FASHIONS AND FANCIES.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 12, 7 May 1877, Page 3

FASHIONS AND FANCIES.

Under this heading, the Dunedin Star contains the following :— The London papers are filled with descriptions of the scenes at tbe recent opening of Parliament by the Queen in person. Tbey accord speoial notice to the dress of the ladies present on tbe occasion, The costume of the Queen herself is thus described .—" Ths costume was of black velvet trimmed with miniver far, a square neck corsage and long flowing sleeves. On her bead was a widow's cap snrmo'unted by a dia* mond crown . The Koh-i-noor, or ' Mountain Light/ that great diamond which has a history almost as old as Christianity, which glittered on the turban's of Indian Emperors fire centuries ago, and was more than once a kiDg's ransom, blazed on the Imperial bosom, supposed to indicate in its marvellous brilliancy the Imperial addition to tho English crown." Tbe princess Louise wore a garnet velvet slashed with white satin and trimmed with steel j Princess Beatrice a cardinal yelvet, and tbat fairest of all the royal family, the Princess of Wales, still fair in spite of domestic sorrows more than hinted at in public, wore a cream-colored brocade, over cream satin, and trimmed with pearls and diamonds Her entrance was tbe signal for the company to throw aside their wraps, and the most dazzling costumes were displayed. The Countess of Dudley, a tall, stately woman, s >me thirty years of age, witb auburn hair, violet eyes, and delicate features, is considered the handsomest woman in Great Britain. Her dress wai of violet velvet garnished with Cbanttlty laoe i her ornaments, sapphires and diamonds.