Ladies' Column.

Clutha Leader, Volume XVII, Issue 854, 28 November 1890, Page 3

Ladies' Column.

(By Meta.) A The hats that are to.be, worn this summer injpunedin are very pretty and varied in shape. One of the very latestshapes is calledthte 'Rough Robin. ; Lt is shaped something like a cap, titting closely to the head, and is made of fancy straw. Flowers are used profusely in trimming this shape. In sailor hats the 'Stanley ' is quite a new style, the top of the crown having a sort of edge wider than the part next the brim, and the ' Cowes ' the same as was worn last summer, having again a very narrow 'brim. ' Street jackets will, be niade' of pique, or any other washing material. , These are made with vests of a different pattern, and can be worn without a dress bodice underneath. Box dresses have an embroidery which looks like braiding, and will be as much worn as they were last summer. I saw sonifv pretty* sofa cushions of liberty silk, some of a floral . pattern vvith a frill round of plain .silk, others having the centre a landscape pattern in satteen, with about three inches in width, of silk for a border, finished with a frill of silk or lace. Tea cosies were made' after the same style, and some wera square in shape. .In dr,ess materials decided and partially invisible checks of a large pattern are worn, ancl have sleeves made of velvet to corre-spond-with' the shade of the dress. They are very smart looking, but for girls who only get their one good dress for bhe season they are not suitable made with velvet sleeves. In parasols, shot silks ?re very fashionable with straight handles of a medium length. There is also a revival of lace ones, and lace covers can be piu'chased separate, which is, I think, a good idea, as they can be removed to suit our very changeable climate. Lace is going to be very much worn this summer, the oldfashioned collarettes and scarves coming in again, and also wbat many people will welcome, neck ruffles made of soft silk. A novelty in aprons has a bodice shaped like a Swiss belt with a piece of whalebone up the centre. This apron does not require pinning, as the bodice clings closely to the 'figure. Vests are made with an imitation shirt front showing, and look very smart indeed. A pretty pattern for a wall pin cushion is a sunflower, the centre a round cushion of brown velvet, the outside petals of yellow silk, the stem to be made of a piece of light wood covered with green cloth.

The interest that was excited by the long illness of the late Emperor Frederick will be revived by the pi'omised publication of portions of her late husband's journals by the Empress Frederick. The introductory memoir and translation into English of tbe journals will be the Empress' own work. No time is named for the appearance of the book, but it will hardly be before Christmas.

The Daily Graphic prophesies that the fashion of wedding rings foi 1 the husband will rapidly become popular*. Tt is an- innocent fashion enough, and might sometimes prevent awkward mistakes. Dutiful husbands unaccompanied by their wives vvou ld not inadvertently have tbe. air of being gay bachelors, thus leading the other sex to waste valuablo time. In fact it. should be as much a part of the marriage ceremony for the 'wife to place a ring oa her' husband's finger -as for the husband to perform the same office for his bride. It would very often prove a protection to him also.

Just imagine possessing a wardrobe weighing between two ancl three tons. The famous tragedienal, Sarah Bernhardt, ,is the happy, possessor, and we are tok! that her luggage interfered with tbe railway traffic at Angers station recently.- There were 48 trunks exclusive of great ancl small packages. Twenty of her trunks are macle. ( of wood about four feet high, each divided into three compartments, and filled with ber most valuable dresses, Fourteen were* baskets filled with boots, linen, ancl robes of small value. Three special trunks are set apart for hats, arranged on pegs in such a way as to prevent them from being shaken or crushed.

The Austrian Archduchess Valeric is 22 years of age, has a graceful figure and a face of high intelligence. She has been carefully educated ; her first governesses were English, and ali her teachers speak in the highest terms not only of her goodness but also of her literary abilities. ~ The young archduchess has published several charming little poems and some admirable essays. She received a wedding gift from the Mikado, consisting of a Satsuma teaservice and many pieces of silk in different shades of blue.

I see that some" clever woman has invented a patent bonnet string, to be used in place'of those dangerous articles, bonnet pius. The new idea is a simple band of metal which passes unperceived round the sicles and front of either hat or bonnet holding them :with light but firm pressure to the head. What a pleasure it M 7 ould be to be able to feel your hat secure, for even* with pins 'one has iiot the comfort of knowing that, a breeze will not take it from its place, dragging the pin s through your "hair. It is to be hoped that .we ( shall liave a chance offered! us of trying the -new bonnet string before ; the* summer is over.

According to the World, Lady Dunlo received a s great ovation in Dublin, where she and Lord Dunlo stayed at the Shelburne. A crowd lined the whole -route thence to the theatre each evening, and during the morning tiie picture preseuted by husi band and wife seated sicU by on a sofa at their sitting room window, proved so attractive that another crowd assembled in front of the hotel to witness it. Girls should more generally be taught the delightful amusement of swimming. To jump into the water, ancl breast the waves is as exhilarating to the spirits as hunting and jumping over a good fence. It is also a glorious exercise--one of the best that can be taken, It expands the chest j ib promotes digestion; it develops the muscles, bringing into action some muscles which are seldom brought into play ; it strengthens and embraces the whole frame, and thus makes the swimmer resist the liabilities of catching cold. Swimming gives a lady courage, energy, and self-reliance ; itmay be the means of saving human life — this alone is a great recommendation. Swimming is best taught to a girl in a large swimming-bath, and afterwards it may be indulged in* in the sea. Boys generally learn to swim if there is any opportunity given them, and it ought to be made a necessity with girls.

The following story gives a sample of what mistresses have to put up with frequently. A lady, at her own expense, sent her servant to the class of a professional cook, and was delighted with her progress. At the end of the course'she was surprised to learn thab Bridget was engaged in looking for pastures new. ' Why, Bridget, you are not going to leave me? lf you had not intended to remain with us, I should not have sent you to learn cooking.' *■ And mum,' returned Bridget, 'you don't expect me to cook in the new way on the old wages V

There seems to be a practice observed by the Queen's children and grandchildren which persons in other ranks of life would do well to follow. When members of the Royal Family are abroad they write regular weekly letters to Her Majesty. The Prince of Wales when in India wrote, a long letter to his mother every week. The Empress Frederick has never, since she was married, allowed a week lo pass without writing a letter to the Queen ; tbe Duke of Clarence adhered to tbe practice when in India ; and Prince George from every port at whicli he touches writes to the Queen as well as to the Prince, and Princess of Wales.

How to Preserve Beauty. — Eat fruit three times a day ; prefer vegetables, eggs, and soups to meat and bread ; drink plenty water ; spend an hour at each meal and if possible take a nap after dinner. When you want to look your very best for company or entertainment, take a hot bath and , go to bed ancl sleep for an hour.

The following lines were written by Cardinal Newman many years ago : —

Weop not for me ; Be blithe as wont, nor tingo with gloom, The stream, of love that circles home, Light Hearts and free ! Joy in the gifts Heaven's bounty sends ; Normiss my face, dear friends !

I still am near, Watching the smiles I prized on earth, "Your converse mild, your blameless mirth ; jNow too, I hear; A ; Of whispered sounds the tale complete, Low prayers and musings sweet. A sea, before The throne is spread ; its pure still glass Pictures all earth-scenes as they pass. <Wo, on its shore, Share in the bosom of our rest, God's knowledge, and are blest.