LADIES GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2111, 9 August 1894, Page 46

LADIES GOSSIP.

— Among the old oustoms still retained in some parts of France, and which has a medfreval perfume about it, is one in connection with the entrance of a newlymarried couple into the family estate^ Not only are all the noble families around invited to the fete, but the whole countryside is included in it. Several of these festivals have become celebrated in history. The programme, however, is alike in all — the tenants and labourers erect triumphal arches aloDg the road, and they themselves form a long cavalcade to meet the young couple and to escort them to the chateau. The chateau itself is covered with flowers and foliage, with the armorial bearings of the house, also in flowers, in the centre. At the entrance gate, a group of young girls, dressed in white, offer flowers to the bride, and strew flowers on her path. Speeches are made, and all the tenants present large baskets fillt.^ with the finest products of the land to the young couple. On the following day, the young chatelains give a festival to all the farmers, servants, &c, on the estate, and the you»g couple not only give the signal for dancing to begin, but they join in the dance, dancing with their dependents, and keeping up the fan till daylight appears. To be truthful, these Frenc'i peasants behave as correctly as their superiors in rank. They are merry, easy-mannered, and respectful at tho same time. There is nothing servile about them, nor anything approaching familiarity. — The Princess Victoria of Wales, according to her father, can concoct a more tempting Welsh rarebit than any other women in England. — " Bandoline Fixatrice " was the name a clergyman was recently asked to christen a child. The clergyman declined, and quite inexcusably named the baby " Mary Anne " instead. The clergyman subsequently discovered that these extraordinary names were used to " describe a semi-liquid oleaginous substance with which persons anoint the hair upon their upper lip." — One of the catches of the English season is the newly-come-of-age Viscount Brackley, the eldest son and heir of the Earl of Ellesmere. Lord Brackley will one day succeed to estates, chiefly in Northamptonshire, which bring an income of over £70,000 a year, and to several handsome seats. Woraley alone, be it observed, cost over £120,000 to build. Bridgewater House, moreover, the London residence of the family, which will go with the title, is the second finest private residence in the capital, and contains the best private collection of pictures in England. Lord Brackley is not positively handsome, bat he is not badlooking. Another catch is young Earl Beauchamp, and if the Beanohamp property ,is not so large nor so valuable as the Ellesmere, Lord Beauchamp is his own matttr, has his seat in the House of Lords in possession, and can make his bride a countess at once; whereas most of Lord Brackley's advantages are in futuro, and he would have to begin matrimonial life on a courtesy title and an allowance.

— It has become quite the fashion to conclude the revels of a wadding with a visit to a theatre, though, of bourse, the bride and bridegroom are not present. A wealthy manufacturer is about to improve on this idea. He has engaged a theatre on the day of his marriage for a matinee, to which all his employees will receive free admission.

— Her Majesty has still some two- thirds of her birthday presents in her possession, the value of which during the last 75 years would be a good fortune for any prince of^the blood. Some of the early presents "are marked for " Drina," as the Qaeen was then called, and her toy .presents were taken great care of by her good nurse, Mrs Brock, whom the Queen always called "Boppy." — It is very remarkable how some almost forgotten remedies have lately come to the front again. Cinnamon, for instance, had a great vogue among our ancestors as a prophylactic against various infectious diseases ; but it has been little used daring the lasb 50 or 60 years, except as a seasoning. Now, however, doctors have discovered that even a weak infusion of cinnamon is fatal t© most poisonous microbes. Similarly, amber necklets, bracelets, and waistbclts are worn by many savage or Bemi-civilised peoples — not for purposes of ornament merely, but because those wearing them believe them to possess mysterious powers of healing. A French physician, however, is reported have recently stated that this belief has a sonnd scientific basic. He found that the beads in an amber necklace, by rubbing against each other, generate a .mild current of elec^ricisy ; and he has public he<j. accounts Qf a nnmber of cases in which he has successfully treated patients suffering from neuralgia, lumbago, and writer's cramp.

