LADIES'GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2056, 20 July 1893, Page 46

LADIES' GOSSIP.

— The Empress of Austria, when she travels about incognita, uses indifferently the three following names : — " Mme. de Tofna," "Mme. Nicholson," and " Miss Simpson." — Sarah Cross, of Bristol, Ky., is more than 50 years old, but is only 18in In height. Her face and head are fully developed, her features §how no lack of intelligence, and she talks with as much freedom as if she were a well-developed- woman. She can handle the needle skilfully, and makes herself very useful about the house. A new sort of Cinderella competition, says the London Post, has been started by a French paper in search of a sensation. A shoe 19£ centimetres (7 i sin) long has been specially made, and the lady who. succeeds in putting it on will receive a handsome present of plate, and will have her fame carried throughout the length, and breadth of France. ' The notion is said to be a Yankee one (I). Experts are of opinion that the woman does not exist— in Europe at all events, for it is necessary to exclude China in a competition of this kind— who will be able to fulfil the required condition. The lady who has been tor many N yeara at the head of the ladies' boots department at one of the Paris universal providers declares that in all her experience she has never seen a woman's foot only 7 4 sin long. (The Recorder slipper was only 7|in ) The average length is 25 centimetres to 25£ centimetres (lOin to 10 l-sin). Oddly enough, it Is found that country girls have feet just as small as those of their sisters in town, although it is true the latter are more cunning in choosing boots that make the foot look small. Mrs Cleveland has a manner of scenting her rooms which is both unique and dainty. She does not employ the Chinese powders ncr the perfumed woods to burn away in vases,

but she lays little bags of heliotrope and rose sachet under the carpets In the corners, and the perfume, smothered, as it were, lasts for months, and is at the same time mysterious and beautiful.

— Here is a charming Browning story related by Mrs Louise Chandler Moulton, to whom the poet himself told it : —

"There was a girl in London, welldescended, well-bred, well-dowered, and born to charm. A suitor for her hand presented himself— a man of title, of fortune, and of all sorts of personal gifts and graces. Above all, he was deeply and romantically in love with the girl. He proposed for her hand, and she told him that while she liked him very much, she felt that if would be absolutely fatal to her happiness to marry a man who could not sympathise fully with her intellectual tastes. *Do you love the poetry of Robert Browning? ' she asked him, very seriously. Alaßl Prince Charming had never read it. He had fancied, somehow, that he was not up to it, and had not experimented. The lady's beautiful eyes looked at him with sad astonishment. ' Ab, it is of no use to talk about our marriage,' she said. • I adore Browning — simply adore him— and I could never be happy with a man who did not share the strongest intellectual interest of my life.'

" Prince Charming sighed in despair. Then his face brightened. • I see a hope,' he said. ' What if you should put me on probation ? I think I'm not so dull but I could learn ; and surely no man ever had such strong reason for trying.' So it was settled at last that be should have three months in which to prove his power to understand Browning. ■ ' The Death in the Desert ' was the poem selected as the test of his ability. I wonder if anybody coached him ? At anyrate, after three months he came up for examination, and passed triumphantly. He knew not only the

poem, but all the sidelights that could be thrown upon it. He was penetrated with its grandeur and its beauty. In short, if he had belonged to a Browning Club he could not have understood it better.

