Page:Fancy dresses described, or, What to wear at fancy balls (1887).djvu/324

 quadrilles described in the introductory chapter, at children's Fancy Balls there might be such innovations as a sheet and pillow-case party, the wearers disguised in white drapery; a phantom party, habited in long white robes like monks, a cord about the waist, and a pointed cap hiding the face all but the eyes. Tableaux by children might open the proceedings, such as the "Old Woman who lived in a Shoe," "A Neapolitan Wedding," "Dream of Fair Women," "The Courts of the Gods," &c. The Lithuanienne is a good dance for such balls; so is "The Old Woman's Children," who dance round her, she spurring them with her broom, till at last, throwing off her disguise, she appears as a Spanish dancer. The Minuet, the May -pole Dance, the Swedish Dance, and the Tempete Swing Valse, are all excellent, and have met with great success "here and in America. It is a good plan for a certain number of children to appear in the characters of one special fairy tale.

RED RIDING-HOOD. Blue silk, quilted skirt; black velvet bodice; red cloak; muslin pinafore; head-dress, corn-flowers. (See R, in body of book.) Or, red shoes, blue stockings; striped red and white shirt; white apron; red hood and cape; blue bodice laced in front; flowers in hand, and basket of eggs. (See Coloured Plate XVI.)

REYNOLDS, after SIR JOSHUA. For little boys there is a good dress in "Feeding the Chickens;" black shoes with black bows; red stockings; blue petticoat with blue band; white high pinafore with red sash, made with a wide falling collar, bordered with a frill; sleeves to elbow; a red bow at throat. Another, in "Doubtful Security," the child wears shoes with straps; also a yellow and blue skirt; low white pinafore with pink sash. The Angerstein Children: The boy wears a frill and a turned-down collar, edged with lace. The girl is conspicuous for her large straw hat, trimmed with ribbons, and worn over a fine head of curls, which frame the face. A special feature in her dress is the short shawl thrown over the shoulders and turned under the coloured scarf which encircles her waist, forming a bow with long ends on the right hip. The manner in which the boys have their hair arranged is characteristic of the period—a la Russe it would be called now, short over the eyebrows, and falling in curls on the shoulders, most becoming to youthful faces. The Affectionate Brothers: The attire of the three boys is