LADIES' GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 47

LADIES' GOSSIP.

• . • A Yankee, a great admirer of the poetical works of Carmen SyLva — in her leisure hours Queen of Roumania— -intends to make her a present of a piano. But what a piano I The wood will be covered with rioh incrustations and enamel, and its pedals will be of ivory, like those of the beautiful sultans in the novels. In short, this piano will be so magnificent that it will cost no less than £15,000 1 To inform the press of the whole world the price of this princely present destined for a queen is perhaps more American than the present itself.

■ . • Though the Queen drives almost daily through Cowes when residing there, without either guard or escort, the foreshore of Osborne is at all times most closely watched by the detachment of ooastguardsmen detailed for that duty. There is an imperative order that no one ia to be permitted to land at any point on the shore of the estate. Even the Prince of Wales was forbidden upon the occasion of his steaming over from Portsmouth to land upon the Osborne strand. The coastguardsman w,as so resolute ia carrying out his instiuctions that his Royal Highness speedily hauled off and landed at East Cowes.

' .'. ' Butcher-blue linen is most delightful when used for decorative purposes. One wonders now what we did before it was invented, there are co many hundred ways in which it can be made not only useful but exceedingly ornamental as well. It is one of the most satisfactory materials I know of for making photo frames. It looks so well when stretched over cardboard, and all embroidery shows so wonderfully well whan done on it. A very fascinating frame can be covered with the palest shade of blue linen, with big white daisies worked on it with linen thread. The flowers should be thickly run with the thread before they are embroidered, as they will then stand out with so much bold«r effect than if the -work Is quite flat. Leaves and all must be done in white, and the true lover's knot must be of pale greon ribbon. The colours may be varied by the flowers being done in yellow and green leaves ; the ribbon in this case must be brown. If preferred, embroidery silk may be used. A very dainty effect may be got if the flowers are all worked with silver thread, and tied with a true lover's knot of gold and pink. The coßt is a mere nothing, the linen coming to about 4d, or even less, and as baby ribbon can be got for Id a yard and the lineja thread or silk for l£d or 2d a skein, the bill will not be ruinouß. If a little cotton wool is laid between the oard and the linen the effect will be far softer and better.

• . • A Frenchman has been analysing the sound of laughter. Here are his conclusions :—": — " Children who laugh in A (the broad sound, as in father) laugh openly and frankly. Tbe langh in E (as in ffitej is appropriate to melancholy persons. The I (as in machine) is the habitual laugh ot naive, slavish, timid, or irresolute persons,*

it Is said to be also the laagh of blondea. The O indicates generosity and hardihood. Bhun like a pestilence those who laugh in U — it is the tone of misers and hypocrites." There is some truth in these rules in spite of thoir exaggeration.

'• ' " For the benefit of those young English girls suffering from ar semla — a sickness muoti on thß increase in England, and very prevalent here — I should like," vrriteß a Berlin correspondent in a Horns paper, "to give Professor Leyden's cure, which is better tfean any medicine or tonic extant. It consists of milk and eg^s, both of the freshest, the former first boiled, and both taken, not by fits and starts, but regularly and systematically and in the requisite quantity. Let j any pale, bloodless girl drink daily one or two quarts of milk and consume six fresh egg 3by two and two, either drinking them or eaten lightly boiled, and pursue tbiß course for a month ; I vouch for the fact that she will be blooming at the end of that j time, for I have seen it over and over again. Good meat and vegetables must nob be neglected at the same time. This cure is much plea santer than medicine, and a thousand times more effective." ■ . • The writer of an article in the Englishwoman of Vienna introduces several entertaining anecdotes concerning the latePiince Rudolph. The st ry of the formal lovemaking of the Prince to Princess Stephanie is thus told :—": — " He proposed in p9rson to the Princess Stephanie, King Leopold's eldest daughter, on Miich 7, 1881, at an evenlDg party given in his honour in Laeken Osistle, The handsome young Archduke approached her Royal Highness with a low and formal obeisance, saying, • Madam, will you take me for a hunband ? ' to which plainly put question the Princsss, curtseying deeply, riplisd with pqual directness, ' Yes, Imperial Highness.' • Your answer makes me supremely happy,' rej 'ined the Archduke. ' And I,' avldod Princess Stephanie, • promise that I will do wj duty to you in all cirenmBtances.' No moro was said, and the youthful pair, aim in arm, joined the royal circle in the winter garden. • . • Too much covering for the human body is not at all to b8 recommended. Indeed, those women suffer most from cold who wear a great quantity of clothes, and these very tight. The best arrangement, and certainly the most hygienic, is that of wearing woollen combinations, fairly thick, and large enough to allow a free circulation of air between thorn and the body. Chemises are not so much worn as heretofore, but this is a matter of individual taste. Well-fitting corsets should always be adopted, and over these kniokerbookers of cloth, serge, silk, or alpaca arranged with a removable lining of longcloth. Over these, again, a thin silk petticaat looks nice, bnt is not a necessity, while the petticoat bodice should be of woven stockingette in winter and fine nainsook in summer. So attired, women may walk, fish, climb, or travel to their heart's oontent, and that, too, with half the amount of fatigue experienced in the oldtime petticoat. ' . ■ Queen Margaret of Italy has a fashion of doing gracefully dramatic things every now and then. When she paid her annual visit to the Girls' Mission School in Rome not long 2go she arrived in an op an carriage, and following came two others filled to overflowing with maßeeß of exquisite flowers, which the commanded should be drawn up in the school garden. When the directress and all the pupils and teachers were assembled she handed each a lovely bouquet, saying : " Last year you all presented me with flowers ; it is quite time I revenged myself." *. ' Among the Germans the badge of a married woman consists of a little cap or hood, of which they are very proud, and "donning the cap" is a feature of the wedding day among the peasants of certain localities. " The German Empress has," writes a correspondent in an English paper, " been expressing her views upon woman's mission relative to the New Woman's progress. Her Majesty, as may be imagined, i 3 entirely against the filling of masculine posts by women ; if she could have her way no woman should work In an office or factory. In the school, hospital, artists' studio, on the stage and concert platform women may be seen to advantage, but the Kaiwerin's ideal woman is the wife and mother. She considers the mother of the Gracchi fills a worthier and higher post than George Sand or Rosa Bonheur. Her ideal woman is she who prepares a happy home for her husband after the day's work, and who trains her children morally and physically in the best manner. 'It is good,' says her Majesty, 'to allow women material independence, bat better to help the man to independence, so as to enable him sooner than is customary here to support a wife.' And the Kaiserin is positively, as most happily- married women are, a very strong advocate for marrying early. She ia delighted when any lady of her suite, or even a maid, desires to marry, and, I know for a fact, has not unfreqnently smoothed financial difficulties out of the young aspirants' paths." • . • In 1881 an old Parisian lady, who had made a fortune in business after enduring years of great hardship, died leaving a large sum of money. Tbe interest on this money constitutes the Barbet-Batifol prize. Her youth, the old lady said in her will, seemed so hopeless that she looked back at it with shuddering ; and she felt that her life would not have been vain if she enabled one young girl each year to embark in business under brighter au-pices than ghe herself had done. The annual interest of the bequest is lO.OOOfr (£400). In pursuance of the conditions in the will, each candidate is to give a statement of her plan for turning this sum to the beat aocount in trade. Large as the prize is, and numerous as are the Parisian girls bronght up for business, there were only 250 candidates at the last examination ; and there have never been more tban 300 at one time. It appears that few girls of the class which Madame Birbet-Batlfol wished to serve feel able to write " out of their own heads," and under the eyes of examiners, a plan for turning the lO.OOOfr to the best \ account. One of tbe most important conditions mentioned in the lady's will In connec- ! tion with the prizs is that the winner mast not be married. I * . * Maoh interest is shown in Coburg corfcerning Prinoess Alexandra's engagement to the Hereditary Prince of Hohenlohe- ' Langenbnrg. Like her sister*, her Royal

