“Mrs. General --- is a lady who goes into society a great deal. She has a new dress for every occasion. The following costume appeared at the Charity Ball, which is the great ball of the year in New York. It was imported from Paris for the occasion, and was made of white satin, point lace, and a profusion of flowers. The skirt had heavy flutings of satin around the bottom, and the lace flounces were looped up at the sides

with bands of the most beautiful pinks, roses, lilies, forget-me-nots, and other flowers.

“It is nothing uncommon to meet in New York society ladies who have on dry-goods and jewelry to the value of from thirty to fifty thousand dollars. Dress patterns of twilled satin, the ground pale green, pearl, melon color, or white, scattered with sprays of flowers in raised velvet, sell for $300 dollars each; violet poult de soie will sell for $12 dollars a yard; a figured moire will sell for $200 the pattern; a pearl-colored silk, trimmed with point appliqué lace, sells for $1000; and so we might go on to an almost indefinite length.”

Those who think this an exaggerated picture have only to apply to the proprietor of any first-class city dry-goods store, and he will confirm its truthfulness. These gentlemen will tell you that while their sales of staple goods are heavy, they are proportionately lighter than the sales of articles of pure luxury. At Stewart’s the average sales of silks, laces, velvets, shawls, gloves, furs, and embroideries is about $24,500 per diem. The sales of silks alone average about $15,000 per diem.

A few years ago the dwelling of a wealthy citizen of New York was consumed by fire. The owner of the mansion soon after applied to a prominent Insurance Company for the payment of the sum of $21,000, the amount of the risk they had taken on the wearing apparel of his daughter, a young lady well known in society for the splendor of her attire. The company refused to pay so large a sum, and protested that the lady in question could not have possessed so costly a wardrobe. Suit was brought by the claimant, and, as a matter of course, an enumeration of the articles destroyed and their value was made to the court. The list was as follows, and is interesting as showing the mysteries of a fashionable lady’s wardrobe:

