LADIES' GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 1974, 19 September 1889, Page 34

LADIES' GOSSIP.

— Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, as previously mentioned in this page, gave another proof of her admiration of Irish poplins Dy selecting quite a number of dresses for the trousseau of the Princess Louise. This large order was given to Messrs Atkinson and Co., of Dublin. The selection included several very pretty pale greys, the shades of red known as cratnoisie and coquelicot, ckevrefeuille pink, ivory white, and one specially manufactured by Messrs Atkinson and Co. for her Royal Highness, which is of the most delicate shade of blue, brocaded with fronds of maiden hair and asplenium ferns, interwoven with silver. In addition to the selection made for the trousseau, the Princess of Wales chose some for her own wear, including: one in white, brocaded with shamrocks. This order is certain to bring Irish poplins more into favour in fashionable circles, and secure for them a place in every carefully selected trousseau. It is pleasant to note that the Princess of Wales so pointedly directs the attention of fashionable classes to work of, we believe, exclusively Irish manufacture. It is to he hoped that this exquisite fabric will be seen at many fashionable weddings, colonial as well as English and Irish, and that the poplin trade of Dublin will surpass its former prosperity. — Afc the most fashionable wedding of the season in London a sensation was produced by the concluding words of the officiating clergyman, and there was a deep silence throughout the fashionable company as he said : "My Lord Duke, happiness is not to be found in wealth, in the noble rank you bear, nor in art collections — the heart of man cannot be filled with them. One thing — and one alone — will satisfy' the heart of a true man, and that is love. Love is that for which theheart yearns, and there lies your true happiness." Again, stretching out his hand to where the Duke and his bride knelt, he said : "Help one another to draw nearer unto God. Begin by loving each other. Make each other's happiness, power, and influence the object of your life. Live for each other."

— In Philadelphia what are called •* topic parties" are in vogue. The hostess hands each guest on entering a programme like a dancing card, with topics instead of names of the dances. At a party given by a wellknovw diplomat, the topics were: The weather, the latest fad, the book I last read, topics, politics, cough-drops (then came an intermission filled in with music and recitations), beggars, the new President, Egypt or Samoa, the small boy, organs, reforms, refreshments (with illustrations), "Home, sweet home," with "Sweethearts and wives." When the cards were all filled with engagements the hostess rang a little bell and said: "Find your partners for 'The Weather,' " and in three minutes the bell rang, and that topic and partner were left for the next, and so on through the course.

— Prom Germany it is reported that the bridal veil worn by Princess Louise of Schleswig-Holstein was composed of over 150 squares of lace, each of which was made by a Silesian lacemaker, whom it took about 10 days to elaborate the squates of 3in.

— The number of women who enter the ministry in the United States is rapidly increasing, One of the most popular of the women clergy is the Key. Carrie J. Bartlett, who has been pastor of a church in Southern Dakota for several years, and is now enthusiastically called to another important charge in Michigan. The reverend lady began her career as a newspaper reporter.

—The London World's fashion writer says : — " Every kind of decorative panels for evening dresses are made. It is only a question of thinking of something new — it is immediately carried out, and some eager dresser is delighted to wear it. Pieces of silk are covered with flowers and used as panels. One of the quaintest of these that I have seen was a panel of dead-white silk covered with tiny cowslip buds, which had very long soft stalks, and were sown on in small bunches. These hanging flowers wave and quiver as the wearer moves— always a prettiness in a dress."

A Floral Festival in England.

