LADIES' GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 73

LADIES' GOSSIP.

Bicycling gymnastics, hockey, have developed our girk co that they could not even if they would, crush their bodies in the way that their grandmothers did. In spite of alarmists, we do not think that wasp waists are at present so numerous as to endanger the health of the bulk of our women. — Hospital. —If the ideal woman is still somewhere in an ideal future, it is not through lack of effort. Her last hope is a college of beauty, where the curriculum would include lectures on such subjects as 'looking cheerful when dead tired," "the art of happiness under all circumstances," the study of " how to we a bright and amusing companion to a tired husband," and the '"'mysteries of personal fascination." But would the girl who coached in these subjects, and mastered even the very difficult first one, be recognised as the ideal or the false standard of feminine perfection? — Lady's Pictorial. —It is one of the excusable mistakes to women that* in entering a &££ jkld ftf

work, they have wished to do so as the "equals" of men. While excusable, it iB a profound error. Women are not the equals if men, or if they prefer it, men are not the equals of women, and the success of women in public health work will depend upon a recognition of this inequality. Undoubtedly there is an important work for women in public health administration, but this work is not that of the sanitary inspector ; and it is a mistake to confuse the different character of the work the two sexes can respective^ perform by the same descriptive title. — The Hospital. — There are six women in the United States whose united wealth is more than £60,000,000. They are all widows. William Henry Smith — or " Silent Smith," as he was more familiarly called, — who died a few weeks ago in Japan, has left estate estimated at £14,000,000. Mrs Hetty Green is extremely discreet when the subject of her fortune is touched) on, but it has been placed at £16,000,000. Mrs Kussell Sage came into £17,000,000, but has lately distributed £3,000,000 in charity, and this in less than a year. Then there is Mrs Anne Weightman Walker, who is worth £12,000,000. Mrs Marshall (Field is " comfy " on £3,000,000, and her daughter-in-law just keeps in the circle of millionairedom with £1,000,000. All this wealth was not accumulated by their deceased husbands. In only two instances were the husbands great moneymakers, and they were Russell Sage and Marshall Field. Hetty Green inherited £2,800,000 from -Jher father, and she has spent the whole of her life in trying to see how high she could pile up the pyramid

,of goldiin coins. She is a famous litigant, i and when not engaged in the legal arena she spends her time in searching for and ' buying substantial securities. When she dies her fortune will go to her son, Ivdward Green, a railroad builder and politician, of Texas, and her unmarried j daughter Sylvia. Mrs Russell Sage, who has emphatically stated that there will be n > indiscriminate giving in the distribution of the Sage millions, has just donated £2,(XX),000 towaids improving the condition of the poor, and is already making further preparation for fresh evidences of her charity. Mrs Walker is primarily a ' business woman, and spends most of her time in keeping track of her investments. i She has not yet shown any tendency ' towards charitable disbursements. — P.T.O. — Lady Randolph Churchill, or Mrs George Cornwallis West, as she prefers to call herself nowadays, has begun a series oi articles on "' Social London "' in the Gentlewoman. To say that they are interesting is to do them scant justice. Mrs Cornwallis West is always interesting ; but her second article is screamingly funny. Here is an. amusing story she tells of a ladies' club in which some breach of ' propriety had taken place: — "The offending member was promptly turned out, and a stringent rule made to meet the case. . Shortly after, the Dowager Lady X, a j member of the club, who had come to ! London for a Court, told the hall porter 1 that she expected her hairdresser at 7 o'clock, and that he was to be shown up to her bedroom. ' Sorry, milady, but it's against the rules ; no man's allowed beyond the fiist floor.' In vain the lady j protested, and at last, highly incensed, I gave the wretched porter a piece of her i mind, to which he retorted : ' Well, it's J hall your hown fault, and it is as 'ow I you've brought it on yerselves.' " Mrs i George Cornwallis West tells an even bet- ' ter story of another ladies' club, where a new member shocked her fellow members by going to sleep with her feet on the back of a chair and a pocket handkerchief over her face. When remonstrated wiih..