— Modern Society says that people need not be astonished if the projpoted ruartisge between the Czarewitch and Princess Alix of Hesse does not. come off after all. Some of the best-informed persocs in oar court circles declare that this union is far from being the certainty which the public very naturally considers it to be, and although it would certainly be very unusual for such an alliance, when once announced, not to come off, still we • live in an age of surprises, and there is nothing impossible under this fin de siecle sun. Pretty, clever Alix is as dedicate as her cousin Maud of Wales, and suffers from iriitation of the coating, or mucous membrane, of the stomach, and if this reaches an acute condition it bears the ugly name of gastritis. She has to be very careful in her food ; diet beraelf, in fact, and avoid all kinds of rich and heavy dishes. The Princess Alix has also given a good trial (and, we believe, with good results) to the hot water remedy which was so much in fashion a few years back, but which seems to have gone rather out nowadays, and even so late aa during her stay at Windsor Casfcle the other day, Princess Alix consumed her four tumblerfnls of hot water just tinged with milk daily. Princess Alix is 22 years of age. — Though superabundant brainß and surpassing beauty may but seldom be combined in the same individual it does not follow that all women of good sense and sharpened intellect are necessarily plain. On the contrary, bright thoughts enliven the most ordinary face, and lead us to believe that in I very troth Bucb a woman is a great beauty. I The woman who pleases through all time is

not the striotly beautiful one. She may attract the eye for the time being, and her power while her beauty lasts cannot be gainsaid. But it is the vivacious creature of varying moods and quaint fancies who charms. A man forgets all about the type of beauty she may or may not possess, so interested does he become in the pleasing study of a mind that renders her face at times light with' airy fancies, again sorrowfully subdued by deeper thought, but ever winning, irresistible, and pleasiDg, because, like the surface of a lake, there comes a change with every varying emotion. Cultivate the mind, for a grace of soul and education of spirit count for more than limpid eyes, a rosebud mouth, and a dimpled chin. Though you may not possess a single good feature you will be most pleasing to many who appreciate an aotive mind at its full value. .

— One of Lord Salisbury's earliest playmates — now an elderly lady —has a treasure which she displays to favoured visitors. This is a miniature dining table, made of mahogany and perfectly executed, with leaves that fit in and lengthen it if desired. The whole is about 7in in length, and the pretty toy was made by Lord Robert Cecil as a present for his little friend. Some time ago a member of the Cecilfamily called on the lady and fancied the relic, but nothing would induce its owner to part with it.

— The Queen-regent of Holland wears the plainest possible clothes, but spends much time and thought on her daughter's toilets. Everything the youDg Queen Wilhelmina wears is of the most exquisite texture, and all the linen, fairy like in fineness, has the "W " and royal crown beautifully embroidered upon it.

— Our merry maidens are (says a writer in a Home paper) now collecting buckles. The dainty summer skirt waists are in a measure responsible for this buckle craze. They require a belt, and the belt requires a buckle. The silver buckleß are tfye most popular. They are long and narrow or round and much ornamented. Some are of filigree, while others are plain or oxidised. Buokles of black enamel inlaid with silver or gold are effective upon a delicately-tinted ribbt n belt. The gold buckles are beautiful enough to warrant the price at which they are sold. One represents a gold hoop around which a snake has twined its body. The eyes are glistening emeralds. Plain gold buckles have the owner's monogram engraved upon them. AmoEg the newest silver buckles are those inlaid with pale blue enamel. Delicate buckles of tortoiseshell are also seen this year inlaid with gold or enamel. The buckles which adorn the tennis belt are sure, somewhere, to show a racquet. A new buckle to be .worn with a yachting gown is of Roman gold shaped like an anchor, With bronze cords coiled about it. A dainty buckle attached to a white ribbon- belt was formed of a wreath of blue enamel forget-me-nots.

— " I hope I shall not be married," writes the Belfast correspondent of a London paper, " till the present fashion of trimming lingerie with lace goes out. It would go to my heart to have my trousseau trimmed with anything save the pretty old-fashioned • flowering ' that has been such a source of profitable employment for our cottage girls and old women, not only for years, but for generations back. The lace-worker may bq very interesting, but I have a strong leaning toward our own local industries. It is always a pleasant eight to see those merry girls clustered about the cottage doors on a fine afternoon.each with her flowering hoops in hapd, and needle flying in and out of the cambric. Long practice has made them wonderfully skilful, and the delicate patterns grow beneath their light fingers in no time. We are always trying to introduce new industries to our cottage people, why cannot we make an effort to utilise skill already acquired ? In former years this work paid a skilful worker well, now no girl can make a living by it.

