ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 41

ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

" The masculine woman "is known in all classes of the community. She equally asserts her rights in the drawing room nnd in the kitchen, and insists upon them being heard. She is not all bad, but, like a tonic, can only be taken in small doses with any degree of satisfaction, and these doses are certain cures for sentimentality and idealistic dreams. She is nothing if she is not practical, and an atmosphere of action surrounds her from morn till eve— an atmosphere into which any dreamer straying straightway becomes ashamed of dreaming, and has an uncomfortable sense that anything diverging from downright matter-of-fact is counted nothing in the race of life. Woe be to tho timid, incompetent woman that comes her way. By every gesture, by every tono and glance of the masculine woman, ehe is admonished and condemned. Her inability no longer looks like a forgivable softness, but in the searching light of the pronounced being of daring, is seen to be verj uselessncss, utter and complete good-foi-nothingness. She is overwhelmed and fiightened, and wishes in a vague, irresolute way that she were other than she is, if only to assert, before this formidable beiug, her right to live and breathe in r.he same air.

Lovers seek her not. In her presence the sentiments which in another atmos-phero eeem exalted and God -like tnibtid into grotesque fchapo. The contemptuous look of the masculine woman, the cu>ld gtanuu of her eye, turns all boltness to folly, and the girl whose heait is full of love could no more say to her that she believed herself blessed by the love of another than we, ia the tearch'ing light of day, could put our evening dreaming into words, bhe is an effectual sentiment killer, and possesses no more power to touch the soul of being than the pavement stones have to give forth sunrays. The deep, the mystical, the idealistic, is meaningless to her, or means but madness. Men and women are mere machine 3 to be judged by their outward exprebsions of usefulness. The steam that is the outcome of the hidden fire, which is thej motive power of the movement, is nothing in her calculation ; she Bees only the movement of tho wheels.

The one redeeming fcatuie of the masculine woman is her reality. She hates nothing so much as pretenders-, but where she is most painfully mistaken is in her belief that all which is above or below her understanding is pretence. She calls pointedly and by name things false and meaningless which arc more real than herself because more womanly. She is apart from both sexes, and hangs like Mahomet's coffin half way between heaven and earth. She is as far removed from the heaven of harmonious sentiments which make the nature of a true woman as she is from the earth of man's soundness and manly execution, but her feet hang towards the earth, and she would not go skyward if sho could. A man will take her his buttons to sew on, but he will not lay bafore her his aspirations. He will go to her for an opinion of his dog, but will not ask her concerning his conscience. He will marry her to look after his farm, and some other woman will teach him how to live. She works hard, this poor slave of the practical. She is up early and to bed laic, and knows no happiness unless her thrift shall bear a practical reßulfc, for there is no hidden meaning to her under the- Buriace of things. She toils hard, and does more than her portion of service, and v.-hils she is eerving other women are being served. Nor does she kuow why, for their weaknesses and vanities are incomprehensible to her. But she has broken the law of her being, which is beauty. Beauty and harmony of disposition. Action and excellence and activity have not the same power to charm. The voice of command is inspiring in the time of war, and rouses men to action, but in times of peace men want a song. Make the theme as noble as you will, but the voice must allure to tho heights. Enchantment may be a mirage which men follow, but it rouses them from inactivity, and they press on in their following, and in delight stumble perhaps into the true water at last. A woman was made to attract— net to hersslf personally, but in her beauty to Jill beauty, and through her sweetne«s to all things lovable. Thus it is that when she holds herself as th 6 attraction and the limit of mac's devoHon s-he loses half her power ; bub seeing in herself but a suggestion »f all harmony and beauty, and pointing man Ibronerh herself to infinite beauty and perfection, he loves her more as he finds more to love in all nature ; ho lovrs hsr as we love our eyesight and regards it as a blessing, because by it we becouio participators in all beauty. The woman who is a discordant note stiikes a blow to harmony, aud puts one rmt of love *itli an air the master made divino. Thy tempera*