she exclaimed!: "I will not be restricted in any of my privileges. Isn't this supposed to be like a man's club? I know they always put their feet on the mantelpiece. I would have done so had mv legs been long enough !" — A man at fo-rty or forty-five is a verydifferent being from what he was at twenty-five. He has a much wider outlook upon life; his ideas are different, as also are his thoughts and ambitions. An ordinary woman has quite as much intellectual ability, power of observation, and deduction from the facts of life, and there is absolutely no reason why she should not grow and expand mentally as well as physically in the same interval of time as much as the man, or almost as much. Yet nothing surprises me more than the number of middle-aged matrons who, mentally, ceased growing when they entered upon married life. They have acquired a certain amount of knowledge and housewifery skill, .founded on experience and practice, which they did not possess when -they married, but practically their minds, intellects, interests, and ideas are no more mature, no deeper, no wider than were those of the girl of twenty or thereabouts. Married women should read, and keep abreast of the times, 6O that they may have all interests in common with their husbands. — SundayCircle. — I wonder how many children like being kissed by all sorts of people on all occasions? Personally, lam not fond of kissing a child unless I have the right of kinship, . and chiefly because I feel sympathetically that the little one cannot love the strange, big faces brought in touch | with its own. It is difficult for us to j

realise how unattractive our world-worn faces must appear to the innocent young eyes of the children we caress. And they cannot know haw sweet, and lovable, and kissable they look. Most of them submit passively to "give me a kiss," or, "Give the lady a kiss," or "Give Mammy a kiss and be good," but I should like a peep into their mind 6at the moment to see what they feel about it. Some show their aversion to the kissing business quite markedly, and have to be commanded to do it — oh, the absurdity of it ! One little man I know of takes ' contrary fits of declining to kiss his relatives when it is expected of him, and said ■ quaintly one day in explanatiou, "Me kissed you annuney day," as if the kisses i he had given "another" day ought to serve for a long time. In a friend's house not long ago I met a little girl about four years old, a stranger to me, whose , little hand I took in greeting with the remark, " I don't think I'll kiss little Nannie — she doesn't know me very well." i My hostess responded, " She hates being ' kissed. She'll sometimes go into the I sulks when people insist on kissing her." i A self-respecting young lady ! And yet. j -nhen we greet little children, it feels j ludicrously ineffective to attempt shaking hands with an infint of two or three years old, or upwards to seven. It is the more I embarrassing when you think to escape j gracefully with patting the little heads, ; and making an appropriate remark, if the j watchful mother cries. " Shake hands with the lady, dear and say 'How do you do.' " — '• Gretchen." in the Scottish Farmer! — It is understood in the London American colony that the two leading American hostesses of smart, society will be Mrs Chauncey, of Brooklyn, and Mrs Q. C. Glasgow, of Richmond, Virginia. Mrs Cloman, the wife of the new military attache at the American Embassy, will also do her share of entertaining. She was presented by Mrs Whitelaw Reid at King Edward's last Court, and is immensely wealthy. The ! American colony in London has long been ! a social power in London society, its ' leaders during the past quarter of a cen-

tury including such society queens as Mrs Paran Stevens, Mrs" Mackay, Lady Randolph Churchill; Lady Paget, Mrs Ronalds, and Mrs Adair. — Struck by the fact that the "tense, drawn faces" and shattered nerves of many women are largely due to their .habit of excited talking, a number of American ladies have formed an " Anti-Talking Club," to carry out what is known as the " Silence Cure." "We will not," they say,,in effect, "mar our beauty and impair our health, as do so many of our sex, by excessive talking." The rule of the club, in fact, is to conserve the vital forces by reducing conversation to a minimum. This means the sweeping away altogether of gossip and small talk. But the system has its disadvantages. The friends of the members are said to be frequently surprised and hurt by the " short answers " they receive from the antitalkers. On the whole, however, their campaign is a movement in the right direction, for, according to a distinguished doctor, most cases of hysteria begin with ; excessive talking. —At Ghent a school for mothers has brought down infant mortality from 350 per 1000 to 40 per 1000. The movement i at Ghent has in connection with it a dis- ! pensarv. a friendly society, a milk depot, and systems of visiting ana foster mothers, health talks, and a course of child cultnre for girls of from 14 to 19 years of age. It is proposed to 6tart a school on a smaller scale at Somers Town, London, which is a shopping centre for poor women. Miss Bunting, a_ lady doctor, will give her services, and it is hoped to make a model which will be copied all over England.

