LADIES GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2170, 26 September 1895, Page 42

LADIES GOSSIP.

• . • Writing of the Orleans- Aosta wedding a Home paper says : — " It seemed rather odd that two sett of German aovereigns.Jthe Duke and Duchess of C)burg and th 9 Grand Dike and Grand Duchess of Hesse-Darmstadt, should appear at tbe wedding of a French priccass, but no questions of nationality were allowed to Influenc3 the invitation list, excepting the fact that her Imperial and Royal Highness of Ooburg is a Rassian by birtb, and Russia now oounts as France's foremost ally. BDsidesi, the family party known at one time to the British public as 'Jthe Eiinburghs ' like to go everywhere and see everything, and are becoming quite a distinguished feature atthepriucipal functions of each Beason. The quasi-royal wedding itself was quite a romantic affair, and remembrances of several 'might-have-beens' hovered over the scene. The bride's mother i once stood very near the throne of Spain, at a time when she was the only child of the Ducheese de Montpensier, Queen Isabella's heiress-presumptive for a few years. The bridegroom once stood nearer still to the throne of Spain, in the oharacter of heirapparent, for his father reigned as King for a brief period. Another ' mfght-have-baim' links Itself with the whispered story that the bride had once been hopelessly adored by the late Duke of Clarence. For another, tho bride's brother might have been King of France at this very moment had his descent upon that beloved country, in character as the Young Rscruit, been so successful as to win him throne and crown at once. In connection with this brilliant bridal, a 'might be ' also suggested itself to most of the personages present, as they gazad now and then at the Prince of Naples, and woudorod whether he would marry or remain unmarried and leave the way clear for the handsome young couple standing at the altar. Altogether, there was a three-volume-novelful air about the French and Italian highnesses that our safelystationed Anglo -German royalties rather lacked." •.* The wives of the presidents of the French Republic, whose husbands have the privilege of having their residence in the Ely^ee fumi«hed in accordance to their own wishes, differ apparently greatly in tastes and likings. Madame Felix F^ure is, as might be expected, far more republican in her tastes than her predecessor, who had given most elaborate orders with regard to costly tapestry and furniture ; Madame Oasimir-Pc tier's arrangements had not even been completed when her husband resigned his poht. Madame Garnofc had all her private apartments furnished in the style of Louis XIV. ••• One of the latest additions to London drawing-room entertainments israther calculated to inspire a feeling of pity than pleasure or amusement. Two very small Hottentot boys have been captured, scrubbad, and taught to sing " plantation Bongs." Certainly these small Hottentots have been rescued from the hardship of slaveland, but the work of social entertainment during the cru%h and heat of a London season does not appear to strike even these little* darkies as an unmixed joy. ■ . * Among devotees of the game of billiards no one is more enthusiastic than Madame Patti, and she is said to hare spent more money in furnishing her billiard room at Craig-y-Nos, Waleß, than upon any other apartment. The room is palatial in its proportions, and, as is quite proper for a room of tb« sort, thsre U very little furniture, although it is superbly upholstered in crimson damask, with soft PeMan ruga on the floor. When Madame Patti travels, one of the first orders she sends out is a notice concerning a billiard table. After she has sung in opera and has returned to her room, no matter how late the hour, she has a game of billiards with her husband, M. Nicolini, and often a professional player in invited. She appears to believe with Sir A3tA>»y Cooper, the famous physician, that wo should all sleep hotter if we made it a rule to play billiard* an hour or two each evening before going to bed. • . • Roof