LATE LADIES’ LETTER.

New Zealand Mail, 15 February 1900, Page 30

LATE LADIES’ LETTER.

LADIES’ TOPICS

(BY “ERIE.’ 7 )

On Wednesday afternoon the French Consulate was the scene of a very gay party when the Count and Countess de Courten entertained,' Captain Thibault and officers of the French man-of-war Eure, and a large number of guests at an At Home. The lovely gardens of the Consulate were beautifully decorated with flags of the Brightest description. The drives up to. the house had them nicely arranged up to the entrance where the Tricolour flag shared with the' U nion Jack the honour of draping the \ front doors. " The hall' was delightfully cool and gay with many choice pot plants and palms artistically placed. The spacious reception rooms were also very handsomely decorated with quantities of lovely flowers, etc. The Count and Countess received! in the large drawing-room together with Captain Thibault. The guests were there shown through the rooms to the garden where the officers were soon entertaining and being entertained by their English friends. * * *::* . -H- * It soon became evident how rusty the French of most of us had become from want of use. However the Eure officers were able and willing to speak what English they knew, and very soon they -were the centres of very vivacious and happy groups. Tffey told us that they have to learn a certain amount of English for their naval exams. and they soon pick up more from the intercourse at the various ports they go to. They all agreed, too, “that English is a very easy language.” The majority of the Countess’s guests acre far too bashful to air their insular pronunciation to the French officers. Nevertheless they managed to answer each other pleasantly.

The sailors of the Eure had very cleverly managed to decorate the Consular flag-pole with a great number of flags stretched in all directions. This of itself made a very charming centre to the lovely lawn. At one end a large marquee had been erected and lined with flags as well as having them flying from the top. The front of the marquee was open to the lawn, displaying long tables beautifully set out with every possible delicacy from savoury, sandwiches of all sorts, to cakes of endless variety and daintiness, and to most delicious and superior fruit salads. Tea and coffee arrived at everybody’s side in a very mysterious manner, fresh and hot all the afternoon, and was duly appreciated and enjoyed.

The Garrison Band was stationed under the trees and played pleasant selections, and was the last touch of the very perfect and charming preparations and arrangements of this delightful party, which is one of the gayest and nicest we have had for a long time. The. guests wandered round the large and beautiful garden and enjoyed the shady walks and quantites of flowers everywhere. The groups of gaily dressed ladies sitting and standing about formed a mqst picturesque scene. The Count is an ideal host, and he and his secretary Monsieur Baradeux were most untiring in their attention for the comfort and pleasure of their guests.

The Countess de Courte received in a lovely dress of blue and white foulle and, .silk, with flounces headed with black velvet. The bodice was worn with a fischu of exquisite lace of cream Chantilly, and a most becoming black picture hat turned back with plumes.

Amongst the guests were Right Hon the Premier, Mrs and Miss Seddon, the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, Sir James and Lady Hector, the latter wearing a black satin dress trimmed with maltese lace over white satin, and a pretty bonnet trimmed with’ pink; Hon Dr Grace and Mrs Grace, who wore a lovely black grenadine dress with many narrow frills edged with white on the demi-trained skirt, and the bodice elegantly trimmed with yoke and bretettes of white lace, boimet of shades of green Archdeacon Devoy; Archdeacon, Mrs and Miss Fancourt; Dr and Mrs Anson; the latter wearing a handsomely embroidered white muslin dress over amber, and small white hat. * * * *

Mrs G. Fitz Gerald had a very charming green costume with yoke of cream silk. Mrs T. C. Williams wore a handsome black and white silk dress with mantle trimmed with jet and lace, and pretty bonnet to match. * * * * #

The Hon C. J. Johnston and Mrs Johnston, who wore a beautiful gown of black and white foullard silk, with stylish black jacket, and a hat with lovely amber plumes. *****

Mrs O Connor had a very handsome black silk dress, and becoming bonnet trimmed with pink.

Mrs W. Pharazyn wore a black* dress braided and trimmed with white and pretty white and black bonnet. * # iff.

Mrs Fitehett had a very striking and fashionable costume of pale green

trimmed with black embroideries over petunia silk, and a becoming toque.

Mrs Richmond wore a handsome black costume. •!(■ # w

Miss E. Richmond had a pretty dress of blue and white silk with white tucked yoke.