ments may vary as the notes on a piano — some deep and mellow, some sweet — but the masculine woman is a note out of tune. She expresses nothing harmoniously or correctly. She is lacking the feminine gentleness and lacking the masculine power, for it is a mistake to suppose that the great women of the world are masculine-minded. They are great momen. They have evolved from femininity, they are not a perversion of manhood. Out of the conflict of their affections, out of the waters of their afflictions, above the obstacles of their condition they have risen, not by a casting off of their womanhood, but by an understanding and holding of every particle of what has made the feathers of the wings with which they fly. Great talent, great influence and power, is but another name for great susceptibility. Knowledge — the knowledge that moves hearts— is often but divination. What we know, that we do. The woman who is not conscious that a man has any needs beside that of the body will cook his dinner well, but will supply no nourishment for his soul ; ut the woman who believes that a man's destiny is onward will camp with him by the way and boil the billy for him, and although she leans upon his arm, they go a long way up the hill together. The women whom the world most love, belong most to the world. They have a largeness of suggestion about them — a something which is opposed to that pitiful individuality which seeks to be the beginning and end of everything in a man. They are akin in sympathy to all sorts and conditions of people ; they are neither shut off in a Puritan reserve from the sinner, nor by violence of action separate themselves from the saint. All Nature seems a part of them, and they of all things living. All who come within this influence feel the desire of appropriation, and are yet conscious, however niar and dear, of only part possession ; but thit part seems peculiarly dear and precious Ilk s the sunbeams in our own room. We do £ot cavil that we cannot possess the whjle sun ; and there are some people who, lise the sun, seem to belong to the whole world. Among these stand the women whom the world recognises as above the common. We see and hear of them, and are blessed in what we hear. We worship or obey as it is our nature to be affected. Yet these women are on an outside view just like other women. They make their puddings in the same way, and are fond of pretty clothes. They have walked, and played, and wept among the little things of life like other women, with this difference— that they have taken the little things, woven them or pieced them together, and built from the m something that will [last. But the woman whose every word and act is a contradiction of her womanhood constructs nothirjg, but rather pulls to pieces that which was made. Sue cannot in her personality present the attributes of a manly man. At the best she is but a caricature, and by this false assumption of a sex that is not innate she smothers and kills the secret of a woman's influence, which is her intuition or divinatioD, the ear to hear and the eye to see below the surface things.

Last Tuesday night Mrs Stephenson entertained all her young friends at a large dance. In spite of rough weather, fully 70 were present. The hostess received her guests in a very handsome black velvet with pale grey front ; Mrs Hoskings wore white silk covered with black lace ; Mrs E. 0. Reynolds, very pretty white silk and chiffon ; Miss Stephenson, handsome white lace, skirt with broche bodice; Miss Tottie Stephenson, yellow merveilleux trimmed with Maltese lace ; Miss Webster, pretty pink silk ; Miss Butterworth, led nun's veiling ; Miss A. Robeits, pale green, pink yolk and sleeves ; Misß G. liattray, pink satin and chiffon trimmings ; MibS Le Cren (Timaru), pale green silk with' jewelled embroidery; Miss Farquhar, black lace and yellow roses ; Miss Ziele, yellow dress with yellow ribbons ; Miss Sievwright, white Bengaline and handsome silk sash; Miss M. Williams, black with pale green ribbons. Also present were the Misses Roberts and G. Roberts, Carew, J. Gilkison, Sise, Haggitt, Outten, Fincker, and many others. The dancing was kept up with great spirit, the evening proving a most delightful one, and terminating with " Auld lang syne."

The Orchestral concert took up Wednesday eveniDg, the Garrison Hall being crowded to the doors. There was scarcely standing room. The front part of the hall was made bright by the gay opera cloaks of the wearers.

On Thursday Miss Ziele had a large musical afternoon, fally 50 ladies and a sprinkling of gentlemen being present. SoDgs were given by Miss Street, Miss Martin, Miss Fincker, and Miss Ziele, all of which were greatly enjoyed. Miss Ziele sang "Old Madrid," Mr" H. Martin taking up the refrain. Mr Martin and Mr H Martin also contributed songs. Miss Smith (Balclutha), Miss Ulrich, and Miss Gordon contributed piano solos. Miss Ziele wore dark green velveteen ; Miss Fincher, brown velveteen dress; Miss Webster, dark blue costume with red hat and feathers ; Miss Dymock, stylish brown costume with large brown hat ; Miss G. Koberts, dark green dress with long plush jacket, green hat to match; Miss Smith, stylish tweed dress, large felt hat and feathers ; Miss Tui Stephenson, fawn tweed dress and felt hat; Miss J. Gilkison, red serge, plush Jacket, and black hat; Miss Farquhar, grey tweed with black braid, and black hat with white quills. Also present were the Misses Scott, Carew, Martin, Roberts, Stephenson (2), Sise, Gilkison (2), Mackerras, Ulrich, Shand (2), Dymock (2), Farquhar, Barrett, Law, and several ethers.

