Gossip for the Ladies.

Otago Witness, Issue 1502, 28 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. — CAMPBKLIi.

Beautiful Women Captured and Enslaved.

The capture- of Turkman women by the Persian Governor* is one of the great crimes of Persian rule in the districts east of the Caspian Sea. Those Turkmans who are able to fight, or likely to give any further trouble, are ruthlessly murdered, and the old men, the boys, wives, daughters, and sisters are bound hand and foot and, brought back into Persian territory. Then commences a scene disgraceful alike to humanity and morality. . The old women and infants are separated from the young and beautiful (and many of the Turkman women are very beautiful) ; every point of the latter is looked into and discussed by the men told off for this purpose, just as the intended purchaser of a horse trots out the animal to examine him. Those possessing the best points are sent off, to the Shah and other great men at Teheran. Those with some fault or other are kept by the Governor himself, and distributed among his favourites, high and low, his servants being always generously treated in the distribution of the human spoil. ' The horses and other stolen property are likewise disposed of. But what becomes of. the old women and little ones ? These are locked up until some Turkman relation can buy their release for £20 or £25 each; and if this happy arrangement cannot be effected, they probably die of starvation. Natural Flowers at Weddings. At the marriage of Miss Helen Hoald ß ' worth, eldest daughter of Mr and Mr ß Houldsworth, of Coltness, with Sir Robert Lighton, Bart., of Rockampton, Herefordshire, St. Mary Abbot's Kensington, was most profusely and beautifully decorated with white flowers, all of which were sent up from Coltness. The bride's dreaß was of white duoheese satin, trimmed with old lace. Her veil was of tulle, fastened on with diamond stars. The orange blossoms whioh formed her wreath were very tastefully arranged among the diamonds. The eight bridesmaids wore pink silk broche dresses, the skirts being trimmed with soft muslin and lace of a creamy tint, and their hats were of cream lace with pink azaleas. They carried beautiful bouquets of white and pink flowers, and as has been frequently the case lately, real flowers were given to the guests instead of the artificial acorns and orange blossoms of which the wedding favours have so long consisted. On the occasion of this pretty, flower- decked wedding, the flowers were all white— lilies of the valley, gardenias and camellias. George Eliot described by Kate Field.

Miss Kate Field describes George Eliot — in an interview in the Gazette of Baltimore — as having an interesting face, and looking "like a horse." Of Charles Dickens, Misa Field said that "he actually resembled a dog. What kind of a dog shall I aay ? Well, a mastiff. He was strong, and at the same time he was gentle. George Eliot resembles a horse, in that she hss high cheek bones • and when looking on her one is struck with the fact that her capacity for work is almost unlimited. She is about sft 3in high. Her disposition is very lovable, and she is much liked. She is the most retiring and bashful woman I ever saw. She is generally abstracted, always thinking, and her voice is no louder than a whisper." Extravagance in New York Dress. There is every evidence of sudden wealth in New York (says the San Francisco Bulletin), reminding one of the dayß of 1865. 6. Particularly during the present season has the living expenses of rich and poor increased, and never since, or hardly belore the panic of 1873, has such reckless extravagance prevailed. " I've been dressmaking for 20 years, but never did I put scissors into so much rich material, or lay eyea on such magnificent trimmings/ said a fashionable modiste a few days ago ; and others in the same business report a like experience. In fact, suoh goods were never before imported. Some of the passamenterie trimmings of oashmere and raiabow beads range in prioes as high as $53

