Ladies' Column.

Otago Witness, Issue 1197, 7 November 1874, Page 21

Ladies' Column.

THE HORRORS OF EAR PIERCES G

An inquest held the other day, says the Beading Eagle on the body of a little girl, aged eight years, the daughter of a sailor, conveys a lesson with regard to ear-rings. The unfortunate child, whose death formed the subject of inquiry, about three weeks ago underwent the operation of having her ears pierced with a stocking needle. After the ears were pierced, two ear-rings belonging to her mother were put in them. A few days later a blister came beliind one ear ; then the jaw began to swell, worse symptoms ensued, and on Saturday last the child died. The medical evidence was to the effect that death had resulted from exhaustion consequent upon the intense inflammation caused by the piercing of the ears, and the jury returned a verdict accordingly. Of course, if women choose to have their ears pierced, it would be impertinent on the part of man to remonstrate against the self-inflict-ed torture ; but there can be no harm in suggesting that children'might be allowed to reach years of discretion before they are called upon to follow the example of their elders and betters in this respect. IMPROVEMENTS IN LADIES' DRESS. The extravagance and asserted unlhealthiness of the present style of feminine atire is arousing grave rliscussion on the other side of the Atlantic, and a society in Boston, the " Boston Women's Club," is seriously considering alterations and improvements therein. Atarecentsecret meeting several of the members brought forward paper patterns, and models of plainer and more wholesome costumes to add weight to their lectures on the subject. One lady had invented a contrivance for lifting the weight of the garments off the waist, and also a " form improver," stated to be rich in buttons, straps, and cordage. Another showed a family of dolls "charmingly and hygienically " dreased, from a toddling baby to a full matron, to illustrate her theory, but the gem of the inventions wa3 a waterproof "adjunct," by which, according to the inventor, the weaker would be able to ford a river without wetting even the "ruffles of her undershirts." The hearers were reported to have been most attentive and enthusiastic, but whether they will be as ready to "do " as to " hear " ,is quite another matter. — Graphic. » — A POSTPONED MARRIAGEIIN HIGH LIFE. Last week, in the county of Waterford, great preparations were made for the marriage of the daughter of a landed proprietor of rank with an officer in the army, •who is connected with a noble family in the North of Ireland. Invitations were issued to 120 of the Slite of the county to be present at the breakfast to be given on the auspicious occasion ; the morning arrived, and carriage after cariiage conveyed their aristocratic occupants to the mansion of the father of the bride. But, on arriving, they were informed that no marriage was to take place that day, and the guests had to take their departure without entering the house, some having come from a great distance. No explanation was given to account for this sudden change in the aspect of affairs, and exoited curiosity has not as yet been gratified by an explanation of why the programme was BOBuddenly altered. The most singular part of the business is tliat circumstantial accounts appear in the local journals of the wedding as if it had been duly celebrated. ~-~Sau>iders } Newsletter. » DANCING WITH A PRINCESS. The celebrated Vienna painter Herr yon Angely has been stopping in Berlin and occupying himself with taking the portraits of several members of the Imperial family. He received many marks of royal favour, and was invited to the festivities and receptions at Court. At one of the balls where he was present a cavalier attached to the suite of the Grown Princess Victoria stepped up to him with the message that her Imperial Highness wished to dance the next waltz with him. Angely started back at the intelligence, and, pointing to the floor, said to the cavalier, in the peculiar Vienna accent, " On such a slippery floor I dare not undertake to dance, more especially with her Imperial Highness. " " Please, " said the courtier, smiling, " to follow me into the next apartment, and there you can get the soles of your boots chalked by one of the lacqueys." Angely obeyed the direction of her Highness's messenger, and after having taken these measures to ensure his not falling he stepped into the Baloon where the dancing was going on. The Crown Princess was being conducted through the mazes of the dance by a tall and distinguished courtier, who out of respect to his partner held her, as the etiquette at Court prescribes, at arm's Length. After her Highness had been led back to her seat by the cavalier Angely stepped up, and making a low reverence, said, " Your Imperial Highness has deigned to express a wish to dance with me ; but excuse me saying that I cannot dance like the gentleman that has just had the honour. I only understand the Vienna way to danee — that is, by clasping my partner round the waist." Smiling at this the Crown Princess answered, " Dance with me, Herr yon Angely, as you choose, just as you have been accustomed to danqe in Vienna."

Angely now knew what he was about, and clasping his distinguished partner round the waist, he danced three or four times round the saloon at a rate enough to make one giddy to look at it. When being conducted back to her seat by Angely her Imperial Highness turned to him and said, "So that is the way you dance in Vienna — well, I must say I never found so much pleasure in dancing." — Deutsche Nachrichten. • • — » AMERICAN FASHION NOTES. {From the Danbury Neios.) Paper sunshades are something new. Necklaces of large coral beads are fashionable. White kid boots are affected by the Newport belles. A leather braid for binding dresses is in the market. A new seaside hat looks like an inverted chopping dish. White gauze veils dotted with black are worn by the ladies at the seaside. The Empress hat is the gentleman's high hat cut down half its size with a wide band of velvet. The male swell at the seaside wears a white flannel suit and black straw hat bound with blue ribbon. Dresses do not appear to be looped as much now as formerly. The back breadth now hangs down almost in a straight piece. Leghorn hats are quite fashionable. They have large Charles I. brims, without any wire in them, so that they may be shaped at will. A mass of finger puffs covers the head of the fashionable girl of the period, coming from the forehead to the nape of the neck. One of the best travelling suits is the long polonaise of dark linen, worn over a black or brown silk skirt with simple trimming. A lady has created a sensation at Newport by wearing an entire dress of Roman scarf silk. It was, indeed, a marvellous costume. Young ladies at the seaside anxious about their complexions wear brown, blue, or green veils, and thus injure their eyesight. Large blue enamel lockets of Roman gold are fashionable. They are worn around the neck, depending from a band of black or blue velvet. At a private reception given at Newport last week one of the most beautiful toilettes worn on the occasion was by the wife of a member of the Diplomatic Corps. It was of white dotted mull on a foundation of white organdie. The skirt had a long train, and was flounced from the bottom to the waist, each flounce being trimmed with a narrow band of black velvet, and edged with a black thread lace about an inch wide. The waist was of the "Baby" pattern, and was trimmed with diamonds and points of velvet and lace in the most artistic and beautiful style. The dress was made by Worth, and there is only one duplicate of it in America. This fact must be gratifying for the diplomat's wife to contemplate.