Highness ie highly accomplished, and pom sessea much talent for music and painting. All the family are very early risers, and not a moment of the day is unemployed, a regular routine being striobly adhered to, and an amount of time Qevoted to earnest study which would dismay most young ladies of lesser rank. * . ' Ao enterprising Danish hostess arranged an exceptionally pretty and novel cotillon the other day, at her country house, at Broholm. This placa is famous for a very fine breed of Danish dogs, and Madame de Sohested introduced one of these dogs, a huge spsoimen of its kind, drawing a little carriage. The carriage was a miniature edition oE the vans used in Denmark for bringing home the corn at harvest time; only, instead of sheaves, it was filled with flowers and gaily decorated with coloured ribands and silk bows. The effect was ex- * ceedingly original and picturesque, especially as the big dog went through his part of the entertainment with the utmost gentleness and docility, getting many pats from the dancers. * . • " Interiors of West End flats and mansions will coon be more tastefully embellished than ever," said a well-known London art decorator to a Home paper's contributor recently, "for a new and beautifuf material has been discovered, combined with a process which is ' the inventor's secret, for completely hardening, and, so to speak, petrifying natural flowers (and what is most wonderful, preserving thoir coloura), and embedding them flash into the surface of a kind of liquid marble or alabaster, the whole receiving several coatings of a transparent polishing substance and drying hard as rock. In some new flats approaching completion there are some magnificent frlozas and dadoes made by this method, with bur flowers, peonies, and dahlias ; and 1 lately saw in the inventor's warehouse a huge mantelpiece of red and white rosea, to all appearance carved on yellowish marble, wMch is for the large salon of one of the biggest London hotels. Some beautiful table topa were also shown me, whica resembled hand-painted ivory, the patterns being marsh buttercups, primroses, tulip?, &.C., and a chess table, the squares of which were alternate red and white camellias, intended for a well-kcown sorgstress. The London residence of a wealthy American gentleman is entirely fitted throughout with this new invention, the conservatory floor being studded with ohryranthemums of every known variety and colour. Another floor is a ' deep water ' effect, with water lilies and, newts and minnows swimming below the transparent surface. Walls composed of blue and pink flowers, all alike in size and colour, greatly resemble ordinary wallpaper, but are infinitely brighter." * . • All the members of the Royal Family have certain hobbies. Of china, bronzes, and other works of art there is no better judge tbau the Prince of Wales ; at the war game tke Dake of Oonr.aught is not to be beaten ; while the late Duke of Albany as a critic of Shakespeara and collector of folios and quartos was well known. The Duke of Edinbm gh besides being a clever violin player Is an enthusiastic postage-stamp collector. The powers of the Empress Frederick and FrinceiS Christian with the pau would get them a good living any day ; the Marchioness of Lome is as good at painting as at-sculptur«, while the Princess Beatrice is one of the best amateur act reuses. Taken together, the Queen's sons and daughters are not wanting in versatility. ■ . ■ The Oountoss Sohimmelmann has been spending the sunny days in a sort of mission tour to the fishermen and dwellers on the coasts of Denmark. She has bought an old yacht from Prince Waldemar, and in it she cruises about from one village to another, preachiDg to the simple folk who get their liviog on and beside the waves. An awning is spread on deck over a little table, and by it she sits, aim ply dressed in black, ana receives her visitors in batches several times a day. First she tells them all about what a gay and splendid life she formerly led at court, and then goes on to "point the moral " by explaining how little worldly riches and pleasures oan promote happiness, and how she determined to quit these scenes of worldly pleasure and devote herself to ministering to the poor. She tries to promote their welfare, especially by preaching contentment with their humble lot, and showing them bow peace and happiness are quite compatible with a lowly state in life. She winds up with a prayer for all sufferers, and then shakes hands with her visitors, who listen respectfully to her lucubrations, and are soon followed by another party ol similar ones. • . • It is still to France we must go for real inward knowledge of our own manners and customs. Few English people suspect how deeply the barbaric practice ef tattooing the skin has taken root in their midst. Some ol us, perhaps, have one sweetheart or sister or daughter who has permitted -a glance at a I graceful device in Indian ink pricked on her delicate flesh ; but no such favoured man has supposed that such decoration was the commonest thing in the world, and that If he cared to inquire he would probably find. that his housemaid was adorned with a broom on one shoulder and a dustpan on the other. Yet (acoordlng to M. Georges Izimbard of Gil Bias) Buch is notoriously the case. • . • One of the judges at a prizß baby show recently, say* a contributor in a Home paper, gave the writer his notions conoernicg the manner in which the awards ought to be mado. The first prize is always decided by scale and weight, he" said. Now, ILL -b:^l3 not be co, for excessively fat babies sre never healthy. The term " fine baby " should not; alone convey a condition of fatness. Bone formation and healthy development ought to be considered before anything else; and obese infants are seldom well-boned, while they invariably lack the brightness and vivacity of their less encumbered brothers and sisters. The prize baby in the present case was abnormally largo, fat, ponderous, and puffy. It was blear-eyed, stolid, lifeless —certainly not a kissable oherub that a select baby ought to be ; and the fold* oJ flesh about its neck partly concealed a red rash that was anything but attractive. In fact it was an ailing creature, of which its | mother ought to have been ashamed, for the bad condition of Its. skin wasoansed through sheer neglect, the exceeding fatness, of which she was so proud, being im

