GIRLS' GOSSIP.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 530, 16 February 1889, Page 4

GIRLS' GOSSIP.

'" p Cassandra ' will be happy to answer queries from <riiWXva through the medium of tins column All SommSations must l-e addressed care of Editor, OBsruviK office.]

BEAB Coz,— Like all the rest of the world we aied us to witness the marvellous Baldwin parachute escapade on Monday afternoon. When I insinuate, dear, that a great part of the population assembled to see the fun, I do not basely infer that a vast crowd paid the entrance fee to Potter's Paddock, the locale of the turial feat. The majority were evidently strenuous upholders of the proverbs, ' Distance lends enchantment to the view,' 'A penny saved is a penny gained,' and carried their principles into effect by swarming those defunct lava ejectors, where everything could be seen for nothing. Mount Eden was black with spectators. Wealthy, aristocratic Remuera was also well represented on the verdant summit and undulating sides of Mount Hobson. Judging from the Professor's little speech, he seemed to think this monster dead-head system peculiar to Auckland. He will, however, methinks, find traces of the same thing in Australia, more e?psciaily now when the collapse of the Melbourne land boom has, to quote Muggles, ' Added many victims to its capacious maw.' There is says the Parsee, a remedy for evil ; my fertile brain suggests the efficacy in this case of a gentle hint thrown out by the Professor or his- agent, that a duet of photographers would be stationed at each free vantage point, to take groups of those present by instantaneous process, the photos to be on view, copies obtainable at the studios of the artists in question. The result would be, I think, a full paddock, and a largely diminished outside audience. Grateful as it is to many to indulge in — well, we will call it parsimony — not one would care to see this particular virtue written in chemicals.

We thoroughly enjoyed the journey to the clouds. Everything was so new — the slow,graceful uprising of the balloon with the Professor seated on the cross bar in his picturesque garb ; his gradual descent under the open parachute, so easy, so smoothly, he seemed to float, through space to terra finna. The Grand Stand was not overburdened witli occupants, yet where there is even a mediocre gathering of the fair sex, a sprinkling of good gowns are to be seen. Miss Davis was there looking as though she had just stepped out of a fashion plate in black lace draped with artistic ahandon over satin ; her tiny tulle bonnet was rendered deliciously becoming by a kind of crimson dash coquettishly playing hide and seek under its tulle veiling. Mrs Lewis wore a lovely gown of soft clinging material, a charming bonnet and dark crimson parasol forming the adjuncts necessary to complete a stylish toilette. Miss Green was in white silky Indian muslin beautifully draped. Miss Buchanan had a pale blue cotton pongee costume, the jacket opening over a blouse of faint maize silk (a delightful harmony) ; her head-gear was a fluffy bit of loveliness" in maize tulle, a bow of ribbon catching together the cloudy puffings. Mrs Reed was attired in a handsomely embroidered white dress, white Gem hat banded and trimme-il with surah, tan gloves reaching from wrist to elbow forming the only bit of colouring. A pretty dark girl in my vicinity wore a Directoire coat of tan brown face-cloth over an inner gown of benß&line in a lighter shade of the same colour, embroidered in silk cord and copper beads ; the inner dress extended to the neck in the form of a vest, where it was turned back with revers of plain silk ; a full jabot of creamy lace filled the open space ; Suede gloves and on c«.s completed the effective tout ensemble. I feel almost tempted to go and do likewise in the millinerial venture, on the principle that imitation is . the most sincere flattery

My researches in the mysterious court of Madame Mode were interrupted at this juncture by the melodious voice of Mrs Primrose, who, after a friendly greeting, proceeded to introduce me to her companion, Mrs S., of Melbourne. Turning to acknowledge the introduction, I remained for a minute in mute contemplation of my new acquaintance, a sere and yellow leaf, sicklied o'er with the pretended blush oi youth. A sfcylish-like figure of scragginess comes under that heading, robed in a girlish dress of white muslin, costumed so as to disclose the curved angular outlines of the figure; a Liberty silk sash tied loosely round the waist ; golden hair, framing a face deeply furrowed by the plough of time, the dyed locks surmounted by a sailor hat. My womanhood wept tears of blood at the sight of age debased to ridicule. There is surely nothing more loathsome than this aping of the charms of youth — juvenile attire in contrast with wrinkles and palpably false teeth. Smiles and low-toned criticism followed her as she moved across the ground. Ah, could she but see herself as others see her, she would hasten to give her locks their silver gleam, her age its true setting ; and in so doing become an object of respect.instead of jeers. No artificial means can give to a faded rose the beauty of the half-blown flower ; no cosmetics or dyes restore lost youth. Their use deceives nc man, and serve only to make the user a butt for the ridicule of both sexes. It is a hard lesson, Coz ; to grow old gracefully.

