FEMININE FANCIES.

Evening Star, Issue 7875, 6 April 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

FEMININE FANCIES.

Since Madame (or Mademoiselle '() Victoire De Velours-Soyeux has noticed the apparent inconsistency of my declaration that I would not write of a single dress in my letter, with the fact that no less than seven were described towards the end of it, I must explain that two letters were welded into one, the first having been "crowded out" the week before. lam very pleased to find that it is not only my own sex that read the accounts of pretty costumes with pleasure ; for, although the norn, tie. plume is feminine, I can detect a masculine touch in the clever composition that appeared in the supplement of last week's Stak. In spite, however, of having such an appreciative and attentive reader, I fear I have no gowns to describe this week, for the two days of the races were so wet and cold that waterproofs and warm wraps were the order of the day ; and at two dances given the same week nothing new appeared. We must not expect brilliant costumes now, as we shall all be saving up to make a smart appearance next spring, when our Exhibition opens, and we Dunedin women will have to hold our own against fair ones from all parts of the colonies. I see we have two "Richmond's in the field," and someone besides myself has taken up the cause of Chautauqua in the papers. I hope that between the two of us we shall manage to beat up many recruits for the C.L.S.C. lam only awaiting some letters and papers to write a little further on the tubject myself, and have already several names of people wishing me to send for sets of books in addition to my own supply. "Civis" is pleasantly satirical about our lightning mode of education, but, as I explained in my former letter upon the method, we do not pretend to educate ourselves by this forty minutes' daily reading, but merely to get a general outlook over many interesting subjects, and some of the best literature of the day. As the yearly course of reading begins in October, we shall soon have to see about ordering our books, and, by getting a number together, the expense of freight will be lessened; or we might get a bookseller here to undertake the order. I must say a word or two about the terrible disastci at Samoa, though I shall have to curb my pen, for, knowing the place well having spent a charming week or so there —I shall be apt to wax garrulous on tne subject. Surely this war of the elements, in which so many of the rival factions have lost their lives, will put an end, at any rate for a time, to the petty strife that has be*n going on for so long. It is well to read of the fine behaviour of all the nationalities represented there. The English show good judgment in the manner by which they escape, and true British pluck in the way they seize their one chance for safety ; the Americans in the midst of their own danger find time to cheer their more fortunate companions, and at the same time do all they can to save their own ships ; the Germans handle their vessels so that one, it is hoped, will yet be saved ; and the Samoans come to the rescue of all alike—friend or foe—some losing their lives in the attempt. I can only asHOciate Apia with smooth seas and brilliant skies, and find it difficult to imagine such a Fcene as it muat have presented, though I know how it can blow in thoso latitudes, having been caught in a hurricane in Fiji, when tho steamer we were in had to take shelter for three days in a snug harbor. I can write of nothing new in the way of books this week, for I am absorbed just now in a very old one—namely, Washington Irving's ' Conquest of Granada.' Having heard Mr Dickinson lecture upon the Moorish occupation of Spain makes one wish to know more about the event* of thoso times and of that fine race.

What a perfect day we had for the High School sports! Even the most determined grumbler could, I should think, find no fault of late; for, after a week of broken weather which refreshed our gardens, made growth on the pasture lands, and filled our tanks, we have these Rplendid autumn days which we can fully enjoy, knowing wc have water to last some weeks, and that the cattle will not be put on short rations. Carisbrook looked very gay on Saturday, as, of course, all the mothers went to see their boys struggle for glory on the running path, etc. (or, if they didn't, they don't deserve to be blessed with sons), and there were more people on the ground than I have seen for some time. Tin's is not saying much, for athletic sports are certainly not run after by the public here. Being the last day of the Carisbrook Tennis Club, there were many people on that ground also who added to the numbers on the cricket field where the sports were ho)d. For some of the races there were very large fields. My sympathies were with the little boys, who, however much start they were given, and in spite of all their efforts, would bo overhauled by the bigger ones at tho last; and I wished that all were Caucus races such as we have in ' Alice in Wonderland,' where the Dodo says: " Es'erybody has won, and all must have prizes." Macassey ran splendidly, and even managed a spurt at the very last, but could not quite reach the tape-line first, though he deserved to win after showing such pluck. The winner of the milo walking race (M'Brearty) deservedly had it all his own way, for he walked beautifully. I must now give another recipe or two for oysters, though they have doubled in price, leaping from twopence to fourpenco a dozen just after I wrote last about them and their wonderful cheapness. "Angels on horseback " make a good breakfast dish, although they have such a ridiculous and meaningless name. Cut thin slices of bacon, rather fat than otherwise, and roll up in each an oyster deprived of its beard, and, if you wish to be very dainty, of the leathery part also; run a skewer straight through both the oyster and its envelopo, so as to keep them securely rolled, and fry. Serve each on a little square of dry toast. Tho skewer should be about the size of a common wooden match. Aiother good dish for breakfast is of steaks of the ordinary red cod, dipped in eggs and bread crumbs, and fried a delicate brown, garnished with beardless oysters, also clothed in egg and bread crumbs before frying. Oysters are very good dipped in a light batter before frying, and would be excellent done in yolk of egg and flour (only another form of batter after all), according to the "frittata" recipe I gave in my letter of January 12. Of course an oyster wrapped up in each, slice of meat greatly improves a beefsteak pie. I very often make my beefsteak pies ot mutton, as being more tender, la spite

of this remark, I regret to say I have not a single drop of Irish blood in my veins. I must turn my attention to mushrooms next, as I see them appearing in the shops. Had it not been that I had promised more oyster recipes I would have discoursed upon them to-day. Martha.