The feast of roses, inaugurated by the j Prince of Wales in imitation of the floral procession of carriages seen during carnival time in many Continental cities, was a success in its way, though the rains descended and the floods came, and a sea of umbrellas and a mass of human beings packed in unbecoming waterproofs represented the brilliant company which spite of threatening skies- assembled in the grounds some hours before the arrival of the rpyal party. A minority had foolishly put faith in the clerk of the weather, and, as a man is proverbially faithless, were as a consequence cruelly be- j trayed. Their smart lace flower-bedecked sunshades were reduced to pulp, and the tricklings of neighbours' umbrellas played terrible havoc with the pretty light-coloured toilets donned for the occasion, and though the sun finally reasserted himself, though in watery fashion, the gowns of many of the visitors were irretrievably ruined. For three hours did they stand, row behind row, a vast concourse of men and women, waiting theadveni of the prize-giver, who, forgetting that punctuality is the politeness of princes, was more than half an hour lafce. Meanwhile to beguile the time the competing flowercovered carriages were paraded up and down the enclosure, and a pretty and novel sight it was. The inhabitants of northern climes cannot grow flowers in the profusion characteristic of sunny- France and flowery Italy, making a flower carnival there an annual affair and not rare and exceptional as with us. Bushels of roses had, however, been recklessly bestowed on the decoration of a single carriage. Wot only the body of the

vehicle but tires and spokes were invisible beneath flower garniture, the whips of the drivers also, and the horses themselves were harnesseiasitwere with flowers. Many of the carriages were driven by ladies dressed in quaint costumes also flower-bedecked. One little boy dressed as a knight in armour, and bestriding a small pony, carried a battleaxe, or racher a floral device representing that primitive weapon, whioh again by reason of the colours of the flowers and their arrangement ' bore a likeness to the national flag. The prizes for the successful competitors were both pecuniary and honorary. .The first prize of £20 was won by a lady with whom I have some acquaintance, as the niece of one of my oldest friends. Mrs Ledger is the wife of the editor of the well-known dramatic newspaper the Era. Smaller sums in graduating scale were bestowed on other candidates, together with the honorary gift of a flag. A stand on which these silken trophies hung was placed on the cloth-covered dais near the Princess. They were both coloured and white, and variously embroidered with the device of the Botanical Society. Apropoi, I may say two larj?e chairs completely covered with roses were in readiness for the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Teck, but they remained unoccupied. Mrs Ledger sat in her own victoria accompanied by a friend, both dressed in deep yellow silk and yellow gauze bats covered with real roses. Yellow was the prevailing colour of the turn-out, marguerites being the favourite. The pair of dark chesnut horses were clothed in a netting of silk, each knot in the mesh being marked by a star-like yellow flower. The bridles were outlined with the same, and the coachman's whip was literally a flower wand, the entire length being covered with a complete mass of marguerites, The coachman and footman wore big bouquets as button-holes, and their hats were also crowned with flowers; the carriage was in fact a moving garden. Another victoria had Jgreen ribbon reins, and was concealed beneath deep red roses. A village cart driven by a pretty child also made an effective display; red, white, and yellow roses formed the decoration, hiding the woodwork wheels from view. Miss Gilbey drove a tumbril drawn by a spirited pony. Cinderella's fairy coach was represented by a floral canopy and crown above two small children, the restive pony beneath a smothering mass of blossoms ; even the carriage rug was decorated with flowers laid on in stripes. There was a flower cart driven tandem, the horses covered with yellow roses, also a ralli cart decorated with York and Lancaster roses. Some gentlemen in another gaily-bedecked coach had got themselves up in picturesque costumes — one leading the steed, the other two sitting in the carriage. There were some very small saddle ponies also flower-bestrewn, one not higher than my writing table. Ago cart, drawn by two children, was an interesting sight ; so also was a miniature sedan chair, all flowers, carried by two babes, with a smaller babe inside. Considering the ages of the bearers, the infant was having a very precarious ride. — S. A. Chronicle's correspondent.

A Chanter on Wrinkles.

VABIOUS MEANS SUGGESTED TO PEEVENT OB REMOVE THESE INDICATIONS OF AGE.