6 silk robes—red, enamelled, green, blue, yellow, pink, black—with fringes, ruches, velvets, lace trimmings, etc. $950
1 blue Marie Louise gros-de-Naples, brocaded with silver taken from the looms of Lyons; cost, without a stitch in it 300
Silver bullion fringe tassels and real lace to match 200
1 rose-colored satin, brocaded in white velvet, with deep flounce of real blonde lace, half-yard wide; sleeves and bertha richly trimmed with the same rose-colored satin ribbon; satin on each side, with silk cord and tassel; lined throughout body, skirt and sleeves with white silk $400
1 white satin of exceedingly rich quality, trimmed with blonde and bugles; two flounces of very deep point d’Alençon, sleeves of the same, reaching down to the elbows, and bertha to match, with white bugles and blonde to match 2500
1 royal blue satin dress, trimmed, apron-shape, with black Brussels lace and gold and bugle trimmings, with one flounce, going all around the skirt, of black Brussels lace; body and sleeves to match; sleeves looped up with blue velvet roses set in lace, to imitate a bouquet 1500
1 dove-colored satin dress, trimmed with velvet, half-yard deep; a long trail with the velvet going all around, with llama fringe and dove-colored acorns, forming a heading to the velvet, and going all up the skirt and around the long Greek sleeves; the sleeves lined with white satin and quills of silver ribbon going around the throat; lined throughout with white silk, having belonging to it a cloak and hood, lined and trimmed to match; made in Paris 425
1 black Mantua velvet robe, long train, sleeves hanging down as far as the knees, open, lined with white satin, and trimmed all round with seed-pearls, as well as all round the top of low body—the seed-pearls forming clusters of leaves going down front of skirt and all round the skirt and train 500
1 rich moire-antique dress, embroidered in gold from the body to the skirt and sleeves and all round, taken up and fastened up with gold embroidery to imitate the folds and wrinkles of the dress, trimmed round the edge with white Brussels lace, having an underskirt of amber satin trimmed with Brussels lace, to show underneath; lined throughout with silk 400
1 large Brussels shawl, of exquisite fineness and elegance of design, to go with it 700
1 crimson velvet dress, lined throughout with rose-colored silk; train very long, trimmed with rich silk, blonde lace covering the entire train, being carried around and brought up the front of the dress and body, forming the bertha; and sleeves looped up with white roses; turquoise fan and slippers to match 400
1 blue mercantique (lined), low body, trimmed with Honiton lace, body and sleeves; one piece of silk to match, unmade, intended for high body, and bons; sleeves slashed open and lined with white satin 200
1 rose-colored robe, with flounces; high and low body, having fringe and trimming woven to imitate Russian fur; both bodies trimmed with fringe ribbons and narrow lace $250
1 mauve-colored glacé silk, braided and bugled all around the bottom of skirt, on the front of body, around the band of Garibaldi body, down the sleeves and round the cuffs of Garibaldi body; the low body, with bertha deeply braided and bugled, with sleeves to match; long sash, with end and bows and belts, all richly braided and bugled with thread lace 180
1 vraie couleur de rose gros-de-Naples, with flounces richly brocaded with bouquet in natural size and color, made to represent the same in panels, trimmed with gimp and fringe to match; also, high and low body, with bertha and trimmings to match 300
1 pink morning robe, very superb, trimmed down the side with white satin a quarter of a yard wide, sleeves trimmed to match, satin-stitched, with flounces in pink silk on edge of satin, passementerie cord and tassels 250
1 gold-colored silk aersphane, with three skirts, each skirt trimmed with quillings of yellow satin ribbon, looped up with pink roses: body to match, trimmed with silk blonde; white blonde round the neck; satin quillings; silk blonde on the sleeves, and lace and yellow satin; rich underskirt to match 100
2 very richly embroidered French cambric morning-dresses, with bullion and heavy satin ribbons running through; one lined throughout with pink, the other with blue silk 100
1 rich black silk glacé, trimmed with bugles and black velvet 200
1 blue-black Irish silk poplin, made in Gabrielle style, trimmed with scarlet velvet all round the skirt; sleeves and body-belt and buckle to match 125
1 Cashmere, shawl pattern, morning-dress, lined; sleeves and flies lined with red silk, cord and tassels to match; not twice on 100
1 white Swiss muslin, with double skirt and ribbon running through the upper and lower hems of each skirt, of pink satin; body with Greek sleeves to match 90
1 straw-colored silk dress, trimmed with black velvet, and body of the same 80
1 white Swiss muslin robe, with one plain skirt and one above, graduated by larger and smaller tucks to imitate three flounces; the sleeves with puffs, and long sleeves with tucks, down and across to match skirts, and Garibaldi body made to match; one pink satin under-body to go with it 95
1 white Swiss muslin dress, with three flounces, quilled and tucked, graduated one above the other, with headings of lace on the top of each flounce; low body, with tuck, bretelles and broad colored sarsnet ribbon 90
1 India muslin dress, very full, embroidered to imitate three flounces; and Greek body and sleeves, also embroidered to match sky-blue skirt and body to go underneath $110
1 India muslin dress, double skirt, richly embroidered, with high jacket and long sleeves embroidered to match 90
1 pink satin skirt and bodice, to go underneath 25
1 white long morning dress, embroidered round the skirt and up the front, in two flounces, one hanging over the other; sleeves and cuffs to match 60
1 white muslin, with white spots, skirt and bodice trimmed with bullion and narrow real Valenciennes lace 80
2 white cambric morning-dresses, one very richly embroidered, in wheels and flounces; and jacket to match 275
1 white Swiss muslin jacket, very richly embroidered; skirt and bodice to match 100
3 cambric tight-fitting jackets, with collar and sleeves very richly embroidered, to imitate old Spanish point 120
5 Marie Antoinettes, made entirely of French muslin, with triple bullion and double face; pink satin ribbon running through. Cost $60 each 300
