FEMININE FANCIES.

Evening Star, Issue 8084, 7 December 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

FEMININE FANCIES.

Not very many ladies braved the wind and the dust at Forbury Park on the second day's races, but on the Monday, when the weather had recovered from its fit of illhumor, the stand was again well filled. Lady Onslow was present for a short time on both days, and had also attended the agricultural show at Tahuna Park ; so sets us all a good example as a patroness of sport and things pastoral. The ball given by the Countess at Government House was the chief event of the week, and a very enjoyable and successful event it was. The Queen's Drive presented a most lively appearance about ten o'clock. Every private and public carriage in Dunediu must, I think, have assembled there. Indeed, the poor cab horses may be thankful that we don't often have such a succession of amusements, lor they can have had no easy time of it lately, poor things. To return to the ball. Tho dancing was in a marquee, which one reached through a room on the right hand side of the hall. It was completely lined with bunting, which had a pretty eilVe'-. For fear of wind or rain, all was securely fastened down, with the result that the ball room became very hot. Wo might have shared the fate of Surajah Dowlah's victims but for the lifting of one side of the tent, when a delicious cool air was admitted, and the atmosphere was tempered to perfection. There were several rooms for those who preferred sitting down for a quiet chat, tho characteristics of which were the quantities of flowers and of photographs, which gave tho non-dancers plenty to look at. The flowers were lovely. Huge bowls of rosea, vases of delicate gladioli, masses of poppies of many shades, and tho gorgeous peony—in fact, all flowers that are in season, and possibly some that are not, for the conservatories and hot-houses sent their contributions as well a3 the gardens. The supper-tables, too, were loaded with flowers, as well as with what contributed to the more material of our senses.

Lady Oaslow wore a gown of pale green and white mouaseline-chiffon over white brocade, with a cascade of white moire ribbons and foliage down one side. Her diamonds were lovely—tiara, necklace, and sprays oa the bodice being all of these jewels. Miss Constable's cream-colored silk gown had trails of natural lycopodium upon it. Miss Ruth Atkinson wore white silk. At the President's ball the week before the absence of black gowns was remarkable and the number of white ones, especially amongst the girls. At Lady Onslow's bail there were several black ones, and the girla were mostly dressed in delicate colors, while many of the matrons wore white—a mistaken reversal, I think ; for whereas white suits a frei-h young girl better than anything else generally, those who have passed their first bloom look better in something more definite.

Amongst the black gowns was a velvet one, trimmed with old-fashioned pink brocade and white lace, which looked very well. One of lace and broehe velvet was sparkling with jet, and another of black laeo alone waa daintily relieved with clusters of pink feathers. Another married lady wore black laco and satin, with a long spray of scarlet poppies on the skirt. Her sister had black silk and set with wreaths ot roses. A very haudsome gown had a bodice and train of white silk opening over a front of grei-n, covered with white lace, and trimmed with green moire" ribbons. A young married lady wore a very simple frock of fleecy white tulle, which had apparently attracted and caught in its folds a flight of half a dozen 3mall birds, whose plumage made a protty contrast. Amongst the girls I noticed a delicate blue tullo with epnvya of pink roses trimming

both body and skirt, and a pale yellow tulle with Batin body of the Bame shade—a tender pink trimmed in the front with diagonal lines of narrow satin ribbon. One of the few in white wore soft silk, draped in Grecian folds, and with no ornament whatever but her own pretty face. Another in a frock of the same style had it caught on the shoulders with scarlet poppier. On Thursday morning, the day fixed for the garden party at the Fern Hill Club, one's feelings were divided—one felt sorry that the prospective party should bo spoilt by the weather, but at the same time felt what a boon the gracious softly falling rain was to our gardens. We can't expect to have fine weather in readiness to come on with the tea, ices, and strawberries at every garden party, seeing that these are now of almost daily occurrence, but must submit to occasional disappointments. On this occasion, though, after the gardens had been refreshed and the dust laid, the rain stopped, eo that many were after all able to go to Fernhill, whore was a large gathering, though not so gaily dressed a one as we should have had under a brighter sky. Perhaps in my next letter I may have space for sorno words on the Exhibition itself, that is, providing I have had any time to sec it—so far my hours have been spent, it seems, either at a party or resting in preparation for one. As each week makes the various courts more complete, perhaps I lose nothing by waiting. There is one thing that struck me, in the general glance I have had at the interior when on my way to the concert hall or Tea Kiosk for some entertainment, and that is the good taste of the coloring and decoration. The neutral tints in which the interior is painted, with the bright shields and flags, form such a good ground for the different styles and coloring of the several courts. There is nothing glaring or gaudy, but all is in admirable taste.

I have ransacked many books in quest of a recipe for " Maude," and so far have not been very successful. The extraction of perfume from flowers was much done by our grandmothers, and yet in some very oldfashioned housewifery works I have I can find no instructions about it. One recipe says: " Soak lAlb or 21b lavender flowers in lg&l of proof B£>irits." Another: " Lavender flowers, 14lb; spirits of wine, 15gal; draw off by distillation lOgal, but if the flowers are fresh a little more may be drawn." This is all very fine, but how to draw off by distillation is the question. I will try further, and if I have any success let Maude know ; meanwhile assuring her that it is no trouble, but a pleasure to Mabtha.