" Some beautiful work was shown to me some days ago by a large linen firm, for an American order, done on sheets and pillow cases, and those ' shams ' which our Yankee neighbours go in for. The shamrock always appears in these designs, and is rather ineffective in comparison with the larger patterns now coming in. Some of the newest designs are quite large, huge ferns and the spreading leaves of the nightshade, or ' devil's bit, 1 and even the spreading chestnut appears, not only in embroidery but in our damasks. I cannot qnite reconcile myself to an embroidered pillow case. Fancy rising from one's slumbers to find a bunch of .shamrocks or convolvulus leaf impressed on one's chuck I

" I saw some lovely chemises prepared for a 3'oung girl's school outfit not long ago. Chemises not made of silk and muslin, nor even of that calico beloved by our mothers a-; stout wearing material, but fashioned of ths finest, whitest, purest of linen — a lmen so soft and delicate as to remind one of the web in the fairy tale that the old king drew through his finger ring. Fresh and cool, and delicious to the touch as the petals of a flower, the material itself formed the charm of the simple garments, totally irrespective of the tasteful trimming, which was frilling, only • sprigged ' here and there with a little fine embroidery and edged with fine valenoiennes. There is no material so nice to wear next one ?s a linen garment ; no silk, no woollen garment can feel so pleasant and fresh and daintily olean as linen, but it must be fine and innocent of starch in the 1 doing up.' Then it grows old so gracefully. Not turning yellow and sere with years, but wearing away insensibly into a snowy and gentle old age, more tender to the touch every day, and respectable to the last, even in its very last stage of existence a boon to suffering humanity.

" Make my external garments of what you pleaee, dressmaker mine 1 Clothe me in pilk, or attire me in the homely print, swathe me in tweedp, or tailor-make me, if destiny »o decrees, bat my inner garment mast be of • the Holland dne. 1 "

— The importation of cut flowers from the Riviera has more than doubled durirg the past three years, and. large consignments ure received daily by way of Calaip and Dovtr. The flowers consist chiefly of violets, roses, daffodils, anemones, and acacias, with fern fronds, and, are packed in light baskets. Hitherto it has been the practice to send the whole of the imports to the London markets, but now some are consigned direct to the midland districts,

— LaU .c-.icd, rays a Home pape,r, a favourite form of entertainment with the very rich were concerts. At these the rooms were exquisitely decorated with flowers. One we heard of was done throughout with pink roses and white orchids, the supper tables being set out with massive chased gold plate receptacles, in which pure white lilies and golden-hued orchids were arranged with rarely beautiful and most costly caladium foliage. At this entertainment the very best artistes sang and played — only five of them, it is true ; bub tbeir honorariums for their evening's work walked well into a £500 note. Between each item on the programme refreshments were handed round, while The supper was of the most sumptuous description. The curious part of this luxury of living and costliness of entertaining is the infectiousness of It. One finds it done in classe^ of life where a few years ago. such a thing would have been Considered utterly unsuitable, and would have been said to have savoured of vulgar display. Not alone that, but the infectiousness of it is the ruin of many who feel they must keep in the swim. One of the effects of this luxurioußness of life which ir creases year by year is the breaking down of the barriers of society set up by birth and position. Wealth is the great leveller, and it is no uncommon thing to see at a party given by the owners of an unusual Ebare of it, who have no position, and whose birth was of the humblest, members of our royal family and peers and peeresses of the realm. Many of the bestknown millionaires are men of education and refinement, with cultured wives and families to uphold their position. It doeE not, however, follow that these are necessary accessories to wealth in achieving social success, for society may despise a man's grammar, but greatly appreciate his cook. Sonic Home Fashions. BLOUSES are still a case of " Eclipse first and the rest — nowhere 1 " but how different they have become. The loose, sloppy garment that went by that name has utterly disap peared, and is replaced by a trim, well-thought-out shirt that is simply perfection. They are almost all made, on tight-fitting — often boned — linings (so, for that matter, are the nicest teagowns), and are carefully fitted for the place they are to fill in the toilet. By the bye, while I think of it, let me tell you that the wide VANDYKE COLLARS of our youth are much worn, and realty give a finish to a modern semi-Victorian costume. They seem to harmonise with the puffed sleeves in the most wonderful manner. Another point which requires particular attention in these days is one's stocking I That harmless but very necessary part of one's toilette is in a self-assertive mood, and its makers are indulging in the wildest jantaA&ies. Plaid stockings of every colour known of the rainbow, and a few more besides, are en evidence, while embroidery j absolutely runs riot on our footgear. - Even ; the lady golfers have caught the infection, and lighten the stern simplicity of the golfing dres"s by the most fasoinating miniature " rig-and-f ur " knickerbocker hose. It's all very well to talk of " higher education," " advanced womanhood," and all the fashionable catchwords of the day, but no matter what new opening a woman hits upon, her first idea inevitably is — " What must I wear ? "