"Up to this time Browning had never heard of the young lady ; but now she wrote to her adored poet, and told him of- her happiness, of which she seemed to consider him the author, and begged him to be present at the wedding, which was soon to take place. And Browning went. And he kissed the bride, too; and as she was a very pretty bride, he did not mind this part of bis dnty." — The " good dinner woman " is (says a Home writer) one who aims to listen well, and avoids the mistake of being smart. _ She must be endowed with that quality which in its highest form amounts to genius— namely, tact. This is, probably, the hardest grace to cultivate in the catalogue of virtues, for it embraces all the others. It is really the spirit and the letter of the Golden Rule, and its oorner stone is unselfishness. The popular woman knows that every human being is happier to tell a good story than to hear one. It belongs to the general principle of being more blessed to give than to receive, and the "good dinner woman" has this written as the first law in her decalogue. — Two Akka girls, who were rescued from Arab capturers by Dv Sfcuhlmann and his companions, have been brought to Europe, and will remain in Germany for some months. In the summer they will be taken back to Africa, where they will be placed in Borne mission house, or otherwise provided for. They are supposed to be between 17 and 20 years ofaeie. A correspondent who saw them at Naples says they are well-propor-tioned, and as tall as a boy of eight years of ago. Their behaviour is " infantile, wild, and shy, but without timidity." One of them was always cross, bending her bead, and glaring from beneath frowning brows, while the other often laughs joyously, was pleased with bead bracelets and other trinkets given to her, and expressed by a queer sniff of her flat nose her appreciation of some chooolate bonbons. After making •• a capital dinner on rioe and meat," they greatly enjoyed the sunshine in a pretty gardeD, where they gradu-

ally grew more confident, and finally allowed themselves to be photographed arm-in-arm with the little son of their hostess. " The coquettish one shook with laughter, and seemed to guess that a process was going on flattering to her vanity, while the cross one still looked gloomy and suspicious. They showed neither worider nor admiration of the people and things around them in the artistically-furnished house and tasteful garden; their eyes, though large and lustrous, have less expression that the ugly eye 3of a monkey." These interesting representatives of one of the pigmy races of the world are to be presented to various scientific societies in Berlin.

— Several observant ladies have discovered that vegetarians have clear complexions, and have either renounced the use of meat entirely or partake of it sparingly. LadyPaget, wife of the British Ambassador at the Austrian Court, is one of the recent converts to vegetarianism. — The latest in Paris fashions. An Eton jacket without lining, made of Shetland wool In pale colours ; sleeves very big and voluminous above, with little pleats at the wrists ; military galon trimming in mohair, made in two shades, with some little touches of gold to give it brightness ; bell skirt trimmed with the same galon as the jacket. This is the dernier eri, destined in Paris to replace the pretty Francis I jackets wbich were so much en evidence among the great ladies who sunned themselves at the Ooncours Hippique last week.

— Queen Christina joined piously in all the usual ceremonies that are so strictly observed in Spain during Holy Week ; and one of these— the blessing of palms in the presence of the Sovereign — was a specially picturesque function, being attended not only by the Kegent and the Archduchess Elizabeth, Christina's mother, bnt also by the

whole court and the fine fleur of Castilian aristocracy. Queen Obristina was seated on the Throne, robed in a magnificent costume of pearl-grey satin, with a white lace mantilla ; by her side sat the Infanta Isabella in brooaded satin, with a lace mantilla similar to that of bet sister-in-law, and a parure quite as superb. Behind the royal ladies were ranged the Dukes of Medina Sidonis, and of Sotomayor, and all the court grandees. The Bishop of Sion blessed the palms in front of the Throne, and then handed them to her Majesty, the Infanta, and each of the great folk present. , At a reception at a well-known club In one of the colonies some time sinc9,.the wife of Paul Blouet, better known as "MaxO'Rell," was present, and every one was anxious to see her. It is the custom when distinguished strangers are present for them to rise for a moment in whatever part of the room they may be sitting, immediately they are introduced. When Mrs Blouet's name was announced, so great was the desire to see the wife of the witty, wise, and wicked Frenchman, that almost every woman in the room rose to her feet, and stared her neighbour in the face to see if she might be the happy woman. There was a general titter all over the room, and as the eager ladies fell back in their seats, the sarcastic president said he " believed there must be some mistake. Max O'Rell had but one wife, and if the other ladies would keep their seats, no doubt she would rise so that they could Bee her."

