Christmas-present books are fast beginning to be thought not sufficient. The public want something more than black and white; they ask for colour. With a commendable desire to meet this demand, have Messrs. Kent and Co. issued their Art-Album: a Collection of Sixteen Fac-similes of Water-Colour Drawings, 21s. The way in which Mr. Edmund Evans has contrived so to engrave and print these drawings that they shall bear an almost perfect resemblance to the original sketches, deserves the highest praise. These drawings are-1. "The Stepping-Stones," by E. H. Wehnert-2. "A Breeze Off-Shore," by E. Duncan-3. "Fruit," by W. Hunt-4. "The Baron's Chapel," by G. Cattermole-5. "Winter," by T. S. Cooper, A.R.A.-6. "The Marriage of Griselda," by J. Gilbert-7. "Lucy," by G. Smith-8. "Carting Brushwood," by H. B. Willis-9. "The Gardener's Daughter," by E. H. Wehnert-10. "The Fisherman's Return," by E. Duncan-11. "The Goldfinch," by H. Weir-12. "The Suppliant," by H. Ward-13. "Happy Days," by G. Thomas-14. "Sorrento," by R. P. Leitch -15. "The Sailor-Boy," by G. Thomas-16. "The Peri," by H. Warren. We must make exception to our general commendation of this beautiful volume in two instances-one "The Gardener's Daughter," and the other "The Peri." In the first, the artist is at fault; his design being trashy, mean, and looking like a bad imitation of one of the well-known chromatic prints of Baxter. In the second case we must lay the blame upon the printer; the flesh-tints being badly blended, and "dirty," to use a technical term-by which we mean dull and confused. We are not inclined to be harsh upon Mr. Evans for this, as colour-printing, although capable of greater things by far than have yet been accomplished, is, in this country, only in its infancy. A very handsome return will certainly reward the efforts of any tasteful and spirited gentleman who will set himself to the task of advancing the art.

Digby Heathcote. By W. H. G. KINGSTON. (Routledge and Co.) 5s.-This is a very good boys' book of adventure, written by a gentleman who is a favourite with youth. The illustrations, by Mr. Harrison Weir, are of more than average merit. But surely Mr. Kingston must have been sadly in want of an incident for his artist to illustrate, when he was driven to make his young "hero tackle-to one of the big swans, and only a big stick in his hand." This Mr. Weir has chosen for one of his subjects; and we accordingly have a young lad, armed with a stout stick, and about to beat a swan. We cannot see the heroism of such gratuitous cruelty; and did the young urchin who perpetrated it form one of our progeny, instead of Mr. Kingston's, we should have applied the cane to the posterior part of his anatomy.

Bowdler's Family Shakspeare. (Griffin). 10s. 6d. It would, perhaps, be hypercritical to object to "the judicious application of the pruning-knife" to the works of our great poet, when the object is to get rid of certain phrases and words which are unfitted for the eyes or ears of children and young ladies. To read some of

Shakspeare's lines in their entirety, aloud to the family circle at Christmas, would be certainly a most embarrassing affair. There is clearly a want of a Family Shakspeare, or Bowdler's would never have passed through so many editions. But the present one we cannot recommend very strongly; the type is too small (it would be positive cruelty to ask any old gentleman to read a page of it), the paper is too closely allied to the tissue, or curl-paper order, and the steel engravings are either too theatrical or too tame to allow of our speaking of it as a good edition of a family volunie.

Sunshine and Clouds (33. 6d.); The Bear Ilunters of the Rocky Mountains (3s. 6d.), by ANNE BOWMAN (Routledge and Co.), are two very fairly written books for juvenile reading. The first is addressed more particularly to girls, and the latter, plentifully sprinkled with hairbreath escapes and shooting adventures, may be supposed to appeal to the bolder natures of future men. The Bear Hunters" is illustrated by Zwecker in a sufficiently striking manner.

Lillieslea; or, Lost and Found. By MARY HOWITT (Routledge and Co.), 3s. 6d.--Another book for the young, but, although the work of a practised hand, we apprehend it will become a by no means universal favourite. We ourselves found it more than ordinarily dry and tedions work to get through a few chapters. Mr. John Absolon, an artist of some celebrity, has been equally unfortunate in his drawings; perhaps the overpowering dulness of the book had its effect upon him. With the exception of the frontispiece, there is not a good illustration to be found throughout the volume.