Among those interested in this scheme is the Hon. Mrs Bertrand Russell.

Can a Woman Keep a Secret ? Theoretically, and according to the popular belief, it is much safer to give your confidence to a man than to a woman. The literature of the world is full of gibes about the inability of woman to keep a secret. Only the other day a joke wa6 published %vhich embodied the popular belief in a punning form. It was led up to by the question, " What is the best way of disseminating information?" And the answer was, "Telegraph, telephone, tell-a-girl." But, like many other popular beliefs, I think that this one is entirely untrue, at least in one very important aspect. Man is supposed to hare a sense of honour which in a way is lacking in woman, and his sense of honour is supposed to restrain him from betraying any confidences. I don't believe, on the whole, that moat men care for secrets. They are not very subtle, and anything that is mysterious is apt to make them quite uncomfortable. On the other hand, women are naturally fond of secrets. Fioin childhood up they are always confiding things to one another, while the necessity which is imposed upon all women of concealing things, of "making bluffs," rendeis every woman an adept in the art of keeping any confidence that she wishes to keep. • | One is inclined to think, however, that women seldom keep the confidences which they impart to one another — the psychological reason for which is too profound to be discussed at the present time ; but nothing in the world can exceed the utter loyalty with which a woman will respect the confidence of a man — not necessarily of the man for whom she greatly cares, but of any man for whom she has a genuine liking. One explanation of this is. found in the fact that she is always greatly flattered by it ; and it is. im!eed. about the greatest compliment that any man can Day her. It makes no diffci units to