thing bat a disease — a faot which the baby'e lack of vivacity accredited. Now the third-prise infant (continued the judge) is, in my opinion, far and away the bast, and if the aw&rd bad been solely in my power, to it would have gone the first prize. It is plump and firm, has a bright, intelligent face, and •parkling eyes, while it crows and cries with great gusto at the slightest provocation. The mother of the fat baby observes that her child gives no trouble, expressing herself with pride on its goodness, which* she evidently thinks is a rare and commendable quality. Give me a baby with lungs and the ability to use them ; encourage it to cry, it is good exercise, but see that it laughs and crows in like proportion. Last yeai's priza baby was a colossal specimen, but unhealthy. It died three months after the show. Of seven first prize babie?, only three are living, and one— a girl of six years now — is such a week specimen of childhood that it seems a pity to enforce her to attend school, yet her weight was prodigious when 10 months old. iilbe the majority of gigantic Infants, she was sleepy "and unattractive, and, if I remember rightly, had ohafed skin under the arms and abont the neck. No, Ido not oara for theee exhibitions, and certainly would not recommend them. With a view to competiDg, mothers of fine children are apt to feed their babies too lavishly, irr order to put on flesh and bo win the coveted prize, often to the impairment of the child's digestive organs. One mother stuffed bar baby to eu.cb an extent that it was unable to be present at the exhibition.