The Carewes; a tale of the Civil Wars. By MARY GILLIES (Kent and Co.), 6s.-Here we have a book well suited for the young and for the season. It is a healthy, blithe, and interesting narrative, light and pointed in style, accurate and copious in research. We have the more praise to bestow upon Miss Gillies for this work, because we recognize the twenty-four illustrations on wood, by Birket Foster, as old friends, dating from a period as far back as the publication of a present-book, entitled "Christmas with the Poets," of which they formed the embellishment. Remembering this fact, we cannot see how the drawings could agree with the text-and they do agree with it most perfectlyunless the inventive faculties of the clever authoress had been tied down to these drawings -like Pegasus yoked to the plough. In the present instance no harm has been done to the story by dragging in illustrations in this unfair manner; but in less competent hands than those of Miss Gillies the result would have been total failure.

The Golden Dream; or, Adventures in the Far West. By R. M. BALLANTYNE (J. F. Shaw and Co.), 5s.-The author of this boys' book states his object to have been to lay before his readers a truthful impression of things as they existed in the wildest region of America some time ago, and he has unquestionably provided us with an exciting and highly diversified bill of fare. We have the sea and its dangers, California, gambling scenes, life at

the diggings, Yankees, Indians, gold washing, Lynch law, grizzly bears, curious trees and still more curious places; and, moreover, a wellconstructed and well-sustained narrative. "I will buy it!" exclaim our Englishwomen; "Master Tom delights in a good stirring narrative. Stop! As a book of the season, it of course has embellishment?" To which we reply, No, mesdames-unless we admit the bright Magenta binding to come in that category. There are a few specimens of the engraver's art, the drawings for which are about the worst things of the kind we have ever seen. If the book reaches a second edition we would advise the publishers to omit these eye-sores. Now, mesdames, if you desire to present Master Tom with a book containing a number of good illustrations, purchase for him

The Boy's Own Book of Natural History, by the Rev. J. G. WOOD (Routledge and Co.), 3s. 6d.-containing three hundred and thirty engravings by Harvey, who is as good an "animal draughtsman" as can readily be found. But perhaps you will remark that there are already books enough upon the subject of Natural History. And supposing you really do make this objection, the Rev. Mr. Wood replies all the best known works on Natural History are wanting in correct classificationdo not supply the meanings and derivations of scientific words-and, moreover, chronicle threadbare anecdotes, which are inaccurate and valueless. The reverend author has enriched his pages with some good descriptions from the works of Gordon Cumming and others, and has, by so doing, enhanced the interest of his labours.

The Illustrated Boy's Own Treasury (Ward and Lock), s., contains much interesting matter, but it is badly arranged; and very frequently a good subject is found to be carelessly and superficially treated. It has five hundred engravings, but is, nevertheless, inefficiently illustrated-most of the drawings being pictorial veterans, that have already done duty on many arduous occasions. Some of them fit into the text, but most of them do not. Second-hand wood-cuts will not suit every book, any more than cast-off clothes will accommodate themselves to the proportions of every one.

Lady Goodchild's Fairy-Ring (Houlston and Wright), 5s., contains some good stories, which, together with the wood-engravings that accompany them, are evidently derived from a French source. One expects a book of the Christmas season, which is, moreover, gilt-edged and gay of exterior, to be wellprinted and comely of aspect within. Such is, however, not the case here. Its typography is mean, its wood-cuts blurred in appearance; but the charming tale of poor Robert Brough, called "Ulf the Minstrel," which is inserted at the end of the volume, will redeem its shortcomings, and make it a popular and desirable present to youth.

Metrical Tales, and Other Poems. By SAMUEL LOVER (Houlston and Wright).Emanating from the same publishing firm as the last-mentioned volume, this book is, never

theless, clearly enough, the production of some individual more tasteful than he who presided over the "getting-up" of the "Fairy Ring." Kindly, genial, accomplished Samuel Lover, well merits a fitting garb for his musical verse -well merits a place in every lady's book-case. A dozen lyrics, racy of the soil, redolent of the Hibernian fatherland of the warm-hearted author of "Rory O'More," and eke painter and musician, are surely worth our seeking! Purchase them at once, fair readers-hasten to learn all about one Father Roach, who

"Was a good Irish priest,

Who stood in his stocking-feet, six feet at least.
I don't mean to say he'd six feet in his stockings;
He only had two-so leave off with your mockings.
I know that you think I was making a blunder:
If Paddy says lightning, you think he means
thunder."

