Wellington Gossip.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 995, 27 March 1891, Page 5

Wellington Gossip.

March 25. It was with deep feelings of sorrow that society generally heard of the death of Mrs Henry the wife of the well-known doctor, For very many months she had been an invalid, but no one had imagined that her illness would have a fatal end. Mrs Henry was apparently in the prime of life and health when she passed away, leaving w .° daughters who have recently finished their education, besides some sons, one of whom is at present at school in England. Y er y much sympathy is felt for Dr Henry and his fa Tmongst those who have recently departed to England were Dr and Mrs Rawson, who intend being absent seven months Thev first stay in Egypt, where thoy will visit the Pyramids and other sights, then they cross to Italy and visit the principal towns of the continent, and so journey on to London, where the doctor is going to study in the. hospitals for a few weeks. Altogother their trip should be most enjoyable and all too short. The Phonograph has been filling every one with entire amazement. There is something utterly ‘ uncanny ’ in hearing a human voice proceeding from a small instrument about the size of a hand sewing macnine. The reproduction of musical sounds appeared to be almost perfect, although of course they sounded rather far way. The banjo playing mast have been quite a revelation to our baojo strummers, most of whom are content to play one bass note to three treble ones, and whose highest flight of execution only carries them to alternate treble and bass notes. Many, I fancy, thought that was all of which the banjo was capable. lhe cornet playing was most enjoyable, especially the very elaborate solo by the champion lady player. The Phonograph, when it come 3 into general use, as it undoubtedly will ere long, should be of the greatest aid to musicians and musical students in the Colonies, who seldom have the opportnnity to hear musicians in the first rank. One of the bones of contention, amongst those who make music their study, is the time at which certain pieces should be played. The general tendency in the colonies is to play everything rather slower than they are taken at Home. Now this difficulty a Phonograph would overcome, by taking down, as it would, the exact time and manner in which a certain sonata was played by a noted musician—possibly the author. To those who have much writing to do, it will be of infinite benefit. Possibly in a short time, instead of writing to you I shall speak into the Phonograph, and despatch the wax cylinder on which the needle traced the waves of sound to its destination, when the printer having attached the cylinder to another Phonograph, turns it on, and sets the type as the voice issues from the machine. Wonderful, isn’t it ? That is the remark with which every one closes a description of one of the most marvellous inventions of the most marvellous brain of this most marvellous century. Musical sounds appeared to issue with greater distinctness than the human voice, which sometimes sounded Unnatural from the continuous vibration of the funnel used to distribute the sound through the Opera House. This vibrating, however, was quite absent, when one went upon the platform and held the tubes to one's ears. Professor Archibald M. A., of Oxford, lectured in the most delightful manner. The first part of the programme was quite as enjoyable as the second, when aural demonstration was given of what the Professor had previously told us. One of the advantages which Professor Archibald said the Phonograph possesses over nature is th*.t precisely the same words which enter what may be termed its ear, issue again from its mouth. Of course the Professor _was thinking of the people of the United Kingdom,. when he made this remark. In the Colonies and America this feature would be scarcely perceptible ! Unfortunately remarks which enter , the machine require to be taken cam grano salis, issue from it in need of the same seasoning to make them go down; videlicet when Professor Archibald told the Phonograph that he was at present in Weilington where thoy built all the houses one story high for fear they should fall down with the earthquakes. Mr Toole’s ‘Orrible Tale ’ was most amusing, especially remark * How’ll that do ?’ which he had made to Professor Archibald, not knowing that the phonograph would record it. One of the advantages of the machine is that the time can be regulated. Thus a speech can be delivered at exactly the same rate as the phonograph received, it, or it can be made to issue so that the Biowest writer could keep pace with it, also it can be stopped at any time, and will repeat a sentence again if necessary. Mr Wardrop, late manager of the Union Bank at Titnaru, has been appointed to the same position hero in lien of Mr Melville, who has retired upon his pension. One would almost think that by this time all the instruments necessary to the proper setting of broken limbs, and the rectifying of limbs badly set, would be possessed, if not by the doctors, by the Hospital. That this is not the case was proved recently, when Dr Saunders, the popular medico of Wanganui, who had for some time been laid up with a broken leg, which had not been set to his satisfaction, came to Wellington in the hopes of obtaining what was requisite for its proper adjustment. Binding he could not be relieved here he took steamer to Melbourne, where his quest was again unsuccessful. Here he was presented with tho choice of an imperfect

limb for life, or a journey to England and back. He chose the latter. But there are not many who could do the same. One can understand patients having to visit England to obtain the advice of specialists, but it seems strange in these go-ahead days that they should have to go 12,000 miles merely to obtain the liocessary instruments. The engagement is announced of Miss K. Reader, daughter of Mrs Worry, and Mr Hoskins, of Dunedin, partner in the legal firm of Messrs Kenyon and Hoskins. The shops still continue opening up new winter goods. The long cloaks, which appear as popular as ever, are usually made .of brocaded woollen material in the Russian style, quilted throughout with silk and edged with grey, brown, or black fur. In the ulsters the .Newmarket appears to be the newest. It is made to imitate a coaahiDg coat, loose in front and tight-fitting behind, double breasted and open at the neck. When on, the macintoshes are indistinguishable from the ulsters, aa the exterior in many consists of the moat exquisitely soft woollen material, in a check, of course, as everything this season appears to be. Tweed dresses are going to be worn this winter for every occasion. The growing tendency is to dress more plainly and quietly than before ; although in the hats a good deal of eccentricity is allowed as to form. A great many red velvet hats and bonnets ore trimmed with black beaded edging and small black birds. The evening dress materials have not yet arrived, but everyone is anxious for their advent. An idea appears to prevail that dresses of more solid texture will be worn in ball rooms this year, bat at home young girls still wear the same soft not and lisse dresses as they have done for years, and with these of course no train is worn. Ignotus.