closely and laboriously woven of slender threads, taken from the bark of certain shrubs, seemed to be totally useless."-But in this remark he appears to have been too precipitate.

To say that any thing is useless in the creation of God, is not warranted by the knowledge of the traveller, or of any since his time. But an extract from Wilson will very appropriately close our recapitulation. "Almost the whole genus of orioles," says he, "belong to America, and, with a few exceptions, build pensile nests. Few of them, however, equal the Baltimore in the construction of these receptacles for their young, and in giving them, in such a superior degree, convenience, warmth, and security. For these purposes, he generally fixes on the high bending extremities of the branches, fastening strong strings of hemp or flax round two forked twigs, corresponding to the intended width of the nest; with the same materials, mixed with quantities of loose tow, he interweaves or fabricates a strong, firm kind of cloth, not unlike the substance of a hat in its raw state, forming it into a pouch of six or seven inches in depth, lining it substantially with various soft substances, well interwoven with the outward netting; and, lastly, finishes with a layer of horse-hair, the whole being shaded from the sun and rain by a natural penthouse, or canopy of leaves. So solicitous is the Baltimore to procure proper materials for his nest, that, in the season of building, the women in the country are under the necessity of narrowly watching their thread that may chance to be bleaching; and the farmer, to secure his young grafts; as the Baltimore, finding the former, and the strings that tie the latter, so well adapted for his purpose, frequently carries off both; or, should the one be too heavy, and the other too firmly tied, he will tug at them a considerable time before he gives up the attempt. Skeins of silk and hanks of thread have been often found, after the leaves were fallen, round the Baltimor's nest, but so woven up and entangled, as to be entirely irreclaimable. Before the introduction of Europeans, no such material could have been obtained here; but with the sagacity of a good architect, he has improved this circumstance to his advantage; and the strongest and best materials are uniformly found in those parts by which the whole is supported."-Abridged from the Juvenile Forget

me-not.

THE WRECK.

We fled a far but happier clime,

From kindred's pow'r and foeman's hate;
Our crime was love-if love be crime,
She was my hope, my fate:

We had escaped the death, our prow
Was bound for home again;
But waves became our foemen now,
We battled with the main.

The howling wind and weltering wave
Roar'd on; the sails were rent,
Our pumps gain'd little on the leak;
Our main and mizen went.

Another crash! death's dooming sound,'
'She settles to the head-the boat!'
We stagger'd to the side-but found
It was far afloat.

We the last dwellers on the deck,
Drifting upon the sea,

Darkling and wayless-1.ke a speck
Fading into eternity.

Morn found us on the deep lone wave,

The gale had ceas'd to blow; And there was but the bright blue sky above, And the dark deep gulf below. The Albatros was by our side,

Asleep upon the main ;

We glared as those who fate had doom'd,
Never to sleep again.

Thus day by day, and hour by hour,
We withering on the wave.
Mark'd in each others changing face,
Our passage to the grave.

But Heaven had not deserted us,
On the fourth day we spied

A pennant o'er the sea--and now
A barque was by our side.

Thank God, we heard man's voice once more,
And gazed on living men;

Into the barque her form they bore,

She never wept till then.

In peril, pain, when death was near,
How calm, how sweet her tone
She never stung me with a tear,

A glance, a sigh, a groan.
But now the hour of danger past,

And life anew had charms;

Her soul burst through its bond, and wept
Inp ture in my arms.

We reach'd our own, our smiling home,
But fate had seal'd her doom;

In one short moon, her form was laid,
In the cold the silent tomb.

No urn, no marbled lie is there,
To bid the tear-drop start;
Her eulogy, is my despair,
Her tomb, my wither'd heart.

W. L. R.

LONDON AND PARISIAN FASHIONS.

"Oh there is nothing new! I wish there was some change" is a common cry, notwithstanding the indefatigable exertions of the numerous ministers, whose invention is continually taxed for the gratification of the lovers of novelty. Were the exertions more generally known, and the pains that are taken by the numerous artistes connected with the queen of fashion, a more compassionate view would be taken, even though these panting expectations were not fully realized.

At a period like the present, between two seasons, when the genius of novelty has been labouring with the most zealous energy, for the production of modes that should gain general approval, it can hardly be ex pected that the same success should crown every effort, after the inventive powers have been so severely tried for "the season;" but, sympathy apart, it is not just to say that there is not "something new" continually put before the expectant public, but one of the essentials of novelty is continually overlooked by those, even, whose business it is to turn over a hint to the greatest advantage. It is not necessary that there should be a monthly revolution in dress to afford a constant variety -the disposal of one part of the dress relatively to another-of a naud, of a boa, of a flower, a feather, the style of embroidering, the absence of all ornament, a plait, a fold, or a niche-in fact, a thousand little niceties, of which a correct eye and judgment, guided by taste, only, can take advantage; each of these minute details, carefully managed, may give a totally different character to a dress. Let any one who can appreciate these remarks, consult some of our past

volumes, and their correctness will be immediately perceived; let the slightest durations be noticed, and it will be found that more attention is due, to minor details, than is generally imagined. The following observations of our contemporary oracle, the "Petit Courier," aptly take their place here, and will serve as a practical commentary on the foregoing remarks; succeeding to which, are our usual sketches of costume and extracts from the Parisian journals.

