"ALIEN'S" FROM ENGLAND.

LETTER (Specially written for the Witness Ladies' Page.)

SPRING FASHIONS AND FUNCTIONS.

An unusual spell of mild, April-like weather is forcing vegetation, and what is

feared is an unseasonable fruit-blossoming if it continues, which means almost certainly disappointment and loss later on when the bleak March winds and frost are at their destructive work again. But for the present it is very pleasant, and shopdressers are busy decking the windows ■with the new spring goods, round which interested groups loiter to see what is to be worn. Stock-taking is scarcely over inside, and trade quiet, for it is too soon to decide upon anything definitely. It is evidently to be a season of colour, and among the colours violets in all shades will be in favour, and also old rose in exquisite tints, and the millinery is to blossom like a flower garden ; flowers will be worn on everything in the shape of headdress. The 'new hats are chiefly small — almost startlingly small. Some ot them after the fashion so long with us oi the broad brini, some of them being little more than a .wreath of flowers, a bunch of ribbons and tulle ; and those with brims are of the most fantastic shapes, folded very much at the back as one would fold a palm-leaf, fan from the stalk, and peaked in front. Some are almost porkpie shape, of drawn tulle, with an aigrette standing straight up in front or to one side ; these are chiefly in black Or brown, tut are also to be had in white or light colours. And with the return of the small hats, so also- has the toque returned, that charming headdress for middle-aged women, and also the toque-like bonnet. Elderly ladies will look dignified, again, for whatever their convenience in hot climates, a broad-brimmed hat is becoming to very few women after middle-age, emphasising the lack of the fresh fleshtmts. The bonnets are by no means the stolid confections of a few years ago, but as ornamental as useful.

The flowers are very beautiful, and for the most part small wreaths of small dog roses, sweetbriar roses, daisies, violets, pansies, and all the blossoms that lend themselves to the purpose of twining round the hat brims where they are to nestle among tulle. 'Ihe girl handy with her needle will have little difficulty in trimming her own hats ; the French sailor style has simply folds of tulle running flatly round, and one of these charming wreaths of flo Avers resting against the tulle.

There is a decided change in the fashion ot the sleeve ; the fulness now is worn at the top in exaggerated leg-of-mutton style, or with one or two puffs, while beneath the elbow the sleeve is tight, and with the tight-fitting lower sleeve, so also the tight-fitting corsage has returned. Waists delight those of slender figure again, and the matron will presently sigh for the pouch bodice that gave her freedom unemphasised. All round, the reaction in the fashions is for close-fitting garments, except the skirts, which are voluminous and full, and as though to emphasise the waist, are pleated, gauged, ci gathered all round, especially pleated ; the pleats are stitched tightly for severat inches below the waist, and the skirt then hangs loose and full. Flounces and frills are not the latest thing, although on the lighter materials they will still be worn. The new cut skirts provide for all the fulness at the bottom in the bellshaped skirt, which opens and folds with the wearer's movements.

Satin is to be worn again, and those who have had a satin skirt hanging for some time in the wardrobe as oldfashioned will presently be able to use it ; this material, too. is to appear in the streets in the form of dressy little jackets. Jackets and smart coatees cut to the figure are to take the place of shoulder capes, stoles, and pelerines. AVhat will be gained in smartness is lost in picturesqueness, and ~the advantage will be on the side ot the slim, erect figure. Dressmakers will be harassed again for "a good fit." During the last few years they have had an *asy time of it in that respect. With a season of small hats, parasols ccme in, and the samples shown are very pretty, in every possible colour — greens, old rose, violets, prune, plum pinks, etc. — which will go so much to enlivening outdoor scene^. And after the long •English winter — especially a London winter — one pines for colour. The dreary blacks and browns, the fogs and general dinginess create a colour-hunger, and the eyes fasten on any touch of colour instinctively. With the D^ue sky overJiead and an evergreen world around, there can be no conception of this curious aching for colour. Miles on miles ot smoke-dried streets, by train or omnibus Oi car — always the same greyness whicheier way the eyes turn — is answerable for a good deal of- that favourable feminine I/cndon pastime — looking at the shops. 1 have seen chffdren grouped ecstatically outside a milliner's shop window, as they group around the florists', which are very beautiful just now. Many of the flower growers in the South of France have been ruined this year ; whole miles of narcissi, snowdrops, violets, and other early blossoms have been destroyed. Although the windows of the florists and the baskets of the flower sellers are bright with spring Lloonis, they are- not, of course, Englishgrown, for only just now are bulbous gi een shoots sprouting through the earth.

