LADIES' COLUMN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9491, 21 April 1894, Page 4 (Supplement)

LADIES' COLUMN.

FIRST ROYAL DRAWING-ROOM.

The Queen held the first of a aeries of four Drawing- at Buckingham Palace on February 2?. Contrary to expectation, there was not & very large attendance beyond what it, üßuav The dibutantes did nob exceed 200 it* number. Ab one o'clock carriages were allowed to rank in St. Jame9' Park, and the gates of the Palace were thrown open av two o'clock. So mild was the weather tnat the carriage windows were not closed, and ■» good view could be obtained of beautiful dresses and bouquets. Pink and light blue appeared to be the favourite colours. Although the Drawing- was not very crowded it was very brilliant, owing to the presence both of the Queen and the Princess of Wales. Some very interesting presentations took place. Among the brides the best known were Lady bettrington (pre- I sented by Lady Algernon Gordon-Lennox), Mrs. Leveson-Gower, the Hon. Mrs. Baillie (of Dochfour), and Lady Maud Warrendeif, wh*> was presented by Lady Binning. Blanche Countess of Rosslyn presented^ her youngest daughter, Lady Angela St. Clair Erskiue. Some beautiful toilettes were worn ; the glitter of diamonds has never been so great, and 1 nearly everyone wore flowers. TheDuchessof Sutherland sparkled in silver and white, and carried mauve orchids. Lady Algernon Gordon-Lennox was most radiantly dressed in geranium-red velvet and white satin, with white gardenias lied up with red velvet; bub Lady Feodore Sturt's dress was perhaps the most beautiful of all. It was white, tinted with pink, and embroidered in silver; and the Watteau train was a shimmering watered stuff, with bouquets of pink roses. Her ornameuts were pearls and diamonds. Among others present were the Countess Howe and her daughters, the Dowager Lady Westbury, Lady Abercrombie, in pink and green and white; and Viscountess Dalrvmple. Among those who had the ntrie was Lady Seymour, whose son has been appointed page to the Queen. THE DRESSES. You ask me, says a lady who has been feasting her eyes on the gowns that swept through the Throne-room at Buckingham Palace, to tell you which was the most beautiful of them all. That is beyond my powers, but I will tell you a little of what 1 saw. The scene inside Buckingham Palace was one of majestic stateliness and beauty. The drosses were of the most lovely colourings and richest fabrics, while the design and texture of some of the brocade excited general admiration The full glory of Court dress is only for the few moments of the transit through the Throne-room, so far as the Palace is concerned ; but later, when trains are outspread for the admiration of a friendly circle over the feminine function ot tea, their merits are still more appreciated. i remarkably successful dross was ih.-iD worn by Lady Feodore Sturfc. It was composed oi richest white satin ; the skirt v»;iv. plain, nuii£ with a deep embroidery round the hem <v wheat-ears wrought with irosteci, dull, anu burnished silver in a raised and very effective and artistic design. The bodice was done with a fan-like front oi similar broidery, which was softened with » beautiful arrangement of lace and ctulloi., and the sleeve?, JSAI. A. A Ml'litis OF ART applied to dress, were full and picturesque, and were made of the satin with the raised silver work having soft touches of lace and enitlim cleverly applied. The train was of a rich siieeny surtaced white moire, brocaded with branches oi roses and leaves in natural tones ot rose-pink and green, and it was lined with rose-pink satin, the whole dress being an entirely successful combination of extreme richness with refined and delicate colouring. A Victoria shower of white orchids was carried, the spikes arranged with white and tender green foliage, while a touch of colour was given by clusters of pink roses tailing down amid the snowy loveliness oi the orchid blooms. Lady Feodore wore some very beautiful diamonds. The Duchess of Sutherland, true to the interests of the British Silk Association, wore a dress of white satin of English make, and & train of similar material, which ./as embroidered in silver with flights of birds o' differing sizes. rtKR (iKACE WOtiE iIUAMONOS, and carried a bouquet of mauve orchids. The Hon. Helen Smith, daughter of' Viscountess Hambleden, wore a dress of ivory-white satin. The bodice haa a berthe frill of cream-coloured lace, with some delicate pearl embroidery showing under it, with choux of black chiffon and rosettes of pale sky-blue miroir velvet. The skirt was draped at the hem with cream-coloured lace and black chiffon, very lightly treatod, and caught with little knots of miroir velvet of the palest blue. The train was of rich black moi,r6 effectively brochfS with spots, and lined with pale-plue satin. Miss Web-.'-ster, sister of Sir Richard Webster, wore a handsome train of black velvet, lined with yellow corded silk, over a particularly pretty dress of dove grey satin, the bodice ot which was TRIMMKD WITH notu and silver passementerie and old point lace, a spray of mimosa being placed upon one shoulder and a showering posy of mimosa carried. Miss Dora Webster, Sir Richard Webster's daughter, wore a white ondme silk dress, the bodice finished with a collar edged with silver and a large bow of satin, the ends of which fell on the skirt to the hem. .a bunch of pink tulips was fastened in front of the silver-edged collar. The train, of white satin broch6, had narrow floral lines of colour through it, and was trimmed up one side with bows of white satin and bunches of pink tulips. Mrs. Spencer Walpole, wife of the Secretary to the Post Office, wore a dress of blue brocade, in