embroidered in stripes; a double collar, ble: when so caught in the public walks, elegantly embroidered; a Leghorn hat, the || with perhaps five long ostrich feathers on a brim of a very moderate size, ornamented || large Leghorn hat, a French lady, before with curled feathers and white gros de Naples languettes, edged with blond. There were several Leghorn hats at this ball, surrounded by a branch of oak; and some white bonnets of gros de Naples, bordered at the edge en ruche, and on the crown two rows of chicorée, placed in bias. she finds a shelter, makes a very grotesque appearance. Hats of jonquil-coloured crape are often seen in carriages, ornamented with tulips and grass blossoms, such as clover, daisies, &c. &c. The court-dresses have received a very becoming and pleasing addition in the revival of the collerettes à la Medicis, which are now called à la Chérus; this ornament is somewhat like that which you style The pelisses are made to wrap over; they are, however, of beautiful spring colours; some button down the front, but|| Maria-Henrietta, and adds much grace and the newest are made wide, and fold over, dignity to court-costume. Chicorée trimwith bows the same as the pelisse. The mings in distinct rows are often seen on belts that mark out the shape are very evening dresses, and have a very pretty broad. With the pelisses that wrap over effect: flounces on gowns for half-dress without fastening, a cambric petticoat is prevail much; there are generally five, one worn, with numerous tucks. Scarf shawls above the other, which ascend within three are much worn in out-door costume, and hands' distance of the waist; so that the with a high dress a throat-scarf is often petticoat appears one mass of trimming, the only addition for the promenade. The for above every flounce are five very small coronation scarf is the name these narrow tucks; the sleeves of these dresses are en scarfs yet maintain; they are of Spanish gigot. Printed cambrics of white and rosemanufacture, with broad shaded stripes of colour are much worn by young persons. satin very close together. The sautoirs are || Barêge dresses, both striped and shot, are common, but they yet continue to be worn universal; and white dresses, whether in by women of the first fashion. jacanot or cambric, have jacket frills; these Hats and bonnets with a curtain-veil are frills are triple, and have each a row of yet very prevalent; they are caught up on embroidery at the edge; the border of the one side by a flower, which gives a beauti- muslin or cambric dress is trimmed with ful effect to the blond. Leghorn hats that flounces set on in bias, with bouillons of are made in the form of the pilgrim's hat muslin placed alternately. Tulle, with are ornamented with white-thorn and white gold or silver lama, is worn in dresses at lilacs; a large tuft of these flowers falls grand evening parties, as they were at many over the back part of the hat on the brim. of the fêtes given in celebration of the Carriage-hats are often made of rose-colour-coronation. The above-mentioned dresses ed or white crape gauffrée; their trimming are trimmed with rouleaux of satin, gold or consists of a rouleau of satin, and a broad || silver embroidery, and flowers: an elegant quilling of blond; at the base of the crown is fixed a tuft of marabouts, and the edge of the brim is finished by a rouleau of satin and a falling blond. Chip hats are of moderate dimensions, and are generally ornamented with esprit feathers. The bonnets that our fashion-mongers call à l'Anglaise, are tied close over the ears, and are very little bent down on the forehead; they are generally trimmed with ribbon of shaded green, and with pine or cypress. Some ladies wear their hats so large, that they carry neither parasol nor umbrella; and when a heavy shower comes suddenly on, it causes the most curious scene imagina simplicity reigns in the ball-dresses; flat rouleaux of satin, placed on the gauze in bias, form often the sole trimming; it appears light and graceful, and being placed from the waist to the trimming on the border, contributes to the elegance of the figure. Blouses for deshabille are made of undressed lawn, with a border of coloured embroidery. Sashes are composed of very broad ribbons, which are disposed in every fanciful manner, forming fichus, pelerines, and scarfs; the newest have five ends of ribbon, which cross from the shoulder over the top of the sleeve; the point in the middle is much longer than the others, and deaux, and splendid diadems, were the most the rest diminish gradually. The toques of gauze, and gold or silver lama, are ornamented with gold or silver flowers, such as roses, lilies, ranunculuses, or daisies; they are placed on the left side, and on the right is a half-diadem of marabouts. Bolivar hats, of straw-coloured watered gros de Naples, form a favourite head-dress; they have a row of white curled feathers round the crown. Jewels of the most valuable kind, in combs, ban prevailing head-dresses at the coronation fêtes, and continue in favour for full-dress parties. The cornettes, turbans, toques, and half-dress caps have experienced but very little change since last month. Flowers, a few beads, and gold chains, are the sole ornaments that are mingled with the tresses of the young. The favourite colours are pearl-grey, turquoise-blue, emerald-green, ceruleanblue, lilac, and rose-colour. Monthly View OF NEW PUBLICATIONS, MUSIC, THE ENGLISH AND FOREIGN THROUGHOUT the wide range of historic research, we are not aware of any deficiency so vast, in English literature, as that which we have hitherto had occasion to complain of respecting Italy. Sismondi's History of the Italian Republics is a truly interesting and valuable work; but it has not yet been naturalized amongst us; and, if it had, the desideratum would not have been supplied, as it fails in due apportionment, and correctness of chronological outline. It was therefore with much pleasure that we saw announced "The History of Italy, from the Fall of the Western Empire to the Commencement of the Wars of the French Revolution," by George Perceval, Esq. Yet, so few are the writers possessing the industry-the skill of selection and arrangement -the power of compression-the lucidness and vigour of style-requisite for historical composition, that we took up the book with fear and trembling. The perusal of a few pages, however, satisfied us that our In two apprehensions were groundless. octavo volumes, of not more than 600 pages each, Mr. Perceval has succeeded in presenting the English reader with a succinct, yet comprehensive and well-written, narrative of the chief vicissitudes of more than thirteen hundred years. Our limits admit of neither sketch nor analysis of the work; but, as we are desirous of submitting a brief specimen of the general style and manner in which it is executed, we venture upon the close of its first chapter, relating to the capture of the Venetian brides by the pirates of Istria, in the year 944. The During the ninth, and the first sixty years of the tenth centuries,-from the government of Angelo Participazio, to the coming into Italy of Otho the Great-the Venetian affairs, with brief intervals of repose, were wholly occupied with civil commotions and naval wars. Doges of the Republic were often murdered; its fleets were sometimes defeated; but, under every adverse circumstance, the commercial activity, the wealth, and the power of the state were still rapidly advancing. In the ninth century, the Venetians, in concert with the Greeks, encountered, though with indifferent success, the navies of the Saracens; but the Narentines, and other pirates of Dalmatia, were their constant enemies, and were frequently chastised by the arms of the republic. The Venetian wealth invited attacks from all the freebooters of the seas, and an enterprize, undertaken by some of them who had established themselves on the coast of Istria, deserves, from its singularity, and the vengeance of the republic, to be recorded in this place. According to an ancient custom, the nuptials of the nobles and principal citizens of Venice were always celebrated on the same day of the year, and in the same church. The eve of the Purification was consecrated to this public festival, and the state annually increased the general joy of the occasion, by endowing twelve maidens |