Were any additional incentive, beyond the poet's own handiwork, needed to make this work an acceptable one, it would be plentifully supplied in the fourteen fine drawings of Phiz, Skelton, Kenny Meadows, and others, which adorn it.

A Garland of Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern, Edited, with Notes, by JOSHUA SYLVESTER (J. C. Hotten), appeals more particularly to the antiquarian reader. It is a modest but well-produced volume, and is worthy the attention of such of our readers as find an interest in the literary curiosities which form its subject-matter.

In one group we take note of Annie Maitland; or, the Lesson of Life. By D. RICHMOND. (Routledge and Co.) 1s. 6d. A Nation's Manhood. (J. F. Shaw and Co.) 5s.-Accidents of Childhood. (Routledge and Co.) 1s. 6d. -The Mother's Thorough-Resource Book. (Ward and Lock.) 2s. 6d.-The Girl's Birthday Book. (Houlston and Wright.) 5s.-The Il lustrated Boy's Own Story-Book. (Ward and Lock.) 3s. 6d.-All of these are more or less suited to the season. "Annie Maitland" is a little story with a good moral. "A Nation's Manhood" is the title of a collection of stories of Washington and the American War of Independence, simply and truthfully written. The "Accidents of Childhood" has for its object to teach children, through the medium of cautionary stories, to think before they actand is nicely illustrated. "The Mother's Thorough-Resource Book" is a compilation devoted to the purpose of teaching mothers the general management of infancy and childhood. "The Boyhood of Bertrand du Guesclin," and "Clever Jack; or, the Adventures of a Donkey" -both apparently from the French-are the two best things in "The Illustrated Boy's Own Story-Book," which is a volume deserving attention. We do not like the contents of "The Girl's Birthday Book" so well as the former: like it, it owes its origin to our neighbours across the water; but French moral tales are, to our mind, stiff and theatrical in style, and will not bear transplanting so easily as mere historical or humorous narrative.

Will Adams: the First Englishman in Japan. A Romantic Biography, By WILLIAM Dalton. (A. W. Bennett.) 10s. 6d.-Mr. Dalton is a

real boon to youthful readers. In him they have an example of patient and laborious research, combined with considerable powers of imagination and construction; he is at once brilliant and painstaking. Devoting himself, for several years past, to the task of providing delightful and instructive reading for boys, he has pursued his labours in the spirit of a true artist. The result of this high-mindedness is, that he has won for himself a place in the particular walk he has selected for the exercise of his talents, second to no other. Want of space alone prevents our speaking at some length as to his last book. Suffice it to remark that he has chosen an excellent subject for his new biography, and that his treatment of it is in every way unexceptionable. If any lady, then, happens to be embarrassed as to which of the several books we have praised, she shall select, let her at once decide upon purchasing "Will Adams" for that lucky Master Tom whom Fortune hath given so liberal a parent. The price is high, it is true; but, although we consider it an indiscretion upon the part of the publisher, we do not think it will be able to injure the circulation of so good a book.

Household Song, 7s. 6d. (Kent and Co.), is a small volume of lyrical pieces, selected from Burns, Rogers, Mackay, &c., beautifully printed on tinted paper, and illustrated by woodengravings, after designs by Birket Foster, G. H. Thomas, J. Druinmond, and others. It is a tasteful little volume, and deserves to be ranked among the boudoir books.

And now we take up the book of the season -the most gorgeous and artistic book of the year. Its title is. Paradise and the Peri. £2 28. (Day and Son.) Messrs. Owen Jones and Henry Warren are the producers of this edition de luze, upon which both have evidently laboured in the enthusiastic spirit of the old monkish illuminators, to whom all the beauties of animate and inanimate nature were only as models for their missal designs, to whom the end and aim of life was to decorate "holy books." Our commendation of the volume must be brief, but we wish it to be understood, nevertheless, that, to our mind, there never was a more beautiful boudoir book. To possess it is to be the owner of a great treasure. The Oriental poem of Moore is here illustrated and decorated by men, one of whom, at least-Mr. Owen Jones-may be said to be thoroughly imbued with the spirit of Eastern ornamentation. We do not admire the figures of Mr. Henry Warren so much as his collaborateur's magnificent and perfectly harmonious borders. In a word, the work is a highly-felicitous effort on the part of designers and printer. Mr. Owen Jones can never surpass this work, we are afraid. Messrs. Day and Son, ambitiously artistic as they are, will never produce a greater triumph of chromatic lithography.

