Mr. Bochsa's arrangement, as far as it goes, is good, and not of very difficult execution. Brilliant Duet for the Harp and Piano-forte on the favourite Themes in "Clari, or the Maid of Milan," with Variations on the admired Air, "Home, sweet home," composed, and dedicated to the Right Hon. the Ladies Paulet, by N. Ch. Bochsa. Pr. 6s. (Goulding and Co.) Both instruments are fully employed concertante in this arrangement; and their respective tasks, especially that of the harp, are not calculated for performers of mediocre proficiency. The book contains four or five of the pieces of the opera, in the adaptation of which Mr. B. has not spared either care or talent. The duet is, as the title states, full of effect and brilliancy. There are two variations upon the theme, "Home, sweet home:" one for the harp, the other for the piano-forte; both very fine. VOCAL "Vocal Anthology, or the Flowers of Song," being a Selection of the most beautiful and esteemed vocal Music of all Europe, with English Words. Part VIII. Pr. 6s.(Gale, Bruton-street, Bond-street.) Contents: A canzonet of Jackson; one of Haydn's; two short Scotch tunes; Rossini's beautiful quartett, "Mi manca la voce," in Mosè in Egitto; two very pretty little German songs by Maurer, and an original song by Mr. Cather. The first half of this selection will probably be less prized than the remainder, owing to the airs being familiar to most amateurs. Rossini's "Mi manca la voce" can hardly be termed a canon (as it is styled in this book). Each of the four voices, it is true, takes up the same subject successively; but the moment one voice seizes the melody, the companion or com→ panions perform mere accompaniment, the chords being gradually filled up, and amplifications introduced in the accompaniment as the singers increase in number. None of the parts therefore have the same melody from beginning to end. The circumstance of all the four voices. being represented under the violin cleff, without any directions as to the respective altitudes of voice, is likely to produce perplexity. Suppose four females were to sing this quartett? And really the copy here given implies such allotment of parts. "Le Départ du Grenadier," Romance Sentimentale, Musique de Blanchard. Pr. 1s.-(Boosey and Co.) A pretty little ballad, quite in the French style of vaudeville composition. The accompaniment is simple enough, and the vocal part, too, is liable to no other difficulty than what may arise from the peculiarity of French prosody, which claims considerable attention from those who wish to give this song its due effect. "The charmed Bark," a Song from the Tales of Allan Cunningham, sung by Mr. J. O. Atkins at the Nobility's Concerts; the Music composed by J. Macdonald Harris. Pr. 2s.-(Monro and May, Holborn-Bars.) There is great merit in this com position! The design is as follows: First stanza in A minor; second stanza nearly a repetition of the first, but the accompaniment much more active and varied, and some deviation at the termination; third stanza in A major (partly an imitation of the minor subject), followed by an impressive portion in C major, and finally concluding in A minor. Our space is too limited for an analysis of all these different portions, although they not only deserve consideration in detail, but would lead to comments highly favourable to the author. Mr. Harris evidently has weighed well the whole bearing and complexion of his text; he has, we might say, dramatized it throughout. But it is not the general conception alone which redounds to his credit; the execution presents ample evidence of good taste, a proper knowledge of the principles of the art, and a mind guided by sound thought and judgment. We hope this production will attract particular notice, sure as we are that its success will only depend upon its being extensively known. Without wishing to weaken the favourable impression which the above comment may produce, we must observe, that the minor motivo and the fine transition to the relative major key seem to be imitations from the beautiful preghiera in Rossini's Mosè in Egitto. "I saw while the earth was at rest," the Music composed, with an Accompaniment for the Piano-forte, and respectfully dedicated to Mrs. Mayer, by H. J. Banister. Price 1s. 6d. (Printed for the Author, 119, Goswell-street.) Excepting the symphony, which is liable to objection on the score -- of unequal rhythm, this composition is pleasing and satisfactory. The thoughts are not of a new cast, but they are expressive of feeling, and combine into an aggregate of flowing melody. The accompaniment is sufficiently diversified and full, to impart additional interest to the vocal part. "Oh! Minstrel, that impressive strain!" a Canzonet, with an Accompaniment for the Harp or Piano-forte, as sung by Miss Williams of the King's Concerts, composed by John Parry. Pr. 1s. 6d. -(Hodsoll, High-Holborn). A little ballad susceptible of much the same critical observation as the one preceding. The melody offers no novel feature, but its construction is regular and proper, and altogether calculated to form an agreeable vehicle for the musical expression of the text. "Serenely o'er the waters dark," or " Scendi nel piccol legno," the celebrated Duet in the Opera" La Donna del Lago," composed by Rossini. Pr. Is. 6d.