LADIES' GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2479, 18 September 1901, Page 62

LADIES' GOSSIP.

— Achilleion, the Corfu residence of the late Empress Elizabeth of Austria, ha& just been sold for £200,000 to a rich Italian, who, all his life long, entertained an unhappy love for the ill-fated Empress, and nearly went mad when he heard that a countryman of his had put an end to the life of

his idol. Achilleion was built in honour of the German poet Heine, simply because one of the numerous bitter thoughts of the crusty Geimau happened to strike her forcibly one day when she was in a very bad temper. Until her death the capricious lady found a constant food for her worst moods in the verses of Heine. Not less than 50,000 rose trees were planted o>n the terraces and in the gardens because they weie the favourite flowers of the German misanthiope, who said somewhere: " When you see a ro.-e, bow low and render homage." Now, however, Heine will have to play second fiddle on the sunny hill of Corfu ; his roses will stil 1 be cultivated with devout care by the Italian Prince, but they will no more seive to adorn his bust and crown his grim face, but will decorate the altar and the pillars o-f the white marble chapel of the castle. A few nuns have been brought to Corfu for this purpose by the new proprietor, and they will have nothing to do except keep them fresh, and renew them daify, besides praying for the august departed soul. The new owner has also bought a tiny island in the neighbourhood, on the .shore of which. Elizabeth u&ed to make fast her little boat, which she rowed hei&elf when she went to visit iho two hermits in the wood, with whom she loved to talk modern Gieek. — London society, as everybody knows, writes " Jackdaw in the Leeds Mercury, has to enjoy itself as best it can this year under the stress and gloom of the national mourning for the good Queen Victoria. The days of puMic mourning, it is true, have come to an end ; but somehow or other it has been made known that no bright colours are to be worn by those who wish to stand well with the Court ; that no great balls are to be given, and that certain of the most brilliant features of the oidinary London season are to be severely let alone during the present year. But fashion knows how to enjoy itself in &pite of these edicts. It has even found it possible to disport itself at Ascot, in spite of the fact that it had to wear deep mourning in the Royal enclosure, and that the cards of admission were edged with black. A* for the edict against great balls and public entertainments, this has only led to that wonderful movement in favour of various charities which is so conspicuous a feature of the season of 1901. Ido not wish to cast any imputation upon the excellent people who are responsible for these charitable entertainments, and whose motives are, lam sure, of the best. But the simple fact remains that the fashionable world converts a bazaar or i> charity supper into a brilliant social fete, and enjoys itself just as much uk though balls had not been prohibited and no mourning at all was being j worn. It cannot be said that the present London season has been distinguished by its gaiety. Not only the death of the Queen, but the fact that the war is still going on, has had its effect in putting an end lo the extraragant entertaining of some , past years. But gaiety is none the less gaiety because it is associated with the sacred cause of charity ; and this year's season owes such brightness and brilliancy as it ha-- possessed to the fact that the number of charitable entertainments which it has witnessed has been unusually large, and that all have met with the most liberal patronage among the members of the fashionable world. — A young lady with an interesting fsmily history is the latest recruit for the stage, and is at present appearing in " San Toy 5 ' at Daly's Theatre. The young lady in question is Miss Rose Morris. She is the daughter of the late Chaplain Morris, who, after bravely doing his duty, went down with- the ill-fated" H.M.S. Victoria a few years ago. Miss Morris supplies another link between Church and stage, as she comes of a family of clergymen, her grandfather being for many years vicar of Llanelly. —It is not very generally known that the Duchess of Cornwall, in addition to her many admirable social and personal qualities, is an inventor, who lias made something out of her patent. Some years ago — in fact, just prior to her marriage — the Princess, in course of a conversation with a hospital patient suffering fiom a nervous complaint, induced by too great indulgence in strong tea, was inspired with the idea of a hygienic teapot, which a little thought and time subsequently enabled her to perfect and patent. All mcrey received from this source is devoted by the Royal designer to a charitable institution. — The Grand Old Lady of the British peerage is the Dowager-Duchess of Abercorn, who has just entered on her 90th year. She is a daughter of the sixth Duke of Bedford, head of the great Whig house of Russell. Queen Victoria was fond of saying that the venerable Duchess put her Majesty's own record quite in the' shade, for she was the mother of seven sons and seven daughters. At one time she had 63 grandchildren living, and as for her greatgrandchildren, they are past counting. Twenty-two of her descendants have been in the present war. — There have long been ominous symptoms of the decay of the chaperon, and it seems probable that within a short space of time she will have become as extinct as tha dodo. Unmarried girls are asserting their independence in every direction, arict arc not altogether discouraged by their elders. Matrons are giving boy-and-girl dances for then daughters, which means that chaperons, and incidentally the smart and attractive young married women, are not invited. Girls dine in public, they go together to the theatre, shop and drive imescorted. The chaj)eron will hardly regret that her days are numbered. In fact, she has long striven to efface herself, and has become as frivolous, youthful, and fascinating as her charges, so that lzer duennaship is generally in name only. — Both Madame Sarah Bernhardt and Mrs Langtry believe greatly in massage for the face. Madame Bemhardt would as soon dispense with her two hours,' morning massage as with her breakfast. She believes in the complete rest of a holiday. That is to say, the plainest oi dress* die