and $40 a yard, with fringes tomatohin richness. It really seems as if there were a possible conspiracy between the dressmaker and importer to make up in the quality of the costume for the less quantity of material and trimmings required by the present fashions. Our leading houses must bear the blame of bringing sore temptation! before the Amerioan ladies. One can but wonder if the profits on these high-prioed goods iB enough more in comparison to compensate for the responsibility of leading our nation into wilful extravaganoe and vanishing into thin air the economic virtues the hardships of the last few years has forced us to learn. A Fashionable Marriage. At the marriage of {Miss Beatrice Quain, daughter of the well-known Dr Quain, to Mr Bose, the eight bridesmaids were all dressed alikein white Indian muslin, trimmed with lace and' sashes of yellow silk tied behind, and had large bunohes of real daffodiU on the one side of the bodice and in the hats, which were of the. same material as the dresßea, and each carried a very large bouquet of the same flowers. The bride's dress was white satin, with a long, equare traifl, and had no trimming but a large bunch of orange blossoms on the front of the skirt and another on the side of the , bodice, .The plain tulle veil, which fell to the ground on all sides, was fastened with a diamond pin, whioh forma part of the set given by her mother. . ; f . - Good Customers to the Parisians. ■; It is. well-known (remarks a lady correspondent in an American contemporary) that the richest manufacture and finest specimens of French skill are brought to America. Said a lately returned tourist : "It is about impossible to find a really handsome bonnet in Paris — the loveliest are all sent to America; and as for dressmaking, if you want it done cheaply, never go to a modiste who has much American patronage, for the prices will be ruinous. Find a modiste mantua maker up two or three flights of stairs, who , oan speak no English and has only French customers, and you will get the beßt of styles at a very low rate." . ' Mixed Marriages. According to the Sydney Bulletin at present mixed marriages between Jewesses and ' Gentiles are all the rage. In Sydney alone no less than three are arranged, besides others on the tapis. When Earl Rosebery . .wooed Baron Rothschild's daughter, love was of course the mainspring of action, but there was also understood to be a compensating balanoe — her millions, hia earldom, But for the adjured faith of the unrich wives and untitled men— bankers, doctors, and pressmen—what compensation will there be when time in its ruthless course weakens the originating motives of these unions ? Chit-Chat. Red — pure, unadulterated bright red I— is now the fashionable colour at home for, sunshades, parasols, and umbrellas. What next? A French nobleman writes in vigorous' language against "round dances" and the " close embrace" of the modern style. Paris is literally filled with violets. Cartloads of the sweet-scented flowers are to be found in every street, and every lady you meet has a purple bouquet fastened' to her bodice. An old baohelor onoe fell in love with a young lady, but he abandoned all idea of marrying her when he found that she and her family were opposed to it. A Frenchman who was in love with a theatrical star, Paula Brown, lately took a novel way of showing it. He occupied a front place in the stalls, and while she was singing he took poison, and then and there triumphantly died. Four weeks is the time appointed for the Russian Court to go into mourning for the death of the Empress. The principal dresses worn at the opening Flower Show of the London season were dark in hue, but picked-out with red or yellow. Jet glinted in the sun at every turn. j The " Langtry hood" hung from almost every third pair of shoulders. A novel style of flower show was held lately at JBrading, Isle of Wight, the exhibits being, without exception, composed of wild -flowers, It is described as having presented a very lovely sight — the blossoms being arranged so as to show them to the best advantage, and the bouquets exhibiting great skill and delicacy in their arrangement. Towards the olose of the last drawing* room, the presentations were made to the Princess of Wales, the Queen being forced to retire from the Throne-room, from fatigue. The ceremony oE kissing the Sovereign's hand is of course omitted when H.R.H. receives, a low courtesy on passing her being all that is required. At the marriage of Misa Evelyn Hay, eld* est daughter of Colonel the Hon. Charles and Mrß Hay to Sir Robert Drummond Moncreiffe Bart., the bride wore ivory duchess satin, with veil and flounces of Brussels lace, the former being fastened on with diamond stars, the gift of the Earl of Dudley, the bridegroom's brother-in-law. Four of the bridesmaids were grown up, and four were ohildren Each carried a bunch of lilies of the valley and mignonette. A novelty named the "Veronese" dress is thus described, by a lady correspondent :— The shape of this charming overdress is a long, plainly-cut Princesse to the knee, where deep points commence, the ends of which reach to the edge of the drees. Under them a deep box-plaiting of silk is visible. The overdress is generally made in a woollen material, without gloss. Of course, it would be rather trying to all except good figures, as its absolute plainness, like the "Ophelia dress" displays the dress completely. Among the prettiest of dresses at Miss Hay's wedding was that of Lady Riddell, dark-blue velvet with cream-coloured satin gathered down in front, with fine lace fastened on with gold braid • and that of Mrß Graham Hutchinaon, of ruby velvet with sleeves puffed on the shoulder. Cascades of old lace were arranged on the shoulder. The hat waß also of ruby velvet. Fashion Brevities from Home Papers. Most of the new black mantlea are lined with a colour, and show a. ooloured plaiting j 1 below the lace. . , -