gardens, writes a correspondent, are becoming an established fact in New York, and the uppar stories of the 12 and 14 tier flats are much higher in rent on account of these elevated plaisancea. Only those who are forced to swelter in a crowded city can imagine tbe delights afforded by these aerial breathing spots, where hammocks can be swung under tho stars, and far above the mundane noises of the streets. Nearly all the new hotels have gardens on thoir flat roofs, and the fad is spreading to private houseo, whose roofs will eventually resemble miniature tropical foreots. It is now quite the thing among our upper 400 on a warm night to adjourn to the roof, where luxurious cushions, dainty lounges, rustling foliage, and cooling drinks can be enjoyed while listening to the soft strains of the mandoline or guitar, and a very fair imitation of the Italian summer night's dolce far niente realised in the heart of our great city's brick and mortar. • . • One of the most useful work? managed by the Salvation Array in New York is the c.eche conducted by the Slum Brigade. The work was begun by a few devoted womon four yo«r.' ago, and now there is an av^ivgo of 13.') a week cleanßed, fed, and cairn! foi tiy tbe fonr women who make ibis nursery their special charge. Au English woman, called " auntie " by the little onea, is at tho head of the work, and has been fitted for it" not only by her own motherhood, but by her experience as a trained hospital nurse in her own country, No harsh words are ever used in the pleasant rooms or on fhe roof where the little ones take their airing. • , * There is sufficient seriouaacse OB tbe

part of the French savants, writes a Home paper, to prevent one ridiculing the stateman t which these learned gentlemen make, that it is becoming more and more impossible for trees to live in Paris. They solemnly aver that civilination kills them as oivllisatiou kills the savage, or, rather, uncultivated life in every part of tho world. They allege, that the trees catch the complaints that are indigenous to mankind, and that, therefore, Paris trees have been dying by hundreds in consequence of having of late years caught consumption from human beings I It ia a. very interesting theory {or dismal people to analyse and excite themselves about, but in spite of the assertions of the wise men, we take the liberty of suggesting that they are talking nonsense, otherwise why have not the trees perished during past years 1 • . • A short while ago, says a London paper, a girl arrived at a oountry house, her impedimenta including a pair of guns, a set of golf clubs, a bicycle, a valet, and a maid ; the valet being wanted to act as a loader, rub down her bicycle, be caddie on the golf link*, and furthermore varnish her boots 1 What next ? • . • Prince Charles Theodore, Duo de Baviere, brother of the Austrian Empress, has just completed his two thousandth operation for cataract. The Piinca is one of the cleverest oculists of the present day, and operates, for preference, on poor and needy parienta who have not well-filled purses to pay the fees of the medical profession. The Princess, his wife, hoHs the head of the patient while her husband operates, and afterward doe 3 the necessary dressings, &c. Wrinkles, anil How to Avoid Them. That " a man is as old as he feels, and a woman as old as she looks " is a truth beyond dispute. In these days of keen competition, social as well as industrial, women quite as much as men work too hard and live too fast, and as a result the calm, placid, umutftul facss of the women of 50 years ago are exchanged for the anxious, Wearied, wrinkled countenances of our comparatively young women of to-day. Not that the change is altogether to be deplored. The blaud, ever-smiling character!* tioless typo of beauty is happily now rarely deemed admirable, but the other extreme is not, therefore, to be cultivated. Lines that give a certain character to a woman's faca may add to its charms, bub wrinkles bespaak age, landmarks that few women are eager to acquire. Habits that Cause Wrinkles.