There is nothing so destroying to the peace of a pretty woman's soul as the discovery of the first wrinkle in her fair face. Grey hairs may be roY ...v.. , Lr often their framing softens ihe tints of tha complexion and adds new depth and brightness to the eyes that flash beneath them, and many pretty women are never really beautiful until they are crowned with the sheen of silver tresses. The fading tints of a well-kept and smooth skin may be concealed by artifices that every wise woman knows, but a wrinkle is an obstinate, disagreeable, aggressive witness that leaves evidence of age in most unpicturesque language as convincing as the records of the family Bible or the testimony of some old friend of your mother's who is always telling everyone that you are " just two years older than her Johnny," when perhaps you look 10 years younger. There is no such thing as conciliating a wrinkle or coaxing it out of sight on occasions, no dressing it up in pretty disguises of gauze and frills; no one ever really admired its curves or wrote sonnets to its beauty ; no one ever really longed for its coming or succeeded in banishing it by a cool reception ; it comes uninvited and tarries unbidden, and settles more contentedly into its place as you fume and fret over it.

Many remedies for the eradication of wrinkles have been suggested by various writers on the subject of personal beauty, but the best and surest cure for wrinkles is not to get them, for they may be avoided more easily than removed. Wrinkles are not always the signs of old age, but often the indicos of a poorly cared-for skin, the nervous temperament of their possessor, the habit of excessive worrying or continuous study, and sometimes of the degeneracy of the race. Italian children of five or six years often have more wrinkles in their little faces than a woman of 35 ought to possess. A skin that is carefully bathed in warm water and pure soap, and rubbed to a glow each day v/ith soft flannel or the hands, preserves its elasticity and is less susceptible to wrinkle. The vivacity and swift changing play of features in bright, sparkling girls makes prematurely wrinkled and distracted-looking women. Much of this vivacity and pretty by-play of elevated brows is forced and unnatural, and all the more conducive to wrinkles.

Another habit women have is of contorting their faces into most ludicrous and ugly positions when exposed to the strong sunlight, all of which can be by a little thought and effort controlled to a degree.

A very beautiful and youthful-appearing society woman of New York, the preservation of whose skin is remarked upon by her acquaintances, says that whenever she is gofng out in the evening she prepares her toilet with the exception of her dress, wrings a wash cloth out of as hot wateras she can bear, smooths it out over her face so it will touch every part of it, and lies "with it on her face for half an hour. When she removes it every wrinkle and line lias disappeared.

An English lady over 50 asserts that her lack of wrinkles is due to the fact of her having used very hot water all her life, which tightens the skin and smooths out the lines.

Another celebrated beauty attributes her preservation to having never used a wash cloth or towel on her face, but having always

washed it gently with her hand, rinsing it off with a soft sponge, drying with it a soft cloth, and then rubbing it briskly with a flesh brush. She used castile soap and very warm water every night with cold water in the morning, and if she were awake late at night she always slept as many hours in the day as she expected to be awake night. Another student of the toilet asserts that she prevents and obliterates wrinkles by rubbing the face towards the nose when bathing it, and Ella Wheeler Wilcox asserts that she can eradicate a permanent wrinkle by the use of almond paste and friction.

--- Engagement Rings. An American paper has the following on the custom of wearing engagement rings : — Was it ever your privilege to' observe, unobserved, a young woman's conduct towards her newly-acquired engagement ring 1 It feels so strange upon her hand that she cannot help examining it a dozen timeg each half-hour, always, however, on the sly. On the first night she sits up an hour later than usual to admire it boldly in the seclusion of her own apartment. A frequent kiss is administered to the shining band and its glittering gem, and during the night she dreams that it has fallen into a stream, and awakes, clutching the finger to assure herself that the precious pledge is still secure.

Then, on the following day, she wears it only in secret, taking care to transfer it to her pocket at table and when in the company of her intimates. But place her among strangers, or among casual acquaintances who cannot be inquisitive, and how bravely will she flaunt the token before their eyes, as one who should say, " I may not be the loveliest creature in the world, but you will observe that I get there all the same."

