LADIES' COLUMN

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 149, 20 December 1902, Page 3 (Supplement)

LADIES' COLUMN

Girls 9 Gossip. Dear Kezia, — Before I \yrito you again you vil. have experienced all the alleged joys oi J the iestive season, and probably be devoutly thankful it is over. 'We are ' having a game of general pest, for aunt has exchanged her house ior one in the country. The arrangement was- made bj 1 - letter, and probably both" persons will be glad to get back to their own roof -trees. Aunt at present is in love with, the idea of rumiiiing, and 1 talks of rising with the lark and watching the dairymaids at work. As a- rule she likes her breakfast in bed, and cannot understand living without a gas Blove and a high-pressure boiler. However, 1 have arranged two or three most becoming costumes for Audrey to jchaim the natives with. One blue llnen/*made wit;h a pleated coatee and wide sleeves is warranted to impress the stoniest rustic heart, and a burnt-straw hat wilh a garland of cowslips Audrey thinks has juit the sweetest simplicity needed ior u> country chapeau. Various teas have been given this past week. Miss Abbott entertained a hundred of her frieuds, and the many .'pretty frocks mid good-looking girls present was quite remarkable. Three different sets of bridesmaids wore their dainty gowns. A string band played dining the aflernoon, and a number of mcv came later and made a good background for the 'charming tints of the bummer frocks. A very enjoyable tea was given by Mrs. Fulton, who had Mrs. Armstrong from Paiiner&lou i\orth staying Avith her. Ine liowcrs -weie exquj^m*. the draAving-room being decorated with delicate ye.low atid wnite daisies; and the tea-table was beautiful with rows. All sorts of dainties were ' <«et out, and the tea was served from a piccuro.que Russian samovar. Mrs. luiltou Vias dressed in a soit black tkirt and a 'handsome white biouse covered with gold embroidery. Delightful music made the time pass too quickly, Lady Ward, Mrs. Lediugham, Alias Heywood, and the Misses Stafford's singing. Mrs. Ledingham left the following uay for the Sou'.u, and Mrs. Castle, who was also a guesi, went off to Sydney m the splendid new boat, the Moeraki. I should like jou to ice that same steamer, Kezia.'' As regards artistic beauty and comfort, it is charming, and the stateroom 1 coveted had a brass bed.si.cad, dainty hangings, a wardrobe and a chest of draweis — such a contrast to the poky cabins where the unwritten rule' .-is "one up, the others lie down." Among those who were on an admiring tour of inspectioi? was Miss Beddon, who christened the boat in Dumbarton, and wiih her were Mrs. Dyer and Miss May tieddon. The luncheon apeareel to have been eminently satisfactory — short speeches and a good fare arc a delightful combination. The Opera Company were among the outgoing passengers, and very picturesque some of them were in their trailing linen frocks and rakish panamas. To the crowd collected on the I wharf the girls weie li^uies of much interest, and there was a simmer of excitement when a well-known opera singer came into their line of vision. Sandow and Mrs. Sandoiv, who is. said to be as admirable as her diamonds, have arrived. He is positively marvellous, and, indeed, the whole company is well worth the entrance-money. Hub the dress circle has been poorly tilled, though the other parts of the houso weio crowded with a mo&b enthusiastic audience. Perhaps the reluctance to pay five shilling;; may arise from the approaching Christmas presents and the ris-e in bread — i topic that has quite ousted politics and prohibition from the public mind. l"o 1 would like Mr. and Mrs. Drew's acting immensely. The public i.lways view ;i married pair acting together with itiimenso satisfaction. It is so proper, ii.id the 'love-making — and qunrieh — are so naturally done. Very, bright and jlsv-si, too, is the little play Mr. and Mry. Diew act so well, with' the able assistance of the small dog. Until I heard Professor M'CcUiii. the concertina has always sreinerf a thing to be avoided— an instrument closely connected with 'Amstead 'Eath on a Bank 'Oliday. But it entirely depend-; on the man in charge, and a 'concertina, plus Professor M'Cann, is a treat of too short duration. Amuiig the audience one night I noticed a recent arrival from Home with her dark hair done i\w.i artistically, parted, much waved and coiled, the waves being kept in place by three gold, and ivory comb?, and ;i large bow of black velvet iestii:g on the nape of the neck below tiio coiis. With her was a pr?tty little woman in filmy white and gold, with a roselto of black chifton on her low bocliiu. All sons, of cnteilahunents attiact nit, , Kezia, and a tea-drinking competition at l <

