ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2008, 18 August 1892, Page 41

ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

" The man's woman " frequently begins her career by playing with the boys. Sometimes she is designated a " Tomboy," because she shows a decided preference for boys' games, but just as often her childhood and girlhood are as quietly and demurely gpeni as the most fastidious mother could desire. Whether, however, the is their" comrade in field sports, or spends her leisure hours ia cursing and dressing her doll, tho boys like her, and have a dozen little matters on hand on which she must be consulted. With her brother.3 bhe is always a " chum," and nothing would seeai quite right unless &ho took some sort of suare ia the matter on hand, either active or passive. Boys' ways and boys' thoughts are not to her a terror or a mystery, becaut-e becoming to early initiated into them, she, although she keep her separate part, daily grows in the knowledge of their doings, and the impulses and motives that prompt their actions. Thus, when she has arrived at the age whan other girls blush and simper at inertly acts of courtesy and attention, she quietly takes them as her due, with unaffected honesty and simplicity, as a pomething to which every woman has a right, and bj attributing no motive beyond the natural gallantry of the stronger to the gentler sex, commands a respectful reserve, and wins gratitude ar.d esteem. It is a mistake to suppose that a man's woman is a flirt. If you exercise your powers of observation, you will find that those women who possess an influence over the men, and who retain longest their regard, have in intercourse with the opposite sex a singular absence of ccquetry, and though there may be a dozen graces that charm the eye and ear and please the mind, the longer you know these women the more convinced you become of their reality, and tihat these soft and subtle influences emanate from their truth, and are neither feathers donned to make fine birds nor arts cultivated to attract. One of the very first needs of our nature is reality, and although we have been very busy for ages past constructing many counterfeit?, and embellishing and polishing the real, it is something to be said of human nature that it remains unsatisfied with anything less than the best. And although men have spared no art to deface aud overthrow the ideal woman, with strange and selfish contradict ion they seek for in her even that which they destroy. Thus it is that when sincerity is met with they are attracted and charrnc-d.

A sincere woman may not sound as alluring as a charming woman, but they are one and the same thing, for nothing that is not real can long hold power. All the sweet affectation of sympathy ever protested will not have the magical influence of one glance from pitying eyes. No study of elocution caa give the intonation to tho voice that tho meiry thought, the genuine feeling of happiness or sadness, will do, You may 'go to one woman and tell her a tale of joy, and she will answer you with well chosen words, and yet you fei-1 a check, an isolation, while another will simply say, "I am 80 glad," and you will know that she rejoices with you. With heavy heart you seek one friend and tell your hope d?ferre'3, aud she will treat you to consoling worjs that sound as mocking as rnamage bels on a funeral day. Another will simply say " / know,' but straightway an aogel has come into the tomb.

Men are quick to discover when they are understood, and some women faave the faculty of understanding them thoroughly. Their aspirations and ambitions, their BclfishnesFes and unselfishnesses, their rugged grandeur and pitiful wraknes«, lies like an eyon book b.foro tht^>, which ia an altercate source of p;j"Je .mi.] strength to them, or of iv«.ryt, bun r-i.v.'r ol despair. Possesied with the intiuiivi- faculty, they gauge, better than meu i'.o Ihci»)°five.«, the motives that prompo meu to action, and have often pity and even friendship to give where men deride. Where a man will see but selfishness a woman who understands n:cn will see something more — the one green spot amoi'g the Fand, and she straightway sows in it her seod of hope, which often it is her joy to see take root, grow, and biing forth fruit.

Men feel instinctively that women of this sort arc their friend?, and dropping the artificial demeanour which is considered the correct thing in the social intercour.se of the Boxes, thsy become as near their true selves to her, at leasr, as it is possible for them to be, and knowing that generosity and understanding wi 1 be met with, are honest in the expression both of their good and evil. No two people can be quite true with each other without one or both receiving some benefit. The more friends wo have who reveal themselves to us the more we see to admire and condone. I£ you judge a man from his appearance in the street and bis surface actions you may hurt one with unjust cer,sure and bestow upon another unmerited praise, but; when you meet the man mind to micd and in some genuine hour of confidence and truth he thows you himself as he was and is you have a knowledge of him that justifies your faith in him in spite of the world's opinion, or gives you just reason for your doubt, no matter how the world applaud. We as a ccx have fenced ourselves in with prejudices and opinions. Behind the fence we may smile and. bo fcind, but only berg

