TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2319, 11 August 1898, Page 51

TABLE TALK.

Monday Afterxoojt.

On Monday evening the Kahanga Club held their meeting at the residence of Mrs G. Denniston, Lees street. Owing to the severe weather there was not a very large attendance, about 30 ladies being present, but all enjoyed the excellent programme piepared by Miss Robinson and Miss R. Neill, who were joint chairwomen for the occasion. Miss Jackson began the programme by giving a pianoforte solo, one of Mendelssohn's " Songs Without Words," played in a most artistic manner. Mrs A. Fenwick was down for the next item, a reading, but owing to the very bad weather she was unable to be present, and her place was taken by Miss Ruby Neill, who read a very pretty but sad little sketch entitled " Juliet's Valentine,' 1 which was much enjo3 r ed. A clever dialogue called " Rational Dress " came next, being acted in character by Miss Cutten and Miss S. Bartleman, and proving a most entertaining item. The usual interval for tea and coffee followed, these being served in the dining room. After returning to the drawing room Miss Napier Bell delighted the audience with a most graceful and pretty fan dance, she being dressed for the occasion in accordeon-pleated dress of yellow silk, with crimson sash. The next item was a very amusing recitation, given by Miss M. CargilJ, and this was followed by " Aye Maria," rendered by Mrs Robinson, who kindly sang instead of Mrs W. Hazlett, whose name was on the programme, but avlio was ill and unable to be present. Miss 0. Turton gave the last item, a very smart monologue entitled " Smoking," which was greatly enjoyed. Amongst those present were Mrs Denniston, Miss Denniston, Miss Macandrew, Mrs Ogston, the Misses Rattray, Miss Bartleman, Mrs and Miss Robinson, "Miss Cutten, Mrs Melland, Mrs Fox, Mrs Harris, Mrs Brooke, Miss M. Cargill, Miss and Mrs Turton, Miss Ellie Neill, Miss R. Neill, Mrs and Miss Jackson, Mrs L. Reynolds, Mrs and Miss Napier Bell, Mrs Cheeseman. etc., etc.

Next Monday evening there will be no meeting of the Krthanga Club, but on Monday, the 22nd inst.. the last meeting for the season, which will be a guest evening, will be held at the residence of Mrs J. P Maitland, High street, Mrs Napier Bell being chairwoman for the occasion;

On Tuesday afternoon Mrs George M'Lean gave a very pleasant afternoon tea at her residence, " Hazeldean," to a number of ler friends. ' Several ladies sang during '.lie afternoon, amongst the performers being

a loose sac shape, with which she wore a high collar aud "large yellow silk scarf, ler sailor hat being trimmed with yellow ribbons and white* quills, and she carried a white silk sunshade. In the second act her evening dress was exceedingly handsome and pretty. It was of pure wlrfte satin, the plain skirt having a frill of crimson silk under the hem, the bodice cut square and trimmed with soft white lace and pearl passementerie, with waistband of the latter. In the last act she wore a sac coat and skirt of fawn cloth, the former being double-breasted and fastened with large pearl buttons, and the latter quite plain, sable boa round her neck, and a pretty and most becoming fawn velvet hat with trimmings of white chiffon and fawn ostrich featheis. As Clarissa Champneys, Mrs Valentine wore in the first act a. gown of black silk, with stylish cape of accordeon-plcated black chiffon over 0 pale blue silk bodice, and small black bomiet trimmed with black tips, yellow flowery, and pale blue chiffon, and carried a pale blue sunshade trimmed with block ribbon and lace. In the second act her evening dress had a trained skirt of rich black moire, the bodice being cut square and handsomely trimmed with jet, and long sleeves of transparent rucked chiffon. In the last act she wore a smart costume of grey green cloth, the skirt being tucked on the hips and having two rows of narrow black satin ribbon at the hem, the exceedingly pretty- bodice being draped with pale pink silk, with reveis of the same covered with green embroidery, and folded belt of emerald gieen velvet. With this she wore a quaint black poke bonnet trimmed with pink flowers and wide pink ribbon, and seahkin cape.

On Tuesday Miss Williams left for Wellington, where she will be the guest of Mrs Izard for some time

On Wednesday Captain CracMock left for Auckland, where he intends joining the 'Frisco mail steamei en route for England.

Last week Mrs J. Stewart and Mrs R. M 'Master returned from Sydney, and are at present staying with Mrs J. R. Jones, llenot Row.

24th Punjaub Infantry, ran out into flje deadly space, and, in spite of a heavy fire, brought the wounded soldier in in safety. For this he received the Victoria Cross."

By the way, have you ever seen the Victoria Cross, that summit of a soldier's ambition? I have held the plain little token of man\ highest bravery in my hand, and the tears that fell upon it were tears for a young life so brilliant, so distinguished, yet which passed out from a too friendly world in shameful darkness. It is an old truth that the man who is bravest in face of physical danger is often Aveak as water before moral temptation. Quick ! let us leave the sorrowful subject and gain cheer from the story ol another noble deed — one which for unflinching courage and^alm endurance might well be writ in the world's bead-roll of honour.