The same evening Mrs Chas It. Chapman, wife of the Mayor, gave a laige "At Home," fully 100 guests being invited. One room was devoted to music and another to dancing, and a "very enjojable evening was spent. The hostess loakei charming in a lovely gown of pinkSurah handsomely trimmed with point d'esprit. Many of the ladies wore clegan* evening costumes. Among those piesent were Dr and Mrs Dunlop, the latter in bLck satin ; Miss Duclop, cream si;k ; Dr and Mrs Fitcnett, Mrs FitcheU. wearing black velvet ; Mr and Mrs F. Chapnan, Mrs Chapman also in black velvet; Captain and Mrs Cameron, Mrs Cameron wearing black silk; the Rev. Mr and Mrs Barclay, Mr and Mrs Angus, Mrs G. Scott, Dr and Mrs Black, '»!i-A\d Mrs Wilson, Miss Crirc-w, Mrs Muir, Mr and Mrs Barclay, jun., Dr Stenhouee, Mr

Mrs Thompson, French grey, relieved with crimson ribbons; Miss Rogerson, very pretty pale amber nun's veiling 1 , the bodice edged with white lace ; Miss Butler, very pretty pink ; Miss Connor, pretty cream, the bodice edged with lace ; Miss Corrigan, brown silky material relieved with pink, cream opera cloak with pink hood ; MiHS Smith, pretty orange dress, low neck, puff sleeves, and long train ; Miss X Blaney, black fisherman's net, demi train ; Miss Patterson, handsome white satin, low neck, and long train ; Miss Whelan, pretty pale blue spotted fisherman's net trimmed with ribbons to match ; Miss Thompson, very pretty crimson, streamers from the shoulders, and demi train ; Miss Cole, pale blue ; Miss Bellett, French grey, white Indian silk opera cloak with grey silk hood ; Miss J.- Bellett, terra cotta, with a terra cotta watered silk hooded opera cloak ; Miss Trinder, very pretty scarlet ; Miss Willerdon, pretty long trained cream gown ; Miss R. Drumm, heliotrope with a flounce of white lace on the skirt; Miss M. Maloney, cream figured delaine ; Miss Keeting, black fisherman's net spotted with yellow ; her sister, black fisherman's laet relieved with heliotrope.

To eniure publication 1b tbc forthoomlug Issue letters should

reach the Witness office no I later than Saturday night

IDesoriptiona of balls, kc, must be endorsed by either our own correspondent for the district or by the secretary to the ball committee. The M S. of any correspondents who do not comply with thii rule will be sent to the Beeretarj for endorsement prior to appearing.]

ASSEMBLY DA>CE AT PALMERSTON SOUTH

There hat, been a great dearth of amusement here lately. In fact we have hud no dance since I last wrotcuntillasstFridayevening, v» hen the first of our assembly dances took place in the Town Hall. The floor was in capital order, and the iiiuMc, (supplied by the Messrs Kempshed, Oamaru). all that the most exacting could tL- he. The attendance was large, and as good xKirtners weic plentiful, [ can assuie you the evening w.ib a most enjoyable one. One end of the hall wa* purtaine-l off to form a supper room, the supper— pi o\ idea by the Lailios' Committee— being of the most recherclir description. And now for wh-it I suppose is the most intci citing part of the b.ill— the gowiii. Mro J. O. M'Kcnzie woie a handsome black silk with point lace panels ; Mrs R. N. Jleid, handsome black merveilleux gown, beautifully trimmed with iet ; Mi^.J. G. I'indlay, becoming guwn of dark blue silk, with scarlet lioppie-. on the bodice ; Mrs W. Bundle, very befcming black silk net, with high Medici collar, coial pink vest and panel ; Mra J. Bruce, lich black moire, the bodice relieved with cream satin ,

pink bodice ; Misses Anderson (2), cream lare skirts, pale green bodices, and pearl necklaces ; Miss Bowler, white dress, pink sash, pearl necklet ; Miss Reid, cream dress, pink ribbon ; Miss J. Reid, flowered delaine ; Miss M'Gillory, navy blue and pink ; Miss Heron, white embroidered dress and crushed strawberry trimmings ; Miss Halpin, white dress and pale blue ribbons ; Miss Hope, black skirt, white bodice, and black ribbons ; Miss Thompson, cardinal dress braided with black ; Miss K. Sinclair, black dress, gold trimmings, and coral necklace ; Miss M. Sinclair, whito dress, goblin blue sash, and pearl necklace. —Wallflower.

