The love of novelty begets improvement, and especially in all
those ar- ticles of personal use which are recognized as clothing for the body. The Persigny scarf lately patented by Messrs. Welch and Margetson, is no- ticeable from the ingenious fashion of its make. It is thin and elastic in the centre, so as to fit as closely as a ribbon, while the ends are of stouter texture and admit of being arranged amply, and in weightier folds than an ordinary material. The "Royal Patent Oxford" is a new tie, its peculiarity being from the introduction of a decoration or fancy device at the ends, sewn in by machine in preference to handiwork, so that it is at once distinctive and superior to any pattern that could be woven in on the points of the tie. Generally speaking for evening dress the light net ties remain in use ; remarkable both for freshness of pattern and extreme lightness in substance. For daily or dress use, a tie or woven strip called the " Windsor " tie, which gives the effect of a neckerchief with its pointed corners, is very widely adopted ; the material is of glace and ar- mozine silk, and the weight of the kerchief is dispensed with. Generally the present fashion perseveres in setting aside the old mode of swathing and heavily clothing the throat—and very sensibly too as any doctor will certify. In the constitution of all these articles economy of price is con- sidered. The shirt fronts vary but little, consisting mostly of a piece of linen with embroidery instead of plaits ; though sometimes a corded centre plait is adopted.
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