the Choral Hall was not to bo missed. Veiy distinguished company lined the Choral Hall, celebrities and notorieties, varying from King Edward to Buiialo Bill, and Madame Tussaud to the Sleeping Beauty, vho, by the way, lnid struck work for the evening. Half a dozen small boys —the management allowed no more, to tho evident disappointment of many left outside the ctaye *uoor —were allowed to compete. The point Mas rapidity, not quantity, and the many- grimaces\ made over the scald- j ing liquid,- and the manifold methods to combine hurry with coolness, were ] intensely amusing. It is a question whe- I tier such a competition is good for the youthful digestions: There was a singing contest, too, that was ; worth listenj ing to. One man chose "Only a Leaf, " and" shook like one as he quavered forth Ihe drat lines. . The heartless audience screamed with laughter, and he had to beat a retreat, first, however, advancing to the front of the stage, shaking his ftel at- the laughing faces, and uttering an awful threat that he'd make them listen to him yet. It is a fine day that brings forth— not tho adder —but the smart lrocks, and many have been decorating our streets lately. One, an embodiment of summer, ' was of pule grey, wilh much irory gitipure on it and many long tucks, 'llie pretty bodice had a great chou of ths loveliest rose siik on it, and a delightful hat, wreathed with pink and aark crimson roses, completed the costume. I A tall stately damsel was in gi ass-lawn with bands of embroidery decorating the .graceful skirt and hanging sleeves, and ' a smart visitor from the South wore China blue linen, the bolero square-cut and pleated, and the black and-white i I chiffon blouse belled with emerald green. I Wo should have shrieked not so Jong i ago at such a combination, but, now we j view it with much admiration. The touch of vivid green is to be seen on many imported irocks and most of the new hats. Have you seen the wide lace scarfs? They arc to be worn ala early Victorian, over otir sloping shoulders, and fastened with a knot of violets or a bunch of black velvet loops on one side. For those whoso style they suit they are prettier than the chiffon ruffle, whose charms are getting a little passe. But to be consistent, Kezia, -with such . a scarf you should wear a cameo brooch, side ringlets and mittens! I saw a pretty American idea recently for a Christmas-tree decoration. You might find it useful for your children's party. Large walnuts are carefully split open, and a homemade moth or device put in each. All sorts of notions as to these moths coir.es to you as the work j goes on. Two hearts —of red paper — 1 fastened together by a dart made of i a pin signifies the receiver will be the j first married, a tiny brush that he will !be an artist, and a little money-bag wealthy. Glue the shells firmly together, gild the nut, including a tack that is i driven in one end and is needed to hang j the "fortune" on the tree. When they I aro ready, none can tell what is in them j till they are opened. Peanuts tt rappee in brilliant | tissue-paper, and tied in bunches at intervals on string, are most effective, and garlands of almonds and raisins, threaded with a needle and stout thread, are much appreciated. Here' is a dainty summer suppcrdish, apple creams —Stew two pounds of apples, without removing the peel or cores if they are young, till they are pulp. Put them through a sieve, add £lb of suear, and stew till melted, when add £oz of sheet gelatine. After that has dissolved, pour mixture into a ilat dish that has been lightly wiped over with salad oil. When firm stamp out into shapes, lay strips of angelica round ed"es, and fill* with whipped cream. — Yours, ±'KISCILLA. 1

Modem science —Weary Willie —"Please mum, can't you give a poor man some breakfnst?" Mrs. Givemnit—"Certainly. After you saw that wood you may eat the sawdust. It makes a fine breakfast food." Elderly Fiance —"l hope you are not imp'.essc'd hv the silly sentimentalists who hold that beci.use you've married once you ought not to marry again?" Prelly Widow —"Don't let that worry you, dear ; It c no such prejudice. My own dear mother was married thiee times, and I only hope that in all things I may follow her example." Tom (writing) —"l say, Bob, I'm rubbing in the 'local colour for the benefit of the folks at home. Could you help me to torn; correct fishing expiessions — jiiat to give the.thing an atmosphere?" Dob —"l've heard ' a lot one time ami another, old nun. but the only one 1 remember is 'Pa«-.<» the fla»k!'" ftha (to retunie'l warrior, enthusiastically)—" And 1 f-uppose you almost lived 01 hcrsob.ick out there"'" He —"Well, yen, toward*' the end ot Ladysmith we did. It makss rather decent soup."