A Kaleidoscopic Maze of Beautie ful Costumes in the Latest Parisien Mode The Indies meet with more competition at a Caledonian Ball than they encounter on most dance floors, for the swing of the kilties and the regalia of the—various clans are far more decorative than the usual black broadcloth and glossy white linen, Nevertheless the fair sex managed to hold its own even in these conditions and their beautiful costumes expressings each individual wearer's adaptation of the Intest word from Paris gave colour and sparkle to the hall obtainable in no other way. That this is a brilliant season Was, un~ mistakeable demonstrated in the glow and glitter of most of the costumes, metallic fabrics or gold or silver laces being introduced into a large number of the handsome dresses seen.
Out of the kaleidoscopic blend ing of colour and brilliance let us mention as they float by in the waltz or foot it blithely in the reels the dresses of the wives of Committee members and others who have contributed to the sue-cess of the occasion, Mrs, R. G. Dowie, the wife of the Vice-President, wore a very handsome gown fof black Jame in cross-over style, artistically draped and caught up on one side. The silver foundation showed in the decolletage V. and under the arms, and the fold-over skirt revealed the gleam of silver. 'A black and white feather ornament finished one side. With this black shoes and stockings were worn, the whole effect being one of dignified elegance and grace, Mrs. C, H. Rutherford wore a charming gown of soft applegreen Tamé which set off her colouring to advantage, The sleeveless gown fell in supple lines, the slight fulness draped at either side and caught with x motif of silver bugles ith a green feather ornament on the left side. The lines of the dress were outlined with narrow piping silver and silver shoes and stoekings were worn, Mrs. Rutherford's jewels were pent Mra, A. T. Downie wore a picturesque orchid and silver robe de style, the long bodice plain except for a garniture of small mauve flowers, the skirt was slightly bouffaint but not as long as the extreme period dresses. A graceful cape of silver lace hung to the H. Lovett Cumming:
del green brocaded and lifted on one side.
The gleam Jof gold was also shown in Mrs. Hotchison's stylish elvess of gold Jace over gold cloth, cut on the popular simple lines, and sightly drap~ ed, with a short train which could be cat ight up for dancing. Gold slippers and stockings were worn with this.
Mrs, Herbert's original gown was created from black silk net, scarves heavily embroidered in black and silver, slightly draped at either side and with the corners of the scarves falling free, like butterfly wings, at the shoulders. A green flower ornament at the side was the only touch of colour. Mrs, Ranald G. Me-Donald wore a stunning Vionnet model of black Salome velvet over figured gold lame foundation, the velvet flaring open at each side, ith a heavy shrink border at the hem, The mode was cut on absolutely'straight lines with the V-shaped neck. Brightly cut small crystals were worn with this.
Mrs. B, F. Mackay wore a handsome black beaded gown cut severely simple lines, with black slippers and jet ornaments. It was great pleasure to see Mfrs. John Prentice at the ball, as last year when she was obliged to be absent Jon account of ill health she was much missed. Her dress was of black marocain with a beaded bodice with which was worn a stole of ermine, Mrs. C. W. Porte blue effpe satin dross was lof skilful Homeside cutting. feircular flounce which gave a tunic effect to the front of the skirt ran up in graceful, cape-tike draperies jacrose the back diagonally to the [shoulder. The front, of the waist was plain except for a diagonal fold of "the material running from
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.