and there a woman is met who has the courage to come out from the prescribed circle where her safety is assured, and by a larger sympathy and greater trust appeal to the best in man, and without violation to the be3t instincts of her nature, yet free herself from the tyranny of woman's rule. On behalf of ths woman whose circumstances or strength of character compel her to act with freedom there is a never-ending crusade. The men and women who know her love and trust he 1 - above the common, but those who do not know her do more than shake their heads. It is a grievance to some women that the men who know them most, trust them most, and that they have not the power to subjugate them by their little frowns. Among the men who have never kaown a sincere friendship in their life, and perhaps are incapable of it, there are many little whispers and curious glances as the man's woman goes by.

In a circle of her own she is rarely solitary, and because she has the power to draw forth the best, people's her world, not with imaginary beings, but with men and women, who with some disticctive feature of their own, are all attracted to her, and each is equally as certain of her regard as she is of their sincerity.

Sometimes she is the Bohemian pure and Bimple — the professional woman, who, by the power of her geniu3, draws great minds to her like a mpgnet. She is tet apart from other women, and lives her own life in her own way, and. no ones dares question, much less dictate. She is a queen, with the privilege of royalty to be a law to herself. Sometimes she is of society one of its lights and leaders, to whom women must bow, although she dodges with grace and dexterity much of the servitude which makes life a farce. Perhaps she is a milkmaid, and holds her own among the cowboys. Or she may be quietly and loyally filling an essentially woman's sphere. Yet the man's woman is always known.

As (he years go on she will be less marked, because oftener seen. Little by little she will have won her rightful place, and have taught her sex that to bo strong need not unsex her— that a woman's strength lies not in her separatenesp, but in her wider sympathy and knowledge, and her safety not in ignorance of the world, but in her belief in and her determination to find the best. The women that some women are coldest to are frequently the sex's best friends. They are the pioneers or their daughter?, aad in the courage born of their convictions, trample upon briars of prejudice that shall hurt no future feet. Upon the stage, in literature, and ii many paths of learning they have stood out and braved the sturm, and in every society in greater or lesser degrees the woman of character pursues the path which they know it is right for them to tiead.

The man's woman will not inquire all round, should you be ill, whether it is the right and proper thing, and in strict accordance with etiquette, to nurse you. She will regard you as someone very helpless and very much in need of " woman's nursing," and forgetting everything just then except that most prominent fact, set herself the task of nursing you, and she will be quite unconscious that she has broken any womanly law or any law at all, until Mrs Grundy frowns upon her. She will, out of her interest in you, identify herself with your hobby, and because you are her friend, manifest her enthusiasm ; but by so doing Bhs offends somebody's prejudices, and finds motives attributed to her that fill her with disgust. But in times of real sorrow and danger not only men, but women also, inBtinctmly turn to her. They leave her out of (heir parties, but go to her in their crape. They laugh at her in their days of sunshine, then with streaming eyes ask her aid to bear their sufferings. Thoy know then why their brothers trusted her, and though they have had no sympathy with the circumstances that have developed the knowledge and character, they are ready enough to use it in their need.

There are some women that women always forget in their times of feasting; and yet these women have perhaps been truest friends. They have given their husbands and brothers and sons better thoughts, and higher aims than they once had, but because of their influence they are condemned. No woman forgives another for being an inspiration to her friend. She may lack the power to touch his sou', but she would rather that he should walk with her on the level land than that any other woman should teach him to climb.