LEAP YEAR BALL AT OPHIR,

A fancy dress leap year ball was given by the young ladies on the 22nd July, and proved a thorough success. The following are some of the names and characters represented : — Miss G. Terry, Harvest ; Miss Pitches, Queen of Hearts ; Miss Ryan,',Tambourine Girl ; Mi&s Gare, English Flower Girl ; Miss Sinnamon, Basket of Flowers ; Miss Moran, Winter ; Miss Booth, Fishwife ; Miss White, Dancing Girl; Miss A. Terry (Alexandra), Gipsy Queen ; Miss K. Dungey, Housemaid ; Mis& M'Laren, Hospital Nurse ; Miss Gavan, Skating Girl ; Miss Lizzie Lee, Student ; Miss Hodge, Night ; Miss M 'Donald, Coming Through the Rye ; Miss Halpin, Tennis Girl ; Miss Kebble, Folly; Miss Hardy, Flower Girl. The rest oflthe younglladies, comprising Misses Truesdale, Greenbank, Fahey, Mellor, Blackwell, M. Mellor, Young, Naylor, and Alexander appeared in evening dress. Mr George Mason, Jockey ; Thomas Beck (Alexandra), Clown ; J. Ryan (Alexandra), Turk ; Mr Marshall, Jolly Tar ; Mr Hawson, Judge ; Mr A. Pitches, Cricketer ; Mr W. Pitches, Baker ; Mr Beattie, Footballer ; Messrs Miskell and M'Kie, Jockeys ; tho others being in ordinary dress. The clown, by his spasmodic antics, caused considerable mirth. Miss Gussie Terry acted as M.O. till 12 o'clock, when Mr Marshall relieved her. Refreshments were handed round by the Ladies Committee, and a thoroughly enjoyable night's amusement was kept up till early morning. — District Correspondent.

LEW YEAR HAM. AT WAIKAIA

The spinsters here gave a ball on Wednesday evening. The weather was all that could lie desired, and many took advantage of this generous hospitality of our young ladies, The committee worked well, and made the affair a thorough succebs. The music was supplied by Mr Robert Christie (Otama), and Miss K. Lock acted as M.U. There was naturally a considerable differenceof opinionasto who was belle.but Ifancy th.it if lots had been cast or a ballot take* to Miss A Ilardman would have fallen the honour. The following are a few of the dresses worn :— Mrs 11. Hardman, I>alc green tulle, low neck, short sleeves, relieved with piuk trimmings ; Miss Ada Hardman, cream-coloured silk, panel of blue silk, back and fiont honeycombed, low neck, bhort sleeves ; Mi« Lock, white embroidered dresb, pale blue trimmingb, fan to match ; Misa

and Mrs Martin, Mrs Chapman, Dr Belcher, Mrs Walcott, Mrs Bothamby, and many others. Mrs Walcott wore black; Mrs Martin, maroon silk ; Miss Carow, a pretty white silk ; Mrs Muir, a gown of black velvet ; Mrs Wilson, black satin ; Mrs Black, white.

On Friday night a most enjoyable Leap Year dance was civen in All Saint's school-

room by a number of young ladies. Upon the committee were the Misses Keeting Rogerson, Kennedy, Robertson, and Hayes. Miss Kennedy acted, as M.O. Great prai3e is due to Miss Kate Henry, who was the secretary, for the way in which the affair was carried through, the music, floor, and supper being all that could be desired. Dancing was kept up with great spirit till a late (or early hour). Miss Rose Blaney and Miss Maloney playing an extra waltz. Some good music was contributed during the evening. Among the many pretty dresses I noticed Miss Henry, pale blue satin trimmed with cream lacs and gold embossed velvet opera cloak ; MihS Maloney, black velvet trimmed with white chiffon ; Miss Blaney, long trained black fisherman's net spotted with scarlet, square-cut neck and short sleeves, Queen Elizabeth collar ; Miss Kennedy, combination of canary and pink with long pink hooded opera cloak; Miss Tubzaan, pretty French grey made with princess collar and demi train; Miss Oiawford, black net ; Miss Cartwright, Grecian robe of white trimmed with old gold ribbon ; Miss M'Dermid, cream gauze with a panel of crimson brocade, bodice trimmed with gold tinsel lace and crimson ribbons ; Miss Kate Hayes, verj pale heliotrope trimmed with white, demi train ; Miss L. Hayes, old gold velvet ; Miss Smith, very pretty combination of black velvet and pink nun's veiling, puffed sleeves, and long train ; Miss Burgess, black velvet with gold sash and trimmings ; Miss Bisel, pretty wine-coloured velvet, relieved with pink chiffon and ribbon ;