1 piqué morning dress and jacket, richly embroidered 75
1 piqué skirt, richly embroidered 50
6 fine Swiss muslin skirts, four yards in each, trimmed with two rows of real lace, to set in full, finely finished 55
2 very rich bastistes, for morning-dresses 120
2 very fine cambric skirts, delicately embroidered, to wear with open morning-dresses 60
2 fine linen skirts, embroidered in open work 40
2 silk grenadine dresses, trimmed with Maltese lace and velvet; two bodices to match, blue and green 200
2 silk baréges, trimmed with velvet and fringe, and bodice to match 200
1 Scotch catlin silk full dress, Stewart, trimmed with black velvet and fringe, made to match colors of dress 100
3 Balmoral skirts, very elegant, embroidered in silk 90
1 ponceau silk dress, trimmed with llama fringe and gold balls; body and sleeves very richly trimmed to match 250
1 blue silk to match, trimmed with steel fringe and bugles; body and sleeves richly trimmed 250
1 French muslin jacket, with lapels and sleeves to turn back, very heavily embroidered 40
1 set point d’Alençon, consisting of shirt sleeves, handkerchief, and collar 120
1 point d’Alençon extra large handkerchief 100
1 set Honiton lace, consisting of handkerchief, collar, and sleeves $80
1 set Maltese lace, consisting of handkerchief, collar, velvet cape 300
1 set Irish point lace, very rich, consisting of wide, deep sleeves, handkerchief and collar 80
1 cape of ditto, going up to the neck and shut at the back 35
2 black lace mantillas 40
1 black lace jacket 15
1 cape, composed of Valenciennes lace 75
2 dozen very rich embroidered cambric chemises, with lace 120
6 ditto, with puffed bullions in front 100
18 Irish linen chemises, with very rich fronts 200
7 Irish linen, embroidered 40
1 dozen night-dresses, very rich fronts 216
3 linen ditto, very rich 75
1 dozen embroidered drawers 72
2 very rich ditto 50
11 new pairs silk stockings, in box 40
1 dozen Lisle thread stockings 20
9 pairs boots and shoes 45
3 pairs embroidered slippers, very rich, in gold 40
1 pair Irish point lace sleeves (extra) 30
1 black velvet embroidered mantilla, imported 450
1 ditto, silk, embroidered with bugles, imported 100
1 glacé silk, tight-fitting basque, with black zeplore lace cape; trimmed in every width with narrow lace to match 65
1 black silk Arab, with two tassels 25
1 dust-wrapper, from Cashmere 18
4 magnificent opera-cloaks 175
1 red scarlet cloth cloak, trimmed with yellow cord 12
1 cloth, drab-color cloak 8
1 cloak, with hood lined with silk 10
2 dozen cambric, embroidered, with name Fanny 24
1 set Russian sable muffs, cape and boa 100
1 tortoise shell comb, made in one piece and very rich 50
6 fancy combs 30
1 very rich mother-of-pearl, gold inlaid, and vol. feathers beautifully painted by hand 85
1 fan of mother-of pearl, inlaid in gold, with silk and white and Job’s spangles 45
1 blue mother-of-pearl, with looking-glass; imitation ruby and emeralds 35
6 other fans, of various kinds 25
1 parasol, all ivory handle throughout, engraved with name in full, covering of silk and Irish point lace, very fine, covering the entire parasol 100
Several other parasols $25
1 real gold head-ornament, representing the comet and eclipse appearing 100
About twenty hair-nets, silver, gold, and all colors and pearls 40
4 ladies’ bonnets, some exceedingly elegant 100
1 box marabout feathers, for dressing the hair 50
1 box artificial flowers l5
1 lot new ribbon, for sashes; velvet, silk, and satin 35
1 small miniature model piano, played by mechanism, from Vienna 50
1 lady’s writing-desk, inlaid with tortoise-shell and mother-of-pearl, lined with silk velvet, with compartments and secretary; carved mother-of-pearl paper-knife, gold seal, gold pencil, case full of fancy writing paper; made in Paris 200
1 bula work-box, elegant; inlaid with silver and lined with ci-satin, fitted with gold thimble, needle, scissors, pen-knife, gold bodkin, cotton winders; outside to match French piano 125
1 long knitting-case to match the above, fitted with needles, beads and silk of every description 40
1 papier-maché work-box, and fitted up 5
1 morocco work-bag, ornamented with bright steel; fitted up with scissors, thimble, etc 3
1 lady’s Russia leather shopping-bag, with silver and gilt clasps for chain and key 15
1 18-karat gold filigree card-case 20
1 set gold whist-markers, in hands on little box, a present unto her 50
1 lady’s small work-bag, silk fittings 5
1 solid silver porte-monnaie 19
1 little blue porte-monnaie; velvet, and cords and tassel 3
1 ladies’ companion, with fixings in silver; a present 45
1 hair-pin stand; a small book-case, with small drawers and mirror 14
1 basket of mother-of-pearl, and gilt and red satin, full of wax-flowers 35
1 elegant Bible in gilt, edge mounted in gold 30
43 volumes various miniature books, bound most elegantly in morocco, and brought as a present from Europe 100
1 silver pin-cushion and sewer for fastening on the table 23
1 elegant, richly carved ivory work-table, brought from Mexico, inside fitted up with silk and different compartments, standing three feet high 400
1 lady’s solid silver rutler, from Mexico 25
1 gilt head-ornament, representing a dagger 3
1 lady’s English dressing-case, solid silver fittings, English make and stamp, rosewood, bound with brass and gilt, fitted and lined with silver $250
1 pair rich carved ivory hair brushes, engraved with name and crest 155
1 ditto engraved and crest 55
1 small ivory hair-brush 12
1 ebony hair-brush, inlaid with mother-of-pearl 20
1 Berlin-wool worked cushion 50
1 sewing-chair, elegantly embroidered seat and back 75
1 Berlin-wool Affghan 100
1 fire-screen, Berlin work, beads, representing Charles II. hunting 125
1 large sole-leather trunk, about four feet long and three feet deep, lined with red morocco, handsomely ornamented in gold, embossed on the red morocco, with seven compartments; very scientifically constructed for the necessities of a lady’s wardrobe, with springs to hold open each compartment; and the lace compartment could, at pleasure, be rested on two steel legs, covered with gilt embossed morocco, representing a writing table, with a portfolio, containing writing materials; it had two large French patent locks 250
1 lady’s travelling trunk, with cover, containing a quantity of worn dresses, zouave cloth and gold, druided jacket cloaks, woollen ditto, opera cloak, etc 73
Total $21,000