The return tram was crammed to excess. There was the masher with his inseparable cigar, lazily pufiiing his ideas into smoke outside the ear. Inside, a. pale thin man groaned under the weight of two robust children, the perspiration rolling off his forehead as he vainly tried to still the cries or the younger ; whilst the partner of his joys and sorrows regarded him with a dulcet gaze, which spoke volumes for his fate when safely ensconced within the sanctity oi the domestic circle. A young gentleman of the 'Arry ' persuasion", in company with his wife or sweetheart, and. a lady friend— my vis-a-vis— gave his experience on ballooning to his friends, by whom he was evidently regarded as an oracle. The attire of his fiancee was fearlul and wonderful. She had evidently heard that classical folds were

worn, and had adapted herself to circumstances, by donning two dresses ; the under one was royal blue, the upper blushing pink hitched up with a hat pin on either side, the two colours swearing at each other like a favourite in social circles, at homo. A quiet, sad-faced woman, clad in grey, accompanied by a trio of olive branches, caused some little diversion by suddenly jumping up and asking her neighbour to stop the tram, saying she bad forgotten something. * One of the children, mam ?' inquired the stout man. ' Oh, no a parcel,' she replied. A little dissipation leads to great ends. Upon arriving in town, we determined to indulge in a high tea at Canning's,and a visit to the Zealandia Kink as dessert. Having discussed a delicious curry, some tempting pastry, and lovely vanilla ice-cream, with running accompaniment of chit-chat, which operation occupied something like an hour, we sauntered to the Boiler Ei Dorado, I filling the role of Cicerone to paths untrodden by the rest of the party. May went Into raptures as we entered the brightly-lighted court. In a trice we were equipped for action. The sensation of flying over the asphalt in the fresh night air to the bright stirring music of the band was intoxicating. The manager was most attentive. Under his escort Blanche forgot her nervous horror of broken limbs, and was soon whirling round, the gayest of the gay ; after an hour's steady work, my fairy feet lagged, warning me that rest was needful. Steering cautiously to a seat, I soon became lost in contemplating the pretty scene before me — the brilliant electric light, the rainbow tinted dresses Hitting in and cut between the miniature fir trees like lire flies ; fair maidens with attendant cavaliers, r ionic faces, happy laughter— a glimpse of life in which care, for the time being, held no place. The picture was not without its comic side. The evolutions of several rinkists were very funny. The most conspicuously amusing was a gentleman of martial carriage, who in waltzing round backwards, carae in contact with one of the fir trees, and sat in the tub in which it was planted. Nothing daunted, he tried again, and whilst gyrating in front of a lady leaning towards cmhonpnint, who formed one of the audience, sudbenly lost his balance and fell into her arras. The irate dowager added to his afflictions by remarking, 'First time you've had 'em on ; there are lots of little boys about who would give you a hand round. 1 The fallen hero regarded her with disdain as he dusted the white from his immaculate trousers and mumbled something to the effect that his was fancy skating. ' Well, you'd better wait till you're '.i'.eady on your feet before you try that sort of thing again,' she replied. 1 remember having seen the gentL-man in question waltzing round the Columbia. Little Otic Chew leaves fur England with her \ mother by the N.Z.y. Co.'s Doric to undergo her musical education. We shall miss her bright, piquante face and her well loved violin. This child, if I mistake not, hus a grand future beiore her in the world of music. Talking of celebrities. I read a pretty ancedote yesterday which tells of the reingratiation into the favour uf the late | Kaiser Wilhelm of Pauline Lucca. Lucca had in 1872 broken the contract, and suddenly kft the Royal Opera of Berlin, thereby becoming guilty of grave insubordination against the Government of his Majesty. During the Kaiser's visit to Ischl in 1881, at the gala representation of ' Verspriehen Hinterm Herd,' Lucca played the role of lie&ncll. As she stepped upon the stage, a basket of grass upon her back, a sickle in her hand, and wooden shoes on her feet, she i suddenly took some cornflowers out of her basket. As she wove them she related in 2>atoix that the German Emperor had come into the valley, and she wished to offer him a bunch of his favourite flower?, that he might no longer be angry with her, bat forgive her former bad behaviour to him. At the last words she knelt down beside her basket, and raised her eyes pleadingly towards the box m which tae aged Kaiser sat, who sought in vain to conceal his emotion. It was buc momentary, but the initiated know that the singer had prevailed. After the performance the Emperor sent a request for the cornflower bouquet, and expressed a hope to see her again in Berlin, at which place Lucca appeared in ' Carmen,' after v an absence of | | ten years. Have you seen any of the new society engagement (noc affairs matrimoniai) slates ? They are made of an ordinary piece of slate, band-painted with various blooms. A lovely one is garlanded with daffodils, the days of two weeks carefully printed on the bare space. Yellow ribbons are I used for suspension purposes. Could anything Ibe prettier ? I must not omit to recommend to your notice a very agreeable new perfume, ' Orchidia.' The scent is imbued with a subtle something which lingers in all its pristine sweetness for days wherever sprinkled. Now, dear, for a chapter of prose in Uxo paragraphs. Here is an easy as well as a reliable method for preserving tomatoes for winter use : — Choose tomatoes that are perfectly ripe ; discard all those with any sign or blemish ; pack them tightly in a stone jar until the receptacle is full, then entirely cover with strong vinegar and water in equal parts ; add a few whole cloves and a sprinkling of sugar ; cover with a piece of iiannel, iefc it sink into the vinegar ; then tie over with thick paper or bladder. If you have never tasted a puree of vegetable marrow, try the following recipe : it Is delicious : Pare off the skin of a moderate-sized specimen, cut the marrow into small pieces, and boil until tender in some water well salted ; than rub through a tammy, and boil again, with the addition of a piece of butter, a little cream and fiour. Boil until it reduces, and when serving, add the well- beaten yolks of two eggs. Addio, dear. — Your devoted Cassandra.