her what sort of a secret it may be; because she is not loyal" from- principle, nor from a feeling of honour, but just because she wants to be, and because the thing appeals to her. I have known many a man's confidence betrayed by, another man, but never one betrayed by, a woman, unless, perhaps, she had suffered some great wrong which she desired to avenge. Woman has a delightful way of ignoring the motives that some-.-times make a man uneasy" in the possession of a portentous secret. If' she really likes the person* who has confided it to her, it makes no difference what he may, have done, or how .completely, he may, have smashed, the Ten Commandments.; He has trusted her, and that is enough. ' Consequently, if I should ever happen to commit a murder, I scarcely know a man whose knowledge of the fact would not , give me great anxiety; but I can think 1 of at least a dozen women from whom I should never ,take any special precautions to conceal it. — Henry M. Stevens, ir the Scrap Book for April. Jin Aiijrlo-Russian Princess. Princess Alexis Dolgorouki (says P.T.O.J i was the only child and heir of Mr Fleeti wood Pellew Wilson, a rich and cultured ! Englishman, of Wappingham, .North t Hants, who died some fifteen years ago. The Prince, who belongs "to one of tho 1 most patrician of Russian families, waa greatly attracted lo the brilliant English* • woman, and his admiration for her many, ' good qualities rapidly ripened into love. • A wedding, which set fashionable England) t talking for Ihe customary nine days, was the result. — Her Adopted Daughter. — The Dolgorouki family is übiquitous in the historical annals of Europe, in the.formation of which it" has often had much to say. ..Many of the Prince's neatest relations hold important "posts in the Russian, Court. He and his English wife, therefore," are often in S^. Petersburg, where her Highness's charming manners and! natural grace have endeared her to many, from the Empress— from whom' she haa received many marks of royal fsrVonr— to the - most exclusive member's of the. Imperial .Court. It is noteworthy the Prince and Princess .Dolgoroulci are -am&ng the maoay well-known people who> having no children' of their own, have adopted, the fortunate child of another. Sacjia-Kolas-nikoff is the name of "the pretty little girl who is so fortunate ~in her foster parents, and who is frequently, the "Belle* - at many of the Mayfair children's parties. — A Lavish Entertainer.— - The Princess has always borne £h* reputation of being one of the most lavish' of entertainers. From the daysjof he^ gold fish dinner, when shoals of gold fish 6ported themselves in the transparent waters of a table lake, her hospitality has been boundless. Expense has always been a matter of remote consideration. So long as comfort reigns the Princess and herr spouse are always supremely happy. The Prince, who writes charming verse in the native language of his wife, retains .all! the splendidly courteous manners of the European aristocracy, yet, when ha appears in his handsome Scottish home, near Balmoral, all this courtly veneer seems thrown to the winds, and he loota and acts like the beau-ideal of an Englusl country gentleman. Comedies of Courfsliip. — Where Women Woo Men. — • Among a "certain tribe in. -Scythia « maiden's status in? ntarried life 'depended on her muscle, and was settled in advance. When-a4over made overtures for her liana he had to engage her in single combat.If he was Victor he led. her off, her master and monarch for" life. If he was vanquished she led him off, her husband) and slare. If this type of eqnaT rights, this fighting chance, is not satisfactory to ; the women, they might visit fhe'TJkram, where, as a quaint' chronicler tells us, the dear sisters bar* a- fearsome whip- in their hands. " When a young woman falls in love with' a man she goes to his father's house and reveals her passion in most pathetic e^quenoe. " promising rigid obedience if ha will take her to wife. Should the stubborn creature offer any excuse she tells him' she will never leave the house till he surrenders. Then she takes up her? lodging and remains there, and a game I of endurance begin*. If he continues ob- ! stinate his case becomes really distressing, I for the Church is on her side, and to j turn her out would! provoke all her kindred i Ito avenge her honour. The poor fellow, [ must take her or fly until she is otherwise disposed of." The Lapland is approached by proxies and presents. Brandy ranks above diamonds, and ceremonies are opened with a high old Arctic spree. The " lad^ '* never appears in the early part of the i negotiations/ but when she :s finally introI duced and acquainted with the situation' I she da.n either consent by silence or close I all negotiations by dashing the 6uitor'a gifts to the ground. In Greenland-married life is no woman's ! paradise.' While the lives the ; wife is knocked about like a punching | bag, and when he dies, and there is no ■ one to find her fish and raiment, she is allowed to starve by the chiyalric gentlemen. ' Telephone Girls- and Marriage. There are 300,000 telephones in New York, New Jersey, and the 6urround.ng towns, and there are 15.000 telephone I girls. But for several months Cupid has been busy among them, with the result ! that the telephone service of New Yrrk is worse than it has been at any time for years. "We are losing 75 good opuatois a w-eek," says a New York te! pl.onff official. "Where do they fto? Tlkv n-.arricd. You can t bl.imc a giil foi

Op her position to get married. We have Investigated the matter. We thought the girls* were going into other lines of business—but no ! They were being married 1" A year ago one yof Chicago's versatile jcientists discovered what he called the *fcelep£one" heart. The- medical journal*

took it up. Eminent epeciabsts said that it wae shocking. It didi not dawn on them that it wa§ Cupid on the wire all the time. The soft, alluring tones of a telephone girFs voice can be testified' to by a rich Mexican, who has just married a. telephone