Such lavish expenditure is a natural consequence of a state of society where wealth is the main distinction. Mrs. John Smith’s position as a leader of the ton is due exclusively to her great riches and her elaborate displays. Mrs. Richard Roe will naturally try to outshine her, and thus rise above her in the social scale. Many persons seeking admission into such society, and finding wealth the only requisite, will make any sacrifice to accomplish their end. If they have not wealth they will affect to have it. They could not counterfeit good birth, or high breeding, but they can assume the appearance of being wealthy. They can conduct themselves, for a while at least, in a manner utterly disproportioned to their means, and so they go on, until their funds and credit being exhausted, they are forced to drop out of the circles in which they have moved, and the so-called friends who valued them only for their supposed wealth, instantly

forget that they ever knew them. No more invitations are left for them, they are not even tolerated in “good society,” and are “cut” on the street as a matter of course.

Not a year passes but records the failure of some prominent business man in New York. His friends are sorry for him, and admit that he was prudent and industrious in his business. “His family did it,” they tell you, shaking their heads. “They lived too fast. Took too much money to run the house, to dress, and to keep up in society.” Only the All Seeing Eye can tell how many men who stand well in the mercantile community are tortured continually by the thought that their extravagance or that of their families is bringing them to sure and certain ruin; for not even in New York can a man live beyond his actual means. They have not the moral courage to live within their legitimate incomes. To do so would be to lose their positions in society, and they go on straining every nerve to meet the demands upon them, and then the crash comes, and they are ruined.

Those who dwell in the great city, and watch its ways with observant eyes, see many evils directly attributable to the sin of extravagance. These evils are not entirely of a pecuniary nature. There are others of a more terrible character. Keen observers see every day women whose husbands and fathers are in receipt of limited incomes, dressing as if their means were unlimited. All this magnificence is not purchased out of the lawful income of the husband or father. The excess is made up in other ways—often by the sacrifice of the woman’s virtue. She finds a man willing to pay liberally for her favors, and carries on an intrigue with him, keeping her confiding husband in ignorance of it all the while. She may have more than one lover—perhaps a dozen. When a woman sins from motives such as these, she does not stop to count the cost. Her sole object is to get money, and she gets it. It is this class of nominally virtuous married and unmarried women that support the infamous houses of assignation to be found in the city.