"It would be a difficult task to announce, now, an entirely new mode, such an one as might have appeared in the midst of the brilliant winter assemblies, and made many a coquettish heart beat, either by the new grace, which was the attribute of the fashion itself, or by the antiquity of the style which had been just introduced. One could not venture out, in open day, with a dress which owes its chief attraction to the brilliancy of the prismatic reflections, or of the gilt hangings of an elegant ball room. A summer season will not permit those bold innovations which the interi eating luxury and brilliancy of a ball room may well permit; but now, though a simplicity most unfavorable to invention, pervades our fashionable costume, there is yet a ceaseless demand for something new, unknown, or extraordinary We can make no other reply to this summons, than by offering models of toilettes such as we see them, such as good taste authorises; but still simple, and allowing at most, the accessary of a ribbon or a flower. To present more, would be to depart from the truth.

We must inform our readers that in the prettiest toilettes, white is the leading color, whether in the dress, redingote, or the peignoir; batiste and organdi have the prettiest effect, either at the promenade, the theatre, or the ball room.

Redingotes in muslin, have frequently lace gathered round them; others have only a large hem, within which is passed a rose, lilac, or straw-colored ribbon.

With these redingotes they wear a large ribbon ceinture, tied before, like the one in the hem.

"We remarked a toilette which we thought very generally becoming a white organdi redingote, over a white gros de Naples, a broad white band tied round the waist; collar trimmed with point or Mechlin lace, large sleeves, held at the wrist by a gold bracelet, clasped by a cameo. The hat of Italian rice-straw, ornamented with two white feathers. Scarf of blue or very pale lilac gauze."

DRESSES.-A dress in the Greek style, with some singular characteristics, attracted a good deal of attention, lately, at a most brilliant assembly. The folds of the corsage were retained on the shoulders by a gold clasp, representing a coiled serpent. The skirt was of immense width, forming full and irregular drapery to the ground. A bandeau and bracelets in a similar style of bijouterie completed this.

A dress of embroideaed Indiau muslin, opened on an under dress of white muslin, trimmed all round the bottom with a citron-colored satin ribbon; the upper dress was profusely ornamented with detached baoquets, and at the termination of the skirt, a pretty deep lace border was fixed. The ceinture of citron-colored taffeta, was tied in the form of a rosette in front.

Many are worn of undressed material, with embroidering in imitation of fruit or flowers.

With an extremely fine batiste dress was worn, as a

scarf, a very wide straw-coloured ribbon, with cherry. colored embroidery; after passing under the ceinture, it descended almost to the hem. A species of epaulette formed of ribbons, were placed on each shoulder, the ends hung down on each side of the neck.

A muslin dress, black ground, with large colored roses for the pattern; and for the ceinture, a rosecolored satin ribbon of considerable width, with black cross-bars. The dress was made à la Grecque.

An organdi redingote was worn over a dress of white poult de soi; the corsage was folded in very small plaits, with no addition but a simple square collar; the out muslin sleeves coming fulled to the wrist, exhibited the underneath ones of poult de soie, with a very pretty effect.

An Indian muslin dress was embroidered within about a foot of the hem, with a garland of geranium sprigs.

For negligés, muslin peignoirs lined with taffeta similarly colored, and closed with ribbon nœuds. Some of the ribbons are in muslin lined similarly to the dress and edged with narrow lace. Palm branches are frequently embroidered very deeply on the extremities of scarfs, of which cotton tulle is not an unusual fabric.

Colored muslin and printed jaconets are as much worn as ever. Patterns are preferred small, compared with last year's wear.

ENSEMBLE DE TOILETTE.-A muslin dress embroidered with silk rose buds, both white; rose branches also in the hair,

A very elegant toilette was composed of Indian muslin, open at the side, down which a most tasteful embroidery in gold and green, produced a most charming effect; ribbon nœuds of white taffeta, fringed with green, united this, forming a row of fins down the whole skirt. A garland of ivy surrounded the head.

The pelerine mantillas, which, from their being readily disengaged, &c., are extremely commodious, are much admired. For undress, they are commonly of batiste, with a bordering of very fine flat plaits. Full dress, fine Indian muslin is used, with embroidered border, and edging of English and Brussels lace.

HATS, CAPS.-Hats are worn in all colors; but lilac, rose, straw, pink and azure blue have, perhaps, the preference. Gros de Naples, Cordelina, Crape, &c. are materials much employed.

Hats with low fronts, are less adopted than they were, and the brims may now be seen elevated to a much greater extent than before.

A small round shaped hat of a similar color, in ricestraw was ornamented with three feathers very much inclined on one side. A fan of the style of the eighteenth century, similar in this respect to the above toilette, hung from the wrist when not in use.

A rice-straw hat, ornamented with a small oak sprig with acorns and green ribbons. A printed muslin dress, pattern of large green sprig embroidered tulle pelerine, the ends passing under the ceinture and descending to the knees.

