FEMININE FANCIES.

Evening Star, Issue 8006, 7 September 1889, Page 4

FEMININE FANCIES.

Aa. k foretold, I went to see 'Tlio Killing Fission' at the Princess's The>tre, and was bo much pleased that I have arranged to go a seoond time with a party of friends The scenery and dresses were'evon better than those in the 'Union Jack,'though I don't think the play so good. Mr Bland Holt has a capital part in it, however, a cleverer impersonation than that of Peter Fly; and Mias Blancho Lewis sustained her part admirably, though it was an arduous one, for both mind and body, the scsue in the madhouse being really hard work. She is seen to much greater a vantage in this play than In the other. At the same time Miss Deorwyn has not a part bo well suited to her; and of Mrs Bland Holt and her lovely gowns one sees all too little. When she first appears She wears a very fashionable dress of a soft terra-Botta colored cashmere, with panels of satin and silk, Btripod with white; tho same mateiial forming the vest; her "incroyable" tie of white muslin and lace and the quaint cbiUelaine at her waist complete a charming costume. In the scene at the Crystal Palace she wears a redingote of crimson over a flowered muslin frock, and at the very end appears for a minute or so in a grey gown trimmed with black velvet. Miss Blanche Lewis's dresses ate of necos ity of the simplest until after her second escape from the asylum, when she appears at the Crystal Palace fete in a lovely costume of a soft terra-cotta hue with a pretty hat to match it. In the last scene a long cloak of the same stuff lined with plush pink is worn over it, with a dslioious little hat of tho two colors deftly mingled. Miss Deorwyn has a magnificent gown of black and amber brocade wi ch a long train and trimmed with amber satin, but looked much pretti»r as a simple village girl than as the stately matron in various rich costumes. The opening scene of London by gaslight was excellent, and the shower of rain an actual fact sofaras thedesceuding drops went. The balloon Bcene waa most cleverly contrived, and the distant views of London (showing the Houses of Parliament and Victoria Clock Tower) and of the lighthouse really exquisite, while the drop into the waves and the rescue by boat; was a clever bit of dissimulation. What with these plays and the many concerts wo have had lately, it is difficult to Bpend an evening now by one's own fireside. Tho concert at the City Hall on Wednesday night in aid of Hill, the painter, was almost entirely vocal, and showed us how many good singera we have in our town. Amongst the four lady singera we had no less than three contraltos. Miss Alice Wooldridge has a beautiful voioe—so rich, and with so much volume—and her singing is alwayß thoroughly satisfactory. Mrs Angus's voice, though not so powerful, is remarkable for its sweetnesß, and the sang her simple Bong charriiingly. She and Mrs Kose were dressed in black, the latter wearing pearl ornaments. Mrs Murphy had a beautiful dress—a directoire robe of pale blue silk, trimmed with gold passementerie, opening over a skirt of the same material, with fine gold embroidery bordering it. Miss Wooldridge was in cream color, with a black velvet sash. The City Hall has been wonderfully improved of late, the seats in the dress circle being most comfortable, and the decorations very pretty. They show " the triumph of mind over matter," for though of the simplest material, are of surprising effect. The painting of the hall is light, and festoons of chains made of brightcolored papers only, lighten it up singularly well, while large rosettes made of folded paper, Japanese fans, and kakamonos fill up the vacant spaces. All being of gay tints, as are the Chinese lanterns which hang from the gallery, there is a. fine stow of color.

Only the other day I was grumbling that we so seldom heard Mendelssohn's lovely 'Lieder ohno wbrte,' but must retract, for again we were treated to them by Mr Timaon. St. Swithin kept his promise nobly this year, so we may yet place faith in his prophecies, in spite of the incredulity of the rising generation. When his six weeks were over the wished-for rain appeared, and has mightily refreshed our thirsty girdens, and filled the empty tanks too, an equallr important matter for those beyond the town supply. The ambulance lectures given last year in the University were so well attended that there should be no difficulty in getting them up this year, especially when they are to be held in to central a place as the Y.W.C.A. Rooms. The tickets for the course of five lectures are to be five shillings and the minimum number to be sold not less than fifty ; but, judging from last year, there will be twice fifty ladies detiroui of benefiting by them, and being in the evening will enable many to go who ate occupied daring the daytime. In my last letter I mentioned the old delaines and foulards as being amongst the fashionable materials this summer. A new star has now appeared on the horizon in a chine alpaca, which is the last new thing; and very pretty and light it is, durable withal, and not expensive. Shirts have replaced blouse bodies to a great extent, but vests still reign supreme. These are of all colors, shapes, and stuffs—loose silk ones, tight fitting pique" ones—and as each gown is generally supplied with several toilettes can be varied ad infinitum. These remarks will, perhaps, be of some use to those of my readers who are meditating over the plumage in which they hope to disport themselves during our comine gay season.

Now that the time of humiliation is over, and my hens have at last remembered that to lay eggs is their true vocation, I can confess why it is that I have held my peace so long about my poultry yard. It has been a sore subject with me. For weekß I have had to submit to hearing my neighbors' diligent hens clamoring ovor the ecigs they have laid, while my own have preserved an indolent silence upon their domestic matters. To punish them for their idleness, they are not to be allowed to rear any chickens this summer. The faintest sound of a " cluck " and into the oven or saucepan my lady goes>. Apart from their misdemeanors, I shall be too busy this year to do my duty as a' benwife, so probably nothing more will be said about such matters by Martha.