ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2009, 25 August 1892, Page 41

ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

" A woman of the world," is another type of woman we are all acquainted with. She i 3 neither a masculine woman, a woman's woman, nor a man's woman, not possessing any distinctive characteristics that mark her as belonging to a certain class, but is " all things to all men" as her own interests suggest. A refined selfishness is the motive power of all her actions. Perhaps she began her life with tho usual amount of faith, but suffering through her trust, she laid on one side at once and for ever any soft sentiment that would bo likely to mar her future progress. She could tell you, perhaps, a pathetic enough tale if she would, of hardships endured, and wrongs nnrighted, but instead of these developing iv her any high purpose or sweet resolves, or hurting her bo sorely that for all time Bhe must shrink from contact with the world, in reserve or distrust, her experience has armed her with weapons with which to fight her battl* of life. In the fight she will frequently lie in ambush, because she knows that to take an open stand is often but to offer herself a target for many bullets, and to her reasoning, death or life in a certain causa is not so preferable as life under pleasant skies. Tha world is teeming with women who for the sake of love, or religion — for father or mother, husband, lover, or children — make sacrifices of their best interests, and who among Wieck or disaster, take solace from the fact that they followed their highest ideal ; but the " woman of the world " is not of them. Her first humiliation was her safeguard, her flrdt heartache was her last, and from the success of her achievements she looks with a lofty scorn or mild pity upon the heroines or maityrs who for the sake of an idea have lost much that the world calls good. She has no sympathy or patienoe with those who in the event of a sad issue pursue a ceitain path. The heights of Belf-oonqaest look bleak and barren to her, and the pale and delicate blossoms that bloom so high up among tlie snow are to her not worth the sacrifice of labour, nor the constant endeavour to attain. The summer rose in the valley nearer home is dearer by far. She is not intentionally cruel, but must be so of necessity, for occasions arise every day when we must choose in little things between self and another, and in every life great moments come when we must be executioner or victim, and the woman of the world will choose the easiest and best for herself. Even when she seems to make a sacrifice or an atonement her own ultimate reward is in view.

She is not lacking in energy or ability or parseverance. Indeed, sometimes she displays an unusual amount of these qualities, with tact enough to conceal the fact that they all travel in a circle which leads back to herself ; and it is only after some larger heart has built its hopes upon her, and the occasion demands of her a self-renunciation, that she betrays her inability to forget herself. With clever discrimination she has discovered that isolation or strict party adherence is fatal to worldly success. To have set principles, and steer by them, moans to pass wilhout touching many gre-n and flower-besprinkled tanks ; or to have strong thoughts and to speak them is to offend those whose friendship and influence may perhaps be used for good.

With an adaptability that is unfailing, the woman of the world suits herself to all circumstances ; but so far from this being done, as many might think, from amiability and the desire to please, it is with the hope and unspoken determination to mould, ultimately, these circumstances to her will or need. Thus people are duped. One woman may be proud, ou!; of some secret conviction, where the worldly woman will be unbending ; another may be cold, through absence of feeling, where she will simulate a warm regard, and smile with lips that, were they true, would carl in disdain, or she is reserved where she really likes, but the object of her regard is not in favour with the world, and it would hurt her raputation or endanger her position to show that she really does like yon. She may even love you, but you ara poor, and she knows so well all the humiliation and work and pain and weariness that poverty means, and she cannot, even for you, endure its pangs again. Even yon yourself! can scarcely blame her. A life Is a life. She looks upon tho woman who can so love a,