a large and handsome design, trimmed with puffings of chiffon in deep Vandykes an the skirt, each point caught with TKIIJ, LOVERS' KNOTS in silver. The train, of black moire antique, was lined with white satin. Miss Maud Walpole wore a dress of broad alternately striped satin and silk. The bodice was slightly draped and caught with bows and bands of white satin ribbon, into which two pale carnations were tucked. The train, or palest green satin, was bordered up one ride with pointed guipure lace, and was lined with pale-green silk. Lace was charmingly arranged over the berthe and sleeves. Mrs. Frank Lock wood, wife of the well known Queen's Counsel and M.P., was attired in yellow and heliotrope chene morie '.vith satin. The train was of velvet ot the cloudy shade of mauve tinged with purple seen in a Nice anemone; it was lined with topaz pink satin, the effect of the colouring with the white and silver dress being excellent. Lady Lewis, wite of Sir Weorge Lewis, was attired in A'hite moir<s broche with floral stripes of pink and yellow roses. The bodice was made with a vest of silver and gold embroidery, over which was a trelliswork of real rubies, each point marked with a large diamond, arid fringed with shaped pearls and pearshaped cabochon rubies. There was al*o a collar or lovely old Brussels lace. The train was of yellow and pink shot moir<s backed with similarly shot satin, and trimmed with bows of pink and yellow chiffon. These are just a few of the gowns that particularly struck one, but to do anything like lustice to the scene I should ant to fill the whole page. ROYAL PRESSES. Her Majesty wore a train of black velvet brocade, trimmed with chiffon lace and ribbon, over a petticoat of . satin draped with gauze headdress and veil of Brussels lace surmounted by a coronet of diamonds , ornaments, diamonds. Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales wore a jupe of rich black antique satin, embroidered in jet ; corsage to correspond trimmed Brussels point; striped moire train, lined satin, bordered in jet, and trimmed feathers and ospreys ; headdress, the ladies' tiara , ornaments, diamonds ano pearls. Her Koyrl Highness Princess Beatrice, 'Princess Henry of Bat.tenberg, wore a bodice and skirt of black Louis Seize brocade, with black satin train trimmed jet ; headdress, black feather, veil, and a diamond tiara ; ornaments, diamonds. Her Royal Highness Princess Victoria of Wales wore a gown with corsage and petticoat of ivory-white satin, trimmed with flounce of white point d'Espagne, corsage trimmed with same, caught with large mauve satin bow, ivory-satin train lined same ; ornaments, pearls, diamonds, and rubies. Her Highness Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein wore a gown and train of yellow brocade, the bodice of shaded velvet trimmed frith lace; ornaments, diamonds and opals. ' Her Grand Ducal Highness Princes? Alix of Hesse wore a dress of white silk with train of silver brocade trimmed with fur; ornaments, emeralds and diamonds. -

NOTES ON SCIENCE, MECHANICAL INVENTIONS, ETO. ' I A LARGfc. ttrtOitOSOOPr., 1.;.' . A gigantic microscope is twin* constructed in Munich. It has a magnifying power of 11,000 diameters, which u*w bo increased to 16,000 by means or »n tftewtrit light;, tad image being thrown on a screen. In order that the heat of the lamp may occasion an expansion to the metallic -pomunio of the armature and consequently displace tne focus of the lenses, a bronze cylinder, containing liquid carbolic acid, is so arranged that a little liquid escapes when the temperature reaches a certain point, ana by its evaporation reduces the armature to a normal temperature. ALTERNATING CURRENTS. Attention is called to the fact tbab many novel and interesting phenomena are being obtained by the use of alternating currents of very high frequency. These point toward the transmission of signals, and possibly of power, through space, without the use of conductors. Prospects of further development are based on a considerable measure ot success already achieved, in the. transmission of power by electricity, the transmission of speech across the ocean, tne manufacture of, chemical i products, and in chemical processes. A notable instance oi this latter is the development of electric tanning. A SAIL.-DRIVEN BICYCLE. .... A Californian cyclist, Mr. C. iX White, has fixed a slight sail carried by a bamboo mast to his wheel, and, when running before tne wind, has touched a speea of id miles an hour. The mast is set in a hara pine block, clamped to the bitung, is .10 feet high, and the boom is 8 feet long. The sheet runs through a small pulley under the seat, the end. being held in the hand. The sailing bicyclist has to keep us sharp •> look-out for i» squall as a sailing- canoeist — as a sudden pull of wind will lift tne hina wheel off the ground. Not much navigat- \ ing skill is needed any more than in sailing on skates ; nor so much as in travelling in i. saiid-yaclit at Southpori. The chief object tion, of course, is the bothei a: carrying the rigging when the winds are contrary, but Air. White's gear only adds some 71b to one weight of his wheel. CHROMIUM AND ALIIMiNUM. A new process has been introduced for imparting hardness to aluminum, by tne addition of chromium. In consequence ox oho difference in the fusing points of the two metals, certain precautions have to bo taken to alloy them both, and if electrolysis is employed for the purpose, it is stated that one or another of the known methods can be used, and the alumina, salts of alumina, cryolite, etc., treated direct with a determined quantity of salts or oxides, chromium, granulated chromium, or chromium in any; other suitable condition. i GHOSTS