FROM OUR FRENCH CORRESPONDENT. BOULEVARD DES ITALIENS, February 26th, 1858. CHERE AMIE,-There is no idea, as was asserted, that the fullness of the skirts would be altered, nor are flounces proscribed, as often threatened; they rather appear to increase in number-a dozen have even been seen on a dress; rather too many, perhaps. It is observed that there is a decided innovation in the form of skirts, particularly for full dress; the front breadth is much shorter, showing the feet; the other breadths gradually lengthening, which has a very good effect, especially in rich materials, by which are understood velvet, satins, moires antique; velvets and satins are all of new and light colours, such as primrose, blue, currant, pink, gold colour, and green; these are made with two bodies-one low for evening wear, the other high. With velvet dresses coiffures of lace and flounces are worn, or a pretty resille of velvet, from which flowers droop; complete parures are made of flowers, consisting of quilles or brandenbourgs; quilles formed of lilac are extremely pretty, they are cordous or nœuds of foliage supporting the bunch of lilac at the side, mounted as feathers; crocuses of every colour also form pretty parures with their grassy foliage, but the variety is endless in which they may be produced.

Ball dresses are more frequently made of light materials, as gauze, tulle, and tarlatane, than any thick fabric. Satins, moires, antiques, and velvets, are reserved for concerts; for older ladies, tulle is embroidered in gold or silver, or the two united, whilst ornaments of gold or beads trim the flounces or double skirts. If the dress is of tulle, the sleeve is bouillonnee; if of velvet or moire, it is composed of a bouillon of tulle, on which is a small sleeve or jockey of the material of the dress; sometimes the berthe of lace falls on the sleeve, which it entirely covers; when the body is a draperie the sleeve is uncovered. A very pretty ball dress was of tulle, with four skirts, which were all double, the first and third white, the second and fourth pink; the effect of the white on the 'pink was charming; the body drapé with cordon Imperatrice of pink and white clochettes continued down the skirt with bunch of flowers. Another dress of tulle illusion was worn over satin, the upper one covered by eight flounces edged by a large ruche, and eight bouquets of flowers arranged as quilles up each side of the front breadth, uniting by cords of amber beads diminishing in size to the waist. Many evening dresses are of moire in light colours, some with double skirts, others single, ornamented by bouillons of tulle and flowers; but for young ladies the tulle illusion forms the prettiest and lightest toilette, with its numerous skirts, sometimes edged by thick ruches of white tulle, sometimes by wreaths of small flowers, the corsages to correspond, with bouquets of flowers; others again are merely hemmed, with satin ribbon through.

Green, violet, and grey have been lately the prevailing colours for carriage or morning toilettes of light shades, even in velvet, which is now fashionable as a carriage dress. A pretty colour for velvet is grey; the dress made high, with two skirts, the upper one trimmed with a plissé of taffetas ribbon the same colour; this plissé à la Vieille is always in fashion, either for dresses or bonnets, when no longer used for the former it appears on the latter; on sleeves, fichus, mantelets of every description; skirts are trimmed with it, either lengthways, across, or en biais, etc. The pagoda is the most fashionable sleeve for velvet or silk dresses, with high or square bodies, with plissé à la Vieille on the revers, and second plissé forming another revers, the body with the same in round pelerine ruches, or plaits of velvet are also used on high bodies. A pretty dress for a little girl was of green taffetas with three flounces, trimmed with velvet guimpe of a darker shade; the body with basques Marie Stuart, a new style very suitable for little girls: the body is low, with berthe descending in point in front, and rounded on the shoulders to show the small bouillon of the sleeve; the basque is pointed, gradually increasing under the arm, and terminating rather deep behind guimpe of embroidered muslin and under sleeves to match. Another dress was blue taffetas with two skirts, the body trimmed with velvet, the sleeve in large plaits, and small bouillon round the armhole; but, as often observed before,

VOL. 31.

there is hardly a difference to name but in the size, and perhaps quantity of ornament.

Lappets are so fashionable this winter they form rather an important part of a head-dress; they are very becoming, but can only be worn by ladies who are tall; those of lace are the richest, but they are lighter of tulle, which is sometimes spotted with spangles.

The little fichus Pompadour Watteau Marie Antoinette are worn in evening dress made of lace and trimmed with small bouillons or black velvet, or, instead of velvet, narrow ribbon the colour of the dress. For very young ladies these fichus are made of tarlatane or tulle; round pelerines with deep frill are also made of guipure or silk tulle entirely of bouillons, separated by narrow blue ribbons, to which may be added a frill edged by narrow ruche; the sleeves are also bouillonnes lengthways, and closing on the middle of the arm. Embroidered sleeves for morning wear mostly closed with wristband are very bouffante, and with revers; sometimes this revers is replaced by a bouillon placed on the wristband, with ribbon the colour of the dress. For dinner dress application in flowers of satin stitch, mixed with open work, is admired. Collars worn in negligé are small, of muslin, trimmed with Valenciennes, or of cambric embroidered.