— First and foremost is the practice so many women have of speaking with the entire face. If annoyed or vexed the brows are wrinkled and depressed, and if it is surprise or incredulity the/ desire to express the brows are archly raised. Possibly if performed by a girl both young and pretty it may give her an added charm and fascination — though personally I am sceptical on the point— but iv her middle-age, alas ! she will have to Day an enormous interest; for this very doubtful attraction in the shape of lines and wrinkles which will prematurely give her an aged appearance. For just aH repeated frowns give indelible mark*, when long continued, in certain straight Hues between the eyebrows, so horizontal lines across the forehead are marked by constantly lifting the eyebrows in an upward direction. Shortsighted and weak-eyed people are peculiarly liable to acquire wrinkles from the many habits they have of half closing fhe lids of the ejes in the effort to Bee distinctly, or in screwing up the eyes and forehead ia order to focus the eye on any object., or mitigate the strain to which their weak vision subjects them. Andsoforthlsif for uo more important reason, girls who find themselves coutort ing the upperpartof theface so that they may the better see when reading, drawing, or " practising," should invariaoly wear glasses i at such periods, to save the strain on the eyes, and vigorously watch themselves to Bee that the bad habit is uot cjnlinued, as it frequently happens that w'aen once the action of th 3 mu*cles has been perverted, almost unconsciously they contiaae to be drawn into irregular positions. One of the ugliest of wrinkles is that'oroducad by a stereotyped artificial emite, which stamps two large creases, ratber than wrinkles, from the side of the noee to the corners of the mouth. A cure for this defect I it would be difficult to advise, as obviously it must come from within rather than from without. Orows'-feet, or wrinkles at the corners of the eye, though usually the result of smiles and laughter, yet can hardly be considered as an additional beauty to a glri'n or woman's faca. Yet rather let a network of these lines appear than cease to smile and laugh i for fear you spoil the beauty with which Nature may have endowed you. But this disagreeable alternative ofcrowj'feet can usually be avoided if at the first iuclpieut wrinkle proper precautions are adopted. A little wholesome aid from ait and we may indulge in liughter as freely as we will. Thus if the skin is inclined to be flomewbat harah and dry, rub ifc night; and morning with a light, crisp touch with lanoline or best cold cream ointment. T*ke great care always to rub in tbe contrary direction to the wrinkle, or you will out deepen inhteacl of eradicating them. Rub until the skiu ig a bri/liant pink, f;r the friction ia of primary import aooe. It briogs the blood to the point rubbed, whin the skin becomes naturally nourished, and in time assumes, all other things being well, its normal sleek, smooth appearance. But if the skin, rather than having a harsh and dry tendency, is of a moist and greasy nature, instead of lanoltneuseeau-de Cologne, applied with a linen rag, or the skin m%y be rubbod with slices of fresh-cut lemon, and afterwards with the finger tips. Each mii dividual must adapt the treatment tosait the peculiar idiosyncrasies of her own skin. Some Koine Fashions. Undoubtedly tho materials of the moment are <lp.tr".a, chin- -ilk, <iml tT<i^sl»'.wo, •h'la'it, etabioi'!«<- ( ;.j, b-iug an ti-fjeoUl f '.vjurtte. Tnis matorul U purtical \rly nice if oiade up over coloured silk, with waist-belt, throafclet, wrisilets, and braces of either coloured satin to march tho underakirt, or of black velvat or satin. If j heavily embroidered, however, an underlinlog Is absolutely necessary. A feature of the dress of the moment is the quantity of mv lin and Uce woru with or over the acluU costume, especially if tbe latter chance to bd

