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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1289, 12 November 1896, Page 15

parent colouring they are almost unequalled. His Australian landscapes are most lovely and give a vivid idea of the bits they represent. Our own beautiful Milford Sound is there, and Mr Christmas has done full justice to the grand, bold ceenery. If one only could have a pocketful of money, how gladly one would buy a number of these gems of art.

Our Chrisbchurch friends, finding their days too short for all they want to get into their lives, have started an Early Rising Club. They propose to put their clocks on two hours, so that when they get up nominally at six o'clock, they aro really doing so at four o'clock. I fancy it will be a bit awkward as to meals, &c, besides most of lis would wax exceedingly illtempered and cross before the real twelve o'clock came, if we had had so many hours wear and tear. I sincerely trust it is a "fad" that will not travel up to us, for there are always people found who love a new departure, even when it's not very wise or practicable. I always feel " roughed up," too, by the airs of superiority and virtues which early risers assume. It's one of the things people fail to be meek or unobtrusive over. If " all that you do, you do with your might" during the recognised and legitimate hours of the day, surely it is wear and tear enough for the majority of " earthly tabernacles," and over-work and over-strain only lead to crossness, if nothing worse.

In my peregrinations this week I came across some of the most delectable materials for bridal robes imaginable. Any bride-elect would have a royal time in choosing, for there were fabrics to suit any means and any taste. One was a pearlwhite Ottaman silk, with stars of every size brocaded upon it, from a tiny spot up to an inch in diameter. Another was of ivory satin, with single lilies strewn over it in velvet brocade. For a very young bride there were light, billowy silks and embroidered chiffons, and too many to particularise, but one almost forgot one was not in London or Paris with so much that was new and lovely to be chosen from.

This season's hats ars so very pretty, and not the impossible erections of last year. The bright pink chip hats are so becoming trimmed with black tulle and quills across the bows or rosettes, also the various shades of green and bronzo straws make such pretty contrasts to tho endless cream costumes worn this year. The cream bunting is one of the newest materials and most suitable for our changeable climake. Though it is so thin, it is all wool.

We have all been feeling great anxiety about Lady Glasgow's serious illness. Lord Glasgow and his family have been so universally kind and good, that they have the respectful and affectionate sympathy of all classes with them in their affliction. It has been quite touching to hear men and women of all grades and opinions eagerly anxious to hear of any improvement in the Countess' condition, and so glad and thankful when the better accounts were issued. Everybody will rejoice when she is quite restored.

The Port Nicholson Yacht Club opened their season on Saturday ivith the usual pleasant festivity in the shape of very nice entertainment in the way of afternoon tea, &c, to a large number of friends who had been duly invited. C».pt. Bate had the Zealandia very nicely set out with lots of flags for ornamentation, and lots of seats and chairs for comfort, and altogether the Club's visitors had an extremely nice afternoon. The weather was so favourable, and the yachts looked so pretty in the bright sunlight ; also the crews, who all won: pretty uniforms, and they added very much to the general effect, and is, of course, quite the correct thing to have. Commodore Mills made a happy little speech in declaring the season opened, and there wen; some toasts, hut we were not near enough to hear what fhoy were.

On Monday tho College old boys played tho present cricket team upon their lovely new ground. The days have happily gone by when we had to feel ashamed of our College grounds. On Monday it was an extremely pretty sight to see the large lawns full of gaily-dressed friends looking on with the keenest interest at the game. Amongst the guests were Mrs and Miss Tripe, Mrs Hales, in a pretty green costume and bonnet; Mrs Leitchfield, in a nice tailor-made fawn tweed dress and pretty black toque with pink roses; Mrs Firth wore a nice coat and skirt of summer serge with light waistcoat and large black picture hat with pink roses; Miss Reeves wore a light tin-blue serge with revers and trimming of cream cashmere braided ; Miss Hammcrton wore a pretty green dress ; the Misses L Ge co in tailor-made black gowns; Miss Darling, in light green gown, which looked cool

and pretty; Mrs Bothamley, in black alpaca coat and skirt, with full striped vest; Mrs Fisher, in black brocaded gown handsomely jetted, and pretty bonnet with red roses; Mrs Ward, in dark skirt and pretty blue and white blouse and picture hat; Miss Gibson, in a very pretty green costume and light vest, inter-large hat and feathers ; Miss Luckie, in pretty crepon skirt with black and white silk blouse. Amongst the gentlemen I noticed Archdeacon Stock, Rev Mr Tuckey, Mr T. Mackenzie, Dr Young, Mr Luckie ; Messrs Tripe, Ward, Bethune and many others. Afternoon tea was freely dispensed and greatly enjoyed under such pleasant circumstances.

I believe the old boys (some of whom are in the first elevens of the city) had a trifle the better score of the two, but the game was being played with so much good feel" ing on both sides, that the applause was given most evenly whenever a good hit was made by either. Truly Mr Firth is to be greatly congratulated upon his lovely ground and his good cricketers.

Miss Burns, late of the Kiosk, was married on Monday atTimaru to Mr Loughnan. It was a very quiet wedding.

Mrs C. B. Morison has gone for a visit to her father, Hon Col. Haultain, in Auckland.

Mrs Sprott's many friends will be glad to learn that most cheering accounts of her improved health have been received. She hopes to return home for Xmas with her family. lone.