-(Hodsoll, High-Holborn.) The English words to this sweet duet of Rossini chime in pretty well with the Italian melody: they are stated to be the work of J. H. Cove, Esq. One or two instances of exception, however, present themselves: "over," for instance (p. 5), is scanned Ŏ-vēr." The music is given at full length, with a satisfactory adaptation of the accompaniment for the pianoforte, and the Italian text is added to the English. 119 FASHIONS. LONDON FASHIONS. WALKING DRESS. pears: satin band round the arm. The angular-embroidered stripes of the skirt are terminated in festoons of flowers, and a deep flounce of scolloped lace arranged beneath, and the whole finished by a rich embroidered scolloped border: the length of the skirt approaches to a train. Spanish hat of pink satin, turned up all round, rather broad in front, where it is slashed transversely, and tulle introduced, excepting towards the left side, where a feather protrudes, of which there is a full plume of pink and white. The crown has a quadrangular ornament, which is lined, and each corner turned over. Ear-rings and bracelets of pearl set in gold; gold chain and cross. Long white kid gloves, lace scarf, and white satin shoes. A RICH brown-colour cloth coat, made plain, and trimmed in front, || where it fastens with graduated scollops of French braiding; broad at the shoulders, and lessening towards the waist, from thence extending till it reaches the bottom of the skirt, and finished on the outside with fringe of the same colour. Broad band of braiding round the collar, waist, cuffs, the bottom of the skirt, and the seams of the back, which meet in a point, and are ornamented in the centre, and finished with frogs. The epaulette is formed by a double row of fringe, and from the wrist an ornamented scroll of braiding extends half way up the arm. Black velvet bonnet, lined with the same; the brim very broad, and edged with ambercolour satin and cord: the crown deep, and small towards the top; the GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON FASHION velvet in large folds round it, and relieved with bands of amber-colour satin, garland of fancy flowers, and satin bands of French folds. Cottage cap, with full border of British Mechlin lace. Yellow gloves, chinchilla muff, and black satin boots. EVENING DRESS. AND DRESS. If our winter were as severe as that of Russia, our fair pedestrians could not guard themselves more sedulously against the cold: never were their winter habiliments of a warmer description, and never did the furriers reap such a harvest: not only are muffs and tippets universally worn, but trimmings, at least in walking dress, are generally of fur; and the same costly material serves as a lining for the mantles of our most tonish fair-ones. Cloth gowns begin to be very general in walking dress; Dress of Urling's lace over a pink satin slip: the corsage à la Rubens; the front formed of four pink satin straps edged with white satin, and fastened on each side with small gold buckles. The sleeve short, and composed of four rows of pink satinthey are in equal estimation with pesquares edged with white; between lisses: a good many are trimmed at each row a full puffing of lace ap- the bottom, collar, and cuffs, with a Vol. III. No. XIV. R broad band of fur. We have seen Bonnets composed of spotted velalso some trimmed with a bouillonné | vet are also in favour: the brims of of satin, formed into lozenges by vel- these bonnets are adorned with blond vet points; and others, the trimming lozenges let in round the edge: the of which consisted of velvet bands brim is long, and a good deal decut in various forms. pressed in front: the crown is oval. They are generally adorned with flowers. Bonnets are something larger than last month: beaver is much in favour in walking dress, and so likewise is black Leghorn. We have noticed a good many of these last trimmed only with shaded ribbon. A neat and appropriate walking bonnet is composed of black velvet trimmed with three black satin knots, disposed in a bias direction in front of the crown. Cloth, twilled sarsnet, and reps silk are the materials most in favour in morning dress. Gowns made in the pelisse style are still in estimation; but we have seen lately a new morning dress, which we consider pretty and novel: it is composed of dove-coloured levantine; is made high, but not quite up to the throat: the back is full; the fronts