It is rather an undecided moment to venture much on the subject of bonnets; as yet all is in anticipation. Very simple ones have been made lately of velvet or silk in violet or marron, entirely covered with lace; feathers are not generally used with these bonnets. Others are in fullness lengthways, bordered with velvet and voilette of fine lace. Others of white satin or plush have a fauchon of blond. A simple, yet pretty bonnet of violet taffetas, was entirely covered by a lace of checked pattern. Bonnets are looking a little less wintry; quilled bonnets are ornamented with black lace, which is now replacing velvet, being lighter or more suitable for the spring. Plaids are no longer seen, and the mixture of straw and ribbon is still fashionable; plissés of ribbon à la Vieille ornaments bonnets, and the edge is not unfrequently bound with a broad ribbon fulled, terminating with lace or fringe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ENGRAVINGS.

PLATE I.-Walking Dress.-Robe of popeline, with jacket body; manteau of taffetas, ornamented at the edge by bands of velvet and lace; a very deep fringe forms pelerine, headed by a band of velvet. Bonnet of marron satin and lace, with plissés of ribbon à la vieille, and feathers at the side.

Carriage Dress.-Robe of moire, with casaque of marron velvet, trimmed with plissés of ribbon and black lace. Bonnet of green velvet, with foliage.

Promenade Dress.-Robe of taffetas, with double skirt; and manteau of velvet, with rich fringe, headed by embroidery. Bonnet of mauve taffetas, trimmed with lace and flowers.

Child's Dress.- Frock of figured popeline; pardessus of black taffetas, with velvet ribbon in stripes of two shades of marron colour. Bonnet of quilted satin, with noeuds of narrow ribbon.

Walking Dress.-Robe of moire, with full plain skirt; casaque of black taffetas, with deep frill attached to the basque; the edge, as well as the sleeves and pelerine, have a band of quilling forming a wide border. Bonnet of satin, trimmed with lace and flowers.

PLATE II.-Promenade Dress.-Robe of French blue satin, with jacket body of black velvet; manteau of black taffetas, with broad band of stamped velvet all round; a second row, trimmed with lace and tassels, forms small pelerine. Bonnet of violet satin, with feathers. Morning Dress.-Robe of popeline, with double skirt; the upper one edged by a plissé of ribbon; jacket of the same, similarly trimmed. Evening Dress.- Robe of pink satin, with flounces of white lace, headed by plissés of ribbon and large bunch of lilacs and foliage; pointed body, with berthe of lace covering the short bouillon sleeve; boquet of flowers in the centre, and wreath in hair to correspond.

Walking Dress.-Robe of droguet, with pardessus of black taffetas, ornamented by brandenbourgs of stamped velvet up the centre and body, also edging the sleeves. Bonnet of blue velvet and satin.

velvet; the skirt is double; casaque of violet taffetas, ornamented with rich gimp, forming pelerine and descending the fronts in increased width; very wide sleeves, similarly ornamented and lined with white satin; white under-sleeves in large bouffants. Coiffure à l'Eugenie, with lace and flowers at the back of the head.

PLATE III.-Carriage Dress.-Robe of very rich silk, in stripes of black velvet; manteau of violet velvet, braided in a scroll pattern, with silk cord and tassels. Bonnet of green velvet, with feathers.

Little Girl's Dress.-Frock of checked silk, and pardessus of green taffetas, trimmed with chenille guimpe. Bonnet of pink satin, with feathers.

Child's Dress.-Frock of light blue taffetas, with single deep flounce, pinked; paletot of cachemire, trimmed with bands of stamped velvet; the pelerine forms point in front, trimmed as the skirt and sleeves. Bonnet of satin, with feather.

Walking Dress.-Robe of pearl grey taffetas, with mantelet of the same, with frills edged with lace and bands of velvet ribbon above. Bonnet of taffetas plissé, with flowers.

Walking Dress.-Robe of taffetas, with pines wove in the material, forming border to each skirt, and in smaller design ornamenting the body and sleeves; pardessus of black taffetas, with loose hanging sleeves, ornamented with bands of velvet and fringe. Bonnet of pink satin, trimmed with lace and Terry velvet.

PLATE IV.-Little Girl's Dress.-Frock of checked taffetas, with full plain skirt; body of white muslin, in fulness to the waist, terminating with basque einbroidered; the sleeves plain to the elbow, with deep frill, and noeud of ribbon.

Promenade Dress.-Robe of moire; the skirt ornamented with quilles of velvet and jacket body; manteau of taffetas, with frills trimmed with stamped velvet and fringe. Bonnet of taffetas and lace, with plissés of ribbon.

