CHIT CHAT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1104, 28 April 1893, Page 14

CHIT CHAT.

The death of George Didsbury will be much regretted in Wellington, where he was much respected. He was a brother-in-law of Mr F. L. Murray, manager of the Bank New Zealand, Dunedin, and the Dunedin papers make very sympathetic reference to the death, which coming very suddenly, shocked so many people last week. The funeral was very well attended on Sunday. Mr Didsbury will be greatly missed at St Peter’s, for which church he had for years done good service.

There is great talk in town of the Gaiety Burlesque Company, who are begin their Wellington season on Monday next. I hear from a lady who saw the company in Sydney that the dresses worn 'by the actresses are something wonderful.

I understand that the agent, Mr Hughes, is already being pestered with applications for free tickets, and from ladies, too, I am sorry to say. It is becoming quite a com mon thing for some impudent people to pretend they are correspondents of certain papers, (with which, however, they have nothing to do) and then bombard the manager with pertinacious attempts to get seats for nothing. Some of these people have, however, been found out and if they wish to see the Gaiety Company they will have to pay up like other people.

I was very sorry to notice that Miss Marion Mitchell, the clever young Wellingtonian, who is with the Pollard Company, has heen unable to appear in several pieces. It is owing to her illness that The Gondoliers had to be postponed. However, the other operas have all been very pleasant and we are to have a return visit from the company when The Gondoliers will be produced.

The break in the weather was only to be expected and although we townspeople may grumble a little at the rain, it must been very welcome to the country, where it was much needed. ‘ltis an ill wind that blows no one good,’ you know.

The new organist of the Napier Cathedral, Mr Manghan Burnett, arrived from Australia last week. Mr Spackman, who was organist at the Cathedral for some years, has settled in Gisborne.

Mr Freeman Kitchen, the young New Zealand journalist whose death in Tasmania was reported last week, has left a widow and two children, who have been recently staying at Ashurst. Mrs Kitchen is a daughter of Mr and Mrs Crichton, of Ashurst, and great sympathy is expressed for her in her loss.

Everyone who knew the late Mrs Mair will feel deep regret at her very untimely end, and very great sympathy is expressed for Captain Mair. Mrs Mair was a great favourite with all who knew her and she will be very much missed in Wellington society circles. A more lengthy reference to the deceased appears elsewhere,

Mrs Menteath is, I hear, going for a trip Home in the Doric. She will be accompanied by her children. Mr Menteath, however, remains in the Colony.

I am sorry to hear that Mr J. S. Allan, the clever young artist, who gives us such humorous sketches from time to time, is suffering from some severe affection of the eyes, one result of which is that drawing is forbidden him altogether. This is a great misfortune to Mr Allan who loves his art. lam glad, however, to hear that the affection may not be permanent. Absolute rest for the eyes is enjoined upon him by the doctors for some months, after which it is hoped he may resume the artistic work to which he is so attached.

The Marton Mercury says;—Another of those interesting ceremonies—viz., the union in the bonds of holy matrimony of two souls, took place at 10.30 a.m. this morning in the Presbyterian Church, the Rev D. Gordon officiating, when Mr Samuel Death, son of Mr Henry Death, of Waitotara, led to the altar Mi3s Emma Aiken, daughter of the late Mr Alex. Aiken, of Rangitikei. The bride, who wore a very handsome French grey silk, trimmed with white lace and ribbons to match, and the orthodox orange blossoms and veil, was attended by her sister, Miss Nellie Aiken, of Wanganui, who wore a fawn and brown dress, with hat to match. The bridegroom was attended by Mr Ralph Drummond. The signing of the register over, the happy couple left the church amidst showers of rice and the hearty congratulations of their friends.

The ‘ woman-movement ’ is getting on —in France, at least. Madame Astid de Yalsayre is seeing to that. ' Lay down your arms ’ is not in the least her motto. She intends to wrest the rights of women from the tyranny of men by force of arms, should moral suasion fail, as she evidently expects that it will. She is forming a ‘ Groupe d’ Escrimeuses ’ —fair ladies who are practising fencing that they may be able to pink the masculine scoffer who does not keep a civil tongue in his head. Their fencing practice is to be done in secret, so that the persons with whom they may presently have to fight duels may not be forewarned of what they have to expect. But (the St. James’s Gazette asks) will the ‘ fair gentleme n of France ’ be willing to cross swords with these angry escrimeuses ? Or do these women’srightists propose to fight only the recreant members of their own sex who refuse to fall Into line ?

