whatever is
the prevailing mode in attire, let it intrinsically be ever so absurd,
it will never _look_ as ridiculous as another, or as any other, which,
however convenient, comfortable, or even becoming, is totally opposite
in style to that generally worn."

12. IN PURCHASING ARTICLES OF WEARING APPAREL, whether it be a silk
dress, a bonnet, shawl, or riband, it is well for the buyer to consider
three things: I. That it be not too expensive for her purse. II. That
its colour harmonize with her complexion, and its size and pattern with
her figure. III. That its tint allow of its being worn with the other
garments she possesses. The quaint Fuller observes, that the good wife
is none of our dainty dames, who love to appear in a variety of suits
every day new, as if a gown, like a stratagem in war, were to be used
but once. But our good wife sets up a sail according to the keel of her
husband's estate; and, if of high parentage, she doth not so remember
what she was by birth, that she forgets what she is by match.

To _Brunettes_, or those ladies having dark complexions, silks
of a grave hue are adapted. For _Blondes_, or those having fair
complexions, lighter colours are preferable, as the richer,
deeper hues are too overpowering for the latter. The colours
which go best together are green with violet; gold-colour with
dark crimson or lilac; pale blue with scarlet; pink with black
or white; and gray with scarlet or pink. A cold colour generally
requires a warm tint to give life to it. Gray and pale blue, for
instance, do not combine well, both being cold colours.

13. THE DRESS OF THE MISTRESS should always be adapted to her
circumstances, and be varied with different occasions. Thus, at
breakfast she should be attired in a very neat and simple manner,
wearing no ornaments. If this dress should decidedly pertain only to the
breakfast-hour, and be specially suited for such domestic occupations as
usually follow that meal, then it would be well to exchange it before
the time for receiving visitors, if the mistress be in the habit of
doing so. It is still to be remembered, however, that, in changing the
dress, jewellery and ornaments are not to be worn until the full dress
for dinner is assumed. Further information and hints on the subject of
the toilet will appear under the department of the "LADY'S-MAID."

The advice of Polonius to his son Laertes, in Shakspeare's
tragedy of