The state opening of Parliament on February 14 was favoured with a mild, stil! day, and by 11 o'clock in the mornin«* thousands of people had taken up their positions along the Mall, and by 1 quite 50,000 persons had gathered in St. James's Park. The beautiful old park, although not dressed in its spring green,

lis always picturesque. The waters of the 1 lake glittered under the morning light, ' and the uniforms of the Irisn Guards, j keeping the new processional road, added jto the j)icturesqueness. Away in the dis- . tance the towers of the Houses of Parlia- ! lnent topped the trees, and near by the Scots Guards, the C'oldatream Guards, and on the Horse Parade the 21st Lancers w ere part of the picture. Then presently the Life Guards stationed in Buckingham Palace yard struck up the National Anthem, and the stately procession began to move, the gorgeous State coach of their Majesties preceded by the coaches of conveying the great officers of the State. The I royal coach was drawn by eight cream horses richly caparisoned, a company ot ' the Yeomen of the Guard walking beside it, the white-plumed and breast-plated j Life Guards before and behind. As the • procession moved slowly down the Mali, j the King and Queen, distinctly visible j through the glass sides of the coach, were |» cheered with enthusiasm by^^the crowd. They made a truly royal pair in tneir magnificent robes, a sight for which the public is always grateful. Royalty crowned impresses more than the children with a , sense of dignity. Both King and Queen ' looked well and pleased with the warmth of their welcome.

The procession reached Victoria Tower punctually at 2, and here again was a royal welcome ; then the doors shut on all but the privileged few of his Majesty's subjects who witnessed the brilliant and impressive scene in the House of Lords which ushered in the sixth session of the present Parliament, and precedes many dry facts.

The Prince and Princess of Wales took their seats on the right and left of the Thione shortly before the arrival of the King and Qu'.en. The Princess wore a magnificent gown of apricot Fatin. the corsage a glittering breast-plate of diamonds. In response to the wish of the King the peeresses' gallery was well filled, gleaming with white dresses and sparkling ATith gems. Here and there a coloured gown or a black one was interspersed, but the general effect was white, with the marvellous glittering jewels, in contrast, to the central floor, crimson with the robes of peers and judges, with the bishops. The great company rose in silence, as, leadting the Queen by the hand, the King made his slow and dignified entrance, and, taking their sweats, his Majesty requester! the House to be seated likewise ; then the Commons were summoned, and the Ministers kneeling at the bar of the Lord Chancellor, the King was handed his speech, which he then read. A clause of this was : "A bill to mitigate the evils arising out of alien immigration into the United Kingdom," tne wnoie speech concluding with, '"I pray that Providence may guide all your deliberations for the good of my people." *" The next excitement will be the first Drawing Room. The Daily Mail has the following account of the season's debutantes :

When the date of th 3 first Court at Buckingham Palace is announced, interest is always aroused concerning the young girls who will make their debut into society during i\o oomiig season. Manj of them appear in public as fully-fledged beauties, who have i>aea expected for months past by the smart world, and others really 'Vome out" and are seen for the fir^t time. There has been a marked change of late years in the lives of girls with rich and noble parents. Instead of being allowed to take psrt In minor gaieties of every description, they have spent tha last two year^ before tieir debut in Paris, Dresden, or in Italy, being "finished" in various accomplishments, such as singing, painting, and languages.

Only a few of the debutantes of this season will make the-i- appearance at Couj.'t before Easter. Priaee~s Ena of Battenberg. bov.tver, is expeet-ed to join the royal circle at the first Court, and make her official appearance* in public.

The younj Princess is barely 18 3-ears old. In appearance, Princess Ena is a youthful and. exceedingly beautiful edition of her mother, except she hab fairei- hair of a lovely golden tint. Her-complexion is veritable lilies and roses, and she has deep blue eyes.