For ornaments, the simplest and lightest flowers may be seen; to adorn the hats of ladies of taste, wild flowers are very conspicuous.

A garland of peach blossom and myoporum, mixed, ornamented a rice-straw hat; beneath the brim was a bunch of ranunculuses, yellow, with cherry-colored streaks.

FIGURE 1.-WALKING DRESS.-Indian muslin dress; corsage half-high mounting, edged with narrow lace, slightly draped, with a fold in the middle of the breast diminishing to the ceinture, the middle confined by a brooch. The sleeve, which is round and full, is embraced by a band, about a couple of inches above the wrist, and diminishes here to a very small size. The skirt is handsomely embroidered down the front and round the hem. A garland of roses is placed inside the hat of poult de soie, and a slender sprig of buds in the crown. A kind of mantilla-scarf is also worn, gathered in at the middle and near the ends, which are vandyked and have tassels at the points.

FIGURE 2.-EVENING DRESS.-Organdi dress; close fitting corsage edged with lace, mantilla, draped round the bust, falling broad over the sleeve and with a double frilled edging. Embroidered étole tied round the neck by a ribbon nœud, the ends pointed, terminating in tassel. Hair ornamented with a ribbon, garland and

nœud.

FIGURE 3.-CARRIAGE DRESS.-Tulle redingote; high mounting corsage open down the front, which is edged with lace down the length of the dress, increasing towards the termination; similarly arranged are also square pieces, added, down the front. A satin ribbon scarf is fixed to the shoulders, by ribbon nœuds, pointed at the back, and being capable of a tie in front, yet hangs down the skirt to a considerable distance, in two ends. Gros de Naples hat, ornamented with an auréole and ribbons, edged with lace.

FIRST HAT, AND BACK view.-Gros de Naples hat, oval shaped front, considerably rounded at the corners, ornamented with a couple of marabouts.

BACK

SECOND HAT, AND VIEW.-Drawn capote, shape very similar to the above, but the crown rather more elevated; the crown ornamented with a half garland of bows, extending rather more than half-way round it.

FIRST CAP. Blond cap, broad blond border, set in a somewhat circular shape, square cut round the face;

form a bow in the middle of the top, part the ribbon twists on each side until it terminates in a tie.

SECOND CAP.-Muslin cap, with work border, closing a little over the face, a ribbon bow at the top, which winds round the crown and terminates in a nœud at the back.

PLATE II.

FIGURE 1.-WALKING DRESS.-Batiste redingote; square cut collar, pele reine with double cape, with narrow double ruche edging; cut on the bust encœur slightly rounded behind; sleeves full and plain, narrow lace edging on the wristband. The ruche is continued from the ceinture downwards. Small shaped gros de Naples hat, ornamented with feathers.

FIGURE 2.-WALKING DRESS.-Muslin dress; high mounting corsage gathered in upright folds on the bust, with three or four gathers on the back, towards the ceinture; the pelereine, with a nœud at the neck, gradually sloped to the shoulder, where it is rounded off; the slope takes in a contrary direction at the back. A scolloped edging is fixed round this, graduating in size. The skirt, which is made full, is ornamented with a flounce, of a similar pattern. but about treble the width. The sleeve is gathered at the wrist. The ricestraw hat is ornamented with blades of corn under the brim, and on the crown, ostrich feathers.

FIGURE 3.-BALL DRESS,-Tulle dress; corsage half high mounting, and close fitting, the sleeves ornamented near the wrist with a wide bow fixed in the centre with piping, the wristband tight-fitting. The pelereine, which is shaped round, round the shoulders and back, like the preceding one, has long ends hanging more than mid-way down the skirt; the outside edges ornamented with block blond, double round the upper part and deep at the ends; the inside is edged with satin. Gros de Naples hat, the front somewhat deep, edged with lace, crown low and ornamented with satin ribbons, &c.

FIRST CAPOTE.-Tuscan straw capote, the brim very wide and deep, crown very low; a garland of leaves surround it.

FIRST HAT.-Rice straw hat, round shape turned up round the front and back, ornamented inside with two bouquets inside the brim, and the feathers between the brim and the crown-the latter considerably elevated.

SECOND CAPOTE.-Drawn silk capote, rounded at the corners, the back low, the crown not much elevated, ornamented with ribbon nœuds.

THIRD CAPOTE.-Gros de Tours capote, the side of the brim sloped rather inwards, the crown high, or namented with satin ribbon bows, and very small flowers.

FOURTH CAPOTE.-Drawn capote; wide open shape, and edged with narrow lace; curtain put on full, behind, crown conically shaped, ornamented with a ribbon bow, and gimps placed round the base.

FIFTH HAT. Rice-straw hat, oval shaped, crown slightly elevated, and ornamented with a large ribbon nœud at the side, and a couple of feathers placed upright.

CAP AND SIDE VIEW.-Muslin cap, blond border dented, in which is inserted satin ribbon; a large nœud at the summit.

PLATE 3.

FIGURE 1, BACK VIEW.-Scoth gros redingote; high