Gradually it assumes its place in her daily life, and her blushes grow less violent with each succeeding explanation of its significance and each extravagant description of its donor's attributes. But before it finally becomes a part of herself, as it were, she must of course leave it a dozen times at least upon the washstand, and suffer in consequence a dozen violent attacks of palpitation of the heart until it is recovered.

An old-time writer states that among the ancients it was esteemed highly improper for single or unmarried persons to wear rings, unless they were judges, doctors, or senators. With all others it was regarded as evidence of vanity or lasciviousness. Later, however, it was permitted to affianced persons to wear this honourable decoration, and this fact is certainly proof of the high honour in which wedlock was held.

Love's appropriation of the ornament as a token and pledge i 3 readily explained. Kings were the most intimate, precious, and durable objects, which men of old — particularly the Eomans — possessed. A man's ring was his lock and his safeguard ; he would set it on a seal which could not be infringed without discovery. Seals were seldom forged, and their employment as keys and signatures was absolutely universal. With these seal rings forming such an important and general part in daily life, what more complete token of enduring love and faith could a man offer a woman than his seal or its counterpart ? Such a pledge, placed on her hands* gave her at once command of his secrets and of his wealth ; indeed, often of his very life.

It was this custom of consigning a man's seal to his lady love which gradually led to the adoption, after several centuries, of the ring as an independent female adornment, although it had been so used by the ancient Egyptians ages before the Roman Empire. 11 The selection of the third finger of the left hand for the engagement and wedding rings,, too, is due to an ancient belief that a smal artery ran from that finger straight to a woman's heart."

Bessie's Comfort.

Shall I tell you a story of Bessie, a dear little girl I

know ? A story of " once on a time," tho' it wasn't so

long ago ? A blue-eyed darling was Bessie, with gleams of the

sun in her hair, And you scarcely could count the dimples that played ta her cheeka so fair. Wow Bessie's mother and father had only herself

to love, And her prasence was glad as the sunshine that fell

from the skies above. There ne'er was a care or trouble that came to

them any day But wee little Bessie was ready to " comfort the

worry away." It was only a poor little cottage that Bessie could

. call her home, But dearly she loved the meadows where daily she

used to roam ; And It happened one day that she went there with many a sorrowful trace Of tears and childish amazement all over the dear

little face. The reason ? Ah, only that morning old Brindle, the

cow, had died, And no money to buy another, and Bessie's mamma

bad cried ; And Bessie had heard her father sigh, and oh, so

wearily say Something about •' the bills, wife, and little wherewith to pay." So out in the fields went Bessie, but left her dim-

pies behind, And I guess that even the birdies know something was on her mind, For she qnietly gathered her flowers, nor even

lifted her eyes Till a voice said: "Heigh ho, lifctle maiden 1" and

made her start with surprise. 'Twas only an artist searching the fields and mea-

dows that day For some beautiful picture to sketch, and what

should come in his way But the sweetest of all sweet subjects, a wee little

brown-faced girl, Her sun-bonnet hiding her blushes and many a golden curl. But Bessie waß shy of the stranger— shy and modest

was she ; Coaxing would not persuade her. " I'll give you money," said he ; Ah, then, indeed, she was willing, and thought to herself. " Oh, vow I've found how to comfort poor mother, and father can buy a cow." So down to the brook she went with him, her cheeks

as red as a rose, And all the while thinking of " father," Bessie

learned how to " pose." Ob, but it was wearisome duty I The little round

limbs grew weak, And a tear from the blue eyes slipped softly, and washed the rose from her cheek. Ypb, "Art is pitiless," surely, for thirty long minutes went by, And then the artioc bad finished and looked with a smile in his eye At his poor little tear-stained model, " Why, child, are you tired ? " said he. " I'm "tired jus' for myself, sir, but nofc for father," said she. Then home sped dear, bonny Beßsie, clasping her pennies bo tight, And back to her cheeks came the dimples, back to her eyes their glad light. "Oh, father 1 I'm put in a picture! See what I've brought to you now I I tried not to mind being tired, 'twas for mother, and you— and the cow ! "