A joy I had the other day was seeing come of

THE NEW JEWELLERY preparing tor this season, and in spite of the gloomy forecasts, and in spite of the cry of reduced rentals that goes up through the length and breadth of the land, somebody must have money in plenty to spend 1 Imagine a group of ostrich plumes' in diamonds caught together by a true-lovers' knot, either for the hair or as a finish to the fashionable berthe. (Somehow, treason as it is to say so, it was just one of the ornaments I should prefer in really good paste 1) Another beautiful thing was the new tiara (How is it everyone who is any one at all nowadays contriveß to sport one of these ultra costly ornaments 1 I pause for a reply 1) — a band of lovely stones, with a row of smaller ones mounted on gold wire as an edge, this edge in the front expanding into a pyramid of flashing jewels, so lightly set that it is hard to believe they are set at all I But I think I admire mostof all the fashionable opal matrix,, with its weird greeny-blue lustre, which makes the most exquisite ornaments.

FLOWERS FOB HEADGEAR

appear, however, this spring to have rather given, place to bow knots and rosettes of all kinds, usually of a decidedly aggressive make. One I saw the other day fresh from Paris consisted of a band of apricot velvet passing over the hair, with two little pointed ears of the" velvet out on the cross, mixed up with a paste buckle and an osprey plume dusted with (Parisian) diamonds. Another bow of white satin was *co arranged as to have exactly the effect of a pair of tiny wings standing out at the back of the head from the hair and surmounting the face. It was certainly pretty, though decidedly fanny.

SLEEVES STILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPOETANT

parts of our toilette, and here are one or two of the new shapes. One, for evening wear, consists of a broad-shaped band of jet, to give the requisite shoulder Blope^ from which depend some four or 4 five frills of pleated lisse. Another, belonging to a brocade dress, has a kind of sheath falling from the shoulder to the elbow in a point, like the sheath of a flower bud, from which comes oat a full sleeve to the wrist of transparent timelled gauze, of a faint shade recalling the dominant tone of the brocade. For morning wear the balloon puff appears to be larger than ever, but It is usually caught in at the elbow with a band of ihe dress mateiial when the sleeve differs from the rest, or with a band of the trimming when they correspond. I think we are mostly using up old garments till such time as the new fashions come out (which they will not do till the milliners have the drawing-room toilettes off their minds), for the different sleeves, superfluous capes, and broad bands of full and different stuff on the skirts all look suspiciously like adaptations to make old clothes look like new,

T» »«*ure j>n»Uo»tion In the ftrtboomlng time letton ihoold remoh the Wltnew offloe If possible on Saturday night, but on no tooount Ut«r than Monday nlKht.