A very pleasant hour was spent at Mrs Wilkie's on Wednesday afternoon, the occasion being the meeting of the pupils of Herr Bjirmeyer to present him prior to his departure for Germany with a token of the regard and esteem with which they held him. The room, which had been artistically decorated with sweet spring flower?, was crowded with those who had assembled to do their tutor honour, among these being the Misses Rehberg, Longford, Sievwright, Wilkio, G. and E. Roberts, E. F. Haz'ett, Messrs Salmond, Crawford, and Da'las, Misses E. M. M'Leau, Z'ele, C. Wilson, M. Reynolds, V. Reynolds, Tew3ley, CollinsoD, Maud Fitchett, M. Fitchett, Winchester, Mr A. Macandraw, Miss Da'gleisb, Mr and Mrs Stoddart, Misses Olive Little, Nimmo, Sampson, Hotop, and others. Mrs Wilkie, in a few appropriate word?, made the presentation, which took the form of a lovely gold linked watch guild with a greenstone pendant in the form of a Maltese cross, bearing the inscription—*' To Herr A. Barmeyer, from a few of his pupils. Dunedin, N.Z., August 1892." Herr Barmeyer was visibly affected, and expressed his surprise and gratitude, and said that he much regretted leaving his pupils, particularly as he felt that he had not been long enough with them to do justice either to himself or them. At the request of Mrs Wilkie he played for them, and then tea waa sorved, after which Miss Rehberg contributed a pianoforte solo in good style, and Miss Bievwright sang a very sweet Bong. After mutual expressions of good will, tutor and pupils parted, but not without hope of a future meeting ■with Herr Bartnever, who (stated that his departure was partly due to 111 health and partly to bis desire to proseoato his musical studies, At a concert at All Saint's in tbs evening wa beard the l»t of him for some time, Mrs Petrie, who took part in tha oaasortj wors a dark brown Btripfd Bilk, the oeos &nd sieves relieved With *hitej Misa SPitehett, who played & duct *rli& Si§« Bm*f&, wps jsswsesl io

was held in the Atheiifcum Hall on the sth inst., and was, as it always is, a thorough success. The hall was tastefully decorated, the minor arrangements were well carried out, and the whole manasement reflected great credit on the committee and their energetic secretary, Mr Ritchie. Of course, it is impossible to give a full list of all the ladies pro.sent, and a considerable number were strangers whoso names I could not asceitain. Among them I noticed Miss Smaillic, in black satin trimmed with jet, opera cloak of cardinal pliibh. ; Miss Hill (Wyndham) pale blue batin ; Miss Henderson, white satin and fisher's net ; Mi»s Garden, black lace lclieved with cardinal ; Miss V. Garden, black lacu relieved with pale blue ; Miss MoiTat, pink sateen and white lace ; Miss M'Neil, slate grey; Mib-s M'Farlaiic (B.ilclutha), black with white ye^t ; Miss Crawford, white with tartan sash ; Mis^ Finlayson, maroon with cream vest ; Miss 15. Henderson, black cashmere; Misses Cameron (2), white and pale pink; Misses MTh-ul ('2), white muslin; Miss Lindsay, white delaine figured with pale blue ; Miss RamBay, black skirt, navy spot bodice ; Miss Walker, black silk ; Miss Hastings, black and gold : Miss Ellison, cream, relieved with cardinal ; _ Misses Brown (2) black skirt and pale blue bodice, and white skirt with pink bodice; Miss Orr, white skirt, pile blue bodice; Mrs Kaye, dark blue; Mrs Bowman, cream cashmere trimmed with s-atin ; Mrs Tait, white muslin pale blue ribbon ; Mrs Davies, black ; Mrs Stock, black velvet ; Mrs T. Rhodes, black with pale blue vest ; Mrs Stewart (Waiwera), black cabhmere. — Onlookkr.

OI'EHATIC PERFORMANCE AT MATAKAXUI.

An operetta, entitled " Childhood's Heroes and Heroines," was performed by the children of Matakanui before crowded and enthusiastic audiences on Friday, the sth, and Friday, the 12th. This little play, written specially for the occasion by Miss Platts, who has been in our midst for the last three years, is clever and amusing, yet withal simple, as the title leads one to expect. The dresses of the performers were a great feature of the entertainment and well worthy of description :—

Miss Flatta, who admirably sustained the part of the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, wore an old-fashioned gown of flowered cretonne, large plain white apron, small plaid shawl, pointed lace collar fastened with large brooch, mob cap, spectacles, and carpet shoes. She was done up after somo bygone fashion and was very white. A stick supported her aged form. Mother Goose waa represented by Miss Maud Nicolson, who wore a pretty cream serge frock with full Indian muslin chemisette and sleeves, black velvet, and corset, large black velvet witch's hat, high heeled shoes ; she carried a goose. Old Mother Hubb&vd was sweetly and quaintly reprwonted by littlo Miss Mary Huddleston ia & crimson quitted skirt, body and full panniers of figured cord satctm, kerchief fastened with blush rose, mob cap, high Heelea shoes, pow<i«r and. patoheSj Bpeetyclest carried tor 4og. Jack &nd. Jill.p-Master Jack and Ml«s Rjiby ghapiaml tai^e a «ssr Ilttl? pair ef mtf eWaels

was Misa Mary Naylor, flowered top with front turned up showing striped petticoat, sun bonnet, and milking pail. Telegraph Messenger, Master T. Truesdale, wore orthodox letter carrier's uniform of dark blue with red braid.