• .• Of the Dake of Argyll's wedding a Home paper says:— "The wedding was a very quiet one, on account of the recent death of Lord Colin Campbell. The bride was married in her travelling costume, a white crepon arranged with white Bilk, and trimmed with p^ail embroidery and white chiffon. She wore a little bonnet of lace, with a wreath of wbite roses on it, and a ■white lace 'veil, and had on, conspicuously, the Queen's gift, a miniature of her Majesty set in diamonds, which can be worn either as a brooch or as a pendant. The bride ali<o wore the bridegroom's gift, a pearl necklace with pearl and diamond heart pendant, a diamond bracelet presented by tbe people of .Oolonsay, and the order of Victoria and Albert. Two little bridesmaids followed, the daughters of the Bishop of Ripon — Miss Hester Boyd-Carpenter (god-child of the ibride), atjired in a blue satin smock frock -with white hat, gloves, and shoes, and Miss Annie Boyd Carpenter, wearing a white dreeE with blue ribbons and a white hat. Both little girls carried bouquets of sweet peas ; the bride's was a beautiful posy of pure white flowers. The bride looked very sweet and nice in tier snowy toilette. She, too, by the way, has known sorrow, for ehe was engaged to •tie married once before, and her betrothed died suddenly just on the very date fixed jTor the wedding. He bequeathed a large fortune to his ladylove, who has now become Duohees of Argyll." • . • The wife, or " house-mother," in Germany is an autocrat within her dominion ; she has all the power and all the responsibility there. It is her duty to make home comfortable, and she does it; she arranges everything; she as-ists everywhere. Sne may live in a palacs and have a swarm of .servants ; she does not hesitate to do a thing [herself all the same, with something idyllic 3n the midst of conventionalism. Her authority in her province is unquestioned ; it is taken for granted that she is faithful to Sher duties ; she has the complete confidence of her husband, and he has her complete Admiration. In return for this abnegation of self and of the outer world, she has, as a rale, a faultless husband, as husbands go. He is faithful, he is kind, he honours her with evidence of his reßpect in public, and at concert or cafe at theatre or garden they are together. In fact, he would be unhappy without her ; he takes his place with her, and the whole world knows and Bees it. • . • The Naples correspondent of an English paper has the following about Queen Margaret, of Italy : — "When she arrived at Oressonay, Qaeen Margherita at once adopted the costume of the country, which is very picturesque, consisting of a bright scarlet cloth skirt, Attached to which is a body of the same Blotb, without sleeves, opening in front over % white muslin ohemisette, high to the throat, with long sleeves. When the weather Is cold a siuirt jacket covers this, bound and imbroidered with silver braid. Nothing is prettier or more becoming than this costume. On the head, for high dajs and holidays, the classical Gressonaiao wear the 'goldene nappe,' a carious head-dress, something like a bishop's mitre, composed entirely of burnished gold, extremely heavy and expensive, and down tbeii bacss hang two heavy tresses of plaited balr ; tboee who cannot afford this tie a black silk handkerchief round their heads, like the peasantg in the south of Italy. The Queen wears a „ black lace veil during her Btay In this part of the country ; &he always wears it, and she is seen with it in the garden, on the hills, and in church. When not makirg long excursions, she always takes a walk of two or three hours in the morning, then she writes, reads, or works until dinner at 3 o'clock ; then takes a shorter walk and returns for her afternoon cup of tea. Sbß cups at 9 o'clock, has a little conversation afterward, and then goes to bed. She receives no visitors ; meeting anyone along the road, she bows and passes on. " The great event of the week is the Sunday mass at the village church ; nothing is more simple, mystic, and even touching. DreEsed in her peasant's costume, Margherita goes to macs, kneels piously close to the high altar (the church is full — it is so small — of mountaineers and a few stray tourists sometimes), and prays among her humble subjects. An old organ plays antique mountain melodies, and after mass the Sacerdote blesses the Queen and the corgregation with the Sdciament. At the benediction, amid the odorous incense which arises, tbe Gressonaise pull-out of their 'pockets a small wax taper, which they hold up while the priests hold the • spera dora," or golden case containing the Sacrament, up over the heads of Sovereign and peasant. The departure from the church is considered one of the features of the festival. In the small square before the church tbe Queen remains for a few moments ppeaking a word or two to those persons she knows, and others ask to be introduced, to her. All this passes rapidly

and Margherita, Id her pretty red costume, disappears behind the gates of the villa Peccoz, and thus 13 finished the morning part of the festival. In the evening, if the weather be fine, songs are heard all over the valley, sung by the sturdy mountaineers, and bonfires are lighted on the tops of the hills, burning brightly in the cold air ; and this id all in compliment to ths Queen. Woman In Burmau. Nowhere under the sun has any nation accorded to its women such absolute freedom, such entire command of their lives and property, as have the Burmese. They stand in every way on an absolute equality with men, as far as law, as religion, and as custom are concerned. Just as no conquest has ever obliged the Burmese to resort to feudalism, so it has never caused the seclusion of the women, nor been the reason of one-sized laws of inheritance. In tbe face of the law man and woman are alike. Girls Bbare equally with boys in all inheritance, and they inherit absolutely. There ara no trustees between a woman and her property, and when she marries Bhe retains it. Her husband has no control over it at all, neither has he any legal control over her. From her childhood up she is free. Parentage has never baen another form of slavery in Bnrmah, as it has been elsewhere. Children are not so much ordered as guided and cared for, and when comparatively young they are practically given control over their own doings. Not without advice carefully and usefully given, not without every preoaution against ill that care can devise, but there is little command and no compulsion. Chivalry, which praised women as gods and treated them as slave?, never came to Burmah. No Burmah lover sings bis mistress as something too good for this world, and then treats her as something infinitely inferior to himself. Their religion has never considered them as the source of all evil, has never warned man against them as snares to lead men to hell, and no Pope has ever called them the " sole hope of the Church." — Blackwood. • Some Home Fashions. Blouses are still the hope of everyone, and very pretty they are. SKIKTS COULD HAKDLY BE PLAINER, but the blouses and bodices become daily more decorative, while the headgear is blossoming out into more and more extraordinary combinations everyday! Imagine a toque of green rush-straw, trimmed with plaid ribbon of an exceedingly voyani plaid tint would strike a Highlander dumb with horror, loose single purple anemones, with a bunch of green and brown reeds stuck straight on end and knotted with more of 1 the plaid ! And that was quiet to some of them. Nature certainly allows the most heterogeneous mixtures to grow side by side, so our milliners may claim that they are copying nature, but certainly it is nature at its wildest 1 I cannot help fancying that " tailor-made lingerie," as it has come to be universally called, is doomed. It may do for the hill or for muddy lanes and such like, but for fee dresses for the season it is emphatically out of place, and in consequence the most fascinating frou-frous for underwear are being prepared. THE NEW PETTICOAT. Imagine one of wbite moire with a chine pattern of roses all over it, with a flounce of wbite silk veiled in accordeon -pleated black chiffon, and dapper little butterfly bows of black satin ribbon. Can't you see the lift with which the owner of this pretty thing would get out of her victoria J I can, and should like to be near her, for she must be a pretty woman. The chine silks are coming in for everything, and are especially pretty as sunshades. I saw some in Goodyer's in Bond street the other day that fetched me utterly. The new ohine, or ombree, as it is called, is so extremely beautiful, with the delicate flowers so woven into tbe stuff that they appear to be peeping through a haze of the ground colour. I Baw a girl the other day with one of the FASHIONABLE CORNFLOWER-BLUB DBfirSES in some soft French material, with a short cape to match, a blue straw hat trimmed with cornflower-biue chiffon and some loose, falling roses of Arachne gauze, a soft, silky material of home manufacture that makes absolutely ideal rcsss and poppies of the floppy, fall abroad kind, her parasol being of a lighter shade of the same blue with a chine pattern of poppies all over it, and you could not have wished for a prettier costume. ; SLEEVES ARE LARGER* THAN EVER ! I I caw an evening blouse the other day entirely made of accordeon-pleated chiffon,which honestly appeared all sleeve', for they were formed of a treble puff of chiffon, the top one turned b*ck to make epaulets, till it really looked as if the wearer's head was going to fly off from her body 1 The present and coming mania is COLLARS 1 They are of all shapes, sizes, and kinds. Some are round, others square, others, again, cut in battlements, or fichu-wise, of linen, lawn, lace, or satin — in the latter case generally covered with either lace or embroidery —and they are seen on every kind of dress. Taken together, I thould say the "note" of the Beason amongst the really well-dressed women will be neatness — in other words, smartness; for that exquisite neatness the resuli of psvfect cut and thoroughly appropriate material always tends to great smartness and daintiness. — " Elspetii," in the ! Weekly Citizen. The Toilet Table: SEASONABLE HIKTS FOR SUMMER. Is there any more delightful way of spending our time in summer than on the water 1 Those of us who are lucky enough to go yachting knew what a pleasure and a rest a few weeks in such luxurious quarters can be, and those of ua who are not as lucky have to content ourselves with excursions on steamers, or even with the humble but pleasant row-boat. How delightful to sit on a steamer's deck, or lean over the side, watching the water 1 Pleasant . while it lasts, but the consequences are apt to be a little fatal to our complexion. Borne people are endowed with skins that never seem to suffer either from *uu ot wind, but to those of as who have

