LADIES' GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 1918, 24 August 1888, Page 33

LADIES' GOSSIP.

\ — Her Majesty,; it is- said, intends to allow , high dresses to be worn at drawing rooms when the weather is ' Severe. Hitherto the Sovereign" has been most exacting in the • matter of low bodices, a medical certificate alone excusing any lady from appearing before the Queen in the dangerous garb -which has undoubtedly resulted in so mariy> fatal consequences. It has always be? n a •wonder why the Queen, who is generally so motherly and thoughtful in her instincts,' should have ' considered it essential to her' dignity to insist upon her subjects endangering their lives and appearing, before her in a; semi-frozen condition at winter drawing rooms.

— The charming Mrs Brown Potter has just made her reappearance at the Grand Opera House in New York. She is playing', in " The Lady of Lyons," and the pirt of: Pauline afforded Mrs Potter an opportunity' of, showing some of those handsome dresses about which people rave. Mr Bellew,,the Claude, was, however, determined not to be outdone in the matter of apparel, and he appeared in the first act in a most gorgeous ; costume of crimson velvet. As Pauline is j not seen in- that act he had no competitor in ,' the eyes of the audience. Mrs Potter's acting did not reveal any marked increase of power.

— London royalty is about to organise a charitable fete in- imitation of that; carried to success by the Princess Metternich' . in Vienna. The three little Princesses of Wales are to ( appear as Yum- Yum, Pitti Siiig, and Peep Bo in " The -Mikado " trio. A Scotch ballet will be • danced by title ladies, and it wili wind up with a pantomime in which all the pfayers will take part.

— It is believed that the betrothal of the Duke of Sparta (Crown Prince of Greece) to the Princess Sophia of Prussia, third daughter of the late Emperor Frederick, will be announced as soon as' the acute stage of the court mourning has passed.

— Two young ladies of rank and remarkable acquirements as musicians, the daughters of the Comtesse d'Occhieppo, have recently arrived from Paris, arid are expected to hare a great success both in the concert hall and in the drawing room. The gpeoiallte of tho sisters, both young, is that they sing with equal beauty and strength of voice every kind of high-class music, from Wagner's Leit-motives to the old popular songs of Europe in four different languages.

— Someone with more time and patience than usual has found out that the Prince of Wales has 17 brothers-in-law, 16 uncles, 57 cousins, and 58 nephews. He is a near relative of all the reigning families; beside the Orleans family and the royal family of Hanover. With his mother, his wife, and his five children, his family counts 53 members, leaving out the distant connections. There should be peace and harmony all o^er the world did blood connection mean anything.

— Ie is quite expected in court and official circles at Berlin that Princess Victoria of Prussia and Prince Alexander of Baitenberg will be married as soon as the term of the bride's mourning for her father has expired. The ceremony is to take place privately in England, and the young couple will reside in that country.

— The leading millinery and dressmaking establishments in New York send out " comely advertisements," we are told, in the shape of girls in their employment whe are " models ohosen for perfection of face and figure, olothed in the newest and most pronounced costumes and bonnets, and then sent out to walk in Broadway and Fifth avenue. The girls selected for this particular service are those who have been for several years used in their employers' stores as models on which to show off goods to wealthy purchasers, and thus have become known to those customers so well that, on being seen in the streets, they are instantly recognised. Thus the freshest wares offered for sale in those particular shops are announced under the most favourable circumstances A dress or a bonnet seen out of doors on the person of a beautiful girl is, of course, powerfully recommended."

— It is probable that the Empress Victoria will pass the autumn in Scotland, in which case she will reside, with her three younger daughters, at Abergeldie Castle, which the Queen has placed at her disposal.

—The birthday of the young King of Spain was celebrated at Barcelona on the 17 th June. The fleets in the harbour were docked with flags, and salutes were fired. The Queen Regent held a reception, at which, however, only Spanish subject were present. After the Spanish reception was held, the Queen received in audience the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of Genoa, who congratulated her upon the anniversary of the birth of the King. The interview was of a cordial character, and her Majesty expressed her satisfaction with the visit of the fleets.

— Princess Irene of Hesse, who is now the wife of her cousin, Prince Henry of Prussia, has received a thorough housewife's training. She can sew, make bread, and do everything she would have todo if she were the wife of a poor man. All the Princesses of Hesse were trained in this way by their mother", the late Princess Alice.

