Ladies' Column.

Evening Post, Volume XLVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1893, Page 1 (Supplement)

Ladies' Column.

| Edited bt " Clio."J The Editress will be glad to answer any questions pertaining to fashions or cookery. Answers to Coebespondents. " Mater." — I gave a good recipe for piemelon jam about a month ago. Will answer your query re fans next week. FASHION NOTES. Spotted silks, woollens, and oottons are likely to be much in favour thid season; and a bright green spot on a dark blue ground with a purplish sheen about it passes as an utterly lovely harmony. The black spot on a white or greyish ground is queen of the day in washing materials, even though it may remind one of a currant bolster pudding, or one of those queer dogs that go about with chows. The white spot on a black ground does for light affliction's tear in its quarter-mourning stage. In fact, almost every spot can be had to order, for a large demand was anticipated ; and streaks and stains promise well, as a change from the stripes, flowers, and true lovers' knots in last year's designs. The choice of a washing dress demands solemn thought, if acute disappointment is to be avoided. As a rule, the material washes beautifully enough "in the piece," but when cut up, made and trimmed according to the fashion of the dny, it becomes a difficult problem for the ordinary laundress to deal with, and the chances are ten to one that she will send it home in a shrunken, distorted, and utterly unpresentable condition. The modern washing dress can only be trusted to an expert, and she is justified in charging a high rate for her trouble. The woman to whom money is no object can indulge ad libitum in those apparently cheap cottons and zephyrs, which look so delightfully simple and fresh ; as the fact that they almost want re-making after each wash is nought to her. The dressmaker or her maid may see to that. The lovely " light ground " at sixpence a yard has to be renounced as an extravagance by the more economical purchaser, who finds it cheaper to give double the price for a "dark ground" with spots, stripes, or flowers meandering over it, described as a washing fabric, yet warranted to last a good long while before needing the tub. The crinoline was introduced into England by Catherine of Aragon, bo 'tis said. Perhaps ier mother, Isabella the Catholic, patroness of Columbus, and protectress of the Spanish Inquisition, wore hoops herself , and ordered samples for her daughter's »w),..^n Uj in the belief that such a fashion would fetch tlio F.ni?nsh. To judge from their portraits, all tho' "Tudor Queens after Catherine, the wives and daughters of Bluff King Hal, seoin to have worn the " steels "in some shape or other ; from the modest oircle whioh was barely perceptible, to the vast i urthingale affected by the laat of the line. An unusual and most effective gown was of grey and gold tinsel brooade, the bodice arranged with pink velvet sleeves and trimmings, draped with fino black lace. The train of black velvet was trimmed with black lace over pink, to match the bodice. Another effective combination of colours was displayed in a gown of pale blue satin, brocaded with pink flowers and green leaves, the train being of green velvet, trimmed with shaded g-cen passementerie, exactly reproducing the tints of the brocade. Misa Nancy Noel's gown is well worth copying. Tho donble skirt of pale pink brocaded satin is edged with a tiny frill, the bodice of velvet in a deeper shade being draped across tho figure, aud confined at the waist by a belt of pearl passementerie, beneath which is a similar frill. The full sleeves are of velvet, and a frill of beautiful lace falls over tho shoulders, three diamond ornaments being placed on the left side of the bodice with excellent effect. FEMININE CHIT-CHAT Now, wo hoar of a certain very rich young Earl having a ro>e tendrc satin coat made for evening wear, instead of the wellknown old black dress-coat ; while another young Earl, but a youth, who is far from being so rich as the first-named, has announced his intention of wearing kneebreeches instead of the ordinary evening trousers. We hail theso innovations with pleasure, for there really ought to be some change in male evening attire. As it is, it is tho most hideous costume the mind of man can imagine. If the noble lords lead the way with rose lendre eatin coats and knee breeches, we shall soon have all the smart ball-rooms in London presenting a lovely andpicturesqueappearanoe. Of course, if the men come out in this very gaudy attire, the ladies will have to follow suit, and it is even whispered that powder will be worn again ere long. Apropos of a certain bazaar which was held in Nice, the following story is told. A beautiful Russe, who was acting as stallkeeper, went about selling flowers, getting 100 per cent, for them. All at once she spied a handsome, black- eyed Italian, who took her fancy. She went up to him. with her sweetest smile, and pinned a rosebud on his coat, after which she held out her hand for the price. What was her astonishment when the low-voiced Italian replied, "Scute, madam. lo sono uno cameriere !" ("Pardon, madam; I am a valet.") Tableau of the lady's face. Mm. Properly owns a beautiful talking parrot, and when she went away for the Easter holidays she commended it specially to the care of her servant maid. , " Keep it in your own room, Mary, and feed it regularly, for though your master is going to be at home I can't feel sure of his remembering to take good care of it." Mnry duly promised, and when her 'mistress came home, Mrs. P.'s first thought was of Polly, whom sho hastened to visit in Mary's attic Polly looked well and sleek, and its delighted owner cried out, "You dear bird; how glad lam to see you ! Come and kiss me then !" To her horror, theparrot drew itself up proudly and repeated a now phrase— viz., '• Go away, you naughty man ! Leave me alone, I say, this minute ! The missus might come home !" Tableau, as — atthemoment — Mary camoin and beheld her mistress's face. A Viennese girl's educntiou includes the regular school work until her fifteenth year, after which she goes through a course of teaching in the kitchen under the instruction of some member of the family, or a trained cook, lasting from one to two years. As a result of this training, Austrian women are said to make moßt efficient wives and mothers. They are as accomplished and capable as English women, as witty in Society as Parisians, and are noted for their beauty among European women. RECIPES. Victobia Sandwiches. — Whether Her Majesty caused this particular kind of sandwich to be named after her august self I really cannot say ; but I do know that a plate of Victoria sandwiohes is always a welcome adjunct to the tea-table. Suppose you are catering for four persons. You must wash eight anchovies — to remove the saltpetre — take out the backbone, and divide each fish in half, lengthways. Cut eight thin slices of brown bread and butter, and between each two slices place a layer of hard-boiled egg, out thinly, then a layer of mustard and cress, out small (if this cannot be obtained, substituta a, leaf of the heart of a lettuce), and fillets of anchovy. When all are prepared in the same way, press the sandwichos together, and with a sharp knife trim them if necessary, and cut them into small squares. Serve on a serviette-covered plate, and garnish with parsley.

In connection with the Anti - Home Campaign, 226 clubs have now been established by Liberal Unionists throughout Ireland. Geese in migrating travel ovvr 6000 miles.