We have but little space left to speak of Mr. Delamotte's Primer of Illumination, 9s. (Spon.) It is a work of art, no less than a practical treatise upon the revived art now so fashionable with English ladies. Should any one attempt to undervalue illumination, on

merely utilitarian grounds, and attempt to decry such a delightful employment, by stating that it is merely so much time spent in copying medieval MSS., and having no purpose to fulfil, it will be sufficient to answer, that examples from missals are only given as clementary studies to the tyro. In time, she will be able to draw original designs for herself, and then every flower that blows, every leaf that quivers in the summer air, every tint of the rainbow, every shade of the gorgeous livery of nature, will be as a model of form or of colour that will enable her to produce "a thing of beauty," the work of her own hands, and which will be, either to herself or to those she loves, "a joy for ever." We could dwell upon this theme, but we must proceed. Mr. Delamotte's book is, on the whole, the best we have yet seen, though we are acquainted with others which, in certain respects, are fuller and more precise. It is the intention of the publisher of this magazine to produce a treatise on illumination, which, by supplying every deficiency that an earnest study of the subject has demonstrated, shall be the work upon this art whereby a perfect knowledge of its principles and its practice may be acquired without any professional aid.

The Illustrated Paper-Model Maker, by E. LANDELLS (Griffith and Farran), 2s., is as good as anything of the kind we have seen. Unfortunately, the persons who design these things do not know enough of the subject to enable them to go far enough. One must know a thing very well indeed before one can play with it.

To the above reviews our readers will see that we have added, where we could, the prices of the various volumes.

It is astonishing how soon, in these days, any novelty in one branch of commerce is communicated to other branches of business. Thus, we had, first of all, last year, Magenta ribbons, for bonnets, and bows, and trimmings; then followed Magenta dresses of every description of quality, Magenta shawls, Magenta petticoats, &c. &c.; then came Magenta cloth for the covers of books, and many Christmas volumes are now resplendent in this battle-hue; and last week, Mr. Rimmel, the perfumer, of the Strand, was kind enough to send us a very pretty little box of perfumery, in which were a bottle of West-End Bouquet, a bottle of Chiswick Bouquet, and a bottle of Magenta Bouquet. Of course our curiosity led us immediately to disturb the pretty sandallike fastening around the glass stopper, and test the quality of this new scent, and we found it to be, after it had been on the handkerchief a few minutes, a very beautiful, reviving, and aristocratic perfume. If Cousin Mary is asked by Cousin James what she would like for a New Year's gift, Cousin Mary might answer more inappropriately than "One of Mr. Rimmel's toilet-boxes of perfume." (We may mention that this box costs 7s. 6d., or each bottle, purchased separately, 2s. 6d.; that is to say, the box given in to the buyer of three

bottles.

As the season is approaching for balls and parties, a few general remarks on the making of dresses for these festive occasions may not be inappropriate. We will describe a few which we saw prepared for a ball to celebrate the marriage of a rich heiress; and some of the toilets were, indeed, charming.

A tulle dress had nine narrow pinked flounces, the top flounce being headed by a ruche of the same material. The berthe on the low body was composed of folds of talle, and trimmed with ruches and narrow pinked tulle, like the flounces on the skirt. The sleeves were looped up with a bunch of pink roses; and a large bouquet of the same flowers was placed in the front of the body; and a wreath of roses, with a full high coronet in front, completed this toilet.

Another of white tulle, over white silk, was puffed almost to the waist, and bunches of white and coloured lilac placed at regular distances amongst the puffs. A wreath of the same flowers, with leaves at the sides, and slightly pointed in front, was worn with this dress.

A blue tarlatan dress, puffed at the bottom of the skirt to the height of twenty inches, had a double skirt which reached to the top of the puffs. This upper skirt was trimmed with black lace, not quite three inches wide, and headed by a tarlatan ruche, trimmed with very narrow black edging. The lace was put on in festoons, and was looped up at various distances with rosettes of puffed tarlatan, encircled by black lace. The body corresponded, and the headdress was made of blue daisies.