— Apropos of a certain bazaar which was held in Nice, the following true story is told : —A beautiful Russe, who was acting as stallkeeper, went aboub helling flowers, getting 100 per cent, for them. All at once she spied a handsome, black-eyed Italian, who took aer fancy. She went up to him with her sweetest smile, and pinned a rosebud on his coat, after which she held out her hand for the price. What was her astonishment when the low-voiced Italian replied, "Sense, signora; To sono vno cameriere!" («« Pardon, madam ; lam a valet.') Tableau of the ladj's face. — Lady Dufferin, who comes of an old Irish family, the Rowan Hamiltons of County Down, is a woman with a remarkable variety

of abilities and accomplishments, whioh have been developed probably by her changeß of residence' from Canada ' to St. Petersburg, Constantinople to Egypt and India, Rome to Paris, that her husband's occupation have brought about. She can ride, hunt, and shoot; her figure-skating excited admiration in Canada, and her acting became famous in India. In Calcutta, too, Lady Dufferin discovered a great talent for organisation in creating and spreading the Association for supplying" Female Medical Aid to the Women of India.

Home Fashions.

Summer dresses are In full swing. Linen dresses are great favourites, brown, holland and a soft grey silky linen being particularly en Evidence. Double skirts are to be seen, but as a general rule the best dressed women appear to Stick to the bell skirt. Here is a pretty frock just suitable for the weather. It is of "the grey linen mentioned above, and is made with a bell skirt slightly stiffened round the- hem with the crinoline muslin most good dressmakers use now. The coat, which is nearly three-quarter length, falls open in front, to show a dainty little shirt of " bird's eye " foulard in pale blue and white, which is accordeon pleated into a square yoke of string-coloured guipure. It is being increasingly realised that, however well cut, these open-fronted coats require to be held in to the figure at the back, and this is managed in various ways. One I saw had a fairly broad ribbon belt brought round outside the back of the jaok- 1, then slipped through slits in the side seams under the arms, and fastened in front over the shirt with a handsome buckle ; but where the shirt is worn loose, hanging over at the waist, back, and front, blouse fashion, as many women affect now, a strap of narrow elastic is fastened to the jacket at the seam under the arms, and fastens invisibly in front with a hook and eye.

Here is another dress, intended for a Whitsuntide outing. It consists of a plain skirt of very soft fine chestnut-brown tweed, with three bands of black satin round it ; a tight- - fitting coat of the tweed with a short basque, .caught in at the waist with a broad folded belt of black satin ■ finished with a large rosette of the same material, and just showing a peep of a silk shirt of shoi; chestnutbrown and gold. With golden-tan gloves, and a brown felt hat 'with gold and brown velvet bows, this is an ideal travelling dress, finished down to the deep brown Russia leather shoes and the dainty golden-tan spunsilk hose ; then when the hotel is reached the jacket comes off and shows a pretty shirt smartened by knots of "bebe" velvet* catching in black silk guipure braces, bands of the same drawing the full sleeves into coquettish moyen age puffs. The same idea was carried out in a soft, lightish smoke blue, trimmed with indigo satin, the shirt being shot blue and silver, with a blue felt hat. Certainly the dresses which match are infinitely to be preferred to the gruesome complications of colour which some persons appear to fancy the right thing.— "Elspeth," in Glasgow Citizen.

At a Russian Wedding.

We were invited to a Russian wedding, which /Was to take, place at 8 p.m. The ladies went without hats. The church was a carpeted room, and at one end was the Holy of Holies, where no woman is allowed to enter. In the centre, was a reading desk, and about 10yds from that there was a piece of silk. Here the two about to be married were to stand. ■ ' The bride, of course, was late. Instead of arriving at 8 o'clock,*it was neatly 9 before she made her appearance. She was preoeded by her nephew, a little boy five years old, holding an. image of "Our Lord." The child gave this to the priest and then the service began.' • Neither organ nor any musical instrument Is allowed in the Russian Church", so the choir, consisting of five men, chanted. The priest alternately reading and the choir chanting went on for about half an hour. The priest then addressed several words to the bride' and" bridegroom in Russian. Two gentlemen, Garcons d'honneur, or groomsmen, stepped, forward and were each given a crown, which, they were to hold over the bride and bridegroom's beads until the end of the service.