A pretty incident (the Daily News Vienna Correspondent says) happened in the stay of the Emperor and Empress of Austria in Switzerland on Thursday. The Imperial couple went into a confectioner’s at Montreaux to take some refreshments, and the shop and adjoining saloon were filled with a throng of gay and chattering school girls, quite unconscious of who were observing them. When the Emperor had left they were told who they were, and nothing could prevent them from running out into the street to watch them as they walked down the street. The Empress had been to the shop several times before, because she relished the confectioner’s Scottish shortbread so much. After tasting it repeatedly she asked the man to let her have the recipe for it. He seemed to hesitate before he promised, so Prince Lichtenstein the Equerry went and assured him that her Majesty would keep the secret, and would not set up in business with it. The confectioner then wrote it out, and sent his little boy to Territet- with it. By some chance the boy, who is eight years old, found his way to the Emperor’s rooms and walked in undaunted. The Emperor was reading a newspaper with his glasses on, and looked up kindly to ask the boy what it was he wanted. A conversation ensued, which the boy fully appreciated. He afterwards ran back to Montreux as fast as his legs would carry him to tell his father that he had made the 1 personal acquaintance of the Emperor of Austria.’

' A correspondent of Auckland paper writes: —The following is an account of a very j touching instance of love being

stronger than life itself, even amongst our Maori neighbours, Ivingi Waata, called sometimes Raiwhera (Rifle) was a chief of the highest rank in the Ngatipikiao tribe of Rotoiti. liis deceased father was full brother and of co-equal rank with Major Fox (Pokiha Taranui), of Maketu, one of the most distinguished leaders of the Arawa friendly hosts in the late wars. Waata has been for a long time weakminded. His aberration led him to wander about alone. His relatives were frequently in search of him. His wife Ilurunni was greatly attached to him, so spent many a night in hunting him up. They had a large family —some six or eight children —some of whom are grown up and married themselves. Towards the close of last February, Waata went astray for good. He disappeared from Te Matai settlement, near Te Puke. After a week of searching in the bush, no tidings or signs of the wanderer were found. The faithful spouse, Hurunui, then took to her couch. After lying, full of grief and anxiety, for three weeks, she said, ‘ Waata is dead, and I shall die also. If you bring him to me alive I shall recover.’ A tew days after she became very weak, and said, ‘I know he is dead somewhere.’ Then she died. No signs of the missing man have been discovered, althongh constant search has been made. American ladies, when in England, are the occasion of many jokes—good, bad, and indifferent. Here is a recent one—from Windsor Castle: Fair American : ‘ Butler, any chance to get a glimpse at the Queen ?’ Gentleman addressed: ‘ I am not the butler ; I am the Prince of Wales.’ F.A.: ‘ How lucky 1 Is your mother in ?’ What rubbish some of the so-called ‘ ladies’ papers ’ in England do publish to be sure. Here is an example:—‘ The ideal man must be well over six feet high, with flashing eyes, and hair dark as night, or the blue eyes of a Norseman, and the clustering golden curls of a Greek god. He must sing like an operatic tenor, and it is desirable that at times he appear in some kind of uniform. His temper, marvellously controlled in the presence of ladies, must, nevertheless, be known to smoulder—sometimes to blaze. Moreover, he must have a mysterious past, and be immediately responsive to the influence of an earnest woman.’ What numerous adjectives have been used by the poets in all ages concerning the pearly whiteness of women’s teeth! At the present day it is said that this beautiful attraction is disappearing. For this high-treason against beauty the blame is to be given to white bread—fluffy and light—of which everyone is so fond, instead of wholemeal The use of wholemeal bread prevents caries and preserves the pearly enamel on the teeth better than all the powders and elixirs. So, fair ladies, if you would have beautiful teeth, eat brown bread. The popular actress, Madame Modjeska, retains her power of keeping young in looks as well as in spirits. The secret of it all, she says, is that she takes a hot bath before going to bed every night, secures plenty of sleep, and does not eat too much But her additional confession, that she drinks a great deal of tea and smokes cigarettes occasionally, makes the secret as mystifying as before it was revealed. Madame Modjeska is the daughter of a Polish mountaineer, who was better educated than his companions, and loved music. Vanity Fair gives publicity to two or three very interesting anecdotes with regard to Lord Houghton’s Drawing rooms at Dublin. One debutante, who was extremely anxious to do the right thing, proffered a damask cheek for the Viceregal salute; but before it could be bestowed apparently recollected that it was the other cheek which was wanted by

the latest regulations on the subject, and quickly turned her head. His Excellency did the same thing at the same moment; and the result was a lively ‘ passage of noses, ending in a salute imprinted on the lady’s lips 1 Another lady, upon receiving the kiss, turned, with a satisfied , smile, and said, ‘ Thank you, my lord !’

