Page:Fancy dresses described, or, What to wear at fancy balls (1887).djvu/221

 NUN, NOVICE, ABBESS. These are unsuited to fancy costumes, but are sometimes adopted, and are usually carried out as follows:—The'Novice, a white dress, such as veritable Novices do not much affect; viz., a long white muslin gown and a muslin veil attached to the back of the head, beneath a small wreath of white roses; a châtelaine of white beads at the waist. Nuns and Abbesses at balls adopt flowing dresses, a knotted belt, a rosary at the side, and either a white or black head-dress. There is little attempt at consistency; the sleeves are sometimes lined with black silk; the head-dress made of crepe lisse, with a flowing black gauze veil. The robe of the Dominican and Augustine Nuns is white, with a loose oblong piece depending in front, as well as back; the head-dress is black lined with white, square over the face where it turns up with white, and reaches below the shoulders, a sort of linen cape half covering the body, forming part of it. A long black cloak is also worn. The Benedictines and Ursulines have white linen hoods and capes, forehead bound with white linen with variations.

NURSE. Embroidered muslin cap with ribbons and round crown; striped gingham gown made with high bodice; striped stockings; peau de Suède shoes. (See and Illustration IX., Fig. 33.)

NURSERY RHYME. Pointed black hat with the names of Jack and Jill or any other nursery heroes or heroines round; black silk stockings, high-heeled shoes, a crutched stick; dress full, with short skirt of plum-coloured silk and plenty of white frilling beneath; round it, effigies of see-saw, a cat and fiddle, sheep, dogs, or anything associated with nursery lore; bodice of blue velvet cut as a low square with muslin fichu, skipping rope round the waist.

NURSERY RHYMES. The characters from these are the fashion for children's fancy dresses, and for the Singing Quadrilles: the principal characters are Jill (see J), My Pretty Maid (see M), Bo-Peep (see B), Mary, Mary, quite Contrary (see M), Red Riding Hood (see R), Mother Hubbard (see H), Cinderella (see C), White Cat (see W), Babes in the Wood, and Beauty (see B),

NUT-BROWN MAID. Dress of cream-coloured nun's veiling, looped and puffed in old English style; knots