TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2151, 16 May 1895, Page 46

TABLE TALK.

On Monday evening, the 6th, Mrs Graham gave an exceedingly pleasant euchre party at her residence, Mahanga. There were 10 or 11 little tables arranged in a large room for the players, and all seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly. After each game the winners bad ribbons allotted to them, and at the conclusion of about a dczen games the lady who had secured the greatest number of ribbons Yras Mies Haggitt, and the gentleman Me Tavenißh, both of whom received suitable ptizes. The lady and gentleman who had received the fewest number of ribbons were Mies Cameron, a visitor from Glasgow, and Mr D. Haggitt, who were also the recipients of prizes. After supper there was music, so it was quite a late hour when the pleasant party broke op. About 40 persons were : resent, amongst whom were Mr and Mrs Graham, the Mi6ses Graham, Mr and Mrs Tavenisb, the Misses M'Laren, Miss Batchelor, Miss and Mr Morris, Mr and Miss Reynolds, Mr K>ttle, Mr Pasco, Mr and Miss Roberts, &c. Mrs Graham wore a trained gown of handsome black silk with jet trimmings ; her daughter, Mrs Tavecish, « besutifull dress composed of black and yellow Bilk; Miss Graham, brown velvet ornamented with jet; Miss S. Graham, black velvet and lace; Miss I. Rvttray, white, and her deter pink ; Miss Haggitt, a poft grey Bilk relieved with pink; Miss Wright, a very beooroing black velvet gown with jet trimmings on the bodice ; Miss E. Ulricb, piuk velvet trimmed with blue ; Miss Reynolds, a handsome green silk with old roße velvet trimmings ; Mi-<s Webster, black vrith white Bilk sleeves; Mi us G. Webster, ft beautiful white broche ; Miss Oainercn, a pretty black gown ; Mies Batoheior, white silk and lace ; Mies Macaseey wore black, eb did also Miss MLaren. The third meeting of the Ladies' Musical Club was held on Wednesday afternoon at Mrs A. J. Ferguson's residence, Dowling street. Fully 50 members were present, and ; ft couple of very pleasant as well aB profitable hours were spent. After this All adjourned to the dining room, where delicious tea and cakes were served. The programme was a particularly good one, every item being rendered in a singularly pkasing manner. Mrs Monkman sang remarkably well, while Miss Florence M'Lean, Hies E. Neill, Miss L. Roberts, and Miss E. Farquhar all rendered songs most acceptably. Miss Muriel Maitland played a violin obligato to tbe last-named young lady's song, which had a brilliant efieot. Mrs Enrdley Reynolds delighted all with an elaborate pianoforte selection. Mrs Turton, Miss Wright, and Miss Maitland also played, the last-named on her violia. Lastly came a glee, which was rendered in capital time and ttme by 12 members. Mr and Mrs J. P. Spring, Mr and Mrs Morris, and Miss Ella Morris left by the Rotomahana last week, en route for England. By the same boat, Mr and Mrs Maxwell, Mrs M'Master, and Mr and Mrs Oatway left tor Australia. A correspondent asks me for tbe steps in the minuet for a few tableaus, and also for a description of the skirt dance. It is almost impossible to describe either in print so clearly as to be ot much service to the reader, but I shall do my best. THE SKIRT DANCE. The skirt used requires to be Hvds round the bottom, and simply hung on to a yoke. Butter clotb or pongee muslin is the most suitable material. The figures of the skirt dance are so varied that it is impossible to describe them in priat. Sometimes they are danced in waltz time, sometimes to the music of a gavotte. Skirt dancing might be described as a combination of gavotte and waltz steps, with a number of graceful attitudes thrown in. The first figure usually consists of a few gavotts steps, a waltz turn, and curtesy, then repeating all three movements with tbe other foot. A few pirouettes should now be made, and the dancer wonld then strike a graceful attitude, balancing herself on one foot, and lifting her skirt high above her head so as to make a background for her face ; then slowly lowering the tacd which holds tbe drapery until it touches the floor. Ntzt a few slides should be made to the eide, followed probably by a walfz turn and a hop. The same figures should tfcen be f-xtcu'e.3 with the left foot. The last figure is Bimply a lepetition of the first, with the addition of a depp curtesy at tbe end. THE MINUET, &C. With reference to the minuet, all I can say is that it is a graceful dance danced in 3-4 time. It i 6 a French d».nc9, and the form in which it is known in England is the minuet dela cour, which is frequently introduced in stage performances. If any reader can Bupply the steps I should bt most bsgpjr to find i room for them.

The Oachouca dance looks well done by children, also fancy drill, each child carry•lDg a pair of coloured expanders. An artiole which appears below may be of some service to my correspondent. TABLEAUX. 1. " Where Are You GoiDg To, My Pretty Maid?" 2. " Hunt.ingfcower." 3. " The Three Graces." 4. " The Finding of Moses."— lf possible have mirrors on tbe ground, to give the effect of water, with reedß and pampas grass growing around it. Have three ladies in brilliaut oriental dresses — one kneeling by the ark of bulrushes, one standing by, and the third (Miriam) looking through tha bushes." 5. " Red Wins."— A lady, richly dressed, sitting iv a prettily-furnished room, with two partners demanding her hand for a dance, — one in uniform and tbe other in ordinary evenir g dreea. The second scene shows that the soldier has won. 6. " A Gipsy Encampment."— ln the foreground have a lady and gentleman (in gipsy costumes) Bitting on tha ground playing cards ; others dotted about smoking, and banging round a pot on a tripod of sticks.