removed from ber sphere and beyond her sympathy. She does not regret that she cannot so identify herself with one other that she is willing to rise or fall, be blessed or cursed in that life — its failures hers, its sins her shame. She thinks, and with some truth, that her own personal happiness is worthy of as much consideration as yours. It is her. pursuit. If she had a higher aim, the day would come in which she would have to renounce it, a higher ideal would not fib in with utilising every legitimate means for self-advancement. The world can see nothing to blame in her for cultivating the friendship of those persons who best can advance her interests, and if nothing is sinned against except her secret consciousness, well it must go. The people with set aims are more or less unhappy, because in the climb so many things must be left behind that will not ' grow in the keen mountain air. In their isolation and tin-get- at-ableness idealists are undesirable acquaintances for every day, while the woman of the world is a pleasant companion ready to meet you on your own terms. For you she cares little, for what you are in her life — much. It is not likely that when she has not hesitated to brush the delicate cobwebs out of her own brain, that she will nourish any mystical spider in yours, nor allow to you the luxury of building castles while she watches for the tide that is to lead on to fortune. If you will dream, you must etay and dream alone, and count not on any ■ consistent course of action on her part to spare your castles or your dreams, for every talent, every advantage of education, manner, • or appearance is regarded not as a grace, but as a means to an end. The joy of possession for its own sake belongs to the idealist. The ,poet is an interpreter of God, and in the unfolding of the mysteries finds his reward. 'The musician lives in harmony, and in the melody of expressed feeling has a heaven of -his own. The artist makes his world, and .loves the faces that he peoples it with— the 'woman of the world can be the friend of all •three, and without being touched in the least by the subtle power that moves them, admires them, and appreciates their gifts to the full, "because of the distinction which they gain. The woman of the world is usually a successful woman because nothing and no one has been able to divert her attention from the paramount aim of her own good. She has realised that there are many excellent things in the world which may be had for the wooing, and that in the end those who are thought most about are those who have thought most about themselves. To follow ffrß lead of any such will-o'-the-wisp as absolute truth would, she has realised, land her perhaps a lone; way from the home of her own content, The dictates <of common sense always prevail, and she, toeing spared the regret of chances put by and opportunities lost for the sake of others, iis on the whole a cheerful woman — one •whom it is pleasant to spend your feast .times with, and one who can make holiday !f or you at any hour. She is not always born :to the purple and the silver spoon, but ten ■chances to one she finds them, and when she 'does she knows how to use them. If she :ba of the people she ignores the fact, and by ,a wonderful tact gets others to forget it too, tand in after years you meet her in the sphere vwhere she served being served, and receiving tine- service as though ehe had been born to mite. 'N<*ue of the shrinking sensitiveness to •"".an honour .unto which she was not born " feillß her as it did the Lord of Burleigh's ■wife, but her husband and children rejoice with her in the enjoyment of many mercie3 of which she is the providence. The oldfashioned song they used to teach the girk to sing—

Down in a sweet and shady dell A modest violet grew ; Ito stalk was bent, it hung its head, As though to hide from view ;

and the advice to take pattern from it would -sound to ber arrant nonsense. Roses and , hollyhocks attract more attention, occupy : more space, and thrive best in the sun. Well, after all the world owes a debt to -vffhat adorns, and in every community these rwomen attain this end at least. , They are tthe outcome of indomitable pluck and perseverance. They have been as impervious to slight as they have been ungrateful to bye-gone friends. When we have ro conveyance it is comforting to get a lift in a dray, when we have purchased a springoart we despise drays. When a neighbour gives ns an airing in a carriage it is better than our own spriogcart, but when we drive our own coach four in hand we think nothing of the carriage and pair. It is the way of the world, and to be a success with the world you must do as the world does. The Dunedin Shakespeare Club gave one c£ their interesting readings on Friday night, the Choral Hall being crowded with a fashionable audience. "Hamlet" ■was the selection, and the various readers took their parts admirably. Mr A. C. Hanlon was Hamlet, and his reading was very pleasant to listen to ; Mr T. Whitson took the part of the Ghost with his usual Buscess; Mr A, Borrows that of Claudius; Mr J. Stone, jun., Horatio; Mr A. H. Adams, Polonius ; Mr G. Bray, Marcellus ; Mr A. H. BurtoD, the First Gravedigger ; Mr M. Pasco, the Second Gravedigger. The two ladie3 were Miss Leech (Queen), and Miss Axexander (Ophelia). Miss Leech wore a remarkably pretty red gown made with a Watteau train ; Miss j^xander, a cream robe with Watteau train, the gown finished with rucbinge. MiFS I Ecfcsie Stewart, who sang " Salva Maria," was gowtfsd in white ; Mis? Joel, who played, 2ooked very pice in cream colour trimjmca with heliotrope; Miss Ettie Myers, ■who joiEed Miss Jlool in a duet, wore a pr*ttv gown of black. The president of the clnb/SSr. A. Wilson, M.A , opened the evening ■with one of his interesting addresses. On Tuesday night the Kaihanga Club met for the last visitors' evening at Mrs Colquhoun's. There was a yery large attendance, a large number beirjg visitors. Miss I. CarglU was chairwoman, and » varied and interesting programme was gone through. *Xbe first item was a piano solo bj Miss Owen. Roberts: then a very spirited dialogue by Mrs H. Mackenzie and Miss E. M'Laren was gone through. The next item was a song, 5 Forget, forgive," by Miss Rachel Reynolds, witb a violin obbligato by Miss Buisk, the accompanist being Miss Q. Roberts. Mrs Sinclair-Thomson then gave an amusing reading. Mrs Wpodhonse,; M.rs Pirn, &ad

