Gossip for the Ladies.

Otago Witness, Issue 1499, 7 August 1880, Page 26

Gossip for the Ladies.

The world was sad—the garden was a wild; And man, the Hermit, sighed—till woman smiled. —Campbell. [

Love Presents and Jewellery Devices. The young Romeos of Sydney now present their Juliets with broad circlets of gold bearing in old English letters (according to " Gipsy" in Town and Country) the devioe " Irbhar," the meaning of whioh, I may tell, for the benefit of the uninitiated, is, " The chosen one." Lockets bear the same inBcriDtion, and enclcme a tress of hair, and the likeness of the fond swain. The device is a pretty one, and suitable to engaged folk. Besides, it has the double merit of signifying that the recipient is " the chosen one," or that the portrait of the donor therein contained is that of the " choßen one." Another favourite motto inscribed on engaged rings just now is " Astare." It is almost needless for me to give the meaning of this wellknown term of endearment, whioh is the Irish for "my darling." One advantage with the new mottos is that loving ones can interchange presents bo lettered with no fears as to the meaning being misinterpreted, as was the oase with "Mizpah." A Second Ruth. When the Duohess Pauline of Wurtemberg was married the other day to Dr Willim, a Breslau physician, she asserted her affection and her husband's dignity in a pretty and romantic fashion. Pastor Suchner, who officiated, in his address exhorted the bridegroom to devote himself forever to his noble bride, because sac had abandoned much and renounced much for his sake. When the bride had to say her " Yes," she added in an emphatic tone : " I declare that I have abandoned nothing to whioh my heart was at tached, and that I am enviably happy." Succeeding her Husbands. Mra Frank Leslie fills acceptably the position of the editor-in-chief of the Leslie newspaper, formerly filled by two of her husbands, Mr Squier and Mr Leslie (formerly named Carter). She has power and grace as a writer, is an original thinker, a gifted linguist, and brilliant in conversation. Useful if not Ornamental. Hoods will be a moßt important part of dress this year, and every known shape— except the ugly and unbecoming old " jellybag"—seems brought into requisition. But they are all wide open, large, and with the lining turned out, so aB to show completely. No oords and tassels are used with them, as of old, but a oord is sometimes run through the outer edge, to draw it up ond tie it round the throat; or a bow of ribbon is placed in the centre of the back. The Leopold-Maynard Match. Her Majesty Queen Victoria is said to favour the match, and in the event of its taking, place intends that the bride shall be accorded all the privileges of royalty. The Queen is in a position to act as she thinks best, and does not seem to care for any manifestations of displeasure on the park of those who resent this equalisation of rank. Ab has been rumoured, even if by royal command, the title of her Royal Highness, and the dignity and honour pertaining thereto, should be bestowed on the presumptive * bride, the exclusives of the social world would find it difficult to pay the same amount of deference to the Duohess of Albany (nee Miss Maynard) that they so readily offer Her Royal and Imperial HigbneßS the Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duchess of Connaught, grandniece of the Emperor of German \. "iet these royal ladies would niter her marriage be in the position of sisters-in-law to the whilom commoner, a fact that will not be forgotten most assuredly, and which will probably lead to much heartburning in the future. Of course nothing is officially settled, and the conclusions arrived at may be premature; but there is a certain significance in the fact that the young lady was one of the comparative few invited to witness the marriage of Princess Frederica of Hanover, and that on the morning of the day on which it took place Miss Maynard, accompanied by the Princess Beatrioe and Prince Leopold, paid a visit to the mausoleum of the late Priuoe Consort; at Frogmore.

