As certain of our manners and customs, besides having a character of their own, may be said to partake both of your Eastern and Western usages, so do our dresses partake both of your oriental and classical costumes.

LADY’S COSTUME.

The costume of the lady is loose and flowing.  A jacket or bodice of purple tissue covers the right arm, and one side of the body to the waist, leaving the left arm, shoulder and part of the bosom exposed.

A small waistcoat, made of a crimson tissue, is worn underneath the bodice.

The tunic is of white tissue, beautifully embroidered with a gold thread.  The short skirts show trousers of golden tissue, full, and not unlike those of your Turks.  They are confined at the ankle by anklets, made of plain gold for the middle classes, whilst those worn by the upper classes are of ravine metal, ornamented with precious stones.

There are fringe trimmings to the tunic made of precious metals of every variety of colour, selected for their lightness and beauty, and enriched at their extremities with precious stones.  The colours of the costume vary with the taste of the wearer, but are selected to harmonise one with another, and all with our brilliant light.

The feet are protected by a sole secured either by sandals or by means of an adhesive material.

Women are not allowed to wear stays, or in any way to confine the waist.  Indeed such encumbrances would serve no good purpose, inasmuch as their forms are actually beautiful; their spines, in consequence of their physical education, are strong, and every part of the person, which might otherwise possibly require support, is in its proper place.

HEAD-ORNAMENTS.

In the hair is sometimes worn an ornament forming two wings, each consisting of a single diamond, which moves on small fine hinges, and is so arranged that the least breath of air will set it in motion.  In the centre uniting the two wings, is a small crimson stone surmounted by a large round stone of purple-blue, from which sprouts out a very fine dagger of a greenish-gold colour.  The rest of the head-dress is made of fine metal, chosen for its lightness, of the same tints.  These metals are of equal, perhaps greater value, than gold, but are chosen for their qualities.  The necklace and anklets correspond in character to the headdress, with the addition to the former of one large pearl, which hangs to the wings and rests on the lady’s bosom.  The bracelets are made in your Greek style—­bands of gold set with large pearls.  The soles to protect the feet are gilded with ravine metal.  The sandals, which are of purple enamel of a peculiar kind, are often ornamented with jewels.  The fan is composed of the choicest feathers of our native birds, and set in ravine metal of the most beautiful kind, studded with pearls and other precious stones.