Black lace hoods lined with red or other coloured satin are now added to bl&ckdresses. They are finished off with blaok lace, and loops of coloured satin ribbon. The beads, alike on mantles and dresses, are now made so light that their weight does not fatigue the wearer. Plastrons, cuffs, and pockets of closely*' set steel beads appear on" many dresseß, and, one of the most beautiful trimmings Been at ; a recent wedding took the same form. Many of the mantelettes are composed entirely of rich beaded passementerie. The small, straight soarf enoiroling the shoulders, and fastening in front under, a knot of ribbon, is the newest thing to wear with a jersey. The richest mantles of the season display a mixture of multi-coloured beads— bege, blue, steel, amber, and jet." ■ *' • !£ Velvet gauzß is another expensive but beautiful novelty, the brooading patterns standing out from the clear foundation lathe 1 moat effective manner, • ■ "> ■ i The "skipping-rope" oaatume is a very, pretty dark pink serge with white faoing/ and a skipping-rope is arranged to support the drapery of the sash. Besides the short sleeve* many of the newmantles have long pendant ones reaching to the hem. i , - Kid bodices are again brought out by some of the English dressmakers. They have satin sleeves,- and are trimmed with a flat passementerie, made of jet and ,n.et embroidery. .Young girls wear cashmere jackets fastened to the baok, made in cashmere, re* sembling the jersey in , the closeness of their fit. They are trimmed with jet. "Milanese taffeta" is a half- transparent silk texture, of much beauty, used for trim, mlngr, and woven on ' the cross, ', so that when but straight the threads are on the cross. ' '" ■ Black evening dresses display colour plait; ing at the edge of the skirt; and so do aome blaok morning dresses, though .this same colour may appear in no other part of the toilette. • . . ' , < ' Nothing is quite so effective as the new grenadines and materials with the woven beaded designs on them, whioh < are yet bo new that not more than two or ' three patterns have been made. Thia textare is so costly that it will never become common, as it is beyond the reach of all bat the rich. • The separate hoods, with short ends at taohed, whioh, oroßsingin .front, fasten at the back, are the newest etyle. . These are often lined with lighted-gronnded printed Bilk, having large patterns which, look as if they had been painted • these match, the lower half of the front of the dress, ' often blaok, or of very dark shade, on which such silk is laid. ' Many bazaars are announced, and as English people conaider an apron a necesiary part of the dreßS of those . who sell, 1 some pretty, ones ara made in Indian muslin, the bib and square pooket in front, made of close* set runners of muslin, the apron bordered with a puffing, and thin narrow lace ont at the back, so as to form a point beneath a large muslin, bow. The bouquets, which, form an inseparable part of most toilets, are fastened with a variety of brooches. The newest are tiny hand* sore wb, daintily enamelled, and shells with pearls and flies inßide • , while the buttons worn are equally fanciful— large bronze reliefs in patterns hitherto associated with oxidised silver, sphinx heads and squares bent at each point. I In Rotten Row some of the new basaock \ mantles have been exciting observation ; they are worn very high in the neck, and I are gathered on the shoulders and down the oentre of the back like an aoademie robe. Nothing oould well be more peculiar or unbecoming ; they make the shoulders look very high, they hang loosely about the figure, oome below the knees, , and have short sleeves about aB deep as a mosquetaire cuff.