Morning Dress.-Robe of taffetas, with double skirt; full body, with pelerine of lace, headed by a small ruche; sleeves plain to the elbow, with frill edged with lace. Cap of ribbon and lace.

Ball Dress.-Robe of tulle and satin; the skirt has two flounces of satin, separated by a bouillon of tulle, having a rose encircled with

TODDY. A Highland laird had been invited by some of his polite relations to their winter house in Edinburgh, and had there for the first time seen and tasted what is familiarly called "toddy." On his return to his native heather, he invited some of his neighbours to partake of the new beverage. After brewing with all due formality a respectable bowl, he filled the pony, and sent it round to the glasses of his guests, for their opinions. One suggested a little more sugar, another a little more whiskey, till the bowl was completely filled. Again was the pony replenished, and again were the same suggestions made, until at last it was resolved that i would be a great improvement on Edinburgh toddy to leave out the water, which, for the remainder of the evening, was most religiously adhered to.

foliage, placed all round at intervals; the upper skirt forms a second bouillon, with roses of a smaller size. Coiffure à l'Eugenie, wreath of flowers drooping on the shoulders. The corsage is in very deep point, with drapery of tulle and small tulle sleeves.

Carriage Dress.-Robe of satin, with jacket of velvet; the sleeves and basque in deep vandykes, edge by a plissé à la vieille of ribbon, and deep lace frill; a plissé also forms pelerine on the body. Bonnet of satin and straw, with feather.

PLATE V.-Promenade bonnet of grey fancy straw, trimmed with green velvet and feathers.

Carriage bonnet of pink satin, trimmed with white lace, and bunches of small pink buds and green leaves.

Evening cap of white and black lace, with peach blossom satin ribbon, figured with black.

Second of white blonde, trimmed with yellow satin ribbon, and black velvet.

Morning cap of white lace, trimmed with emerald satin ribbon and primroses.

Cap of black blonde, trimmed with gold fringe and cerise ribbon. Dress cap of white tulle, trimmed with white roses and pink satin ribbon, edged with black velvet.

Habit shirt of white muslin, with an embroidered collar, fastened with a large bow with long ends.

White sleeve of figured net, gathered up in puff with ruches of blue ribbon, and trimmed with bows of the same colour. Second ditto of cambric, trimmed with light green ribbon. Collar of Maltese lace.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MODEL.

The Model this month consists of a berthe, and a short sleeve, suitable for an evening dress of light materials, tarlatane, tulle illusion, gauze, etc.; the sleeve forms itself a single bouillon, and the berthe is to be covered either by bouillons of tulle or lace.

THE HINDOO CASTES IN INDIA.

ALTHOUGH in Hindostan there are many descendants of the Mogul Tartars, by whom India was conquered many years ago, and who by religion are Mohammedans, the population principally consists of Hindoos, and those by their religion are divided into four separate castes or classes:-1. The Brahmins, or priests; 2. The Cshatriyas, or military class; 3. The Vaisyäs, or tradesmen and farmers; 4. The Sudras or labourers.

1st, the Brahmins have acquired and maintained a most extensive and powerful authority over the other castes. According to their "Vedas," or sacred books, "as great a distance as there is between the deity and the Brahmin, so great is the distance between the Brahmin and the rest of mankind." The sacred books are exclusively his. He is lord of all other classes. The first duty of all magistrates, whether supreme or subordinate, is to honour the Brahmins, and the slightest disrespect to one of this sacred class is the most atrocious of crimes. For contumelious language to a Brahmin a Sudra must have an iron spike ten fingers long thrust into his mouth. From his high birth alone a Brahmin is an object of veneration to deities, and if any man, even of the upper castes, should strike a Brahmin, though even with a blade of grass, or overpower him in an argument, he must soothe him by falling prostrate. A priest who knows the law need not complain to the king, for by his own power he may chastise those who injure him. He may use powerful charms, for speech is the weapon of a Brahmin with which he may destroy his oppressors. Let not the king provoke Brahmins to anger, for they, if enraged, can destroy him. A Brahmin, whether learned or ignorant, is a powerful divinity; and, though they are occupied in mean occupations, they must be honoured, for they are divine. A king shall not slay a Brahmin though guilty of all possible crimes. Let him banish the offender from his realm, but with his property secure, and his body unhurt. A king must not take a tax from a Brahmin learned in the Vedas; and it is an essential part of expiation and sacrifice to present gifts to Brahmins. They are so much superior to a king, that the meanest Brahmin would account himself polluted by eating with him, if not of the same caste or religion. Their proper business is to read the Vedas, and to teach them to the younger Brahmins, and to perform religious exercises and sacrifices. The 2nd class, or Cshatriyas, become soldiers when they can obtain such employment.

The 3rd, Vaisyäs, are employed as merchants, or in tending cattle or cultivating the soil.

The 4th, Sudras, are employed in servile labour, and are as much the objects of contempt as the Brahmins are of veneration to the castes