Mrs Mullany, very handsome gown of cream satin ; Mrs W. Murdoch, rich black broche gown, the bodice trimmed with steel embroidery ; Mrs M. M' Ritchie, rich black silk, white lace cap; Miss Arkle, very stylish and pretty conibination of pale blue silk and cream lace ; Bliss Morris (Waikouaiti), handsome gown of white chiffon, the bodice trimmed with lace and satin ribbon : Miss Roberts, very stylish gown of black satin and tulle ; Miss SI. Macleod, pretty gown of white silk and net, pink camellias on the bodice ; Miss Kate Macleod, very becoming gown of pink satin and fisher net ; Miss Baxter (Dunedin), pretty black lace gown ; Miss Grubb (Waikouaiti), dainty gown of cream cashmere and Liberty silk ; Miss M. Mackenzie, very pretty gown of vieux rose net, cluster of rose-buds on the bodice ; Miss N. Mackenzie, stylish gown of white net, relieved with roses and red ribbons ; Miss Murdoch, pretty gown of heliotrope, striped gauze, and black velvet ribbon ; Miss Dolly Murdoch, pretty black net, relieved with white flowers ; Miss Emma Murdoch, black lace gown, the bodice relieved with steel embroidery ; Miss M'Ritchie, stylish black lace gown ; Miss D. M. Ritchie, pretty gowu of lemon-coloured net and tulle ; Miss Wells, black lace, relieved with wine colour. And now I think I have told you all I can remember about the dresses, and I hope I have not trespassed too much on your valuable space.— Becky Sharpe.

OAMARU 11AILWAY SOCIAL,

The Oiimaru Railway and Locomotive depart, nient held their social on Thursday, 14th ult., in St. Andrew's Hall. The hall was nicely decorated and filled to its fullest extent, there being upwards of 30 couples present. Mr J. Burus supplied the music, and Mr It. Thomson, by his performances on the bagpipes, added greatly to the enjoyment of all present. Several young ladies contributed songs during the evening, and of course the young men were not behind, notably Messrs Thomson and Heron, in their Irish jigs, who added to /the general enjoyment. Messrs Archibald and Galloway fulfilled their dutieß as M.C. and steward to the satisfaction of every one present. Some of the costumes that I took particular notice of were Mrs Wildermotts, peacock blue dress ; Miss Russell, seagreen dress and pink ribbons ; Miss Taylor, white embroidered dress and pearl necklet ; Miss Murray, black dress and pearl necklet ; Misses Collet (2), white drosses pink ribbons and silver flowers ; Miss Paul, brown dress ; Miss Mills, black dress, gold chiffon, and ribbons to match ; Miss Bruce, white dress and gold ribbon ; Miss M'Donald, white skirt and

F. Devereux, blue satin bodice, low neck, elbow sleeves, white skirt ; Miss J. Moffitt, black velvet bodice, maroon plush vest, collar and cuffs, white skirt ; Mrs Thornton, terra cotta Liberty silk jacket, white skirt ; Mrs N. Wood, black satin bodice, black grenadine skirt with yellow spots, pink "bows : Mrs J. Milne, black velvet bodice, white skirt, blue trimmings ; Miss Rea, blue silk, beaded lace trimmings ; Miss M. A. Trethenay, cream oatmeal cloth, maroon plush collar and cuffs, Swiss belt ; Miss JB. Trethenay, white, blue trimmings, fan to match ; Miss E. M'Kennell, black velvet, pink trimmings ; Miss E. Matheson, white jacket, black skirt, blue bows, neck, and sleeves ; Mrs Taylor, black grenadine, pink satin vest, pink trimmings ; Miss M. Christie, ecru costume, fan to match ; Mrs Gordon, black satin bodice, black skirt, gold spotted net trimmings ; Miss Smith, white embroidered costume, pale blue Liberty silk sash, gloves and fan to match ; Miss Turnbull, white, pink vest and trimmings ; Miss May M'Gregor, terra cotta cashmere, waterfall of cream lace ; Miss Taylor, cardinal fisher's net under skirt of lighter shade ; Mrs Handyside, cream embroidered dress, cr«am broche vest ; Miss H. Mofntt, black silk, pale blue sash ; Mrs Watson, Ponjee silk, swansdown and satin trimmings ; Miss Robson, white, blue trimmings ; Miss Christie, brown cashmere, navy blue plush collar and cuffs : Mrs Lacey, black, relieved with red trimmings. There were many other dresses worthy of mention, but it is of course impossible to mention all. — Wallflower.