of washing material. The fashion is undoubtedly a pretty one, but it is not an economical one moßt certainly, for the oost of washing these dainty confections, wh«ther large collarettes or blouses, is enormous. I remember so well the remark made by a friend once at a theatre where we were assisting at a thrilling melodrama, in which the afflicted heroine of course lost her large fortune through the machinations of the villain, and, when reduced to work for her living and that of her " aged pay-rent," appeared stitching at some wondrous piece of white work, demurely arrayed in the neatest and frilliesfc of cambric drewea. " Great Soott I " ejaculated my companion, " washing frocks for a bankrupt I " He was right. It is doubtful if a satin dress is really dearer, in the long run, than the wondrous " prints," oambrics, and other washing materials that do duty for morning robes nowadays 1 An regards alpaca, there seoms little doubt but that it has come to Bay, for it is everywhere, and the smartest boating, yaohting, and autumn dresses are made of it. A NOTION OP THE DAY which, I fear, points to the eventual disappearance of tbo useful blouse Is the little chemisette of tucked mußlin or cambric so many women have adopted. The dress bodice is cut out either in a sort of heart shape or else straight round just over the shoulder, the vacancy thus produoed being filled in with the chemisette, which in Ua turn ends with a folded band of white satin ribbon, tied in a wide bow at the back. In this case the dre3B is cream serge, th.B opening being ertg-id with a band of gold-embroidered Cairene work, a similar band finishing off the full puffed sleeves just below the elbow, where they are joined by the long crumpled gloves. To speak the truth, fashions look very much aa if we should see ore lorg a revival of the low-neck and short-sleeve style which obtained early in the century. Of hats it is difficult to say muoh, for you seldom, if ever, nee TWO HATS alike. Here is a pretty one I saw, made for the laiy with the shot linen dress. Icis of coarae, shot blue and green straw, with a tiny steeple orown like a Welsh ohapeau, and is cocked up at the back rather high over the lutir. BUck acoordion-pleated hiik li>se goes twice round the brim (it lakoa Gyds of the same to carry out thiß scheme I), a tuft of three 03trioh tips is fastened at the side of the front with a paste buckle, while from nowhere in particular a wide bow of Bhot chine blue and greon ribbon completes the decoration, though it is not easy to say how it Jis set on the hat it adorns I It ia a very fetching affair, for the feathers projecting across the forehead give the reqimite raised efftct in front without produolngthe curious horned appearanoe bo many modish bonnets have, reminding one of nothiug so much as of that game of one's childhood when one stuck paper spills in ouc'u hair, and solemnly imparted scraps of (mostly scandalous) information to one's next neighbour undar the Btyle and title of "I, a one-horned lady, greet you, 0 three-horned lady, and beg to tell you— so-and-so 1 " It cannot be said that Madame Ia Mode ha 3 had much consideration either for our comfort or our purses this hot weather when she decreed the universality of the liyso or chiffon ruflid, worn tight round the collarband, with its lone Steinkirk ends. Very pretty are these ruffle whon new, but they last absolutely no time, and then— nnything more dreary and forlorn-looking it ia impossible to conceive I—" Blspetii," in the Weekly Oitizan. (£7* Descriptions of halls, &c, must be endorsed bjr cither the fl'Uiici, correipondent for the district or hy the secretary to ihe ball committee. The MS. of any correspondents who do not comiilj with thU rule will be sem'to the secretary for endorsement prior to appearing. — KMMKMNK. To ensure publication in the forthcoming Issue, letters should reach the Wmioss olllcc If potulble <n S&turdftr uigtit, but on no account Inter tli-.it Monday night. lUCII£U)RS' DU.L AT WAIKMA. Dkui Kmmklink, — The b.