TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2293, 10 February 1898, Page 43

TABLE TALK.

Monday Aptebnoon. Judge and Mrs Williams returned from Auckland on Saturday evening. Mrs Wilford, who along with her children has beea stayirg with her mother, Mrs M'Lean, at Warrington for the last few week", returned to Wellington by the Te Anau on Monday. Miss M'Lesn, from Sydney, is at present the guest of Mrs Gibson, Anderson's Bay. Miss Handyside (Napier) is the guest of Mis J. Eoberts at Littlebourne House. Mies Hesse Driver's marriaere to Mr Oheeseman is to take placa in St. Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday, the 22nd. Sir Walter and Miss Buller left by the Rotomabana on Thursday for Wellington, and purpose leaving the colony for England after the coming session. Invitations have been issued to a large number of gu*sbs to be present at the marriage of Mibs K. Stephenaon to Mr W. H^zletr, which is to take place in St. Matthew's Church on Tuesday, the 15th. On Friday evening Miss Mitchell gave a

friend shows you anything pretty withonb mentioning the name of the giver, ask at once. If she does not answer the first time, ask again presently. People canno fc espect to cherish these absurd little mysteries. Never put; yourself oat of the way to think of other people or study their convenience in any way unless ifc is to your advantage to do so, as in the Cisc of rich people who can entertain you or influential people who can help you. D) not trouble to listen to the conversation of anyone else. Probably you have a number of interesting and original remarks of yoar own to make. Make them. Talk about anything that interests you — your doings and sayings, the doidga and sayings of your family ; they cannot fail to be most instructive and amusing.

Perhaps someone has told you a good story or a funny adventure, j Hasten to tell it by all means ; it is not copyrighted, and you might as well enjoy the^ harvest of laughter aa the original raconteur. Most likely you forget the point or the details. That doesn't matter ; it will be just as amusing ! Show your approval of a style of drese, a dainty " cookmenr," or a notion in fancy work by some such remark as " I'll have my new dress made like that,' " I'll get one for Margaret just like that," " You might give me your recipe for those new cakes, my dear," or "If I come along some day you could show me how you do that stitch." Imitation is the sincsrest form of flattery, you know, yet it is true there are some people who hate to have their things copied.

Sometimes you receive cards, flowers, or

tell the Browns whan you sea thsm, that yon are sorry you could sot come. MAXIMS FOR U3E ABROAD. In making those duty calls on people who are poorer or leso popular in society than yourself there are several things to remember. Don't forget to wear your richest and most striking toilet ; call late in the afternoon — as near six as possible. The family will just be at tea, and your hostess will enjoy leaving the children to come to yon, while you in your turn will be pleasantly reminded of your own l»te dinner by various savoury smells and the cheerful rattle of knives and forks. Your own social superiority can always be easily and clearly asserted by chatting affably about quite the most swagger people you know : what entertainments they have lately given, the photograohs the girls have recently had taken, the bicycles the boys have lately bought, the drives you have been with them, the people you meet there. It must be so interesting to your hostess (who really would have no opportunity otherwise of knowing) to listen to your lively chatter of those fashionable people outside her own stupid little- world.

At church you can considerably lighten the monotony of the service by conversation judiciously timed, and by unlimited staring at anyone whose dress, parsonality, or manners interest you. Quite the best people do it, and it is understood to be rather chic. If you are artistic at all, a small sketch book (held low down) and pencil, prove an excellent amusement ; such capital chances of making studies (or caricatures) of your friends rarely occur. Never aay "Thank you" if a man gives you his seat in a crowded tram, but accept

small dance at her resider c*. Morningtoc, as a farewell to Miss K. Stephenson.

On Saturday evening Mrs Elmond gave a " high tea " at her residence in Stafford street in honour of her sister, Miss K. Stephenson.