Chapter II: Preface

The fact that we derive our styles of dress from the same source as the English, and that the work of Mrs. Merrifield has been circulated among the forty thousand subscribers of the "London Art Journal," might perhaps be deemed sufficient apology for offering it in its present form to the American public. It has received the unqualified approbation of the best publications in this country;--entire chapters having been copied into the periodicals of the day; this added to the above, and also to the high standing of the author, has induced the publishers to offer it to the great reading public of this country.

The chapter on Head-dresses, which commences the book, is of much interest in itself, and affords an explanation of many of the descriptions in the body of the work.

The closing chapter, on Children's Dress, by Mrs. Merrifield, will be deemed of more value by most persons than the cost of the entire work.

A few verbal alterations only have been made in the original;--the good sense of every reader will enable him to understand the local allusions, and where they belong to England alone, to make the application.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
CHAPTER I.
Description of Head-Dresses, 1

CHAPTER II.
Dress, as a Fine Art, 10

CHAPTER III.
The Head, 53

CHAPTER IV.
The Dress, 61

CHAPTER V.
The Feet, 73

CHAPTER VI.
Remarks on Particular Costumes, 84

CHAPTER VII.
Ornament--Economy, 95