A cable message announces that Sir James Ferguson, M.P., has married his third wife—the widow of Mr Hugh Hoare. His first wife was Lady Edith Christian, second daughter of the Marquis of Dalhousie, who was married in 1859 and died in 1871. By her he had two sons and two daughters. The second Lady Ferguson, whom he married in 1873, was Olive, youngest daughter of Mr J. H. Richman, of Warnbunga, South Australia. The issue of this marriage was two sons, the second only surviving. Lady Ferguson died in 1882. Sir James Ferguson was Governor of South Australia from 1868 to 1872, and of New Zealand from 1872 to 1874.

A wedding which caused some considerable local interest took place at Masterton last week, when Miss Minnie D’Arcy eldest daughter of Mr T. C. D’Arcy, of Masterton, was united in matrimony to Mr Charles Blackburne, youngest son of Alfred Blackburne, Esq, of Rakaia, at the residence of the bride’s father, by the Rev J. Dukes. The bridesmaids were # the Misses Edith'and Ethel D’Arcy, sisters of the bride, and Mr A. D’Arcy acted as groomsman.

" Last week at Patea there was a very well attended wedding at St George’s Church, when Miss Mary Hirst was married to Mr Ernest Livermore, of the wellknown firm of Lattey, Livermore and Co. Miss Margaret Hirst and Miss Lucena acted as bridesmaids and Mr H. Lattey was best man, whilst Mr W. Hirst gave away the bride. The Hirst family were fully represented, only two being absent. Mrs Horner (sister of the bride) held an ‘at home ’ in the afternoon, only * the family party being present. The happy pair left for Palmerston by the mail’train with the best wishes of all their friends. The wedding presents were numerous and handsome.

‘ Mrs Gadabout ’ (in Winter’s Weekly) gives some detaiis about the Queen’s tablecloths. ‘ The whole of this linen is made at Lisburn, in Ireland, and until quite lately the designer was a Mr Coulson. These designs are of the most intricate character, and are called ‘ national patterns.’ The groundwork of nearly all these is principally of the rose, shamrock, and thistle, varied by the Order of the Garter, and various flags and colours taken in war. The tablecloths used daily by her Majesty are about two and a half yards long. The tablecloths which were used in Prince Consort’s time were perfect of their kind. One cloth in particular represented the battlefield of Waterloo, the figures of the Duke of Wellington and of Napoleon, both on horseback, were clearly defined.

Rubies are the most fashionable stones just now, set with diamonds. , The pure whiteness of brilliants, unrelieved by coloured gems, is less in vogue than of yore, and the most beautiful parures that are being made are of diamonds combined with emeralds, sapphires, or rubies, the last mentioned being most in demand.

A lady who has just been to Paris says she sees symptoms of the decline of short waists. She uses the word ‘ decline ’ advisedly, as their career is in a downward direction. A few women (writes ‘ The Cricket ’ in Hearth and Home) are still wearing their waists under their arms; nevertheless, the fiat has gone forth, and short waists are doomed. The mode whither Dame Fashion tends, belongs to the time of Louis XIII., and consists of a long-waisted, close-fitting bodice, finished finished with a deep lace collar—sometimes termed the Mazarin—and bouffante sleeves. The skirt generally opens in front over a brocade or embroidered petticoat, and is frequently mounted in fine gathers round the edge of the corsage. Weddings—which, owing to the season, are a little ‘off’ at the present moment — will take place in large numbers immediately after Easter; and if rumour be correct (says the writer of ‘ Women’s World ’ in the St James’s Gazette), bridal costumes of a rather gaudy description will be the order of the day. A magnificent gown will be worn by the young Baroness von Alvensleben, on her marriage with Mr Godfrey Ghctwynd next month. The petticoat is of white duchesse satin with two deep flounces of old point lace, and the tight-fitting corsage bodice is cut low and lied in with the same lace, a trimming of

pearl and silver embroidery outlining the edge of the bodice. The train coming irom the shoulder, is of silver brocade and is trimmed down one side with silverspangled net; the whole effect being very rick, yet, owing to the combination of white and silver, entirely suitable to the occasion. A trousseau of the most costly nature is being prepared for the brideelect.

‘ Beta.’ kindly contributes the following sensible little paragraphlt has been well said—by a man I' believe —that ‘lf a woman be really well dressed, no one can tell what she has on, that she deprives the beholders of their power of analysis, causing them merely to feel the harmony of the tout ensemble in the unlimited variety of fashions and styles.’ It is within the power of any woman to choose such dress as tends to display her good points, or help in concealing her deficiencies. Surely the key to good taste is to dress appropriately to our age, to our personality,. to the time of year, to the occasion* The right man in the right place is, we hear, a rarity ; the right gown in the right place, how much rarer I The well <Jre?sed woman must observe these indispensable conditions. Her clothes must be suitable to her age and physical conditions, means, and social position, and occasions for wearing. As regards the becoming, what is a more pitiable sight than a stout woman in a blouse or lightcoloured silk dress ? A short woman in a material of large and striking pattern, or one who accentuates the defects of a bad figure by the cut and trimming of her gown ? A clean, carefully-groomed woman (excuse this epithet), with no untidy odds and ends about her, or common finery, will look charming in the simplest gown, and oftentimes be the envy of her richer and luckier sisters. We should let our morning dress be smart and pretty as we like but with no furbelows, no broken down evening toggery, no half-worn grenadines or tumbled silks. One essential of good taste is to have everything good of its kind. Be content with a good stuff dress rather than an inferior silk. Have a good plain ribbon in your hat rather than an erection of flimsy flowers and common feathers.