delicate skins the effect of sunburn is positively painful. ' .

Some favoured mortals tarn a delicate and becoming brown under the too fierce kisses of the sun, and look more charming than ever in consequence, but, these, alas, are only the very f avoured few. Most of us begin by getting a vivid pink, which rapidly deepens into a colour which pats the rising sun to shame, and in this unbecoming and alarming state we continue for days together, suffering misery from the heat in oar cheeks. The way to remedy this is to take precautions both before and after exposing ourselves to the sun, and then we will not wish that we had not gane on the water excursion which has left such dire results behind. Etdei flower water should be rubbed into the skin before going out of doors, and allowed to dry on the face. An excellent addition to a wineglass of the elderflower is 20 drops of. pure, glycerine— this softens the skin and the sun does not take effect so coon on it as if it is dcy and harsb. The best lotion to use when we are at home again is 3jz of rosewater, 3oz of chloride of potash, 3oz of new milk, 20 drops of olive oil, and 3dr of muriatic acid. This must be gently smeared over the face, and left on for several hour*, when the faca should be washed with milky water, and a little pure violet powder duated on, and then brushed off after a few minutes. If the eyes are burnt by the sun, a flinnel must be wrung out in hot water and laid over them, and this done several tim.es, until the pain has abated, or the eyeballs may become inflamed, anJ cauee much annoyance. A shady hat ought to be worn when we sunburn so much, and if we can wear a veil all the better for our complexion, and the sufferer should try and choose a shady corner, and not sit in the fall blize of a merciless sun. When the sunburn is very painful and prevents our Bleeping at night, makirg our face into a burning misery, a paste may be made of fine oatmeal and water, and the skin covered with that, or fine oatmeal dusted over the face, and a dose of cooling medicine taken. People who row very much often suffer from painful rash and blisters on their hands caused by the sun, and this trouble is much increased by the senseless way some people wet their hands when rowing, and allow them to dry in the son. With a delicate skin such conduct is foolishness in the extreme. A blister must not be pricked or rubbed off, or a sore with consequent scar will be the result. The hands should instead be well covered with Hrf inline cream, and then bound up in soft rags till they are well. If the hands freckle they should be well rubbed with lemon j uice, and the hands left to dry by themselves. But if there is redness of skin as well as the freckles the lemon will only cause irritation, and then lavender water or Rowland's kalydor must be used until the burn has died away. The hair must be always well washed once in six days when we are on the sea, as the salt air gets into it and makes it sticky and unpleasant to the touch. A little borax may be übed in the water, and the hair dried in the open air afterwards. If the neck has become brown and discoloured from exposure to the sun the best remedy is to rub a cot lemon over it at night and several times a day, when the dark look will bo found to be gradually disappearing. If the ears blister from the sun they must not be irritated by rubbing, but should have cold cream gently rubbed in at night, and in the morning the process repeated, and then gently wiped with a soft towel, so that the ear may be softened with the cream, and so get well the sooner. (£f* Descriptions of balls, lea., must be endorsed by either th Witness correspondent for the district or by the secretary to the ball committee. The MS. of any correspondents who do not coniplr with this rule will be sent to the secietary for endorsement prior to appearing KMMBLINK. To ensure publication in the forthcoming issue, letters Bhould reach the Wituess office if poifeihle »n Saturday night, but on no account later that Monday night. OTAGO HUSSARS' CONCERT AND DANCE AT WAIKOUAITI. Dear ICmmeline, — The Waikouaiti contingent of Otago Hussars held a concert and dance in the Mechanics' Hall on Friday, Bth inst. The concert programme consisted of songs by Mias Robin, Messrs O. aad N Mievwiight, G Stephenson, and Hume, of JJunediu ; Messrs Pratt (2), bones and piano ; duet by Mr Hume and Master Frank Walsh ; a violin and piano duet by Mr P. Wright (Dunedin) and Master Walsh. The latter also acted as acsompaniat, and acquitted himself very creditably, and quite won the thinks accorded him by the chairman, Captitiu A. W. Robin. During the interval a section of the Waikouaiti contingent woiv presented with trophies won by them during their tr ining week at Taliuna l\i>k. It is needless to say the local people were delighted to see their men to the front, which says a great deal for Lieutenaut F. T. Stronach's parades and drills beld here with this contiugent. The conceit concluded at 10 30, when the ball wascleaied for dancing, which was iudulgei in with spirit till an eailv hour. Among those present I noticed Mrs Park (Dtinedir,), who Wire a handsome black silk trimmed with white point lace; Miss Hepburn (Duuedin), pretty costume of white ca-hinere trhurued w.th white silk and lilies of the valley; Miss — H«pburn (Dunedin) looked chavibing in black lace with scarlet silk sleeves and streamers : Miss llobin, pile green silk and white tulle ; Miss Duff (Waikouaiti), a veiy becoming dres3 of blue Bhot silk trimmed with old gold, pretty cloak and fan ; Miss Ada D"ff, a pretty dress of black velvet trimmed with bl^clc jet and laca, relieved with pink flowers and riiib'in, cloak of cream cashmere and swansdown ; Miss Annie Duff, a simple white dre j B, which looked very neat ;• Mrs Richardson (Dunediu), black evening dress ; Miss Lucas, dark skirt, very pretty evening bodice ; Miss Tiny Pratt, a pretty coral pink crepon relieved with white featin and silver gimp ; Miss Mu>sy Pratt wore a black lace over cardinal, which suited her very well; Miss Walloon, dark green skirt, neat evening bodice. Among others I noticed were Me-idamea Templeton and Apes, Misses Puddy (4), Anderson (2), Browne, Woods, Hogeie, Ward (2), Sutherland (2), Hagan, Davidi-on, C. Jone3, MncNeil, Allcock, and Marshall, Captain Robin, Lieutenant G. Sievwright, Sergeants Morris, Burnside, and A. S. Orbell, Sergeant-Major Park, Corporal Templeton, Troopers Wiight, Hazlett, Roberts, H. Oibeil, Mall"eh, Cameron, Allen, Black. Townsend, Al]co"k, Muir, Ellison, Pratt, Apes, Kiacola, Beisley, Cantrell, Messrs N. Sievwright, F. Oldhani, and Park (Dunedin), W. Portcous (Palmeretorj), H. Scott, W. Pratt, T. H. Pratt. J Pratt, O. *D.ily, A Aitcueson, A. and J. Dempster, Puddy, B 11 (4), W. Brown, S. R. Smith, A. Mai shall, A, and P. Cockerill, A. Cornelius, and King. The music was supplie.i by Messrs Wiae (piano), Thompson (violin), Bradley (cornet), and was all that could be desired, as was also the catering. All left after spending a most enjoyable evening, expressing the wish that the Otago Hussais and their many admirers should meet again nex* year.— One ov the Girls.

