A LADYS LETTER FROM WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9082, 16 June 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

A LADYS LETTER FROM WELLINGTON.

[prom our own corrksfondknt.] Wellington, June 11. DANCES.

On one or two occasions I have been away from Wellington during session time, and have always been met with queries such as, "How can you bear to be away from Wellington just now ; I hear they are having dances nearly every other night?" and on all sides I found that the Empire city was supposed, during session time, to be a constant whirl of dissipation. Now, on one or two occasions this has been the case, as, in one well - remembered week, there were four dances, three of which were on consocutive nights. To the ears of the girls who have just come out this will sound like a story from the Arabian Nights when it is compared with the present reality, in which it seems as if their gaiety was to begin and end in that ever-too-short evening at Government House. However, I hear now that there is some probability of the Wellington Rowing Club giving a ball in the Drill-shed this month, to which all tho members of the Star Club are to be bidden. It is to be hoped it is true, or else I foar some of us will expire from pure inanition. To be dull out of session time is only just what we expect and are used to, but to suffer from ennui during session is simply u.iheard-of.

PORTRAITURE.

Everyone appears to bo rushing to the photographers' for solace, as their vestibules are completely lined with new photographs. There is what is professionally known as a Bromide enlargement of Lady Jervois and the Misses Jervois. Her ladyship and Miss Alice are admiring a piece of work which the latter is just taking from a work-basket, whilst Miss Jervois, seated on a low stool, is reading from a book. There are several cabinet portraits of the same group in various positions, and a very good one of Lady Jervois alone, attired in a simple morning dress, with one of the caps peculiar to herself upon her head. Quite a little picture is made by several young ladies arrayed in painting apron. ,, !, with palette and mahlstick, busily engaged at painting some large plants which are placed upon the easels before them; and one of them is apparently modelling something in clay. In the group are the Misses Williams, Miss Bennett, Miss Pysisont, and Miss Moorhouse. Another pleasing picture is formed of a little tea party, at which Miss Reader is the presiding genius, just about to pour tliti contents of the teapot into the recipe-cut cups ; Miss Richardson and Miss Pearce are. the other two of whom the group is composed. There is also a very good portrait of the Hon. Mr. P. Buckley, and large vignettes of Miss Mills and Miss H. Williams. These are the ones which first catch the oye, bub, of course, there are numerous small ones. DRESSES. I have seen some rather pretty toilettes lately. One, an old world-looking gown, of red and blue striped material, rather took my fancy. The way in which it was fashioned was something quite unique. Around the waist was a Kind of gathered roll, thicker at the back than the front, very similar to that which is worn by Lady Jane Grey in some of her pictures. From this roll, the back was gathered, striped with shot silk. The bonnet, which was also a combination of the two shades, completed an uncommon tout ensemble. Mrs. James Mills has been wearing a handsome plush coat, edged with long fur, and a stringless bonnet, with little fur aigrettes adorning it. A striking dress was composed of dull heliotrope cashmere, with handsome otter cape and velvet toque to match the dress.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE RECEPTIONS-

The two la&t receptions at Government House have been very crowded, and consequently very enjoyable, as there is something exhilarating in finding? oneself in a room full of people, and able to move about without being the cynosure of every oye. Lately they have had music and singing at their "at homes," which is a decided improvement ; tho rooms were prettily decorated with ferns and grasses. We were rather late in going, so that the gas was lit when we entered, and as its rays fell on the amber folds of the curtains, between which the sweep of pale j;;reen lawn, with a piece dark as night, could be seen, I thought the scene was a goodly one, especially when one remarked tho many

bright and pretty faces in the room. A handsome plush mantle was worn by Mrs. Werry, with small black velvet bonnet, in the front of which was grouped some scarlet pom-poms. Miss Reader was wearing a boat-shaped black straw hat, trimmed with grey wings. A becoming suit of brown cloth, with hat to match, was worn by Miss Quick. Mrs. Campbell looked very well in an embossed velvet mantle, with a black bonnet, over which drooped a group of cock's feathers in scarlet, and also in their natural tints.

HEALTH AND THE WEATHER. There appears to have been almost an epidemic of inflammation of the lungs here, and some of the doctors say they have never known it so prevalent. I suppose it is in a great measure due to the exceedingly sudden changes in the weather which we have been having lately. One day it is too warm to bear a fire, and the next it is almost impossible to keep warm ; but, however, we are much better off tha.i our Southern cousins, who are living, I hear, in a perfect slough of mud. THE NEW LIGHT. The albo-carbon light is becoming rather popular here, especially for churches. The large Wesleyan Church has been for some time lit by it, and now St. Paul's pro-Cathedral has just been fitted up with the same lights, which are exceedingly white and steady, and for the first time the dim recesses of the church are wrested from the black shadows in which they were lost, and it is now possible to read the prayers instead of having to trust to one's memory alone. The Rev. Mr. Still has adopted the wise plan of having one of the laymen to read the lessons, and now appears in a surplice with his college hood, and is altogether very clerical in appearance. DANCE ON BOARD SHIP. Last weok a small dance was given on the cable steamer Sherard Osborne, which was very elaborately decorated with greenery. The deck was, as all decks are, rather heavy, but still it was very enjoyable, as it is always a pleasant change having a dance on board ship. All the waiters belonged to the much-abused Mongolian nice. Dokothv.