Hunipty Dunipty, small Master Leo Nicholson, made a splendid egg. Robinson Crusoe, clothed completely in fur, bronzed, bearded, and armed, found a fitting representative in Master Robert Greenbank. Black Friday, in tights, was Master \V. Sutherland.

The Queen of the Fairies, Miss Violet Nicolson, whose handsome dress of lace and flowers was much admired, wore also a jewelled crown and carried a gilded wand. Her dress sparkled with jewels.

Princess Dewdrop, Miss Nellie Beattie, wore a pretty frock of white muslin covered with pearls, crown of pearls, jewellry to match. Butterfly, the Queen's Fairy Messenger, Miss Jeanie Wall, was a tiny maiden of five, whose dancinj; was a great feature, made a dainty silver Butterfly in white with wings. The Fairies, represented by the little Misses Daisy Beattie, Dma and Teanie Sutherland, and May Grace, wore muslin frocks profusely covered with the flower whose name they bore. The I'ixies, Masters Edmund Grace, Tom and Jack Nhcppard, and George Nicolson, were dressed alike in pink suits with deep lace frills and sashes.

Mi s La'dlaw, who presided at the piano, wore black satin relieved with yellow. The entertainment was an unqualified success, and all present were delighted from beginning to end.

BALL AT RIVERTON

The hunt week at Riverton wound up with a most enjoyable ball held in the drillshed on July 29. The committee deserve great credit for the trouble they took to make the evening a success, which it undoubtedly was. The room looked exceedingly pretty, being tastefully decorated with tree ferns and Japanese lanterns. The music was supplied by local talent — Miss Bell (piano), Mr Moore (violin), and Mr Mitchell (cornet). Fully 40 couples were present, several of them being visitors staying in Riverton for the hunt week. Mrs Hare (Blackmount) wore a very handsome gpwn of black lace with train of moire antique ; Mrs Lyle, grey silk: Mrs Edmonds (Invercargill), effective combination of brown and fawn silk; Mrs Christian, pale pink; Mrs Hackworth, pretty black gown ; Mrs Ned Stevens (Gumuiie's Bush), white satin wedding dress ; Mrs Spencer Stavale\ black lace i Mrs Prints, black with ndsoma Indian shawl j Mra Nelson, black lace trimmed with pink chiffon and ribbons; Mm T. P&ttison, cream cashmere j Mr« Moore, rgd. witn black laco draperies ) Mrs Dickinson, bnck silk i Mr» G. Hamilton, cream satin wed,« dma gowa 1 Miss M. qardnoKßirehwood), brown (Sfttln j Mies N. P.attispn, pink trimmod with vfUHe !»«§ ) Jijss Wats, p^e blue mn\ Hi**

white delaine, (lowered with blue, the sleeves made full, the neck aud sleeves finished with chiffon, Cambridge blue sash ; Miss Sears, who sang, wore black, trimmed with Jace, the shoulders let in with pale pink chiffon, pale pink streamers relieving the skirt ; Mrs Rennie. who sang, wore a pretty white, finished with lace and ribbons.

To ensure publication la ths forthcoming lssuo letters ahoaU reach the Witness office not later than Saturday night.

[Descriptions of balls, io., must bo endorsed bj either our own correspondent for the district or by the secretary to the ball oonimlttce. The US. of any correspondents who do not oomnlr with thla rule will bs sent to the secretary far endorsement prior t» appearing.]