A white satin dress, which was very much admired, was covered with a tulle skirt, which was trimmed at the bottom with a quilling of tulle, edged with narrow green satin ribbon. This trimming was quilled three or four times over, and then a space left, the quillings opening like a fan. A double skirt, open down the front, with round ends, reached nearly to the top of the trimming; this skirt or tunic being finished off with a flat puffing of tulle, over which fell two deep black lace flounces. The double skirt was looped up on the left-hand side with a rosette of green velvet, with very long ends. The coiffure to match was made of green velvet, with a bandeau of the same material, and black lace lappets mingled with the velvet behind.

Another dress was very prettily made of tulle, with ruches at the bottom of the skirt (about six rows), a deep flounce coming to the top of the ruches; the flounce was bordered by a flat bouillonné, and looped up at various distances with bunches of scarlet geraniums. The coiffure, of scarlet geraniums and green leaves, was open behind; a detached bunch of the flowers being arranged with the hair, dressed in loops.

A sixth dress was made of rose-coloured tarlatan, with seven gauffered flounces, covered with a skirt of tulle d'illusion, spotted with gold. The body was of the same coloured tarlatan, and covered with the same tulle; as, also, the

sleeves, which were formed of two narrow frills. The body and sleeves were trimmed with rosecoloured azaleas; and the coiffure was a wreath of the same flowers in front, with leaves behind.

DRESSES without separation at the waistthe body and skirt being cut in one piece-are still in favour, not only for morning, but for more dressy wear. One of these we noticed the other day was made of grey rep, the body being fastened with green velvet buttons, with larger ones placed down the front of the skirt. The skirt had a little pocket on each side, bound with green velvet, cut on the crossway of the stuff. The sleeves, with a slashed turnedback cuff, fastened down by the same buttons, were finished off at the top by a large puff, with bands of crossway green velvet.

Many dresses are being made with waistbands; and this waistband forms the only trimming when the material of which the dress is composed is rich and handsome. For example, a chestnut-brown silk dress, brocaded with maize and black flowers, was made with quite a plain skirt, with a large waistband of brown velvet, embroidered in black and maize. The sleeves were large, and trimmed with one row of velvet ribbon to match the band.

A bright blue silk dress can be very prettily made with three narrow flounces at the bottom of the skirt, put on with a distance of an inch and a half between each flounce; and, in front, seven narrow flounces, continued to the waist in the form of an apron, and finished off all round by a narrow flounce. The dress can be made with a high and low body-the former buttoned to the throat with black silk buttons, and the latter with short and puffed sleeves.

A violet-coloured silk dress would look very nicely trimmed with a broad piece of black velvet at the bottom of the skirt, eight inches wide, with a plain body and black velvet waistband. The sleeves should be made square at the bottom, pleated at the top; the pleats being fastened down by black velvet buttons.

A pretty mode for making sleeves for a plain black silk dress is with five puffings, which diminish in size towards the wrist. The top of the sleeve is finished off by a black velvet epaulette, and the bottom by a very broad pointed wristband of the same material as the epaulette.

Ribbon or velvet WAISTBANDS, brocaded or embroidered, are amongst the novelties of the scason; as, also, Bows of the same materials, with fringed ends, for trimming the sleeves of the dresses. These waistbands should match the colour of the dress with which they are worn. Independently of these trimmings, expressly made for certain dresses, many are sold separately, consisting of bows of brocaded ribbon, with pointed cuffs to match. These are also embroidered in gold, silk, or jet, and are trimmed with black lace. A pretty little bow may be made of black moire antique, edged with violet-coloured silk, the silk being stitched on in white. The cuffs should be rather deep, pointed, and edged with silk to correspond.

The favourite out-door garment for young

ladies is the JACKET, or COAT, not quite tightly-fitting at the waist, and corded with white or coloured silk; as, also, the Redingote, in cloth or velvet. This mantle is made to button across the front from left to right, and the sleeves are made with broad facings of quilted silk. Besides, there is the Paletot Parisien, of grey cloth, trimmed with black seal-skin, and with pockets in front trimmed in the same manner. For persons not quite so young, velvet mantles and pelisses, trimmed with sable or other furs, are very much in vogue. These pelisses are also trimmed with guipure, and have a pelerine of the same material.

Little round HATS, with turned up brims very much raised in front, and bound with velvet, are extremely pretty for children from four to fourteen years of age; but it is not considered de très bon goût for ladies to adopt this style of coiffure these small hats having such a conspicuous and eccentric appearance except when worn by children. To dress really in good taste, extremes should always be avoided, and a little moderation exercised in seeking for fashionable novelties.