—King Oscar of Sweden has tak,en his new daughter-in-law, Princess Oscar Bernadotte (nee Munck) into favour. She now wears the crossof the, family order of her husband's family, a distinction hitherto only given to royal princesses. \ -4-Blanohe Roosevelt, the authoress of "The Copper Queen," whibh Sardou is now adapting <for the stage, is- married to an Italian gentleman, Signer Macohetta d'Allegri. Victor Hugo-,~whowas a judge of beauty, once said, wben r she was dining* with him, " You are beauty and. genius combined."- Intact; she is tall and slinvand supple as a reed. Her hair is of that sunny gold which poets love 'so well, and she wears, it nqw flowing loosely over her shoulders, .and . now coiled* like a diadem oyer her forehead; her eyes are- of, thatTdeep, deep blue which we sometimes see. on tne%aters-o| the sea; her profile is as" perfect as°a' Qre'dian'staiue, and her teeth are as pure and 'even as a string of ' Oriental pearls. She assumed the literary profession"; at Longfellow's advice. -Bat-she might have succeeded' :equaUy welljon;t|ieljsnp;sfcage or. 1 on, '^^w|i..:!M^«L%. Ji^^'

lovely soprano voice, which some compare to Christine Nilsson's. She speaks several languages, and has 'travelled in many countries. Her favourite countries are Greece and Italy, but she resides chiefly in London and "Paris. In Paris she is received as a friend by the Princess Mathilde, the Princess Zousiewsky, the Baroness Poilly,, the',Countess -Brigodej Countess Moriszecli, and other leaders of Paris society. ' J' : • ' —Mrs Langtry's Californian farm is' evidently a charming retreat. Every room is furnished in a different style. The breakfastroom is in yellow, the dining room is in red, one recaption room is in pink, another is in blue, and there is a pretty little Japanese room. . In this delightful abode; situated in the Lake Country, Mrs Langtry, proposes to spend nine months of the year, a recluse from the madding crowd. Mr Gebhardt's, farm joins Mrs Langtry's, and after certain legal proceedings the owners of the two farms will become man and wife.

— Queen Olga of Greece is making several garments with her own hauds for her eldest daughter's " marriage basket." —The Queen has ordered a leading English artist to make studies for a portrait of her Majesty, which she intends to present when finished to Princess Bismarck, as a mark of personal regard and a souvenir of her visit to Berlin.

— Probably the most expensive opera cloak worn by an American lady this winter js that which belongs to Miss Leifor, a 10,000,000d0l heiress, who now claims Washington as her home. The cloak is of white moire plush, brocaded in silver, outlined with silver cord, and trimmed with white goat's fur. Its great value depends, however, on the jewelled clasps, which are in antique gold set with large pearls.

— The Princess of Wales will probably go to Schwalbach about the end of next month for the purpose of taking a course of the baths, and her Royal Highness and the three young Princesses will afterwards pay a visit to the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland at their beautiful place on the Traun See,' near Gmunden.

— The Empress Eugenic was present on the Ist June at the special services held to commemorate the death of the Prince Imperial in the mausoleum at Farnborough Hill. Shortly after 10 o'clock a requiem service was held in the crypt, conducted by Mgr, Goddard, and subsequently a solemn mass for the dead was sung in the church above by Father Ambrose, of St. Michael's Priory" A third service was held in the afternoon. Among the visitors during the day at Farnborough were Sir Evelyn and Lady Wood,' and several friends from Paris, one of whom , brought an exquisite wreath' of violet-coloured heartsease and white roses, which .was placed on the Prince Imperial's tomb.

