LADIES' COLUMN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8538, 11 April 1891, Page 4 (Supplement)

LADIES' COLUMN.

FASHIONABLE EVENING MANTLES. The new mantles for evening wear are of two kinds, very long and very short, as shown by the accompanying illustrations, and both are equally stylish. The long

cloak is tin admirable wrap for evening wear, and looks well in red, white, grey, or terra cotta cashmere or amazon cloth, though more expensive materials may be used, such as brocade, faille, plush, velvet or velveteen. Tho yoke and high collar are leading tho fea-

tures of the now mantles oi this description, <ind are frequently of quite a different colour to the rest of the cloak. In the case of dark mantles the yoke and collar are very often formed of yellow material bordered with black leathered trimming. Cloaks of this shape will also be very 1 fashionable for day wear made of cloth, tweed, and other heavy materials, and the quantities required are about 4 yards of 54-inch tweed and $ yard of volvet, with 6 yards of narrow fur edging, and if liked, quilted satin for lining. The short mantle may be made inexpensively, as ib requires only 1§ yards of double width cloth and $ yard of velvet. It looks well in white, cream, red, pink, sage green or pale blue amazon cloth or cashmere lined with quilted satin and trimmed with swansdown, white fur or feather trimming. In either of these models a pretty effect may be gained by making the yoke of the cloth and braiding it over with silver, gold, or self coloured braid.

GYMNASTICS FOR WOMEN.

Round shoulders, a stooping gait, and a flat chest in women and girls can be cured in a short time by 15 minutes' exercise* night and morning, in the open air, or wellventilated room. The morning exercise had best be taken immediately after rising, before dressing for the day, as tight clothing will interfere with the free movements required. The first thing to be done is to stand erect, with the heels together, and the head thrown back, the chsst thrown out, and the hands hangdog loosely at the side. Then the lungs should be thoroughly filled with air and slowly exhausted, perhaps half a dozen times. The arms should now be brought forward at full length in front, on a level with the shoulders, the palms of the hands in contact. Keeping the arms extended, the hands should be forcibly thrown backwards until the batiks of the hands touch behind the shoulders ; next bring the palms together before the cheat. Let this motion be gone through with rapidity some 30 times. In the next movements hold the arms straight above the head with the palms forward. Now, bending the hips, bring the arms down in front, keeping them straight all the time, until the fingers touch the toes ; then return the hands to their original position above the head. This motion should be performed very slowly '20 or 30 times. At first it will be almost impossible to touch the floor with the finger-tips without bonding the knees, but in the course of time it will be performed readily. In the third movement the lady should hold her hands close to her sides, with the thumbs still forward. Bring the arms up from the sides, thumbs still forward ; then return them to their first position. The arms must not be bent at the elbows. If persisted in, this movement will straighten out stooping -Shoulders. Any lady who will vigorously practice these movements twice a day for a few months will not only improve her general health, but will develop her muscles and her figure in a most surprising manner.

i WHAT BOYS AND GIRLS SHOULD KNOW. Six things which a boy ought to know :— First. That a quiet voice, courtesy, and kind acts are as essential to the part in the world of a gentleman as of a gentlewoman. Second. That roughness, blustering, and and even foolhardiness are not manliness. The most firm and courageous men have usually been the most gentle. Third. That muscular strength is nob health. Fourth. That a brain crammed only with facts is not necessarily a wise one. Fifth. That the labour impossible to the boy of 14 will be easy to the man of 20. Sixth. That the best capital for a boy is not money, but a love of work, simple tastes, and a heart loyal to his friends and his God. Five things which a girl ought to know :— First. That drawling tones, languishing eyes, or an affected manner will never deceive anyone into the belief <that she has a gentle nature. Second. That while the best unguents, depilatories, and cosmetics may fail in affecting her beauty, every secret thought and hidden emotion will leave an indelible mark upon her face which he that runs may read. Third. That the true gentlewoman, like every other jewel of great price, never thrusts herself into view. Neither her clothes, her voice, nor her manner challenges public notice. Fourth. That the girl with whom young men romp and flirtis not the one whom they choose when they wish to marry. Fifth. That as God has prepared woman and sent her into the world to be a wife and a mother, she should look forward to those conditions of life, not with silly and vulgar jests, but with reverent, earnest effort to fit herself for them. : .