Fresh and unspoilt in manner, the young Princess is a _ delightfully amusing companion, with no very marked tastes except in love for an outdoor life, spent, in preference-, on the sea. She has travelled a great deal, and speaks several languages fluently.

First in importance after the royal debutante comes Lady Eileen Wellsslos", younger daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Wellington. She ii very good-looking in a somewhat picturesque style, with her fair hair loosely dressed, and a slight, elcganr figure. Like hor mother. Lady Eileen is literary in her tastes, and has greatly enjoyed, the months she has spent abroad in study. Another ducal debut-ante, Lady Ol.ga Osborne, second daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Leeds, is of a literary turn of mind, inherited from her mother, who has published a great many books. Much of this young lady's life has been spent in Italy, at Bordighera. where the Duke of Leeds has a charming villa, and London is at present an unexplored world, to he)'. Like her sister, Lady Gwendoline Osborne, Lady Olga is tall and dark, with a pale complexion, and delicately-shaped oval face. Another beauty who is promised for this year is Lady Jean Cochrane, Lord and Lady Dundonald's second daughter, a tall slip of a girl, with beautiful hazei eyes, a wild-roso complexion, and uut-brown hair. She is cieyoted to outdoor sports, chiefly riding and driving.

Miss Ivy Gordon-Lennox attended the .first Drawing Room in Dublin, but she is to ho formally presented in L-ondon. The only daughter of Lord and Lady Algernon Gordon-Lennox, both of whom are celebrated for their good looks, it is not to be wondered at that she," too, should bo "expeedijna fair." Tail, slim, and blive-eje^J,

with a wealth of lovely golden hair, Mis> Gordon-Lennox and her mother look almo-c like 'l^'.ers, so strikingiy alike arc th<\\ , and 'o young-looking.

Another pretty girl ia AIISO Ilcrmiono Fcllowcs, a daughter of Lord and Lady De Ramsey. At present: £h& and a sMcv are in ISrn-seb finishing their educe i ion, so f.be will not make her appearance at Court until after Easter. Ikit she will be a most interesting addition to girls in society, for she- has charm, cl^verne*^. character, and a delightful gift of repartee, being, in fact, a very strikingly lypical member cf the clever Churchill family.

TJiero are tu-o American girls to come out tlii« yc3r. Miss Drcxcl is a very lovely girl, who is at present in Dresden for a couple of months, after which she will appear and be seen about a great deal, as her mother intends to entertain a good dtal.

Among- others of this season's debutantes n~ay be mentioned Miss. Rosamond Grosvonor, daughter of Mr and Mrs Algernon Grosvenor.

Tlie Milkmaids of the Mall have been made happy once more by th,i graciousness of the King. My last" letter left them uncertain as to their fate, their old' stalls pulled down over their heads, and with no prospect for their old ag.?, but their joy was full when an answer was received to their appeal to the King : —

Buckingham Palace, February 10. 1905. Madam, — I am commanded 1 In- the King to pcknowledget the receipt of your" letter, and to inform you in reply to your letter that ho desired me yesicrdaj to communicate with H.M. Ofnco of "Wcrks in regaid to your case. — I am, ia?.dam. rcur obedient servant,

Knollys.

The letter was addressed "Milk Fair, St. James's Park," and the postman had written aqross it "D.-inolished. " The sisters intend' to have it framed and handed down as a "freehold"' to the family for the new site which is to be granted. The public interest in Dr Torrey's Revival is growing daily more and' more. Enthusiasm is manifested and conversions made, but Dr Torrey and Mr Alexander set themselves a stupendous task wh,?n they set out to convert London. It is yet to prove how deep the revival will go and how far it will spread, and what effect it will have on th/ 3 London season just about to begin! To move London to "the heart and sway it as one man through all classes of the gieat community takes an event of national importance. Then it is wonderful — you can feel its vitality in the air. Atheist and Christian, Jew and Lrent lie, are swept on the torrent of emotion. I have seen London moved) to its neart once or twice ; once with joy on Atafekmg Day. and once with sorrow wlv,n Queen Victoria died, and ao-ain with apprehension when the King was ill : and it Dr Torrey could rouse to religious esctacy all classes of this vast city as a national joy or sorrow can rouse it — why. then, he might justly claim to be the lung of revivalists. Six million voices singing the "ftfory song would* surely neach the stars.