States, before we may be certain that the chilling
breath of early Spring will be no more felt.

This being the season for rides and promenades, our illustrations for
this month are devoted chiefly to the representation of appropriate
costume for those healthful exercises in the open air. The large figure
in our first plate, represents an elegant style of promenade dress.
_Pardessus_ are much worn at this season, made in a lighter manner than
those used earlier. Velvet _pardessus_ with silk or satin linings, but
not padded, are used. Our illustration represents one of black velvet,
trimmed with several narrow rows of satin of the same color. The dress
is amber-colored figured silk, with a very full plain skirt. _Capotes_
or bonnets of satin are also worn. An elegant style is made of violet
velvet and satin, ornamented with heart's-ease almost hidden within
_coques_ of satin and velvet, which are arranged in a tasteful manner
upon the exterior of the _capote_, the interior being decorated with
heart's-ease to match, which may or may not be intermixed with lace or
_tulle_, according to the taste of the wearer.

Costumes for young misses are also represented in our first
illustration. The larger one has a dress of a pale chocolate cachmere,
trimmed with narrow silk fringe; the double robings on each side of the
front as well as the cape, on the half-high corsage, ornamented with a
double row of narrow silk fringe. This trimming is also repeated round
the lower part of the loose sleeve. Chemisette of plaited cambric,
headed with a broad frill of embroidery; full under-sleeves of cambric,
with a row of embroidery round the wrist. Open bonnet of pink satin, a
row of white lace encircling the interior next the face. Boots of pale
violet cachmere and morocco. Trowsers of worked cambric. The smaller
figure has a frock of plaided cachmere. _Paletot_ of purple velvet, or
dark cachmere; a round hat of white satin, the low crown adorned with a
long white ostrich feather. Trowsers and under-sleeves of white
embroidered cambric. Button gaiter boots of chocolate cachmere.

[Illustration: FIG. 2.--EVENING COSTUME.]

Figure 2 represents a most elegant costume for an evening party, or a
ball. It is composed of a beautifully embroidered white satin dress, the
skirt looped up on the right side, and decorated with a bunch of the
pink honey-plant, heading three pink and white _marabout_ tips, from
which depend three ends of deep silk fring