BACHELORS' BALL AT OTAMA. The bachelors held their annual ball in the new hall on the evening of sth inst. The affair was a great success from beginning to end. The evening was fine, the room justj ust comfortably filled (about 27 couples being present); plenty of refreshments, and what is perhaps the chief of all, lirst-class music. During the evening several songs were sung, and two ladies— Miss Forbes and Miss B. M'Eachern — contributed their hhare. Mr R. L. Christie acted as M.C. with his customary success. The following is a description of a few of the moat noticeable dresses :— Miss M. M'Eachern, black satin bodice, grenadine skirt, pink ribbons, and silver flowers ; Miss M. Dixon, blue dress with brown satin bows on skirt, apricot front in bodice, and white flowers ; Miss Cross, pale green nun's veiling with chiffon over bodice, white lace and roses ; Miss O'Hare, light brown shot silk, dark brown sleeves and trimming ; Miss Forbes, pink dress with low neck and shoit sleeves, darker pink trimmings and lace, gloves to match ; Miss Clark, cream nun's veiling with pink ribbon on waist and front ; Miss B. Wishart, pink gingham with fisherman's net lace, and girdle ; Miss M'Kay, salmon skirt with black net, black bodice, white flowers ; Miss B. M'Eachern, pale cream dress, low neck, and short sleeves, blue front in. bodice, wreath of forget-me-not in her hair. Several married ladies were present, all in dark dresses. There is some talk of the spinsters giving a return social in the form of a leap year ball. Should they determine to do so it will cause considerable stir in this usually quiet district, and would be a, decidedly pleasant change. — Ow.v CoRHESPO.N DENT.

BALL AT CLINTON.

The annual ball given by the Clintou bachelors

in smock frock and gaiters, Jill in soft white Kate Greenaway frock ; they carried their pail between them.

Simple Simon, whose "low-necked" striped trousers with long pockets caused much amusement, was Master Charlie Simes. Little Miss Muffet, Miss Louie Read, wore Kate Greenaway frock of flowered cretonne, straw bonnet ; she carried a bowl and spoon. Punch and Judy were represented by Master George Sutherland and Miss Esther Huddleston— Punch in red, white, and blue striped material, pointed cap and stockings to match ; Judy in oldfashioned figured sateen gown and granny cap ; she carried her baby. .Tack the Giant Killer, Master Henry Simes, wore a myrtle green hunting suit, large .soft felt hat with feather, well armed with every conceivable weapon. Marjory Daw, Miss Dot Nicolson, in pretty simple frock, large pinafore with bows ; carried a skipping rope. Little Bopeep was a tiny maid, Miss Agnes Greenbank, dressed in pale pink quilted skirt, flowered top, hat of pink rose3— carried her crook.

Tom Bowling, Master A. M'Neish, represented one of the Union Steam Ship Company's A.B.'s.

Dick Deadeye, Master Stuart Nicolson, was dressed as the well-known character iQ " Pinafore."

Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington, Masters Douglas Nicolson aud Aleck Hamilton, were similarly attired in tailed coats, embroidered satin waistcoats, white .satin knee breeches, white stockinss, buckled shoes, cocked hats with plumes— swords. Cleminbine, the heroineof the well-known song, was represented by Miss Louie Simes in print frock, pinafore, aud sunbonuet, with stick in hand.

My Pretty Maid, Miss Eva Wittich, an ideal milkmaid with three-legged stool, wore striped skirt and flowered muslin top, with a kerchief — Horal hat.

Little Red Riding Hood, Miss Janie Nicolson, in pretty frock of blue, with white apron, red cloak and hood ; basket on arm. Sinbad the Sailor, in jolly tar's costume of blue and white, was Master Robert Todd. Little-Jack Homer, Master A. Peake, in crimson suitand cap, carried his pie. Goldilocks, Miss Mary Sheppard, wore a pretty frock of bilk and gauze. Dorothy Draggietail, who sang very sweetly,

Rowley, muslin gown ; Miss Ncave, stylish dress of black velveteen ; Miss Nurse, pale pink with streamers of the same colour ; Miss L. Nurse, pretty dress of sea green with ribbons of a darker shade; Miss Bernston, heliotrope muslin ; Miss Dickinson, black lace with yellow ribbon ; Miss Hamblin, pretty dress of cream Liberty silk ; Miss Brodrick (Inyercargill), heliotrope delaine with plush trimmings ; Miss Hamilton, canary nun's veiling ; Miss O'Reilly, old gold ; Miss Irene O'Reilly, white trimmed with pink chiffon ; Miss Durbridge, pink dress ; Miss Lyle, black satin and lace ; Miss E. Drabble, red nun's veiling finished with white chiffon ; Miss Sutton (Fairview), palepink; Mrs Willett, white ; Mrs T. Smith (Otautau) dress of pale cinnamon ; Miss Willett, white embroidery ; Miss M. Robinson, all cream ; Mrs Cotton (Christchurch), a very stylish gown.— Siu Roueu.