The priest then puts a wedding ring on the third finger of the right' hand of each, and the chanting goes on as before. Then, with the priest leading, they walk three times round the reading desk, in the centre. Until this is done they are not married. The now married couple are next led to kiss the steps leading to the Holy of Holies. Their friends crowd round to congratulate 2.1 *•

Meanwhile the bride's sister and brother-in-law make their escape and go to await the bride and bridegroom at the house, and give them biead and salt as a symbol of hospitality. There is a reception after the wedding, and the bride cuts up her veil and give 3 it, together with a piece of orange blossom, to those of. the guests who wish for a piece of it. ' v Two or three days after, all the guests, we among .the number, received handsome satin bags of sweets tied up with orange blossoms and richly embroidered in gold, and with the initials, in gold, of the bride on one side and those of £be bridegroom on the other.

Dances and Dancing.

A correspondent,' writes in a Home paper:— •• Yonr remarks about the popular * barn dance,' and the doubts there' seem to be about it 3 exact origin; lead one to reflect bow little one really knows abaut the origin of even onr most popular 'dances. Take the Bempiternal polkaj foy example. Who, I should like to know, knows that the inventor of that most popular of all dances only died three years ago at Pa?th ? By making the polka known to his fellow-creatures, even if that lively. dance were not altcgether the offspring of his own unassisted genius, Professor Franz Hillrnar. probably contributed ia hia day aa largely to the • harmless gaiety of nations' as Hellmuth Yon Moltke to*warlike history, or Immanuel Kant to metaphysics. _ V. i "First presented, to public attention on the stag? 43 years ?go as a novel • incident ' in a ballet, it speedily found Its way info good scciety, and thtre established itself as part and parcel of the amusements pronounced permiesible to ihe gilded youth-of both sexes by the arbiters of fashion. From

court; saloons and the saltatory entertainments presided over by lady patronesses of high rank, the polka soon descended to the dancing parties of the middle classes, and thence to the public subscription ball was but a step, and, finally, it became the rage in every danolng resort, from the half-crown West End casino to the threepenny East End •hop.' To a society bared to death with stately minuets, tedious quadrilles, monotonous country danoas, and even the elaborate show and grave waltz, as it waß danced then, the polka came as a novelty long wanted. Its measure was a simple plainsailing one, easily caught-, even by the untutored musical ear, and its step could be exhaustively studied within the limit of a single afternoon ; whereas, the waltz was a quastion of muoh time and patience. " In a word, no dance .invented or revived in modern times took, for' a while, so firm a hold upon the fancy of the general public as the polka. Since its .discovery many attempts have been made' to supplant it in ' the favour of society by novelties more or Jesa resembling it in time and step. The tchottische— which may be dasonbed as a ■ slow polka suffering from a hopping spasm— though it still finds a place on the oards of public balls, has never achieved that degree of popularity which rendered the polka, and still renders the waltz, an indispensable element of every dancing entertainment, PU « The r mazurka has, .fallen into desuetude. Who among us now knows anything about the veritable redowa, or., how many could accurately describe the figure intricacies of the Lancere, Caledonians, or so-called •Spanish dances'? But the polka Btillremains. Its cbarm originally rested on the fact that it was an ancient step of Sclavonic ancestry, and fashion seems to forego her traditional fickleness in its favour. m Really national steps and figures are imperishable. •Ye have the Pyrrhic dances yet, 1 Byron said reproachfully to the Grefs. 'Where has the Pyrrhic phalanx gone ? The Highland reel 'and strathspey have survived the clan and the claymore. '■ The early world danced most and danced best, probably because they had less to do or to learn, and most of what are called • new dances,' like Professor HjHmar's polka, are ancient forms revived, while innumerable dances (like tbis barn dance yon speak ot; are offshoots of the polka, or of that bastard polka the schottische." Wedding-Kins Mottoes.