WELCOME HOME AT IIOKONUI. Dear Kmmeune,— ln answer, to numerous invitations sent out a goodly number of guests put in an appearance at the Hoionui Hall on Friday, the Bth. to celebrate th,Q iifinaa coiaiug of Mr

Hunter and his bride. The hall waa prettily decked with clematis and evergreens, and dancii'g was entered into with spirit, excellent music being supplied by Messrs Hollows and Kidd, while Mr M'llae acted as M.C. Songs were rendered during the evening by Miss M'Wilkin, Mrs Cherrie, and Messrs Hunter, Paul, Jackson, Hollows, C. and It. Wustiield, Gray, M'Gee, Kidd, and Tollan, Mr G. Tinker accompanying. I shall only mention a few ot the dresses worn :— The brido looked charming in a pretty silver grey costume trimmed wich steel embroidery ; Miss M'Wilkin, the bride's sister, inaioon and cream lace ; Miss Robertson, pale green, dark green trimming ; Miss Chisholm, white, white lace and blue ribbons ; Miss Boyc'e, black skirt, pink bodice ; Miss Crilly, pink costume ; MUs Audrews, white dre3B, black luce, pink ribbons ; Mis 3 Barbour, blue, and cream lace ; Miss YoiiDg, black trimmed with jet ; Miss Rocs, black skirt, white bodice ; Miss Paul, brown costuino ; Miss Blackmun, maroon, and cream lace. A large number of married ladies were present, mostly dressed in daik costume?, but space will not allow of a description of these. Mr and Mrs Hunter were the recipients of numerous valuable presents. Justice was done to tho good things provided by the host and hostesß, and I am sure all will join mo in wishing the happy couple a long and prosperous life.— Kaka. WEDDING AT WAITAHUNA. Dear Emmeline,— One of the prettiest and most stylish weddings I have seen in this part of the country took place in St. Patrick's Church, Waitahuna, on the 20th met., when Miss Ryan (Dora), eldest daughter of Mr Michael Ryan, Waitahuna, was joiued in the holy bonds of matrimony to Mv T. Sheeny, second son of Mr bheehy, Miner's Flat. Before commencing an account of dresses, <Sc, I mutt say a word in honour of the bride, who is without doubt one of the most popular young ladies in the district. She will ba missed not only by h«r many intimate friends in the village, but also by a largd number of outsiders who have spent many a pleasant evening in her old home.- The bride was beautifully attired in a lovely dress of white flgiir tl llama with pi aria and bridal blosboms, tho veil being tastefully caught up with the usual orange blossoms. She was attended by four bvide-niaids. Miss Tottie Ryan (first bridesmaid) looked very pr*tty in a styliihly-made drosi of heliotrope crepon trimmed with primrose merveilleux ,aud passementerie. Miss Nellio Ryan was also dressed in heliotropo crepon. The two little train-bearers, Mjsseis Miy and Doaty Ryan, looked very sweet in their simple dresses of white nun's veiling with primrose sashe3 draped from the shoulder. All the bridesmaids wore large white hats and initial brooches (gifts of the bridegroom), and carried bouquets of lilies of the valley— a very pretty idea, the fair lilies being typical not only of the fairness of the bride, but also of her four attendants. After the csremony thefiiends of the bride and bridegroom were entertained at a nicely-laid out wedding brt-akfast given by Mr and Mra RyaD, the Rev. Fatbers O'Leaiy and Coffee being also present. 'Ihe usuil speeches were made and responded to ; aud after a pleasant drive the young couple were driven to their future home— the Provincial Hutel, Evans's Flat — taking with them congratulations and hearty wishe3 for their future welfare. Tbe presents were a silent testimony of the esteem in which the young couple" were held by everyone. Among them I noticed a very handsome dinner" cmet, gift of Mrs Ward ; travelling rug, Mr J Ward ; oak biscuit barrel, silver mountings, Miss Pedlow ; linen bed dressings, Mount Msllick enibioidery, Miss Meade (Dunedin) ; set unique silver jam spoons, Miss Livingstone; handsome butter cooler, silver and crystal, Miss Kane; hand-painted mirror, Miss Grace O'Kane ; teapot and glassware, Miss Nellie O'Kane; silver breakfast cruet, Mr Roger Kirby ; silver dinner gong, Miss Ward ; piir Dresden china oinarnents, Miss Ne lie Ward ; silver toast rack, Mrs Peters (Waiwcru) ; large counterpane, Miss Murray; pair feather pillows, Mrs P. O'Kane; pair feather pillows, covers t'immed with torchon lace, Mrs Pedlow ; silver toast rack, Mr J. Nash (Lawrence); olive green plu3U cushion, Miss Nellie Wall; silver teapot, Miss M. A. Ryan ; haudp iinted plaques, ' Miss