Miss O'Connor was wearing an exceedingly effective and pretty gown of striped rose satin trimmed with lace, and becoming white chiffon liat trimmed with roses. Ifc Of Mrs Bell was wearing a pretty grey dress with white silk yoke and trimmings. #*** * . , Mrs Newman wore a very stylish heliotrope dress trimmed with cream silk, and a becoming hat trimmed with cardinal. Miss E. Williams *had a. charming costume of bright blue muslin trimmed with lace, and a very pretty hat with long blue feather to match. Miss Githa Williams was wearing a very soft, pretty shade of pink muslin and hat trimmed to match. ***** Mrs H. Gore had a fashionable costume of mauve and green. Mi* Miles *and Mrs Mile’s who *wore an exceedingly liandosme dress of myrtle green Ottoman silk, trimmed on the skirt with bias folds and in front and bodice with beautiful silk passementerie of cream and soft shades of pink. The bodice had a 16th century yoke of cream silk. * * * Miss Bell had one of the very pretty pink flowered_silk muslin dresses, and pretty pink toque. * * * # * Miss Moorhouse wore a white dress trimmed with bandb of deep rose glace silk and black velvet. * * * * * Mrs Edwin had a black satin dress and bonnet trimmed with pink. *** ■ # * Mrs C. J. Warren white dress, cream and pink passementerie trimming.

* & * * =& Miss Coleridge wore a pretty white muslin dress, and black picture hat trimmed with pink.

Mrs Barclay had a handsome black dress trimmed with green velvet and lace bonnet.

Mr MacArtling and Mrs MacArtling. who wore a tussore silk dress with handsome lace flounce on skirt, and bodice trimmed to match, a pretty floral toque with cream and blue. * -* * *

Miss Handyside wore a white muslin dress with rose ribbons.

Miss Pharazyn had a white book muslin dress, trimmed with frills, over pale blue skirt, and hat with white plumes. =£ * *

Mrs Penton wore a black satin skirt and blue silk blouse. Miss Smart had a white pique dress and white hat.

Miss Skerrett wore a handsome black figured satin dress with front of lovely Maltese lace, and becoming strawcoloured hat.

Miss J. Skerrett had a striking go,wn of blue and yellow, with hat trimmed with amber velvet. 3= *■ w-

Mrs Hales wore a petunia and black broopde and pretty toque. * # * .*<.

Mrs Rotheram had a handsome black satin, dress and pretty black. bonnet with pink flowers. * , • * * * *- • . '* ■ .

Miss Harcourt wore a white muslin costume and white hat.

* * * * * Miss Hawden (Canterbury) had a white dress and pretty fawn cape. * ** * * Miss Medley wore a light blue dress and hat.

Mrs Nathan was very handsomely dressed in a stylish purple dress with cream yoke and! light toque. * * * * *

Miss Nathan had a very pretty light slate-coloured dress with white silk trimming and a cerise toque.

Mrs W. S. Reid wore a* black figured satin and white bonnet.

Mrs McTavish had a very pretty black and! white costume.

Mrs Hutchison was dressed in mourning.

Miss Hutchieson* had! a pretty grey gown with white tucked yoke.

Miss Tripe had a lovely white muslin dress trimmed! with vallenciennes lace, and a becoming white hat with plumes. \

Mrs Brandon wore, a pretty black and white costume and bonnet to match. *****

Mrs Fulton was dressed in white with a light toque. # * ■* .*

Miss A. Johnston had an extremely pretty pirJk muslin dress' and pink hat. * * * * * Mr A, Pearce and Mrs Pearce, who

wore a deep amethyst dre/is and hat trimmed with cardinal. Professor Brown and Mrs Brown, who was dressed in a stylish white dress with yellow trimming.

Miss Dallow liad *a very "pretty black dress trimmed with pink.

Mrs A. Smith wore a handsome black and pink pompadour silk with yoke of pink veiled with black lace, and stylish hat. Mrs Wdldegrave* had an. extremely pretty pale heliotrope costume and hat to match. # ■3* & , * Miss O. Gore had a pretty white costume with pink ribbons. * * * * * And a great many others. After spending an exceedingly pleasant afternoon at nearly six o’clock the band played the “Marsiellaise” at which the Count and the officers took off their hats, which example was quickly followed by all the gentlemen present out of courtesy to them. Immediately afterwards “God Save the Queen” struck up when the French gentlemen at once returned the compliment; and all in the meantime took their leave. Mrs Newman has had several croquet tournaments played on her lawn this season. Another is to take place next week for the second eleven, if the weather permits. The prizes have been very handsome, and most keenly competed for. . *x- -x- * •* The Ladies Contingent for Lady Douglas’s carnival at Government House are being trained by the officers of the Kelburne Rifles, and their sergeants (Messrs Vail, Fletcher, Arthur and Bethell). Great interest is being taken by the girls, and they attend the drills with the most praiseworthy regularity, and take infinite pains to learn. Consequently they are making excellent progress. The lady officers at present, are—Miss Edwin, captain ; lieutenants, Misses M. Douglas and G. Reid; coloursergeant. Miss Johnston ■ sergeants Misses Githa Williams, M. Seddon, E. Page, and E. Harcourt; buglers, Misses Waldegrave and Edwin. • * • * • Some of the words of command seem scarcely fitted for feminine recruits, but they solemnly carry them out with the utmost decorum and gravity at the time, though doubtless they have much amusement afterwards. It is altogether being so well done that it will be one of the attractions of the carnival to watch them. The lady lieutenants are getting quite au fait in drawing their swords to salute, etc., and soon they yvill have their uniforms and equipments.