— The South Australian Chronicle thus ! describes some of the dresses worn at the opening 1 of the Melbourne Exhibition :— " Lady Loch was elegantly attired in a gown of shot silk so exquisitely tinted as to recall the soft, yet rich, hues that are to be seen in old paintings. A handsome mantle of dark sapphire plush, trimmed with gold, and made with long ends in front, was worn with this gown, and the bonnet, which was en suite, was adorned by a cluster of ciel blue feathers. ! Lady Camngton's most becoming toilet was a combination of rich pansy- tintod velvet and dark heliotrope faille, the velvet zouave bodice being edged with handsome' gold ' I tinsel trimming, and relieved by a small I pointed chemisette of white silk and muslin. The bonnet, which was oE the Olivia shape, was trimmed with pansy velvet and gold. Pale silver grey relieved with white was the toilette worn by Lady Musgrave, whose bonnet was also a combination of the same pearly grey and Nvhite. Lady Hamilton's gown was of dark slate faille with panels of I striped velvet. The bonnet was to match, ! and the lady carried a crimson sunshade. A greenish-grey costume relieved by maroon was worn by Mrs Fairfax, whose bonnet was ! trimmed 'with the two colours, and whose I pelerine was of sable. Miss Dundfas wore ,a [most effective art-green toilette, with. vest', arid panel of white silk heavily braided with,, gold, and a stringless bonnet en mite. The ; array of toilettes was indeed a formidable one, and I will content myself with givingthe foregoing as the most prominent specimens." — The Prince of Saxe-Weimar has Been, betrothed to Princess Wilhelmina, heir of theKing of Holland. As the Princess is onlyseven years old the Prince will have ample time to study that great text book " How to Conduct a Courtship." The Prince is 12 years old. — The Emperor of Germany, out of his own private purse, has just pair! the debt, amounting to 11,000 marks, on the Protestant Church in the town of Namslau, in Silesia. —•The hurried visit of the Princess of Wales to Dessan recently is reported at Berlin to be connected with a project of marriage between Princess Victoria of Wales and the Hereditary Prince of Anhalt-Dessau, who was born in August 185(5. —Prince Alexander oE Teck has just been sent to Eton. The» Duchess of Cambridge defrays all the educational expenses of her grandchildren. The 21st anniversary of the birth of Princess Victoria of Teck was cele-. brated at' Richmond and in the neighbourhood with mnoh rejoicing... The Princess was presented by the residents with a handsomely illuminated album, containing an . address of congratulation, and a handsome park phaeton, a horse, harness, and "trap- " pings. The committee was received in the drawing room at White Lodge," where Sir J. W. Ellis, their chaifmau, read the address,* to which the Duke of Teck made a" cordial reply. - The ' Princess then took out the cliairman for a short drive, and afterwards drove out the Princess Mary Adelaide. — Miss Kate Bishop, actress, wears a silver bracelet on the left arm night and day. Horonly sister locked it there before she sailed for America to' get married. ' The ship went down with all hands," and th'ekey is with the drowried girl. ' ' ' —It is feared (says the Queen) that tKefe will be little or no change this season as regards the lateness of the hour at which all entertainments, commet ce — the dinner,. th( ;: dance, the receptibn; although, royalty dines and remain's to dance at "tn» house of a prominent member of the fashion . able world, th,e hour at which the ball open 1 may be changed from 12 tb^lO.3o. It&sa* 1 ] truly that' outdoor gatherings and, amuse-

ments are in a measure responsible for the late hours at which all evening entertainments take place, and, therefore, things are Very likely to remain as they ars ineach successive season.

— The late Emperor Frederick during his sojourn in London last year often used to call upon Sir Morell Mackenzie in Harley street, and was received by the doctor's eldest son, who is an actor, and who used to amuse him with theatrical gossip until his father was disengaged. When paying these visits the late Emperor used frequently to take the first hansom that came in his way, being followed by his attendants in another. On one occasion the Emperor's hansom in driving through the park was stopped by one of policemen on duty, in accordance with the rule which' forbids any vehicle which plies for hire entering the precincts sacred to fashion. The Emperor declared himself, but the officer looked afc him wilh scorn, for it seemed impossible to him that a possible Emparor and the son-in-law of his Queen should drive about just like an ordinary person. The Emperor was turned back, and he told the story with great gusto.

— What delights the French most in Blanche Eoosevelt's book " The Copper Queen " is a description of the handkerchief flirtation, which takes the place of the fan flirtation in Italy. To wave a handkerchief gently means "Yes"; to throw it over the right shoulder means " Follow me "; over the left shoulder, " Danger ahead "; to let it fall, " We are betrayed," and so on. A couple of years agD I remember some smart American girls trying this kind of flirtation in Paris ; but it did not take — rather, it took too much.

— There are actual landscapes (says an American paper) on some of the French brocades imported for evening dress, and a girl condemned to play wallflower may pass away the time by looking at the picture on her frock.

— The Queen of Italy has held an interesting reception of all the lady patronesses of the female committee of the Eouge Croix (Red Cross Society) of the Quirinal. She received the larlies, 20 of whom aUended, seated in the chair of State just under a picture of her husband, the King. Her Majesty was dressed in black velvet aud pjarl ornaments. The Queen presented each lady with a copy of a work on thy philanthropic objects of the Rouge Croix, translxtecl from the German, and with a special dedication by herself. The work was sent to the Queen of Italy by the Empress of Germany. A lunch, at which the Queen presided, given to the ladies terminated this successful reunion of the lady patronesses of the Rouge Croix.

— The daughters of the Prince and Princess of Wales were at the opera lately, the occasion being the second appearance of Madame Melba as Lucia. There was a large and fashionable audience. The boxes literally sparkled with diamonds, and it was quite a relief to look upon the quiet, simple costumes of the young Princesses. They wore neither jewellery nor flowers. Their dresses were of soft sprigged silk, the prevailing colour being grey blue, the bodices were cut low, and there was a broad band of ribbon round the neck to match the gowns. Gloves of pale tan shade completed costumes at once pretty and simple. — The Queen is about to carry out extensive improvements at Birkhall, her place on the Muick, near Baliater, which she purchased a few years ago, with its estate of 6000 acres, from the Prince of Wales, for whom it was bought by the Prince Consort.