girl, and is now on his honeymoon. A few days after the lady took charge of the Hotel Victoria switchboard a stranger arrived from Mexico. He is the owner of mines and ranches, and counts his fortune in seven figures. The first day of his stay I he had occasion to call up his lawyer. "Number, please?"' "There was something in her voice that 6truck me afterwards," the New York papers represent him as saying. "I couldn't answer for the instant. I couldn't; I felt a thrill. Afterwards I knew it was Cupid's first dart. Then I went down and found the bell-boy. I passed! him half a dollar, and said, 'Show me the girl I spoke to over the 'phone;' So that was how I met my wife." Then there is the case of a Canadian lumberman, Worth many millions, who went to New York and put up- at the Aet-or House Hotel. One day he called up a friend at the Grand Union. "One minute, please, and I'll try and find him for you," said a sweet voice at the other end of the line. The girl found the friend. Despite the fact that he was 70 years old, the Canadian married that pretty telephone girl. When he died, shortly after bis marriage, his telephony girl widow inherited most of his wealth. Are Engaged Couples Selfish ? It must be confessed that many engaged couples are selfish. They should guard against this, for, much as they may enjoy one another's society, they still sustain relations to their own people, and the exclusiveness of their love must not ignore this fact. The girl is spending the final months of her home life under her father's roof. In the future she will belong to the man who has gained her love so completely that her home-comings will always be accentuated by a little difference. Let her now be as much as ever the sweet home daughter. The lover will do well to be considerate to his mother, who cannot help feeling a wrench when she yields up her son. To Keep a Husband's Love. '• Just wnat course should a- young wife pursue who believes that her husband, whom she adores, is growing indifferent to her?" Sit down alone by yourself in a quiet room and relax every muscle and take fuHy fifty deep inhalations of fresh air, slowly exhale your breath until you feel calm and are 'able to think clearly and without prejudice. The deep breaths will enable you to do this. Then" study yourself carefully as you would study another person,, and try and see wherein you may have failed to b© attractive. It behoves a woman to study herself from a scientific and hygienic standpoint, and make a business of retaining her health and her beauty. With every year • after 24 a woman should be more and more careful in the study of what is becoming to her in apparel, and should take greater pains to be always groomed and neat in her attire. Control your appetite, study physical culture, learn how to breathe, walk, sit, and sleep, and, most important of all, how to think ; and in a few months or in a few weeks you will begin to regain what you have lost, besides finding less time to grow morbid over your troubles. In everything you undertake keep your love for your husband uppermost in your mind, and 1 believe he is falling in love with you anew. Never accuse him of having ceased to care for you. It is the most humiliating confession for any woman to i make even to herself, and a most unwise suggestion to put into a man's mind. Conduct yourself toward him with an air of self-confidence, as if you believed utterly in your hold upon him. Praise him in i every way possible, and show that you ! appreciate his attentions. But do not hesitate to praise other men wnen they i possess admirable qualities, and make your1 self attractive to others, while yet you keep your dignified position of wife with an unsullied name. This requires much tact, poise, and balance ; but it is the woman whom all men admire to whom the man usually remains faithful. There is not one man in ten thousand who has the gratitude and loyalty to appreciate the woman who shuts all other men utterly out of her horizon for his sake. Be agreeable and entertaining, and make him. realise that no more tactful and charming woman is to be found outside of his home. In serenity lies power. — Ella Wheeler Wilcox, in the New York Journal. HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS. The following suggestions sent in for Emmeline's competition paper on " How to be Happy Though Married" are excellent enough to afford interest to her readers. Emmeline realises the intense interest with which the competitions are being followed by the many appreciative letters she receives. i 1 Don't expect perfection. 2. Don't think that because you are a. wife there is no need to be pretty or attractive any more. 3. Don't think that just because you are a husband you can be as cross and grumbly as ever you like. 4. Don't stop being lovers just because you are married. 5. Don't forge* fehat * few words of sympathy and appreciation are necessary to ensure happiness. 6. Don't marry a man just because you love him, for it is more important that he should love you and that your love should be founded on the firm foundation of friendship and sterling goodness. — ! Shasta. 1. Don't neglect to let your life partner know_ that your lore is as strong as before marriage. 2. Don't have secrets from one another, except when it is something that it would be dishonourable to disclose. 3. Don't forget that though you have everything in common everything belonging to your partner is his or hers alone. 4. Don't neglect to observe your partner's wishes, fancies, or little peculiarities as much as possible. 5. Don't worry, nag, complain, or fret bofore your partner. 6. Don't negleot to exercise a silent influence for good. — Valfred. L Don't be selfish in any matter. 2.