Rodgers (Duueilin) ; shepherd andsshephardess, Mi>-s Bella Sutherland ; tea set, Mr A. M'Gill ; tea set, Miss Nellie Kit by ; set table knives Mm J York ; table cloth, Mr Trimble: cqu< terpane, Miss Littjcn ; tea ccy, Miis A. Littjen ; occasional tuble aud trays, Miss Tottie Ryan ; ornament, Miss Nellie Ryan ; bracket', Miss Elsie Ryan ; vase 3, Miss May Ryan ; serviettes and hand-made lace, Mra Dixon ; two flower stands, Miss X Grcaney ; pair vaseß, Mra T. M'Kenzie; pair pillow sham*, Irish tt imming, Mrs H. Auld ; vegetable dishes, Mr W. M'Kenzie ; one dozen linen handkerchiefs, Mr A. Garden ; teupot, Mrs Diniond ; set briakfast knives, Mrs Sheohy (Miller's l<lat) ; hanging lamp, Mr J. Sherhy ; reading lamp, Mr B. Sheehy ; silver teapot and drawing room curtains, Mis P Laffey (Miller's Flat) ; tea set, Mrs J. Laffey (Lawrence) ; set cake dishes and fruit stands, (cryi-tal), Mrs Dick; set of jugs and breakfast knivt-s, Mr J. Kirby ; salt cellars, Master Albyn Kirby ; dinner set, also fet table knives, Mr John J. Rya« ; two paintings, Mr Thomas Ryan ; a doien silver f-.rks, Master Kdie Ryan ; Masters Micta^l and Bertie Ryau (brothers of the bride), glasswaie ; plioto frames, Mr R. Murray ; glove and work box, Mr Jack Murray ; toilet set, Miss I. Williamson ; pair candlesticks, Mrs Ga>duer ; p-u-cel straps, Mr D. Watson ; cake dishes, Mrs Watson ; Besides these presents I noticed teapots, glaas dishes, salt cellars, butter disues.bracketa, baskets, f mit dishes, tray cloths, d'oyleys, <fee. The bride's travelling dress was of handsome grey tweed (full costume 1 , with large grey h<it and leather. — MOSS Rose. dance ax moa flat. Dear Kmmeltne, — A most enjoyable dance was given in Mrs 11. Tubman's woolnhed by the ladies of Moa FJat. The hostesses had gone to a great deal of trout/ c to ensure the enjoymmt of their numerous guests, and must be congratulated on J the happy results attained. Th» wool-hed was tahtefully decorated with evtrgreeni and flowers, and'the guests on entering were greeted with lha sight of "Welcome" richly embroidered with ivy and evergreens. The music rendered by Mr G. Guruiai'k (violin), assisted by Mi»s Snushall (piano) and others, was all that could be desired ; while Messrs MTherson and Kinaston shared the duties of M G.'a ; and songs were contributed during the evenin? by tbe Misses Tnbman, Clements, Biown, D. Tubnian, Westcott, and Messrs Crag, Falconer, Sioitb, Clifford, and M'lutyie. A leading was also contributed by Mr Cameron. Dancing was kept up with the usual vigour till 5 a m., all thoroughly enjoying themselves. A vote of thanks was then proposed by Mr R. Craig to the ladio3 of Moa Flat, th» M.C 's, the musicians, and to Mrs R. Tubman, the latter of whom spared no pains to make the evening a succe»s. Mr R. Adnir assisted in the dance music with the bagpipes. Mra R. Tubman v.ore bl»ck merveillsux, lac 3 trimming* ; Mr 3 Allan, dark drrsi ; Mrs Adair, dark dies', braid trimn>ing3 ; Mi-s Elder, black lace cloth, lace and jet trimmings; Aliss Brown, darkskirt, creamriun'sveilingblouse; Miss J. We3teott, black velvet skirt, cicmilace, cloth clouse, ribbon and lace to match ; Miss Loner/tan, dark dress; jet trimmings-; Miss Cellar?, -ere «n evening dress relieved with pink ; Mr Cavanah, red skirt; cream blouse ; Mis 3 Bringans, dark dress ; Miss E. Westcott, pink evening dre3s, lace and ribbon trimmings ; Miss Sunshall, dark Rkirfc, Pongee silk blouse ; Miss Kitto, dark dress relieved with pink ; Miss Nicholson, dark skirt, crepon blouse ; Mias Hiscox, blue nun's veiling (skirt, white bodice, lace trimraing3 ; Miss M'Donald (Dunedin), white bodice, dark skirt ; Miss j M'lntoih, grey skirt, maroon blouse ; Miss Woodhouse, maroon skirt, white bodice, ribbon trimmings ; Miss B. M'lntosh, dark delaine, lace trimming-. ; Misi W. Westcott, navy blue skirt, white bodice and Zouave ; Mia3 J. Elder, dark skiit, cambiic blouse, lace trimmings; Mi->s I?. Alan, r, d t-kirt. ■»> hite rmhrsideivd Mouse ; M ; m B. KMer, d»rk dress relieved with pink; Mis'- E. Tubmao, cream lace cloth, lace trimmings ; M ss M. v> eatcott, fawn dres*. brown trimmings ; Miss Clements, cream lace cloth, lace trimmings ; Miss Kemp, black figured dress, pink vest ; MiE? IS. Allan, giey skirt, white blouse ; Miss M. J. Tubman, white ; Miss J. Brown, white ; Miss J. Allan, white. — One Who Was There. [Please write on smaller paper next time. — Emmeline.] social at maeuewiienua Dear Emmeline, — A pooinl took place on Friday, the 15th, the object of which waa to meat