BACHELORS' BALL AT CLINTON

Dear Emmeline,— The bachelors of Clinton held their annual ball in the Atheuiuum Hall ou Friday, July 27, and it proved a great success. Good music was supplied by Mr Carrie (violin) and Miss Murray (piano), and the catering was all that could be desired. Songs were given during tlie evening by Messrs Pasco, Stuart, and Dawson, while Mr J. Cameron and Mr W. Finlayson contributed double hornpipe, and Mr Kirby an Irish jig. Appended are a few of the dresses worn :—: — Miss Moore (Milton), evening dress of sea green trimmed with'cream lace ; Miss Bradigam (Tapanui), skirt of peacock blue cashmere, satin bodice trimmed with cream lace, white feather fan ; Miss Bnrty, evening dress of cream nun's veiling ; Miss Clapp, evening dress of maroon velvet relieved with white ; Miss Taylor, pretty delaine dress trimmed with lace ; Miss Henderson, evening costume of sea foam trimmed with pink ; Miss 51 ' Queen (Tapanui), evening costume of light maroon cashmere trimmed with lace to match, cream gloves and flowers ; Miss Murray, pink sateen and black lace ; Miss Cameron, black skirt, neat white bodice, and white ribbons ; Miss S. Cameron, dark maroon trimmed with plush ; Miss M. Cameron, pink embroidered muslin ; Miss Sandford black ekirt, pink bodice ; Miss Fahey, prune-coloured dress trimmed with striped velvet ; Miss Finlayson, navy blue trimmed with cream terry silk ; Mias Brown, pink dress, white lace ; Miss T. Brown, grey dress ; Miss M Kay, maroon dress, white vest ; Miss M'Kay, black dress trimmed with black velvet ribbon ; Miss E. Rae, navy blue serge; Miss E. Henderson, brown trimmed with cream. Liberty silk; Mrs Kirby, costume of cream relieved with pink silk; Mrs Curran, black evening costume trimmed with sea green silk ; Mrs Lange, black lace costume relieved with maroon flowers ; Mrs Cockcroft, delaine evening dress ; Mrs Stuart, pink with •?lace lace ; Mrs Davis, neat black trimmed with black velvet ; Mrs M'Kenzie, fawn dress ; Mrs Nelson, cream with black la^e. There were other pretty dresses, but I did not know the names of the wearers. — Veronica.

["Veronica" should have written on one side of the paper only* in addition to which she has wsed almost invisible ink. Correspondents should show more consideration for those who have to wade 'through their MS.— Emmeline.]

bachelors' ball at waitaiiuna.

This ball took place on the 27th ult., and Was the most successful affair of the kind wo have had. Invitations were.f reely issued, parties coming from long distances to participate in the night's enjoyment. The hall was very tastefully decorated by "our boys," who spared neither trouble nor expense in making their annual treat a pleasant remembrance to their many friends. Muiic was supplied by Messrs Martin Ryan (violin), Carmody (flute), and Morgan (piano). The dresses worn were particularly bright and pretty. Miss Wall, in lemon colour with chiffon trimmings looked very nice; Miss Nellie Ward wore pale green flowered fisherman's net with pink flowers ; Miss Dora Ryan, black lace and jet with pale pink sleeves and pink flowers ; Miss Ivirby, cream nun's veiling with cream lace relieved with pink rosebuds ; Mibs Ryan (High Park), rose pink nun's veiling tastefully trimmed with ribbon of the same pretty shade ; Miss Murray, black lace ; Miss Jessie Williamson, black skirt with pink silk blouse, her sister being similarly attired ; Miss Ryan (Fernbank), rream nun's veiling and lace relieved with pink ribbon ; Miss 'K. Wall, pink with cream trimmings ; Miss J. M'Kenzie, grey with cream lace ; Miss Hammond, brown with velvet trimmings relieved with pink ; Miss Botseino, delaine with cream laco ; Mass Sinclair (Adam's Flat), black with pink silk vest ; Miss Carey (Lawrence), brown velvet with white lace ; Miss Houston (Mount Stuart), pale blue with point lace ; Miss Tina Sutherland, grey trimmed with shot silk ; Mrs Arthur, black velvet with cream lace ; Miss Bruce, cream ; Miss Moore (Lawret.ce), cream with pink niching ; Mrs Watson, black with ribbon velvet ; Mrs Ellis, old rose trimmed with flowered silk ; Mrs M'Kenzie, black broche cloth with black lace ; Mrs Murray, brown ; Miss Oudaille, black satin and lace relieved with pink ribbon ; Mrs Patterson (Clarendon), black cashmere ; Miss Moyle, green silk with pink silk sleeves and (trimmings ; Miss Kate Auld, heliotrope with black velvet ; Miss French (Clark's Flai), heliotrope and ci-eam lace. Dancing was kept up until a late hour, a most enjoyable evening being spent.— Myrtle,

WEDDINU AT GORE.

