222 0.Y THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



plexion, soft brown hair, and brilliant brown eyes, 

 which told of mirth and light-heartedness ; somewhat 

 a trying style of dress if worn by any other than a 

 thoroughly ladylike and graceful woman. Another 

 fascinating maiden was habited in a costume of dark 

 brown velvet, wearing a Gloire de Dijon rose as a 

 contrast. Another lady in black silk costume with 

 beaded passementerie and cape, relieved by a poppy, 

 worn at the throat, according to the prevailing fashion, 

 attracted attention, as did one in deep heliotrope 

 velvet, with hood and bonnet of a pale shade. So 

 much for the costumes of the period, which certainly 

 are somewhat startling, and not always in the good 

 taste of those described. A custom more honoured in 

 the breach than in the observance, by-the-way, is, I 

 am happy to say, evidently falling into desuetude ; I 

 allude to the fashion which prevailed for a time of 

 dyeing the hair what by courtesy was called a golden 

 hue, but which I should describe as gamboge one 

 in my opinion of the least fascinating of the many 

 alluring and seductive baits which our would-be 

 enslavers ever employed, for though 



Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare, 

 And beauty draws us with a single hair, 



that hair-line must be a natural and not an artificial 

 one if it isjto land a big fish. Henceforth I trust that 

 this meretricious style of embellishment will be con- 

 fined to the ballet-dancers of minor theatres ; for 

 though nothing can possibly be more beautiful than 

 auburn hair, especially when streaked with threads of 

 gold, or that of a pure golden hue, it is essential that 

 the complexion should be in complete harmony with 