\ch>>loia of Waikaia h".ld thuir anuual ball on P. iday, 13th inst., in Bull's Hall, and a» this gathering is lo .ked upja as b jjng the social event of the year in the district, the committee spared no puns in the endeavour to make it more successful than any previous ball in Widkaia, and in this they now have the satisfaction of knowiug they were not dmppointed. Un fertile management of Mr E. HUmer, the full wai tno<t art'sticillv >uid ta t. fully dec irad-d, ferns and Hhrabs being worked i'lto --ill sort." of chauniug and agrcahle designs. Table* were Uid iv Matheson and Oo.'m large grain store, kindly leut for the occasion, and the spread was all that cjuld be desired The bachelor* of Waikaiu are to be congratulated on the manner in which they curried out the whole affair Capital music was supplied by Mews AUdridge (piano), T..ylor (clarionet), and Stark, of Guru (violin). Mr X Hauler made an efficient M.O. .Son<;s were *\\n% at intervals by Mrs Milne, Miss If.rdituu, Mr Ci'u'go Vial, jun., and Mr U'lsbrMge. Fully 5!) coupes took part in the ditferent dan.vs, in spite of the rain, which came down iv torrents during the early part of the night, aud though some of the ladi-3 had to com*j a long distance through all tho downpour. Without doubt it was cmc of the most successful and harnionioiH Rathi-ring. ever held iti Walk via. The luchelois' bill of 'i) 5 will be leniMub-sred by all thai were present for j-onic time to ome. Mi-}« Matheson wore a very hand Nome costume of cream nun's veiling, pale green silk fleeye*, gimp and lace, fan and gloves to niitch; Miss Jessie Vial, a vcty pretty 00-stume of creatu crepin, pale blue ribbon* aid hce, fan, etc , to match ; Miss Bayley, black merveilleux trimmed with pi'ik rib'ioin, fan, etc ,to match; vlis=; Hutchinson, navy blue skirt, pretty white s'lk bluUsH. fan, e'e, t) match; Miss JL\ylor, blaik nun's veiling, piuk silk sleeves, Un, efc<\ ; Miss J. Moffatt, a navy blue dress, pink sleeve*, fan ; M=s» M. Moff.itt, a pink crepon tdcirt, white silk blouse ; Mim Al'Gregjr (Weudonsidu), black nun's veiling trimmed with re 1 silk; Mi« Har-lman, pink and white ; Miss F. Vial, pink crepon and pink ribbons ; Miss Diley, green costume, white lace ; <liss M'K-jnzie (Chiistchu-ch), daik akiit, white blouse; Mis* M. Clui-tie, pale blue costume; Miss E Christie, green nun's veiling trimmel with red; Mi«s M Christie, delaine sk'rfc, white blouse; Miss M Kinnel, dark skirt, cre«m crepon blouse ; Miss Kennedy, black dres3 trimmed with red Liberty Ki'lk ; Miss Huntur, brown cos'umc, piuk v^st ; Miss Smith, grey dre<s trimme 1 with pink silk and lace ; Miss Hutton, pink dreas and white lace ; Mi.S3 Re», pink dre»s trimmed with wh'telice; Miss Buyer, white dress, blue sash ; Mits Radford, grey nun's veiling trimmed with silk to match; Miss O Ridford, maroon dress tiim.ue.l witli fi-eam Lice; Mss M'Kersie, bUck dr^, trim •cd wnli P'le til'ie sillc; Mfs-t X M 'ff.it t, alight costume. A coasiilei\iblt number of married la-iies were present.Jwln ono and all looked very nice.— Admirer.

BALL AT GROVK BUSH. Devu Emmkmne,— The drive Bush Qua grille Assorublv woundup their senson's^d-incinx with a lull in the sehoolhouae on Friday, the 13th iust Notwithstanding tbs fact of the weather b-inff un favourable, numbers turnei out from all parts of the district. Ftily 30 cm leu took part in the gran-1 march, and everything went off Batitf^ctoriiy — music, refreshment?, and management being all that could be dc3ired. Mr Jame3 Fraser

made a very efficient and painstaking M.C. Thfl music was supplied by Messrs Huhday, Mnrphy, and Oavauagh, and songs were rendered daring tbe evening by Messrs C»Vinagh and Friskine, a recitation was given by Mr E. Tobin, and a double hornpipe and jig by the Messrs (javanagh brother*. Dancing ww kept nj> till an early hour, when all wended thew way home well satisfied with their evening^ amusement. I noticed Miss Caufleld in a olacK cashmere Blurt and pink nun's voiling bodica trimmed with cream laco ; MUs Giant, cream crepon, pink silk sleaves, and a pretty white fan ; Mihß M. Grant, pale bluo nun's veiling with whiw lace trimmings ; Miss E. Oiufield, pink skirts whito muslin bodice trimmed with Uce ; Mteff Kelly, white dress, cardinal ribbons; Miss Forde,' pink sateen, lace trimmings ; Mi-js Mary Grant;' navy blue dre3* neatly tniuiusi with pale blue sateen ; Miss Burko, white embroidered dress ; Misj M. Kelly, white skirt, pink bodice, trim* ruiugi to match ; Miss D. Burke, sprayed de'aine ; Mrs M'Donald, navy blue drew trimmed with lace and niching -Miss D. Fordo, black drew?, pint ribbons ; Mi s B. Murphy, white dresß, bluo ribbon ; Mrs Copenhagjn, black dress t'immed with white lace. There were several other costuuies worthy of mention, but I could not ascer* tain the namoa of tho wearera.