During a long connection with the jewellery trade the writer has engraved many qneer Inscriptions on the inside of wedding rings, and at one time the custom of wearing these mottoes was so general that to jiome individuals the inscription seemed apparently to be of as much moment as the ring itself. The fashion, however, is now going out of date, and needs reviving ; therefore, no apology is needed to bring a few of the most interesting of these quaint saws before the notice of those readers who may be matrimonially inclined. In a long list those mentioning the look or knot occur most frequently, and usually take the form of " Ttys look knowa no key, « The knot that binds," &o. Then follow the challenges: "Undo it who can\and » " Part us who oan " issued, and on a par with " What this joins, none can sever," without a thought a* to whether or not the Divorce .Court will ever bring its power to beat on the matter. - - " U & I R 1," " *7 fc I for ever," and " U & I together love,", are often used, and (as engraving is charged for at so much per letter) do not coßt so much, as when written in the ordinary way. Some men . are so callous and hardened, even in affairs matrimonial, as to sometimes think of the expense. Then come " Now and for ever," " United until death," or more frequently " Yours till death us part," "Yours for life," "Faithful ever," " I am thine,! * United for ever," and " Two united in one." These are all' very well in their •way.-'but kick something in originality when comparedwlth the following :—: — .What a wealth of meaning there is, for "example, in the reminder; "And obey"; what joy or sorrow of "looking backward" in " Regrets are now useless,'' " Good-bye all others," "Here ends all flirting," " The de'il take the rest," " Better late than never," and

" Despise all else." - Of inscriptions having a martial flavour we find,' •« A\ sharp . engagement, a battle won," ".Even .in the .cannon's mouth," «' Faint heart ne'er captured lady fair " ; and sailors are represented ' by " Jaok's come home to-day," "Sonsh|ne follows storm," , "The last voyage/ «<AU, clouds are gone," ••A bright look-out." ! Among others which speak for themselves are " Double harness for safety," " Two heads are better than one," " May this break with my vow," " God decreed— we agreed," "By this we conquer all," " Notthe voice but tbe vow," " All's well that ends well," " Better have none than plural,'' " Kindness nobler ever than reveuge," " We ride abreast," and 11 1 will never forget." ' l Add 1 to these the' effusions of individuals apparently "over headland ears in love," such as— « C A token of eternal love," "By thee I henceforth live," " Intbis sign is my hope," "Pledge of love," "I devote my life unto thee," "Love oonquers all," and " Hail ! transmitter of my name," and a selection is afforded! from '■ which the most fastidious leaders may choose Something to their taste.— Tit-bits.

T« enraM »a»U«»tion In this f.rtioomlng bra* letter* ihonlp rwwh toe Wltneu offloe not liter thtn Stturdtr night. [Deioriptioni of balli, fto., mart b» endoried by either our »wn correspondent for tha dbtrlot or by the «eoret«ry to the ball commutes. Tha US. ol any oorreipondenti who do not oomply •»lUi^bli rnlo will bo tent U the leoretary for •nioriement pilot 111 1 appearing.] BACHELORS' BALL AT CAMBRIANS. The bachelors of Cambrians, gave a most successful ball on Friday, 30th ult., in the Victoria Hall. About 40 couples promenaded in the grand march. The hall was beautifully decorated with pretty evergreens and bright coloured paper chains. Excellent music was supplied by Mr Roper (dulcimer) and Mr Sulhvan (accordeon). A very pretty bouquet was presented to Miss E. Joriesl the belle of the ball. Among the more con- ■ sptouous dresses I noticed Miss R. Beattie, pink nun's veiling trimmed .with white swansdown ; Miss H. Williams, delaine trimmed with white lace and. pink ribbons,; Miss S. O'Regan, black dress, blue trimmings ; Miss K. Jones, white delaine and red rlbßons ; 'MfssJ. Jones, print delaine, with red ribbons ; Miss L. Dungey, black dress, with old g6ld silk front 5 -Miss A. Hughes, white embroidered skirt, Waqk bodice w}th pink 1 front ;;Miisßjj- Hughes,' bluo Batjn, with bhie ribbons ;' Mißtf S. Aj, Thomas, .whity .dress, with blqe ribbons ; Miss J/anet Hai^ plnf satin covered.