Miss R. Reynolds sang a glee, " Sunset and Dawn," which was beautifully illustrated by a tableau, in the first scene representing sunset, with Miss G. Roberts as a harvester, sitting with large hat and striped skirt, and cotton body, with a sickle in her hand, resting when sunset comes. Miss G. Rattray was dressed as a fisher girl, with her net in her hand. In the background Miss Alice Dymock stood with arms outstretched, draped in a long black cloak, and she gradually dropped a thin black veilsover the two sitting in the front. The second part of the tableau was a very pretty scene, showing the dawn breaking. Miss Lily Roberts was sleeping on a couch, dressed in a white frock and with hanging hair, while over her stood Miss A. Dymock in a long pink cloak. The light got redder and redder, and woke the sleeping girl with the dawn. Miss Oargill brought the evening to a close by a spirited recitation. Miss I. Cargill also made some remarks showing how it was the end of the Savage Club meetings, and that the ladies' public evening was fixed for Wednesday, Bth September. Some of the ladies had on very handsome dresses. Among these were Mrs Gladstone Robinson, handsome black figured merveilleux with loDg jacket and vest of pale blue; Mrs Belcher, cream siik and lace ; Mrs S. Thomsom, stylish costume of black and blue with jet trimmings ; Mrs Ogston, green merveilleux with pink front ; Miss Dymock, green merveilleux made with mauve jacket and gold passementerie trimmings; Miss Lulu Roberts, black dress with yolk and sleeves of Btrawberry-coloured velveteen ; Miss B. Scott, stylish goblin blue costume; and a great many more too numerous to mention.

On Wednesday afternoon Mrs J. Davidson entertained a large number of friends to afternoon tea. Among those present were the Misses Smith, Sale, Morris, Ulrich, Scott, Spence, Reynolds, and a great many more.

On Thursday night Mrs J. S. Williams had a number of guests to dinner. Mrs Williams wore a handsome black silk with velvet trimmings and velvet Alsatian bow at the back ; Miss Williams, pretty heliotrope Bangaline, with trimmings of violet velvet and bow of velvet at the back ; Mrs H. M'Kenzie, handsome olive green silk with corsage bodice; Mrs Hosking, red silk covered with black lace; Miss G. Neill, stylish green crepon with handsome fringe. This party joined the ball at the Choral Hall, which took place the same night. Unfortunately, owing to the hurried way in which the ball was got up, not more than 80 people were present, of which there was a decided preponderance of girls, but in spite of these drawbacks the ball was very successful. Two Scotch reels were danced, in which one or two young ladies fairly took the onlookers by surprise by the pretty and graceful way in which they went through the several intricacies of the dance. There were some pretty dresse3 worn — Mrs Finch, handsome pink silk with corselet body; Mrs H. M'Neil, white satin with pale green chiffon trimmings ; Mrs Johnson, pale grey silk with steel fringe ; Mrs Orbell, black lace with large yellow sash tied at one side ; Miss A. Dymock, pretty pink silk ; Miss Shand, heliotrope Surah ; Miss A. Sievwright, pale pink silk with myrtle green plush corselet and gauze sleeves; Miss A. Roberts, apple green silk with long body ; Miss G. Roberts, pale grey silk with grey fringe to match ; Miss Ziele, pink crepon with silver trimmings; Missß. Scott, cream Surah with gold passementerie ; Miss Tottie Stephenson, handsome pink brocade with train of Surah ; Miss F. Rattray, dark green with pale green chiffon trimmings; Miss Butterwortb, grey tulle ; Miss Spence, orange Liberty silk ; Miss Boss, pale blue silk with white trimmiDgs.

