SYDNEY GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 75

SYDNEY GOSSIP.

BY CIGABETTE.

The chief tojtic of conversation just now is the weather, which has been more trying even than usual. Dust storms, thunder storms, and muggy, oppressive days have made November a most disagreeable month in Sydney ; w hile Melbourne folk have been visited with hurricanes of wind and hailstorms, which have -aused great damage. However, it was fine for the Cup, so that was something to be grateful for, as th« diaphanous fabrics of the reigning fashion are not mude to stund z'ain and wind.

The days of aheap dressing are passed away, and many a mation sighs wearily as she strives to fashion the frills and furbelows that adorn her grown-up daughters of to-day. "When 1 was a girl,*' said one, "I could go out in a sailor hat. a clean blouse, and black skirt ; but Mabel's allowanae is t,liree times what mine was, and -she never has enough. '

It jis. quite true dre s s costs more each year, even plain materials being made up so elaborately and trimmed so lavishly that a simple muslin frock 2osts about three guineas. The only way for people of small means to keep up with the fashion and appear well ch-ys^ed is to acquire a practical knowledge of dies.-making themselves, and become their own "modistes'' If all the money waited in teaching children to strum on the piano weie spent in showing them how to fashion their own clothes satisfactorily, theie would not be so many discontented women in the Avorld.

The Society of Artists is now holding it" annual exhibition, and though several of its most distinguished member? are unrepresented there is, notwithstanding, a fair show of pictures. The gems of the collection aie three portraits by Longstaff. "the" Australian tigure paiiuer par excellence. " Mu.joi.ie," Mr J. C. "Williamson's little daughter, is a chef d'oeinve. Jt depicts a sweet little maiden in an old-fa.Miioned gown and bonnet of vieux rose. She is seated in a caivod chair, a lace --carf over one arm. The whole composition is dainty to a degree, the colour charming, the technique admirable. Mi LongsUff i!so sho^ws a portrait oi Mr Williamson, v. liich i- a speaking likene^ ; and inotker deliphiful maiden. " Mignon,"' wiio smiles oui of the canvas in most bewitching fa mi. op. The r -e thiee portraits make all the other hend Ilook weak m comparison, although -ome show careful work and oiiginahty of idea. Julian Aihton has ;> masterly portrait ot a iakish-looking woman fingering a coral necklace; and Ethel Uobats, a girl ot great promise, shows '-ome excellent work in figures. Howard Asliton., Julian's clever

son, is best at landscape. The -7ational Gallery have purchased his '"Haibour View," a fine piece of woik, and his .smaller bits of landscape are full of tender teeLng, which is one of the greatest possessions of the artist: a comprehension of Nature's nioods with the ability to express tnem. How few can do it fc>\d Long's " Ciicular Quay ' is tidm rable. Mr Gailick shows some good studies of hoi«es; and Fred Leist a large, pathetic pie tine of a "sundowner."' Vau der Velden has been ill, and lii s two pictures have suffered in conssquence. There are some good studies oJ flowers by various lady artists and several nice se.i hL.ipe?.. P<nlianie;it lias thiealenecl to withdraw the Government suosidy f^-oni both focet.es it they do not bury the hatchet ard unite. It now remains to be suen whether the rivals will ki B s and be friends, or whether they a* ill stand apart and be independent of Government aid. Mile Dolores has been enchanting S% dney audiences with her lovely voice. Her lasfc concert was crowded, and many people have not missed one performance, each proETtanime containing rare musical gfms. I\lr Clarence Newell is a fine pianist, w ithout any mannerisms, whom you will shortly have tne pleasure of hearing. Mile A i: lonia Dolores intends visiting New Zealand in February next, opening in Wellington, and then proceeding south. Mr Wilson Barrett is abo going to pay you a visit, so you will have a treat in " The Sign of the Cios.s" which mosb people consider hia best piece. Mr Bernard Espinasse is to have a benefit this week, and will then proceed to London to try his fortune m the Big Smoke.

Miss Constance Clyde, another wellknown writer, and an ex-Dunedinite, is doing well in Sydney. She is now assistant theatrical critic on the Bulletin, a frequent contributor to the Australasian, and a writer of political, social, and historical sketches for several daily papers. Her short stories are remarkable for their virility and epigrammatic cleverness ; and able critics declare that the book she w ill shortly publish will rank her amongst the foremost of Australasian writers.

Sydney housekeepers are greatly exercised over wa}'S and means, so many articles having risen in price owing to the new tariff, Starch being dearer than of ynre, the various laundries have t^l raised their prices. Collars now cost twopence each to be starched, and shirts sixpence. But wages are just the same.

The one solitary mild case of plague which oecaiTod last »veek Ins stirred up the authorities' to another rat crusade. Never agcthi will this lovely tity hi allowed to degenerate into the* state of filth which the plague revealed last yeai\