with black fisherman's net ; Miss Maria Watson, black dress, pink ribbons ; Miss Fahey, red silk covered with white lace ; Miss J. Sheppard, blue nun's veiling skirt and blue satin bodice ; Miss M. Donelly, pink satin, with white lace, low neck and short sleeves ; Misses J. and M. Hamilton, white dresses, with pink ribbons and sashes; Miss Packman, white dress, blue ribbons; Miss A. Hanrahan, maroon embroidered dress, white lace collar and cuffs ; Miss B. M'Enneney, dark dress ; Miss E. Jones, fawn dress and ribbons, low neck and short sleeves ; Miss A. Halpin, white nun's veiling ; MissM. Halpin, white dress and maroon ribbons ; Miss F. Kenny, black dress : Miss E. Dungey, black dress, white sash ; Miss E. Elliott, navy blue dress, white silk front; Miss E. M'Pherson, green embroidered dress.— One Who Knows.

A NENTHORN MARRIAGE.

The marriage of Miss Mills, eldest daughter of Mr H. Mills, manager of the Surprise mine, Nenthorn, to Mr Alexander Sligo, also of Nenthorn, was celebrated on the 6th inst. in the presence of a numerous circle of the relatives and friends of both parties. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Dr Stuart, of Knox Church, Dunedin. The bride was attended by her sister and cousin as bridesmaids, the bridegroom being supported by his brother as best man. The bride wbb attired in an elegant costume of heliotrope, with trimmings to match, and carried a lovely bouquet of flowers with streamers. Subsequent to the ceremony a ddjeuner was served, at which the usual toasts were proposed and responded to, the proceedings closing with a variety of songs, music, and amusements, in which all present heartily joined. Later in the day the bride and bridegroom left by the train for the north. In the evening a reception was held at the residence of the bridegroom's parents, at which a large gathering were present. The presents were numerous .and costly, and included the following :— Pair vases, lovely plush cushion worked in aresene, breakfast cruet, marble striking clock, very handsome silver teapot, vase lamp, floral album, eider down quilt, Japanese glove box, set of silver spoons,' Bet knives and forks, large oil painting (CargUl's cliffs), knife basket, fancy plush tea cosey, pair Mosgiel blankets, afternoon tea set, pink ornamental bowl, set of salts and spoons, pair whatnot ornaments, toilet set, black ware, teapot, ornamental lamp, butter dish, whatnot workbox, cheese dish, flower vases, silver dinner cruet, set caridlesticks, china jug, set of dinner ware complete, set of carvers (in case), plush corner bracket worked with flowers, &c— Guest.

CONCERT AND BALL AT ADAM'S FLAT. A most successful concert and dance was held at the local schoolhouse on the 23rd ult. Of the concert I need not enter into particulars ; suffice it to say that the various items on the programme were satisfactorily rendered, and met with due appreciation. At the dance Miss Ward wore a white gown tastefully relieved with red silk ; Miss A. Reid, white, with pink ribbons for trimming ; Miss Sinclair, neat black dress ; Misses A. and M. Sinclair, very pretty delaines; Miss Hilner, brown and old gold sash ; Miss Huston, white bodice and coloured skirt: MissE. Reid, white, trimmed with blue; ,Mißs Lane, pink gown and low-necked bodice ; Miss Connor, lightcoloured bodice and dark skirt ; 'Miss L. Connor, red ; Miss Gray, grey gown ; Mrs Hilner, black bodice and skirt of grey figured material ; Mrs Woods, becoming dark gown; Mrs Sinclair, black; and Mrs Reid, gown of dark-coloured material.— Spectatoe.