The Hawke’s Bay Herald of Thursday says : —A pleasing ceremony took place at the Colonial Banlsjyesterday, when the manager, Mr Burns, on behalf of the staff, presented to Mr Cato, the popular accountant of the bank, a handsome and suitable gift in view of hiß approaohihg marriage. Mr Cato, who suitably responded, takes a month’s leave, and starts to-day for Wellington, where his marriage will take place. HU numerous friends join in wishing him and his intended bride all possible happiness, and that they may both long enjoy health and prosperity.

Mr Claude W. Cato, accountant in the Napier branch of the Colonial Bank, and formerly honorary treasurer of the Wellington Rifle Association, was married on Tuesday . to Miss Christina Frances Thorburu, eldest daughter of Mr John Thorburn. The union was solemnised at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church by the Rev C. S. Ogg, and at the close 6f the ceremony the Wedding March was played by the organist, Mr Pierard, out of compliment to the bride, who had been a member of the choir for some years, The bride.wad given away by her father, and her sister, MUs Constance Thorburn, acted as bridesmaid, while Mr Herbert Stock was best man.

My Masterton correspondent writes To-day Mr James Kibblewhite, of the Wellington Post-Office, married, by the Rev Ballachy, of Carterton,, Miss Annie Eva Hathaway, daughter of Mr A. J. P. Hathaway, Assistant Town Clerk. St Matthew’s Church was packed with people during the ceremony, the attendance at ,the church being the largest for many years. The happy couple left for Featherston, en route for Nelson, this evening.

On Wednesday Mr J. D. Ritchie, Secretary of Agriculture and Chief Inspector of Stock, was married to Miss Margaret Jane McKerrow, eldest daughter of Mr J. McKerrow, Chief Commissioner of New Zealand Railways, the ceremony being performed by the Rev J. Paterson at the residence of the bride’s parents. The bridesmaids were Miss Bessie McKerrow, of Hampden, Otago, cousin of the bride, and Miss Martha McKerrow, of Wellington, while Mr J. F. Douglas, of South Canterbury (cousin of the bridegroom), acted as beßt man. The bride was dressed in cream surah, with long train, trimmed with deep Malines lace, with bows of ribbon, Subde gloves ,]to match, and with the usual orange blossoms and veil. She wore a diamond crescent brooch, the gift of tha bridegroom, and a diamond and sapphire bangle, presented by her father. The bridesmaids were attired in cream figured crbpe, with lace, relieved with Empire sashes of maize surah, and wore gold arrow brooches, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr and Mrs Ritchie go South for their honeymoon* A rather amusing incident occurred at the wedding of Mr Ritchie on Wednesday. Ajehu who had; taker, up one of the Ministers had placed his cab in a prominent position. As

the sparkling champagne went round, jthose who were inside were not unmindful of •cabby.' That worthy promptly despatched the foaming beverage, taking care that theie should be no ‘ heel-taps,’ drinking the health of the bride and bridegroom, wishing them every happiness, as is c ustomary on Buch occasions. The next attention paid to 1 cabby was the throwing of rice, which entered in at the window in showers. Then came a pair of old boots, which weie duly tied to the cab. During the ceremony there was a twinkle in cabby's eye. A second and a third party repeated the operation, whereupon ‘cabby' spoke, ‘I say, look here, ain't you making a mistake? This is not Ritchie’s cab.’ The only one who feels aggrieved is the real cabby, who only got rice and old shoes without the sparkling and invigorating accompaniment.

(FROM OUR GWN CORRKSFOI.'DE>'T.) Dunepin, April 26

' The marriage of MUs Hodgkins, daughter of Mr W M. Hodgkins, solicitor, with Mr W. H. Field, solicitor, of Wellington, was celebrated at 8t Paul’s Church by the Ven Archdeacon Edwards to-day in the presence of a large number of friends of the bride’s family. The bride, who is well known in artistic ciroles, was attended by her sister as bridesmaid, and Mr R. S. McGowan, of the Government Life Insurance, aoted as best man.