BONNETS which are worn very high, and raised in the front, are exceedingly becoming when made so in moderation, but carried to an excess, look extremely absurd, and should be avoided, as also a profusion of flowers. Piqué bonnets are very much worn-black, with bows of coloured velvet, and fastened with jet clasps; or white ones, trimmed with velvet flowers, fastened in white rosettes of blonde. Violet and Magenta are the most fashionable colours.

Amongst the number of pretty bonnets which we have lately remarked, are the following:One of lilac velours épingle was trimmed with a white lace fanchon, edged with black lace, and a row of velvet heartsease all round the

crown.

Another, of white satin, was almost covered on one side by a bunch of lilies of the valley, arranged with a camelia in the centre, and the bandeau inside was composed of Magentacoloured fruit studded with gold.

A very pretty and convenient garment for half mourning may be made of grey poplin, and trimmed in the front (apron fashion) with two broad crossway pieces of violet moire antique. A Zouave jacket should be worn with this, fastened at the top with a violet button, and trimmed all round with violet moire antique to match the skirt, with a grey poplin waistcoat with little pockets.

To wear underneath the Zouave jackets, qui font toujours fureur, white braided gilets, which were very fashionable a few years since, have appeared again.

DESCRIPTION OF THE COLOURED PLATE.

1. BALL DRESS.-The coiffure is composed of pearls, white feathers, and one large cactus with pearl pistils; two rows of pearls, fastened by a pearl clasp on the right-hand side, and a cactus on the left, forming the front of the headdress, the pearl pistils falling from the cactus, and resting on the bandeau. A white feather on each side is carried to the back of the coiffure, and these feathers are mingled with strings of pearls, and flowers, the hair being arranged in

loops. The dress, of white silk, is trimmed with black and red silk ruches, with black and white lace flounces, and with flowers to match those in the headdress. The body is very low in front, narrow on the shoulders, with scarcely any sleeve; the berthe for it is made of folds of silk at the top, and is trimmed with black and white lace, the black lace being two inches wide, and the white one coming two and a half inches below it. The berthe should be made on a foundation of net, and a ruche of red and black silk placed at the top of the lace to make a finish to it and to hide the stitches where it is put on; in the centre is placed large cactus, with a smaller one on each shoulder. The skirt is trimmed with three rows of double flounces-a black lace over a white lace one-headed by ruches of black and red silk, and looped up with flowers to correspond with those on the body and in the headdress.

2. WALKING OR CARRIAGE DRESS.-The bonnet of Magenta velvet, and projecting in front, is trimmed with a long black ostrich feather, which is fastened on one side by a velvet bow with ends. The bandeau is composed of black velvet and jet leaves, with a white blonde quilling on each side of the bonnet, but not at the top. The dress is made of imperial blue velvet, with a plain skirt forming a demi-train, and is ten inches longer behind than in front. The blue velvet paletot is-trimmed with sable, and is lined with white satin, wadded and quilted. There are no pleats in this garment; it is straight in the front, with plain sleeves, which are finished off on the top of the arm by a rounded piece of velvet, trimmed with a narrow band of sable. The collar, sleeves, and paletot are all trimmed with sable, that on the paletot being broader than on the sleeves; a small pocket is placed on each side, which is also trimmed with the same fur.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ORIENTAL
SLIPPER PATTERN.

WISHING to render our publication more and more interesting to our numerous subscribers, we endeavour to introduce to them all the novelties in fancy and plain needlework as soon as they appear. Accordingly, Monsieur Sajou, of Paris, so justly celebrated for his exquisite taste, has supplied us this month with a design. for an Oriental slipper. Coming, as it does, from so good a source, and from one of the first houses on the Continent, we are sure our readers will not fail to be pleased with the pattern. The slipper is made of black velvet, with coloured pieces appliqués, and braided with gold braid. Cut some pieces of silk or merino, the same colour and shape as indicated in the pattern, tack them firmly on to the velvet, run the gold braid neatly round them, and work the bars and dots in coarse purse-silk or twist. Our design shows the toe-piece and half the side, the other half being exactly similar. The easiest way to work this is to trace the pattern on tissue paper, to tack the paper on to the velvet, then the various pieces in their respective places, and so braid round them. The paper should then be carefully torn away, and the pines, crescents, &c., filled in with coarse purse-silk.