Gossipy Paragraphs.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 4 March 1882, Page 28

Gossipy Paragraphs.

The Princess of Wales is occupying much the position in the world of English fashion that the ex-Empress Eugenic did in the French' The duties of Queen Victoria's 'personal servants,' of whom John Brown is one, consist principally in conveying her orders to other domestics. Farewell bachelor dinner-parties are now the rage in New York. They are given by the bridegroom-elect a few days prior to his marriage, and are nothing if not costly. Mouse jewellery is fashionable. The little animal is wrought in silver and fastened in the folds of lace or silk ties. It is also popular for cuffs, made of bronze, jet, pearl, or light metal. ' The London Times says that 'at the coming coronation of the Czar and Czarina, the ivory throne of Constantino will be used, and the Czarina occupy a dais adorned with 876 diamonds and 1223 sapphires, turquoises, and pearls. 1 When Queen Margaret of Italy lately passed through Pontafel, on the Austrian frontier, a group of young Italian and Austrian girls, dressed in white, gave her a lovely bouquet. They were all kissed in turn by the Queen, with many affectionate words. Mrs Garfield will soon receive from the Women's Silk Culture Association the first silk dress every part of which from egg to finished fabric has been produced in America. The silk has just been reeled by the members of the Association, and is said to be equal to the best Italian silk. The Princesß of Wales, while at Singleton Abbey the other day, planted a linden as a memorial of her visit. She was requested t ■ place her hand on the tree while the earth was being filled in around it ; but, instead of being content with so passive a part, she seized a heavy garden spade, and shovelled ip the earth with skill and vigour, laughing heartily the ' Th«e can be no doubfe, saya the Brooklyn Eagla, bnt that the fashions axe at present led by Alexandra, Princess of Walon. The French women are eagerly adopting English styles, and Alexandra is in Edkluml the louder of fashion. She is tall, slender, aimost too thin, and with classical feature and email head,

Therefore we wear high ruffs, panniers, bouffant drapery, and those styles which are the delight of the thin and the horror of the stout. A gushing French writer declares that he 'loves jet passionately, and finds in it a wholly Bpecial poetry. It reminds him of those sad and timid souls, full of mysterious perceptions and invisible brilliancy, which can only be brought out by the influence of some beloved one just as the qualities of jet are dependant upon light for their elucidation.' He forgets to explain what * invisible brilliancy J may mean. Oldham velvet is a new quality ef that pleasant material which will rapidly win its way to popular favour. The nap is peculiarly fine and silky, and the velvet drapes in the most supple and graceful of folds. It is light, yet substantial, and its rich surface reflects back the light with a soft effect that is greatly enhanced when jet forms part of the trimming. Oldham velvet makes the most perfect costumes, and is by no means, expensive. One of the most fashionable amusements here is a 'horse-hop,' that is, some society woman engages the ring and horses for the evening and then invites twenty-five or fifty of her friends to be present. Two or three hours are spent in cantering, galloping, and dancing quadrilles on horseback, and then the guests adjourn to the house of the hostess for an elegant Bupper. Mrs August Belmont, Mrs Havermeyer, Mrs Van Hoffman, Mrs J. E. Reid, Mrs Hughes, Judge Hilton's daughter, Mrs Furdy, and Mrs Ludlow have recently given these parties.— New York Correspondent Cincinnati Enquirer.