THE LADIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 956, 16 May 1889, Page 33

THE LADIES.

By Alice.

The irwld was sad—the gwden was a wild, And m»n, th« Hermit, ilghed, till woman smiled. ' — Oaupbkll.

ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

In the .world of gaiety there are occasional t " rests by the way," and this week has been one of them. With ' the exception of the Orchestral Society's concert on Friday evening—of which more anon — we have been left .undisturbed to our ordinary pursuits, the Scotch mist, and one another. Perhaps it | would be a good thing if we were of tene'r thrown into, closer communion one with I another. On the one hand we should find ! that " all is not gold that glitters,"— that much of the sparkle which' dazzles our eyes from the distance upon a closer inspection proves to be but ,a very thin coating of gilt or the commonest of tinsel ; while on the other hand, what looks afar off but the very solidest of bare rock ha 3 many a cleft where the tiny blossoms grow, where cool, clear springs of charity and human kindness well up in the midst, where weary travellers may drink and be refreshed. There are rests by the, way even for the most weary — little pauses in • a long doubt and* trouble — rifts in the clouds, where the blue of heavente hope and faith', peeps, through for a while, and the soul of the gazer realises f or]ja moment all that can and will be when the clouds are rolled away. There are lulls in the storm of discord when the clang and din seems silenced and the voice of a friend brings courage and cheer, and the promise of an old Book makes itself heard : " I will not leave you comfortless."

Letters and messages have reached .me ! this week from readers far off— from far away among the mountains — places where in the daily course of our duties and recreations our thoughts seldom, go, yet where people ride miles to hear from us in print, and of all that the busy town has to chroniole of the week. We who are in the midst of it. all, and can hear the busy feet go up and down, can witness the disgrace or triumph, the success or failure, of our friends, and know so much of the emulation, the cares and business of our neighbours, do not realise what the echo of all this means to those among the silent mountains or far on the lonely plains. We are no myth to them. They talk of us round the kitchen fires, and draw pictures of what they imagine us to be ; watch with absorbing . interest the career of our public men; prophesy much that transpires; long for the sights and sounds that we have grown weary of •; and learn all they know of daily politics, commerce, business, pleasure, crime, folly, and the nobler work of man from the busy pens. If, as in the olden days in Oriental life, a messenger had to be sent, and there were no swift- winged telegrams, no newspapers, there would be thousands of places where Time would not seem to be ; where no echo of its command, " Advance I" would reach the solitude of the mountains, and little would be learned except what was taught by the flowers and the stars. Some will possibly I say, " And better so." But is it 1 'Know- ' ledge is power, and not one experience need jgo to wastej whether of evil or of good. The world exists as the years have made it, and the greatest nobility consists, not in having escaped the battle, but in fighting well in the thickest of it ; and, as I have said before, many a scar that man will call a disfigurement is but a mark of a well-fought fight. So many kind letters reaching me from time to time from places distant, it is but courtesy that sometimes I should reply, and as there are so few amusements to .take up the time just at present, now seems a fitting opportunity. " Life down there in town seems one long dream of pleasure," wrote a girl to me last week, " while here, in the country, it is made up chiefly 'of making bread, milking cows, and churning butter." Many of my country readers think the same. I know they do by what they have told me. I will try and picture a day in town. Let us take to-day. Early in the morning, when the day was just breaking through a dismal cold mist, lights here and there could be seen dotted about the hills from ' the cottage windows. Many a tired wife and mother was early astir boiling the kettle, and making breakfast for husband and children^ while the men were having their morning wash and getting their tools together for another day's work ; or, in sadder homes, were waking sullen and heavy from a. drunken sleep. In the larger homes, the servant girls draw up the blinds to let the straggling daylight through, then set smartly — or sleepily — to work clearing away the remains of last night's supper, sweeping the rooms and polishing the stoves, and cooking breakfast ready for the masters and mistresses to come down, wondering meanwhile, perhaps, when they will get "a day out" to enjoy the freedom that others have all day long. Meanwhile, in the city, offices and shops are being swept and dusted, and early carts are astir, while the tram' drivers are already at their post, and solitary persons are hurrying to catch the early trains, and by and bye the traffic grows thicker, men and boys are coming from all parts with little bags holding their luncheon — to their daily work. Factory girls with tired faces are hurrying by, a shabby ulster protecting them from the drizzling rain, while, better dressed girls are presently to be seen on their way to the shops, where they must stand all day, bringing skill, patience, and cheerfulness to bear on the task of serving customers, no matter how exacting and tiresome these customers may be. While these are on the road the '•masters and mistresses " are breakfasting, perhaps out of sorts after the gaieties of last night, when more money was spent than they could afford, and worried over the bills the postman now brings; or, among the fortunate few, worried about nothing at all. An hour later and the merchants, the lawyers, the doctors, the ministers, newspaper people, clerks, and all the vast company that make up the city are hard at work — professors and students, school teachers and scholars, all wprking for what they have, or hope one day to have, and be. So everyone is bW>sWfc those who wiU n°t work, or more !

