976 THE HOME, FAKM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



of every anxiety. Where circumstances render such a course imprudent, 

 we would only observe that a home-provided supper, however simple, 

 should be good of its kind, and abundant in quantity. Dancers are gene- 

 rally hungry people, and feel themselves much aggrieved if the supply of 

 sandwiches proves unequal to the demand. 



BALL-BOOM TIOLETTE, 



LADIES. 



The style of a lady's dress is a matter so entirely dependent on age, 

 means, and fashion, that we can offer but little advice upon it. Fashion is 

 so variable, that statements which are true of it to-day may be false a 

 month hence. Respecting no institution of modern society is it so difficult 

 to pronounce half-a-dozen permanent rules. 



We may perhaps be permitted to suggest the following leading princi- 

 ples ; but we do so with diffidence. Rich colours harmonize with rich 

 brunette complexions and dark hair. Delicate colours are the most suitable 

 for delicate and fragile styles of beauty. Very young ladies are never so 

 suitably attired as in white. Ladies who dance should wear dresses of 

 light and diaphanous materials, such as tulle gauze, crape, net, etc., over 

 coloured silk slips. Silk dresses are not suitable for dancing. A married 

 lady who dances only a few quadrilles may wear a decolletee silk dress with 

 propriety. 



Very stout persons should never wear white. It has the effect of adding 

 to the bulk of the figure. 



Black and scarlet or black and violet, are worn in mourning. 



A lady in deep mourning should not dance at all. 



However fashionable it may be to wear very long dresses, those ladies 

 who go to a ball with the intention of dancing and enjoying the dance, 

 should cause their dresses to be made short enough to clear the ground. 

 We would ask them whether it is not better to accept this slight deviation 

 from an absurd fashion, than to appear for three parts of the evening in a 

 torn and pinned-up skirt. 



Well-made shoes, whatever their colour or material, and faultless gloves, 

 are indispensable to the effect of a ball-room toilette. 



Much jewellery is out of place in a ball-room. Beautiful flowers, whe- 

 ther natural or artificial, are the loveliest ornaments that a lady can wear 

 on these occasions. 