Miss Beveridge, aohool teacher, in a social and friendly manner for a few hours, and also to make her a presentation as a mark of goodwill and appreciation of her efforts for the good of tha district generally. The school was tastefully decorated with flowsrs and evergreens by Mra Gray and Mias Bailey. Every family in the district was represented. A very pleading trait of » the meeting waa the presence of many of the scholars of days gone by, who assembled to do honour to their old mistress. Mr Howe, chairman of the school committee, took the chair and in his usual pleasant style opened the proceed' incs with a few appropriate remarks, and then called on Miss Beveridge and Mr Bailey to open the social with a selection for piano and violinSongs, recitations, &a, were rendered by several present, which weie greatly appreciated. Me Howe, in making the presentation, which took the form of a gold watch and chain, said he had been deputed by the committee, the parents of the children, and Miss Bsveridge's friends in the dis« ti'ict to ask her to accept ilie watch and chain as a memento of the goodwill and friendly feeling that exist towards her by the people of Maerewhenua. lie hoped when sho looked upon the face of the watch it would lemind her that tho people appreciated her efforts. Mr George Thorpa replied on bebalf of Miss Boveridge in a nappy and suitable manner. Refreshment; were then handed round by the ladies, after which the school was cleared for dancing. Amongst tho&» present v I noticed Miss Bailey, in a black skirt, maroon bodice trimmed with hhek lace; Mis? Weir, black velvet skirt with pink vest ; Miss Howe, dark green dress ; Mis 3 Mary Howe, dark; blue dreES trimmed with white lace; Mis 3 Wilson, navy blue ; Miss E. Wilson, fawn dress relieved with pink ; Miss Bullen, ffroy trimmed with white laca^ Mis« M'Cann, white skirt, pink bodice; Miss Beveridge. black cos* • tume; Miss M. Beveridge, black; Mias Thorpe, black skirt, maroon bodice trimmed with black lace; Mias D. Thorpe, white drcaß relieved with maroon ; Miss Jfrater, grey ; Miss B. Frater, grey skirt, wnito bodice; Mis 3 M'Qaade, black; Miss Pringl.*, dark die3s, white bodice; Misß Coqpev, dark drc-s ; Miss M. Cooper, dark skirt, white bodice ; Miss Atwell, dark skirt, white * bodice. Anviis; the mairicd ladies present 'l noticed Mw Groy, in a navy blue skirt, white bad.cc ; Mrs Thorpe, grey trimmed with black silk ; Mrs How?, blank ; Mm M'iUndle, black trimmed with vtlvot ; Mrs Cooper, grey ; Mra Wilson, black skirt, white bedico ; Mra Evans, dark Fkirt, white bodice ; Mrs SLmson, - black dress ; Mrs Wallace, black ; Mrs Howland, black ; Mrs Kennedy, pile blue ; Mrs Taylor, dark checked skirt, cream bodice ; Mrs M'Millun, black trimm-d with silk; Mrs Jenkins, black. Music was snppliel by Mv Bailey (violin), Miss B*iley . and Mr Bevevidge (piano), and others during the evening. Dancing was kept up with spirit till morning. Mr D. Kennedy acted a3 M.C.— One Who Was Thkre.