than usually gifted with- this World's goods, or are ill, or the wretohed few who can ? flrid no work to do. Down on the wh^Wes iffen are busy with the ships, at the railway , station with the trains, in the , streets withvtheir cabs and carts. 1 Close locked inthestndy, men are thinking out the problems of the world, while the servant boy whistles in the yard cleaning the masters's'shoes. .',;• ■ And the ladies?— They' "are not always dressed like they are in fairytales. There are cares, responsibilities, and k duties' for them all — pains of body and mind fjbf all to bear. When night comes on the music is heard. There is feasting and dancing, and wearing of silk and lace, but below it atttfiere is the real life that is not all "adieam of pleasure." If it is a life worth/living there is a meaning and purpose in it. Wei are all atoms of the whole. As each tinyV&i'ain of flour goes to make a loaf so all hare a .part ia the plan. There is a inasterhancj at work mixing and kneading •'—'separately, and. alone we should be of little use. We are'dependent each upon the other. When my country reader is busy with her churn she can see a picture of what life is trying to do with us all— hustlirig and bustling ps abput, until the sour buttermilk is beaten out of us and only the sweet butter remains. \ Now I suppose I must say a word cr two about the' fashions. Weil, a town lady. has a very elegant appearance just now. The steels have entirely disappeared from the dress, and only heavy pleats or a small pad remain in their place. The skirts are not so full as they were, and depend for their effect chiefly upon the way they are pleated, tor no loose drapery now is worn. The bodices are mostly, of the Directoire or coat-and-vest style, with the vest' of some rich coloured silk or plush, and in every case the hat or bonnet matches the dress.. The cloaks and ulsters are long,, with long drooping sleeves, and high felt hats are much worn. In the description of the wedding of Miss Keid, of . Elderslie, last week it should have been stated that the trousseau of the bride was turned out by Miss Stockley, of Brown, Ewing, ?nd Co. The bride's, travelling,costume was of brown, cloth, tailor-made, and was very stylish. A dinner dress of crushed 'strawberry Ottoman silk, was handsomely made with very long train. Yet another very pretty costume was an evening dress of rich yellow silk, draped with chinelle tulle to match, and was one of the loveliest evening dresses I have seen. .. Miss Wratislaw, oh the occasion of her marriage to Mr G. H. Moore last week, wore a pretty pale gobelin blue dress, interwoven with silver spars, the front nicely draped, pleated sides, slightly cascaded at back, the front of the body being prettily crossed with folds and turned over reverses. This dress was also made by Miss Stockley. , Mr and Mrs Moore left' during the week en route for Queensland. Among the wedding guests Mrs Mickie wore a brick-coloured cashmere"; Miss Haggitt— a very handsome olive green cloth, the front panel of white embroidered with gold; Miss Fraser wore, a cream ponjee silk fringed with red ; Mrs Twopenny —a pretty striped grey costume, carrying a lovely bouquet of flowers ; Miss Mary Williams — a tailor-made dress of dark,green.

Among the dresses I have noticed during the week was that of Miss Grey — a roaai coloured cloth handsomely embroidered. The front drapery hung very gracefully, and formed a pretty contrast wjth the . puffed back. Mrs Pettit— green cloth, with fawn, panel, embroidered with gold, neck-band and cuffs to match. Mrs J. S. Williams—a very effective combination of green and fawn, pinked, in Djrectoire style ; Miss Fany Jones —navy blue, with red silk hangings and vest ; and Miss Driver in a stylish brown cloth. On Friday evening the Orchestral Society gave their concert, in aid of the, special waid. ab the hospital, but there was nob 'such a large attendance as on the invitation night— the fact is that most persons had-contributed, towards it last week. I omitted to state in my last letter that Bishop and Mrs Neyill gave a very enjoyable dance at Bishopsgrove previous to $he de-, parture of their niece, ,Mis^ Neville The hostess wore a handsome black silk^and Miss Nevill white. , „ ' - A harvest thanksgiving was, held in St. Matthew's on Sunday, the churches ; being very prettily decorated. The fruit used was , afterwards sent to the hospital. „ , ■ • ,The employes of the Totara and Ardgowan estates testified their appreciation of the manager (Mr John Macpherson) in ' a most substantial manner on the occasion of his marriage last week. On Tuesday evening, a ball was given by Mr and Mrs Macpherson, ■ when, in addition to those connected with theiestates, guests were presentfrom Oamaru, Maheno, Waiareka, &c, there being nearly 200 persons present. The ball took place in the granary, which was nicely decorated with evergreens and chrysanthemums, and opposite the entrance was a well-executed design, bearing the word "Welcome," 'in laurel leaves Mr and Mrs Macpherson, with the officers and servants, actively interested themselves in attending to the comfort of all, and when the ball opened the host and hostess led off the grand maroh at about 9 o'clock. After about an hour's dancing, Mr Crawford, one of the employes, presented Mr : and Mrs Macpherson with one of Collard and Collard's pianos, set in a case of figdred walnut. The piano is a very handsome in- " strument, and cost over 60 guineas'. In making the presentation Mr Crawford testified to the respect in which the recipient was held, and Mr Macpherson feelingly" responded, 'after which Mrs Macpherson tested th"6 in*' strument by playing a solo. Supper was served at 11 o'clock in the dining room, 1 after which dancing, interspersed with songs, was resumed, and kept up till well on in the morning. | The marriage of Mr Harkness, of the Waitaki High School, and Miss Satchel! was celebrated at St. Paul's Church on Saturday morning, the Rev. Mr Gifford, incumbent of St. Luke's, Oamaru, officiating. The marriage was very quiet, only a few intimate friends attending. The bridal party afterwards drove to The Cliffs, the residence of, Mr E. B. Cargill, where they partook of luncheon. The newly married couple left for the North in the afternoon.

"Rough on Piles."— Why suffer Piles? Im» mediate relief and complete cure guaranteed. Aak for " Rough on Piles." „S ara core for itohtog, protending, frMing, ok w>y form of Piles.

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