Don't fet even the smallest alienation go unrepaired. 3. Don't waste your means on mere "style" and show. 4. Don't "forsake your home for outside enjoyments, 5. Don't cay or do anything, even in jest, that may wound or irritate. 6. Don't let any fellow-creature comebetween you two.. — Runanga. Don'ts for the Wife. — I. Don't be too exacting and expect too much, but give all the help and encouragement you oan. 2. Don't grudge a husband a little amusement, and expect him to give- up all his pleasures. 3. Don't be too extravagant with your dress, but do your best to keep the household expenses as small as possible. DontAj for th© Husband. — 4. Don't forget to be. courteous. 5. Don.'t neglect to take notice of all* her efforts to" make things about the house look nice. 6. Don't neglect to be a good comrade and help all you can in the time of trouble. — Syret. 1. Don't nag. 2. Don't live beyond your means. 3. Don't be pessimistic. 4. Don't neglect appearances. 5. Don't forget the little kindnesses and courtesies of your courtship days. 6. Don't do important business without consulting each other. — Val. 1. Don't give up the hobbies or accomplishments of pre-nuptial days. 2^ Don't become slovenly in dress or manner. 3. Don't lose faith in noble ideals and in one another. 4. Don't forget that marriage was for worse- as well as better, and sympathise accordingly. 5. Don't forget ihat a. clean and cheerful home with mutual trust makes all sweet and clean. 6. Don't forget with pure intent to do the beet purely — and leave the rest to God.— Lavender. 1. Don't forget that marriage is the fruit of the flower of courtship. 2. Don't forget to pay each other the little politenesses and courtesies of life. 3. Don't reserve the best and brightest for outside life — keep most for home. 4. Don't expect too much, whilst giving a little. 5. Don't be too prone to find fault. 6. Don't forget that cheerfulness is always a. valued commodity.— Elsie. 1. Don't nag. 2. Don't let the sun go down on your wrath. 3. Don't live beyond your income, nor begin where your parents leave off. 4. Don't seek happiness elsewhere at the expense of neglecting your home. 5. Don't fail to have complete confidence in each other, confiding all joys, sorrows, difficulties, and having a perfect understanding with regard to worldly position. 6. Don't forget to bear with each other's weaknesses, never, ceasing to be lovers though married. Wives. — 1. Don't nag about the same thing time after time ; if you have anything to say, say it' and be done with it. 2. Don't think you are the "most illused woman ; don't be always telling your husband what your friend's husband can do; this will not encourage any man. 3. Don't be annoyed if your husband is a little later for his meals than he said ; he may be detained at the office through no fault of his own. Husbands. — 4. Don't bring home every little worry from ,the office ; your wife has enough household worries, and she does not ccc that much of you that she wants to hear your worries all - the time. 5. Don't neglect the }ittle' aots of politeness and of courtesy which' you thought necessary before you were married, and don't forget that your wife is still as fond of sweets now as before. 6. Don't think that your wife does not get tired, and remember that an evening spent now and again at the theatre would give her great pleasure, and give her something pleasant to occupy her mind. — Rona. 1. Don't let any place on earth be as dear to you as home. 2. Don't neglect little duties that - would give •or pleasure to each other. 3. Don't live above your raeane, and provide for the rainy day. 4. Don't lose the great power and influence for good you have over each other by setting anything but tHe very best example in conduct. 