— Daisy B&ll. BALI. AT ORKTI. Dbui Emmelinr,— lhe Oreti Quadrille As> sembly wound up tbe\ season by holding a ball on September 13 ia aid of the school funds, and de« spite the unfavourable wo»ther a goodly mustee turned out, and a very pleasant evening was spent. Good music \va« supplied by Messrs Gutsell and Lunperfc, und Mr T. Watson acted very erliiently n3 M.O. Auimgit those present Misa Watson looked oxtremely woll in bla:k laoe evening drees, cream silk ruchings, fan to mitch ; Miss Fiudlay, black dress, pink silk trimmingH, fan, etc., to match ; Miss Plunkett, maroon skirt, white bodice ; Miss Lamport, black skirt, white bodice, fan, etc., to match ; Miss Woodhoad, black bkirt, red bodice ; Mua Jones, palo bluo cropon, cream watered silk triintnins;; Mitss M, Wataou, black lacs, red silk niching ; Mi-a A. Watson, black Uce, red bilk niching; Miw Finnnignn, brown skirt, light bodice ; Miss Wilson, black lace dress, cre*in lace tiimmings; Miss M'C.uthy, whito dicis ; Miss But lor, dark skirt, light bodico ; Miss O. Butler, dark skirt, light bodice. Song? were contributed during the evening by the Mis>e3 Watson and Messrs Kin<ilay and Gu'sull. Refrcshment-i w«re provid dby the ladies of the district, and after a veiy enjoy.ablo evening the gathering broke up near daylight.— MINiNIE. M.U.I 0 0 P. IULL AT O.VMVRU. DK'B. I'MMBMNR,--The Loy4 Oauiam Lorlgo celebrated its uiuiiyer..-ary on the 12t- mat. in ths Theatre itoyal with a social aid dance. Tho announced intention to make it the " social of the .cason" soemedt) have Icon crowied with succor, ju'ging fr<>m the amount cf enjoyment derive I by these present from th<3 festivities. The grind march, which was of v now and origin il nature, wjs in by little short of 100 cmulos, and thi subicquent duncing cUimel c inai'lcrably ovur that number. As tho floor \>m in exi-rllont condui'm and tbe mmio left nothing to bo desired, the dunccis were in thu seventh heaven of delight. The catering #as beyond reproach, a committee of the youngermombers, superintended by M r a H-trrey, huving taken, this branch of the pioctodings under thoir poraounl supervision. The local societies were nvietly represeiiUd by dclcgat-M, and tin harmony of the galhmijig was gieitly enhanced thtr-by. M««sn King Q uon, and PuelmtiiJ supplied the muiiic, uud Bros. W. (Juupor aud H Whjte acted as M.O.s An enj >yablc oveniu* wta kejit up until well, hi-story draws a ju'li iou.s veil over thutpoiot. I will des<:iihi-a few of the dresHes worn nt the socwl. Mm Kennedy w-ro bluck bilk ; Mrs Hendctson (NjMpara), b/owneldrc with, brown satin boJico; M.s Rale, creon drcsj ; Mis Htnfer^on, grey skirt and pink bmiice; Misd Elder, handsome c .stum.? of brown velvet aud pink bat in; Miss Wli'to, palo blue crniiou w.th whiti lace tninminei ; Miaa Eddingt'in. pslo Mue with piuk; Miss Muthisju, yellow dr.iss with whitu lace ; Miss Martin, black dre« with light delnnu vout; Mss B -viand, cream diesa; Miss J.irdim'. pala blue; Mi 8 Mullin, pink dress: Miii Cairns, protty d'e-3-i of bl*ck n-t tiimiuea with 01-l is'ild ; Miss Newuiau, cream dro^.s ; filial Frmkliu, pr tty pink crepon; Mi is Smith, pale pink trimmed with s-ift white laco ; Mi-m Keith, cream dro s with >ellow satin cleovci; Mios Oir, cream crepon; Mwa Brown, black l«co wilh vi-llow satin ; Mhs Mn-ri'-on, black with piuk trimming ; Mis 3 AI. Smith, black and pink. Th«ro wove a number of other pretty dresses woru, but I waa unable to obtain the names of tlu wearers. Altogether the S'jcul was a grc.it suoet-M, and credit is due to the com niffte wlio carried out the arrangement .— I'pvut..