The scene is still the defence of the Mulakantl fort agai/ist the hordes of the "M;ul Mullah's" followers. Two nights of continuous fighting and two day? of never-ceas-ing hmassment ivom the tribesmen shurpshooteis, snugly ensconced m the .stone shelters among the rocky heights, have played havoc with the little garrison. As darkness fell on the third night, heavy firing recommenced. " Lieutenant Ford was dangerously Mounded in the shoulder, 'Ihe bullet cut the artery, and he was bleeding to death when Surgeon-lieutenant V. Hll4O came to his aid. The filing was too hot to allow of lights being used. There was no cover of any soi't. Nevertheless the surgeon fetiuck a match at the peril of his life and examined the -wound. The match we.;£ out amid a splutter of bullets which kicked up tho, dust all around, but by its unceituin light ho sow the nature of the injury. r| 'he officer had already fainted from loss (f blood. The surgeon seized the artery, and, ;is no othci ligature was forthcoming, he renv.iir.cd und<V lire for three hours holding a man's life between his finger and tlmmb. When at length it seemed the enemy hod broken into the camp he picked up the still unconscious officer in his arms, without rel.ixing his hold on the artery, and bore him to a place of safety. The burgeon's arm was for many hours paralysed with cramp from the effects of the exertion in compressing

. . . "On the last, day of the defence of Chakdurd.," to quote the official report, " matters now looked so serious that we decided to send an urgent appeal for help ; but owing to the danger and difficulty of signalling we could not send a long message, and made it as short as possible, merely sending the two words ' Help us !' " . . : This, we must remember, was when " every man in" the fort had held death at arm's "length for seven days and seven nights.' 1

At the disastrous affair of Inayat Kila the tragic story, moving from point to point, now details the terrific odds against which the little band of British soldiers fought, and again pictures the passing of the dreary rainswept hours, but brightens as with the radiance of stars at the recital of some gallant native soldier's daring, the instance of some intrepid Englishman's pluck. On one page we read how "Gunner Nilnila, a gallant native soldiar, repeatedly extinguished the burning 'bhoosa' with his cloak at the imminent peril of his life " ; and on the next how '" Lieutenant Wynter, while behaving with distinguished gallantry, was shot through both legs, but continued to command his guns until he fainted from loss of blood. A native gunner then shielded him with his body until he also was hit." Imagine the whole scene— " The close, desperate fighting, the carcases of the mules, the officers and men crouching behind them, the flaming stacks of ' bhoosa," the flashes of the rifles, and over all and around all the darkness of night."

I have but quoted a few of the incidents in which the book abounds, but I think they ji .stify my recommendation to read the book. Co tiki there be a better birthday or Christm< s present foi a boy than a book which sets Inn, such ideals of heroism and devotion?

And if you are intent on Jndia I must remind you that the cheap edition of Lord Rwberts's " Forty-one Years in India" is now obtainable — a notable accession to our colomil library, being strongly bound in cloth, maps, portraits, appendix, etc., complete, for 8;< 6d. It really is a fascinating book, and should be read by everyone who has the opportunity of doing so. lam sorry my list is somewhat brief to-day, tout it is impossible

Miss'B. M'Lean, Miss Lily Shand, Miss G-. ■Rattray, Miss Lily Roberts, etc., adding much to the pleasure of all. Amongst those' present were Mis and the Misses M'Lean, Mrs J. R. Jones, Mrs G. Roberts, Mrs Adam, Mrs Ritchie, Miss M'Kellar, Miss Riley, Mrs and Miss Cutten, Mrs Melland, Mrs and the Misses Shand, Mrs Ogston, Mrs Hosking, Mrs Fitzclarence Roberts, Miss Lily Roberts, Mrs M'Gowan, the Misses Rattray, Mrs Bridgman, Miss M'Laren, Mrs Graham, the Misses Ulrich, etc.

On Friday evening a large and fashionable audience assembled at the Princess Theatre to witness the production of " Our Boys " by the Garrick Club. Some of the dresses worn by the lady performers were very pretty, and suitable to the parts taken by them. Miss Mongredien's costume as Mavy Melrose in the first act looked very stylish and pretty. It was a dress of light fawn-coloured holla nd, the skirt having a very deep frill all round, edged and heo,ded with three rows of whitebraid, the basqued bodice having a vest of tucked white Indian muslin, the whole also trimmed with rows of white braid, a small white sailor hat with band of white ribbon and crimson, quills, and she carried a. crimson parasol. In the second act, her evening dress was of yellow satin, with plain skirt, the bodice cut square and outlined with passementerie and trimmed with yellow chiffon, long sleeves to the wrist of yellow satin, and large white ostrich feather fan. In the last act she wore a coat and skirt of fawn cloth, the coat "being tight-fitting and having revers and collar of brown velvet, pretty small fawn coloured felt hat trimmed with brown velvet and quills, and she carried a sable muff. Miss Sime's dress in the first act as Violet Melrose was a smart costume of white pique, the skirt plain and the double-breasted jacket

Mr and Mrs C. Reid (Oamaru) came to' town on Friday, and are paying Mrs Sise a. visit at present.

On Sunday Miss E Gilkison returned from the north by the Waihora. She has been paying visits in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.