5. Don't let love fly out of the window if poverty comes jn at the door. 6. Don't try to climb "Mount Difficulty" alone, but face it cheerfully together, encouraging each other as you go, and you will soon both mount to the top. — Nan. tm- DftcriptUnt •/ hall*, Jcc, ■nxusii bt endwted \y either the Witnets c»rrrep»nient fw the district #r by the itcreUry t« th* hmll cwniiiittte. The US of tmy ctrrtspenienti uh» it n»t eimply with thit rul* will i it gent to th* secretary f*r endorsement pr>*r to mppe*ring.-EMUELISE !• ensure puUicmtUn in the f»rtheininii tuu* Uttrrs $h«uti remch the Witnett •fee if ptritU on Situtdmy night, hut on no account later than Monday nitM BACHT.LOHS' BALL AT BERWICK. The annual bachelors' ball was held in th« Berwick Public Hall last Friday evening, and, as was anticipated, proved In every way a great success, visitors being present from Dunedin, Mosgiel, Allanton, Ou'tram, Moungatua, Henley, and Waihola. Considering the inclemency of the evening there was a large gathering. First-class musks waa provided by Mr James- Methven (piano) and Mr W. Wellman (piccolo and accordion). Mr Thomas Pearson (Mmtaura), whose reputation as a musician is well know», also assisted. Mrs Crossan undertook the cater- : ing, and carried out everything in that respect in a most higHy satisfactory manner. The grand march was led off by Mr Frank Heenan and Miss Portman, followed by about 36 couples. Mr F. Heenan acted as M.C., and succeeded in pleasing everybody. The hall was very tastefully decorated with different varieties of ferns, evergreens, etc., also the British flag. At the extreme end of the hall was the word "Welcome," surmounted by ferns, which gave the hall a very picturesque appearance. Songs, etc., were given at intervals during the evening by the following gentlemen — and judging by the rounds of applause at the conclusion of each item it was evident that they were very highly appreciated: — Mr Thomas- Moffat (Momona), song; Mt Little (Outram), song-; Mr Archibald Clark (Outram), song; Mr Swallow (Moagiel), recitation; Mr Archibald Pattereon, sword dance and hornpipe; Mr William Baird (Dunedin), song (encored); Mr Hugh Lyall, Highland fling; Mr Thomas Moffat, song (encored). Miss Moffat (Momona) played the accompaniments. Mr and Mrs Ferguson kindly lent -their piano for the occasion. Mr Wm. F. M'Kay gave several selections on the bagpipes. Some very pretty costumes were worn. Miss -Rita Lyall wore a beautiful cream silk evening drees ; Miss M. Culley, broche; Miss E. M'lntyre (Dunedin), cream silk evening dress; Miss" B. Munro, cream silk blouse, black skirt; Miss M. Gibb, white silk blouse, black skirt; Misa I. Grant, pale gieen silk dress; Miss D. Grant, tussore silk dress; Miss E. Joned (Dunedin). beautiful cream silk evening dress; Miss Portman (Dunedin), black silk dress; Miss Muirhead, cream nun's veiling; Miss M'lMtyre. cream silk blouse, whit© silk skirt: Misa E. M'Diarmid, heliotrope silkette;. Miss M. M'Donald, dekine blouse and black skirt; Miss O'Brien, white silk blouse, black skirt; Miss E. Smaill, black dress; Miasea M. and J. Smaill. white silk blonjMu

black skirt; Miss Moffafc, cream silk blouse, black skirt; Miss Jane Munro, cream, silk blouse, grey skirt; Miss C. Petru», heliotrope blouse, black skirt; Mrs J. Bewttie (Outram), beautiful silk ev«ning dress; MSS .Burgess, cream silk blouse, black skirt; Miss Flora Grant, irfiite iLgured lustre ; Miss Sayers, cream silk dress, pink sash; Miss Ethel George tussore silk dress. Mr VjTm. Baird having sung "Under the shade of €h« old apple ire©/' everjon* dispersed, thoroughly satisfied with the bachelors' ball of 1907. 1-t is the intention of ifae spinsters of Berwick to hold their annual ball hi about a month's 1 time.