simplest of food, long hours in the open air, a sojourn by the sea in some quiet, secluded spot, where the perfect, natural life of freedom can be had. Madame Sarah Bernhardt (remarks William Archer) deserves to rank among the wonders of the world. She has entered upon a period of second youth— an Indian summer of genius — such as falls to the lot of very few actresses. — Her Majesty, when she paid a visit to the West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital recently, made the journey to and from Sardringham iD a motor car, and it is evident that .she has taken the latest mode of locomotion thoroughly into favoui. foi she alre.idj drives with considerable skill. Her sweet little '"victoriette,"' made to seat two persons, attracted much attention at the Agricultural Hall when it was exhibited there, and was greatly admned. Electricity is tha motive power, and it has a speed up to 20 miles an hour. Its appearance ih very neat and tasteful, the seats and back being handsomely upholstered in dark morocco leather ; a soft thick carpet covers the floor, while all the lamps and other fittings are silver plated : altogether a most dainty turn-out. —At Marlborough House, on July 19, the Queen presented certificates of membership to a number of nurses who have joined the Royal National Pension Fund. The recipients, who belong to the aighth or ninth thousand series of members, were all in nurses' uniform, and wore the armlets designed by the Queen herself, showing the Danish colours, led and white. Every branch of the nursing service was represented at the gathering, chere being a total number of 1057 on parade, whilst no less than 27 of them had been on active service in South Africa. The latter were placed together in the front line on. the lawn, where the nurses were received by the Queen. Her Majesty v.as accompanied by the King, Princess Victoria and Prince Edward ot Yoik. Each member was presented separately to the Queen by Sir Henry Burdett, who at the same time gave her Majesty particulars of their services. The Queen had a kindly word of greeting for all, and aiterwards the general body of nurses filed past, her Majesty bowing to every one of them. The new niembets were the last to pas> before the Queen and receive the certificate of membership. The King Avithdrew while thi-> somewhat protracted part of the ceremony was in piogie.*s. --It is not often that a woman of to-day can array herself m any fabric that once foimed part of the wardiobo of Queen Elizabeth. The (Jounte-h of Pembroke has, however, this privilege, and "at the last Drawing Room she attended she wore a white and silver gown, the peach-coloured train of which was trimmed with old Point de Flandre, which not only had been owned, but also worn, by the famous Tudor Queen. — When Queen Victoria. was residing at Balmoral la,«t autumn, she signified her approval of a design foi a Celtic cross Avhich she wished to erect in the Castle gaounds as a memorial of the late Duke of Coburg. The cross, which is of granite, from a Deeside quarry, ha& now been completed, and it was put up in Jula, on a site chosen by her Majesty. The Duke of Coburg was very fond of Balmoral, and he particularly liked going there during the late Queen's spring residence at the Ca&tle, as he could then get some good salmon-fishing in the Dee. Duke Alfred and the Duke of Cornwall are the only Princes who have nevei caied about salmon fishing. — " It 1 iis almost beyond belief how slow women are to pay their bills," says Edwaid Bok, in the Ladies' Home Journal, and, he adds, "One must inquire into the matter to realise its startling truth. Not so very long ago a woman threw herself before a train, and was instantly killed. Her sister testified .afterwards that she was a ' fashionable ' dressmaker, and had over £3000 worth of outstanding accounts Avhich she could not collect. The people from whom she bought har goods -were persistently asking for their money, but she could not pay them because her customers did not pay her for her work. It so preyed upon hei mind that after weeks of sleepless nights she determined to kill herself. And she did." — There will be a very large family gathering this, year at Fredensborg, and it is probable that King Edward, as well as Queen Alexandra, will poy a visit to the King of Denmark. Among those who are expected are the Dowager Empress of Russia, the Czarewitch, the Grand Duchess Olga with her newly-married tusband, the Duke Peter of Oldenburg, the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland with their children, Prince and Princess Max of Baden, the King of Greece, the Prince and Princess Frederick of Sehaumburg-Lippe, Prince and Princess Carl of Sweden, the Princess Victoria of Great Britain and Ireland, the Princess Hilda, of Anhalt, and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxemburg. There is some question of the Czar paying a visit of a few days to his grandfather ; but this is not yet quite settled. — Everyone is delighted at Mi&s Broderick's engagement, for she is one of the most popular girls in London. The elde&t daughter of the Secretary for War is just 20, and the groom-elect 27. He is in the Horse Guards Blue, and has seen considerable service in South Africa. Mi Marjoiibanks is the only son, indeed, the only child, of Lord and. Lady Tweedmouth. His father combines the tastes of a man of the world, endowed AAith great wealth, with strong Liberal opinions. Before he succeeded to the title he A*a& one of the ibesb Whips the party ever had, sind lie is never behindhand With his seivice* now. His •sou »s as well knowr ift society as his father 1 . Six years ago he was .sued for breach of promise of marriage by Miss "Birdie"' Sutherland, of the Gaiety. However, the action was never heard, but was settled for £5000. — Houghlon Hall, in Norfolk, says the Onlooker, hats been taken by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, who will probably take up their residence thera immediately on their leturn from abroad. York cot- . tajje had become all too small for tkek rev

qubements ; but Houghton is altogether on a quite palatial scale, and contains 300 rooms, while the shooting, which is firstclass, has been. well kept up. Houghton! Hall, which is near Fakenham (pionounced' Fakingim in its oAAn country), is the property of the Marquis of Cholomondeley, but Avas rented for some time by the Earf of Wilton, Avho, as a bachelor, gaA - e many paities there. Tavo years ago, lioweA-er. if; A^as let, or sub-let, to Jlr Bishop, a A r ery rich American, whose parties in their prodigdlity and splendour outdid everything that had ever been seen there before. On. one occasion the King himself (as Prince of Wales) was his guest, and on another occasion the Duke of Cornwall (then Duke of York) Avas present, and was so charmed by the beautiful place that now he has chosen it for his permanent home.