AND CREMATION. Superstition holds an all-powerful sway over a part of the human race, and ghosts, uncanny apparitions, are regarded as realities, especially by children and those who never die—the fools. The country people take especially good care that the belief in ghosts shall not vanish. They tell of the appearance of tho dead, and even the most courageous are frightened at the howling ot the winds, the cry of a bird, or the uncertain shadows of the moon. Although we may laugh at this fear, because wo know that no ghost ever was proof against .. thorough investigation, we quite understand it. The churchyard explains it all —the churchyard with ity uncanny solitude, its unsavory contents; and ib in natural for Hie ignorant to believe that the aeaci come forth from their graves. Those whom we once saw in the beauty of vigorous life are here given over to a mode of destruction which causes indefinable horror to the ignorant. As long as tho body is slowly wasting away in the ground, it will be difficult to overcome the fear of ghosts, for there is a belief that the body may assist the spirit or ghosb in appearing to us. The bright and cheerful columbarium with its urns open to view is materially opposed to the churchyard. There ii nothing to mystify us in the columbarium, nothing dark, nothing sinister. Those pure ashes ao, indeed, speak to us of the shortness of life, but not accompanied by those horrors which are associated with decomposition in the grave. Wo may imagine hundreds of thousands of urns around us, containing the last unchanged and unchangeable vestige of our . departed friends; these artistic vessels cannot be made to force horrid apparitions upon our imagination. Kven tho most ignorant understands that fire is purifying, and it will not be difficult to create the belief that everything wicked has been destroyed by the cleaning flame. Superstitious persons are able to imagine an apparition of a horrid skeleton naif clothed in tlesh, shrouded in a tattered, moulding cloth, because this corresponds with the actual state and appearance of the body in the grave. But it is impossible to conjure up such an apparition from the little heap of ashes caused by fire. SHORTENING A -iI.aIN'3 Ntrth. An American gentleman, a Mr. Klain, has allowed a surgical artist to perforin an, operation on his nose. This feature in his face was quite too obtrusive, and that he was, in fact, known by his nose everywhere. All his life he had been worried by tho prominence and the exceptional length of that organ, and lately, plucking up his courage, he determined to have it curtailed and improved. Operations of this kind are rarely resorted to, owing to the danger that attends them, and tho responsibility is great of the surgeon who undertakes them merely to gratify the vanity of a healthy person, in the case of Mr. Klain, however, it is satisfactory to know that his nose has been shortened without any complications ensuing. The patients for such operations, we read, are put under the influence of chloroform, and a piece of the cartilage three-quarters of an inch long is then removed from the end of tho nose. Then the lower portion is joined to the upper part, and the two sections stitched together. The wound, it appears, is now healed, and iMr. Klain looks an entirely different individual ; in fact, at first sight, his friondH nardly recognised him, now that tho prominent nose is a thing of the past. AN AGE OF stkkl. ' The Eiffel Tower, built wholly of metal, is an example, and a good example, of a step in the direction which architects will he driven to follow in future. The great railway stations, exhibition buildings, and other structures of steel, concrete, paper, and glass, which the needs and inventions of our day have called into existence, «how which way flows tho stream of tendency. The new building material has como to stay. In another century houses may not merely be built with steel girders, they may be made of metal frames bolted together and gripping walls of paper-macho. Then the age of the tent will return. A man will buy his house from a manufacturer and will hire a site to set it up on. When ho moves from one place to another he will take his home with him. Building leases will die a natural a>iath. Towns will wander about, and a great many curious results will arise.—Pall 'lull Gazette. MlsCKLljAoi,Uub. Compressed gas is being introduced lor motive power in the river boats on the Seine. The Italian fire engines are supplied with hose fitted with electric wires, so that the firemen can communicate with those, at the. engine. •• A new steam hammer, said to be the largest in the world, recently pub up in the Krupp gun factory at Essen, is so delicately adjusted that it could bo made to beat out a hair-spring. A European firm lias succeeded in incorporating with steel a small quantity of ferroplatinum by a secret process. This. alloy is quite easy to work, and it is said to stand a wonderful strain. It haft heretofore been almost impossible to make large castings of aluminium, but tiiu difficulty has now been so far overcome that pure aluminium bath-tubs are now made in a single piece. Where the telephone wires are overland, the speed of transmission is at the rate of 16,000 miles a second; where the wires are through cables under the sea, the speed is nub more than 6020 miles * second. .. In - recently constructed hew York hotel electricity lights the whole building, runs a dozen large ventilators on the roof, polishes the silver in the kitchen and washes and irons clothes in the laundry. .Every room is connected with the office by telephone, and every closet is so arranged that when the door is opened a light is burned on automatically.