wrap across, and fasten in a bow and ends in the centre of the back. The sleeve is of an easy fulness: the epau Mantles, lined and trimmed with fur, are now much more generally used than pelisses in carriage dress: the most stylish are composed of either velvet or gros de Naples; those of satin having become rather obsolette is composed of bands interlaced, lete. They are lined and edged with which form demi-lozenges. The skirt ermine, chinchilla, or squirrel, and is trimmed with a fulness of the same have also a high collar of the same material, confined by points, which material; but the pelerine is not of turn up, and each is attached by a fur, but to correspond with the man- small satin knot. An apron of a tle; it is deep, and cut round in large three-quarter length, cut round in scollops: the mantle is fastened at points, and finished in the French the throat either by a gold cord and style with pockets ornamented with tassel, or else a gold clasp. satin knots, completes this pretty jauntee robe de matin. Several velvet bonnets worn with these mantles have a band round the bottom of the crown: it is fastened by a gold buckle at the base of a plume of feathers. A new hat has just appeared of a singular but not very becoming shape: the crown is round and low; the brim narrow behind, but broader in front; a strap, about an inch wide, passes under the chin from the right to the left, where it is attached to the crown of the hat by a gold button. A half-garland of Marabouts is placed in a sloping direction round the crown of the hat in front. Dress gowns are now made wider at the bottom, and more gored than they have lately been: the bodies are still cut square, but rather higher in the bosom than they were during the two last months; the backs are still narrow at the bottom, and they invariably fasten behind. The materials for full dress are the same as last month. Flowers are a great deal worn in trimmings, particularly for ball dresses. One of the prettiest ball dresses that we have seen for some time, has just been submitted to our inspection: it is composed of pale rose-coloured tulle over satin to || corsage, cut moderately high and square, has the upper part full, but the fulness is confined by rouleaus placed perpendicularly. Full sleeve, the fulness also confined perpendicularly by rouleaus, and finished by a narrow satin band, which confines it to the arm. Ceinture of pink satin, fastened behind in a bow and ends: the latter are ornamented with small acorns composed of pearls. correspond; it is finished at the bottom of the skirt by a very full satin rouleau, above which is a bouillonnée formed into waves by satin rouleaus: bouquets of roses are interspersed in the bouillonnée; the upper row is confined by three satin rouleaus, which go in a slanting direction up the front of the dress to the waist, and have bouquets of roses placed on them at regular distances, thus forming a very elegant drapery. The Fashionable colours are the same as last month. FRENCH FEMALE FASHIONS. My dear SOPHIA, colour as the gown, but the knots of ribbon form a strong contrast-—ponceau and citron, scarlet and green, olive and rose colour, and various others. It is particularly in full dress that Parisian taste and invention have been exercised during the last month, on account of the different fêtes given in honour of the Duke d'Angouleme. As the fête de la ville may be called par excellence the fête of fêtes, I will try to describe to you 'some of those dresses that were esteemed the most elegant. The Duchess d'Angouleme was dressed in a white lace robe, with festoon OUR promenade costume has varied very little since I wrote last: the principal difference is, that black silk and velvet gowns are more worn; and shawls are partially displaced by long fur tippets, of the palatine form. We see also a good many manteaux of velvet, coating, and satin; but the last are not much in vogue. Black bonnets still continue in favour; those of different colours are also fashionable: we see even a few in white satin, adorned with an intermixture of Provence roses and ears of ripe corn. The brims of bonnets are now much longer; some near-flounces of very rich lace looped by ly meet under the chin. The fashion of ornamenting the crown en marmotte has also been revived. Barèges is a good deal worn in dinner dress; gowns made of it are in general trimmed with a mixture agraffes of diamonds: the corsage was a mixture of white satin and lace, ornamented also with diamonds. Head-dress, feathers and diamonds. The Duchess of Berry's dress was tulle over white satin: the trimming an intermixture of tulle, satin, and pearls. Her head-dress, a half-wreath of diamonds and a superb lace veil. The other ladies were in general richly dressed, and profusely ornamented with jewels. Gowns of gold and silver lama were in great request. || |