thence to the waist it sets close. Cambric chemisette, with a square falling collar lightly embroidered. Cravat of lilac gros de Naples. Small round black beaver hat, with a peagreen veil edged with an effilé.

:

EVENING DRESS.

A dress of bird-of-Paradise coloured gros d' Orient. The corsage, cut square, and of a delicate height, is trimmed with a row of rich blond lace set on very deep and full behind and round the shoulders, but shallow in the centre of the bosom. Very short full sleeve. The skirt is trimmed en tallier with very broad gauze riband to correspond; it is disposed in rows, each finished by a nœud en tulippe. The beret is composed of Swedish blue crape, elegantly ornamented with gold galon and esprits.

DINNER DRESS.

A dress of Provins rose-coloured gaze de soie, over gros de Naples to correspond; the corsage sets close to the shape, is cut low, and trimmed round the upper part of the bust by a row of narrow blond lace, which stands up. A bias fold, trimmed with very broad blond lace, surrounds the bust, and forms a demi cœur in front. Long sleeves of white figured gauze, over short full ones of rosecoloured satin. The skirt is trimmed with a single fall of very rich blond lace. The hat is of rose-coloured satin, trimmed under the brim with coques of rose-coloured and white gauze riband. A bouquet of white and rose-coloured ostrich feathers, placed on the left side of the crown, falls

over the brim. The jewellery is dead gold and cameos.

BALL DRESS.

A crape dress; the colour is a beautiful shade of French grey, the corsage is bordered with blond lace, draped at the upper part à la Sevigné, and formed into the shape of a heart at the lower part, by a blond lace trimming. Béret sleeve, surmounted by a row of points, also edged with blond lace. The skirt is trimmed with a wreath of white ostrich feathers, placed in opposite directions round the border. The hair is dressed in very high braids and bows behind, and parted in the Madonna style upon the forehead. A bouquet of white ostrich feathers is placed very far back, and ornaments of gold and pearls decorate the hair in front. Necklace and ear-rings of brilliant gold.

GENERAL MONTHLY STATEMENT OF

FASHION.

Shawls are more seen than mantles in promenade dress, but neither are likely to be long worn. We, indeed, already see many ladies in high dresses with only a velvet pelerine or boa tippet. We have not yet noticed any decided alteration in promenade bonnets, but we have it from authority that may be relied upon, that those of English straw will be very much worn. We have seen some of a shape between the close cottage bonnet, and those large open-brimmed ones so generally adopted last year, that we believe will be very fashionable. They are certainly very appropriate for walking bonnets if trimmed with simplicity; they are also of a sufficiently good kind to admit of a more expensive style of trimming.

Velvet hats are still fashionable in carriage dress; they will probably continue to be worn till the end of the month. A few spring bonnets have already appeared in gros de Naples; the prettiest are of bright grassgreen, lined with white satin, and trimmed with tulip knots of very rich white gauze riband, with a single green stripe at each side, and a light green fringe at the edges:

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