FEMININE CHIT-CHAT.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 42, 17 August 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

FEMININE CHIT-CHAT.

The Shut-In Society. Motto— "Help One Another." The object of our Society is to enable "Shut-in" invalids to receive a little brightness and comfort from the outside world in the shape of * letters, papers, and books. I have a number of kindly " Free-helpers " ready to help in this work, and any "Shut-in" may be corresponded with on communicating by letter to " Clio," E.L.0., Evening. Post. There is no subscription, no committee, no fuss, and no publicity. Several persons have asked me to send for papers, magazines, etc., for our " Shutins," but, I regret to say, I am unable to do so. They can bo either left at the Evening Post, or "Clio," c/o Mrs. Innes, No. 20, Oriental Bay. I acknowledge, with thanks, some " Christians " for the use of Shut-ins. A new religion has sprung up in Franco —that of dog worship. These darling pets of smart women have a charming time of it when they are not being vivisected by brutal scientific men, as is often the case ; for pet dogs, like refined people, are peculiarly sensitive, their nerves as well as their tastes being ultra-developed. The prized favourite of his doting mistress is armed at all points. He has his own tailor, who provides him with a variety of olothes, of which tho fashion changes monthly. He has winter coats, summer wraps, mackintoshes, comforters, pocket-handkerchiefs, even respirators. Dogs have been trained to eat their dinners off a table-cloth, and to carry a sunshade over their devoted heads. False teeth, too, can be provided, and dentists are found specially prepared to minister to the canine race. And with all this luxury the charm of the dog's company will be destroyed. Artificial and civilised, he will differ nowise from men ; and we all have experienced the valuo of a dog who is our friend, who is fuuny, and naughty, and mischievous, and frolicsome, and faithful, aud indiscrirainating, who loves us when we are unjust as well as when we are good, 'who bears no malice, and never philosophises, and lives only for pleasure and to have a good time, innocently expecting us to share it with him, and looking to us confidently for sympathy — " that dumb, inarticulate ecstacy," as Mrs. Browning says, " which is so affecting — love without speech." Dogs must be pagans frank and free ; therein lies their worth as companions for men — Graphic. Many ladies, though wishing to give a trial to bicyoling, cannot make up their mind to do 'So, because of the famous and now stale question of dross. My honest advice to them is to forget for a while that there is such a thing as a " rational costume." Let them take a few lessons in any gown tbey like ; time and experience uloue can teach the cyclist whioh is the garb that suits her best. Every dress should be according to the individual type, figure, ideas, and opinions of the wearer. Tho world would be a dull place if all the women who are born to live in it were bound to be equally attired. To copy any one else's clothes is as groat a mistake as to buy an oleograph because we do not possess | an oil-painting. I should alfc'o advise ladies who have good bicycles (and I say that they should have none other) to entrust the care of them to nobody in preference to themselves. By so doing, they will soon grow proud and fond of their mochinos, and they will learn to understand the ingenious mechanism of whioh a bicyote is composed. Bicyoles are like children — you can notice at v glauce when the latter are brought up under th? vigilaut eye of the mother ; you can always detect among the former that which is not continually looked after by its owner. Time rewards the efforts of a judicious parent ; so do machines their proprietors. — Gentlewoman. . Give a child a name which it will never feel ashamed of answering to or signing, whatever he or she grows up like, and one which cannot be ridiculously shortened and nicknamed. Select some name which is in itself beautiful, and will blend euphoniously with the surname. As far as possible, women should make it a matter of conscience and duty to continue social relations with the companions of their school life. Nothing keeps a person so young and so intellectually ambitious. Keeping watch of the lives of any number of persons is better than any play, and gives quite as much occupation to the mind. A Viennese lady has adopted a novel way of collecting autographs. Beforo her guests leave the diuiug- table, she ofrksthem to write their names in pencil on the tablecloth. This she afterwards carefully embroiders. A true woman Bhould never treat those whoso position is beneath her scornfully; nothing shows good breeding moro than unvarying courtesy to inferiors. Should never mistake rudeness for wit, nor make unkind jests about faults and failings in others. Shou'd never omit to pay proper respect to those older than herself, whose age demands consideration from all. Should never dress in such a fashion as to attraot remark. Quiet, tasteful dress is a sure sign of a ladylike mind. Bhould never laugh or talk loudly when in public places, which behaviour draws attention and comment euoh as a true lidy would be the hist to desire.