The Surtout Model. The surtout model is likely to be a great favourite the present season. The effect is certainly quaint and hiatorio. It is not fitted any more closely to the fignra than a gentleman wears hia coat. For out- door activities the surtout model should be of moderate length. It has the high pocket-lapß upon the hips, and waist-line button? at the back, and it is cut away in front to expose the pretty dress-skirt. Mottled or basketwoven goods are stylish for this model. Woollens whiok will bear the sponge are favourite fabrics. Princess Beatrice and the late Prince Imperial. , Princess Beatrice was born when the entente cordiale between the Courts of St. James and the Tuileries was at its height, and the idea of transferring to her one day the crown matrimonial of the Empress Eugenic was nursed by the third Emperor^ I expect that when all the chapters of flj/e Queen's journal are published it will appear, also, that Her Majesty and Prince Albert were aware of this hope, and did not discourage it. Hence the especial pains taken with the French education of the Princess, who was placed under the charge of Mile. Norele, a French lady, instead of under a German governess, as her elder sisters had been. When the Grown Prince of Austria was in England two years ago, he was asked to meet the Princess at dances at Marlborough House, and thought her attractive. If Bhe married him she would have been obliged to re* nounce her remote title to the inheritable of Queen Victoria, and to become a Roman Catholic. The latter condition would not have troubled Her Eoyal Highness, who has mixed a good deal with Frenoh Bonapartiats, and is in. sympathy with the religious views and feelings of the Empress Eugenic. She does not, I am told, see much difference between the Romanist and the Lutheran ritual, for which she has an hereditary bias. But the Queen's sense of her own dignity would have suffered by her daughter, to better herself in the world, forsaking the faith of which Her Majesty is the official defender. All this, and the secret attachment of the Princess to the unfortunate Cassarine, whose effigy Dean Stanley is going to place in the British Pantheon of West. minster^ threw cold water on the delioata negotiations which had been just begun, Beatrioe will probably end by taking the Hereditary Grand Duke of Baden, and become the animating spirit of the charming Grand Ducal residences, which are situated in the most picturesque district ef the Rheingau. —London Correspondence of N. Y. Tribune. Chit-Chat. Fanoy a room fall of people performing the polka or sohottisohe as though they were on wires, and you have a good idea of the "Boston Hop." The skipping-rope after being banished from the list of children's exercises for years, has reappeared, and will become one of the most fashionable sports. An Indiana man has sued for a divorce from his wife on the ground that she whistles while he is reading the Bible. No husband can stand that. Queen Victoria gave Princess Frederloa a larger quantity of marriage gifts than she uually bestows upon her. relatives and friends. Victor Hugo said, on seeing a pretty woman take the veil : " when one is not ugly, one has no right to espouse God." Ballroom dancing has been described as " hideous intertwining " by the Visoount de Brieur, the author of a pamphlet which has already reached a fifth edition. Mrs Anna Goodman, a Leadville board-ing-house keeper, collected board in advance from 50 boarders, ran up several bills, and — skipped. The Spaniards have a saying : "In ohoos* iDg a wife, Bhut your eyes and commend your soul to God." Owing to her late accident, every sudden or loud noise that the Princess Louise hears brings on severe pains and inflammation in the ear. Eucalyptus cigarettes are smoked by Parisian ladies, either in the smoking-room with gentlemen, or in their own apartments with intimate friends. Ihe Princess Beatrice is actually growing stout. It is, perhaps, a shocking thing to say about a Princess of the Blood, but it is true. A Laplander does not have to go into mourning when his wife dies. He can marry while the body is still in the house, and have a second wife to ride to the grave with him. This makes things warm and convenient. The least coquettish of women knows when a man is in love with her long before he has any idea of it himself. That is to say, she knows it before he is in love. The fashionable pose at the photographer's affeoted by the London beauties, is leaning against the jamb of a kitohen door, feeding chickens. A London photographer's oaAi; requires as many properties and aB mush scenery as a modern theatre. The ancient superstition that it is unluoky to wear black at a wedding appears to be dying a natural death, says Truth. THat It is utterly disregarded by the guests is proved by tho number .of black satins, velvets, and brocades worn at recent weddings. Jenny Lind's eyes are described by Mrs Hooper as lovely as ever in their expression and in their soft depths of lustrous blue. Her abundant brown hair, slightly silvered, she still dresses j in tbe same fashion as of old. The betrothal of the Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria with Princess Stefanie of Belgium seems to have given great satisfaction to the people of Vienna, not alone because the young lady ia handsome and accomplished, but especially as her mother is the daughter of one of the. most popular Austrian Archdukes. ! Thyra, Duchess of Cumberland, and|sister of the Princess of Wales, has lost her health, suffering from nervousness and an inoessant dry cough. She is also suffering from low spirits, having been leading a secluded and lonely life. The Queen has been pleased to declare the Duke of Edinburgh a Knight of the Order of Saint Patrick, a3 a mark of the sense entertained by Her Majesty of the services rendered by His Royal Highness In ad« ministering relief in Ireland.

n Howard county, Arkansas, Sarah j fc-Ikea, only 18 years of age, stabbed and „ oed Linda Sfcephenß, aged 20. The oause °i the murder was a quarrel begun by the mothers of the two girls and continued by the young people. The murderess made no attempt to escape and is now on trial. As Mr King, of Wrookwardine, near Shrewsbury, was about to sit down to his breakfast early in May, one of the members of the family, coming out of the pantry with a loaf in her hand, was startled by seeing a mouse leap out of the centre ef the bread, Immediately followed by another. Upon cutting it open it was found that in the centre was a nest of little mice, numbering 14. The bread had been baked but eight days. Miss Ida Lewis, the brave Newport lighthouse keeper, was seized with diphtheria laßt winter while a gale was blowing and ft there could be no communication with land. 4 She knew that the hideous disease required prompt treatment, and she had read that kerosene was an unfailing remedy. So she administered sharp doses of the oil, and though it made her violently ill it oured her A Tenant for B. E. R. Dear Sir, in the Witness I chanced to see A snug house to let, That I think would suit me. For long I have tried For a houso of this kind, But rarely could find one * Just to my niind. Or else if I did, I was always behind ; For a lady more fortunate 1 Would step in before, Of the house take possession, And shut to the door ; Although of affection She had but small store. So I hope you will lease mo This house for my life ; And draw out the agreement That will make me your wife. Let the dwelling be furnished By Cupid, the elf ; And the taxes I'll pay To your dear, darling self. The heaviest item You say is obey ; But I think 'twill be easy If you help me to pay The other two taxes Of honour and love : Then peace in our dwelling Will reign like a dove. I've a heart unencumbered And free as your ownThe proof, if 'tis needed, Will clearly be shown ; And the title to this You surely will get, If your bachelor's heart To me you will let. —Ada.