— A revolution in the shape of sleeves has for some time past been imminent, so that we shall during the comiug season see many departures from the ordinary coat-shaped sleeve which has enjoyed so long a reign. For indoor wear, full sleeves of every desirable style are now being introduced. For the dressy tea-gowns, now so much affected, the long flowing sleeves which are called angels' sleeves are already in favour. Some of these are made square, while others are pointed or round, some reaching to the extreme edge of the gown, while others are only moderately long. Of course with angels' sleeves, it is necessary to gave an inner one which is generally close fitting. — Blouse bodices, for slight figures of course, are being sent out in greater varieties than ever, being just at present more fashionable than hitherto, and likely to increase in popularity. They are made of cashmeres, soft silks, plain and striped flannels, and fancy cambrics. Some are fitted with a pointed or square yolk, others are smocked at the neck and the sleeves, while another style has tiny lengthwise plsats put in as far as a yolk would come, the sleeves being arranged to correspond. — In gloves, tan, grey, and suede colours play the most prominent part, but we are to have noveltie3 in suede, which is now being made in new tones of the pretty greens, blues, and other shades which divide popular favour. Tired of one Another. There is an amusing told of the Marquise and President Ilenault one day complaining of the interruptions to which they were constantly subjected by reason of the society in which they lived. They arranged to have a whole day to themselves and proposed to meet in a small unoccupied apartment at the Tuileries belonging to a friend. They arrived accordingly in separate conveyances about 11 o'clock a.m., and ordered their carriages to return at midnight. Throughout the morning they agreed that if every day were only to be as that, life itself would be too short. Dinner came, and before 4 o'clock sentiment had yielded place to gaiety and wit. About G the Marquise looked at the olock, " They play ' Athalie ' to-night," said she, " and the new actress is to make her appearance."' " I confess," remarked the President, " that if I were not here I should regret not seeing her." •• Take care, President," said the Marquise, " what you say amounts really to an expression of regret ; if you had been as happy as you profess to be jou would not have thought of the possibility "of being at the representation of • Athalie.'" The President vindicated himself, and ended |by saying : "Is it for you to complain, when you were the first to look at the clock, and to remark that Athalie ' was acted to-night 1 There is no clock for those* who are happy." The dispute grew warm, and ,they became more and more out of humour with one another, and by 7 o'clock they wished most earnestly to sepa-

rate. It was impossible. "Ah l" said the Marquise, " I cannot stay here till 12 o'clock — five hours longer ; what a punishment !" I There was -a screen in the room; the Marquise seated herself behind it, and left the rest of the room to the Prasident, who, piqued, takes a pen and writes a note full of reproaches, and throws it over the screen. The Marquise picks up the note, goes in search of pen, ink, and paper, and writes an answer in the sharpest terms. At last midnight arrived, and each hurried off separately, fully resolving not to try the same experiment again. — "Temple Bar." Serrants In German Families. In Germany, SByB a correspondent of the Washington Post, it makes no difference to a nobleman whether you own a shop or are merely employed in one. In both cases you . work, and that is sufficient. He looks down ' upon you. The effect of this is that the German shopkeeper and man of middle class does not keep his clerk and servants at, half the distance that his American confrere does. An American shopkeeper lives in a fine house and walks about his "emporium of fashion" as haughtily as a Czar. If his wife or daughter honour the place at all ib is when they want a new dress or a cheque from papa. In France or Germany the same class of shopkeeper lives in the room over his shop, and all in probability has his wife to keep his books and his daughter wait at the counter. At night when the house is put to rights, the housemaid will come into the family sitting room, and while knitting listen to her employer read his papers or chat with the family. She is not kept in & back room in the attic nor thrown entirely on her own resources for amusement.. Hence the German and French do - not experience that difficulty in securing capable domestic help which most American housewives too often encounter. They bring their customs, more or less, to this country ; and in American cities the first to get good house servants and the last to loose them are not Americans, ,but German and French families. Time was in New England at any rate, when house-girls were not called servants and were not treated as machines out of which was to be gotten all the work possible. They used to say "help" in New Eugland, and when the " help " had finished her duties she not seldom rolled down her sleeves and took her &eat at the table along with the family. That custom is no longer in vogue, except, perhaps, now and then in the country, or in very small towns, and as a result it is now as hard to get house help in New England as in any other part of the country.