On Friday afternoon Mrs Ulrich gave a large at home at her residence, Duke street.

To emore publication Is the forthcoming Issue letters aboold reaoh the Wltneaa offlce not later than Saturday night.

[Description! of ball*, Ac, must be endorsed bj either our own correspondent for the district or by the secretary to the ball committee. The MS. of any correspondents who do not comply with thin rule will be lent to the secretary for endorsement prior to appearing.]

oddfellows' dance at dipton.

The Oddfellows gave a dance in the East Dipton Hall on Friday, July 29. The attendance was small, but those who were there enjoyed themselves very much. Some of the drosses were very pretty, and among them I noticed Miss Allen (Harrington's), who was decidedly belle, in a handsome gown of pink velveteen draped with black fisherman's net, low neck, short sleeves ; her sister. Miss F. Allen, black satean trimmed with black lace, cream ribbon and flowers ; Miss Murray, black costume, cream sash and vest; Miss Ronan, white bodice, maroon skirt ; Mrs D. Whitaker, plum coloured skirt, cream lace flounce and cream bodice ; Mrs C. Ross, cream nun's veiling trimmed with lace ; Miss Talska, white muslin ; Miss Lyttelton, black ; Miss Corkill, white, pink sash ; Miss M'Kay, black ; Miss Shaw, white dress ; Mi=s Styles, white bodice, blue skirt ; Miss A. M'Kay, dark dress ; Miss Callaghan, fawn coloured dress. Mr N. M'Kay acted as M.C. Dancing was kept up till 4 in the morning, when all went home well pleased with their night's enjoyment. — Wallflower.

li:av year ball at otaka.

A very pleasing event took place in the Otara schoolroom on the evenin£j of Friday, sth inst., the young ladies of the district giving a ball on that occasion. This was the first affair of the kind that had been held in the district, and the committee are to he congratulated on thevery able way in which they carried out all their arrangements. The schoolroom was very tastefully decorated, and contrasted well with the many different shades of the young ladies' dresses. Misses Moir and Ericson made very efficient M.C.'s, carrying out their duties in a most satisfactory manner. Songs and step-dancing were indulged in during the evening, and the company dispersed at an early hour in the morning, one and all agreeing that it was one of the most rjleasant night's amusement ever spent in Otara. The following is a list of the dresses worn :— MissMoii (who was unanimously yotcd belle), pale blue nun's veiling, low U2ck, short sleeves, and train, gloves and fan to match ; Miss Geary, white, pink trimmings ; Miss M'Kinnon, black, white vest ; Mm Parker, mciruon dress, coffcecolourcd vest; Miss Gorman, white skirt, pink bodice, trimmings to match ; Miss B. Moir, pale blue, trimmings to match ; Miss Ericson, navy blue, plush trimmings ; Miss M'Kinnon (PMendale), white skirt, maroon bodice, trimmings to match ; Miss L. Geary, white, pink sash, flower in hair ; Miss M'Kinnon_, peacock blue, trimmirgito match; Miss Smith, white dress, eveniiiß ttowera ; Miss M. Parker, peacock blue, black velvet trimmings ; Miss M. Gorman, maroon dress, white lace trimmings ; Mrs "Weir, stylishly made maroon, white lace trimmings ; Mrs Warnook, brown dress, satin trimmings ; Mrs Gorman, black dress ; Mrs Thomas, cream cashmere, trimmings, flowers, and fan to match. — A Lover or the Otara Spinsters.

Ayer's Sarsaparilla is too well-known to require the aid of any exaggerated or fictitious certificate. Witnesses of the marvellous cures effected by this preparation are to-day living in every country of tbe £lobe.