On Wednesday, July 25, an interesting wedding ceremony was performed at the residence of Mr M'Dowell, Rivermead farm, Gore. The contracting parties were Mr W. Chittoch, son of Mr F.C. Chittoch, and Miss Logan, daughter of Mr G. Logan, Owaka. The service was impressively performed by the Rev. J. A. Asher in the presence of a very large number of friends. A most substantial breakfast was sat down to by about 50 guests, and the same number took part in the evening at a dance held in Mr M'Dowell's new barn, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Amongst the many useful and ornamental presents given • were :— Mr G. Logan, Owaka, a handsome cheque ; Mr M'Dowell, brother-in-law of the bride, a good cow ; Mrs M'Dowell, a set of flat irons and the breakfast; Miss M. Logan, sister of the bride, set Japanese trays ; Mr Milnes (Merino Downs), half a dozen silver teaspoons and silver teapot ; Mrs Miles, afternoon tea set complete ; Mrs F. O. Ohittoch, one dozen knives and forks ; Mr and Mrs C. Chittoch, clock and silvermounted biscuit barrel ; Mr and Mrs Ben Chittoch, fender, half a dozen china cups and saucers, teapot, and half a dozen knives and forks ; Mr and Mrs J. D. Hunter, silver cruet, one dozen knives and forks ; Mr and Mrs McMillan (Hopehill), Rochester lamp ; Mrs J. B. Dick, plush wall pocket with looking-glass ; Miss O'Connor, pair crystal cake dishes, salts, and cancirestick ; Mibs Tweed, hallelujah lass jubilee bracket ; Mrs Scott, crystal slippers ; Mrs Aitken, afternoon crystal ware ; Mr J. Smith, washboard, scrubbing brush, and broom ; Mr James Smith, groomsman, set carvers ; Mr D. Scott, set carvers ; Mr J. Chittoch, pair candlesticks ; Sir and Mrs H. M'lntyre, electric butter-cooler ; Mrs Heherr, half a dozen china cups and saucers, teapot, and parlour tablecover ; Mr R. Day, hand-painted china teapot ; Mrs J. Thorn, parlour tablecover ; Mr P. Calder, pair vases ; Mrs R. J. Scott, pair vases ; Mr E. M'Gibbon, set of cream and gold jugs ; Miss Elliot, lamp and candlesticks ; Miss M. J. Elliot, album ; Miss Scott, cheese dish; Mi&ses Johnston and Watt, toilet covers ; Mr W. Gardiner, large mirror ; Mr Dunlop, a beautiful Bible and church praise; Miss Johnson (Gore), large peacock blue and yellow plush wall pockets ; Mrs Craig (Owaka), plush picture frame and fans for wall ; Miss Kate Macara, lamp ; Miss Smith, pincushioh and picture frames ; Misses M'Dowell, crystal and china ware ; Masters S. G. and M. M'Dowell, crystal and china ware. The following is a description of a few of the dresses : — The bride, brown velvet, white lace veil and orange blossoms ; bride's sister (bridesmaid), navy blue trimmed withnun's veiling; MissM. M'Dowell (bridesmaid), white crepon and cardinal sash ; Mrs M'Dowell, royal blue cashmere, black lace; Mrs Milne, black trimmed with jet; Mrs M'lntyre, black trimmed with broche; Mrs Heherr, black trimmed with broche ; Mrs J. D. Hunter, black satin relieved with pink ; Mrs B. Chittoch, black hopsac with white ribbon ; Mrs M'Millan, black and pink ; Mrs C. Chittoch, brocaded fawn ; Mrs Thorn, navy blue hopsac ; Mrs Aitken, black -with white ; Miss Tweed, hallelujah dress ; Miss Elliot, black silk and jet; Mrs R. J. Scott, black skirt, cardinal bodice ; Miss Scott, black cashmere with white lace ; Miss A. Scott, black cabhmere with white lace ; Mrs Carmody, black braided dress ; Miss JolnibOn, a pretty costume of pale blue ; Miss Watt, brown skirt and cardinal bodice ; Mis,s Johnston, black skirt ami cardinal bodice ; Miss Smith, br^wn, and velvet trimmings ; Miss J. Smith, dark diess with marc n trimmings. Mu.-ic was supplied in the evening by Mc*-.ra Scott, Sirginson, and Calder, and song-, were bung by Mis.-, Kate Macara and Mifs A. Scutt, and Messrs Day, Smith, and Scott, and a recitation was given by Mr Day. — Betty. [You should only write on one side of the paper, as writing on both side 3 causes a lot of trouble. — Emmeline.]