ladies' street dresses. —Miss Coupland ; Pretty white costume ; Gem hat, banded and trimmed with white ribbon ; Suede gloves. — Mrs Dawson : Kecherche cream costume ; largo straw hat, cascaded with soit lace ; elbow Suede gloves ; lace parasol. —Miss Purchas : Pale blue cambric costume, the draperies formed of simple classical folds ; cream ehapeuu ; Suede gloves. — Mrs Niccol (Graf ton Boad) : Pretty simple white toilette; tiny bonnet, composed of fluffy white tulle ; long black gloves.

— Miss Hoffmann : Stylish pink cambric gown; long black lace boa ; black bonnet, with high front trimmings ; lon g black gloves. —Mrs Hustable : Effective black cachemire dress ; black and white striped blouse ; tall hat with graniture en unite ; black kid gloves. — Miss M. White (Parnell) : Charming costume in sea-foam cachemire ; large hat effectively garnished with tulle and grasses ; elbow gloves. — Miss Taylor (Mount Albert) : Pretty grey dress ; red Garibaldois ; white Gem hat banded and trimmed with ribbon at suite ; Suede gloves. — Miss Firth : Biehly-embroidered white Indian muslin costume ; while tulle hat, garnished with daisies ; Suede gloves ; tan kid shoes. — Mrs Ireland : Stylish costume of goblin-blue, the corsage finished with a vest of white Liberty silk ; pretty bonnet en suite ; Suede gloves ; handsome parasol. — Miss Durieu : Stylish white gown, costumed with classical draperies ; tall chapeau, trimmed with a mingling of deep crimson and crushed strawberry ; Suede gloves. — Mrs Aitirin Connell : Fawn dress, surmounted by an artistically draped tunic of large fawn and brown check: stylish bonnet, combining the dual shades ; Suede gloves. —Mrs McCosh Clark : Handsomely-em-broidered white Indian muslin toilette ; stylish white hat, wreathed with a lovely drooping ostrich feather ; elbow gloves ; lace parasol. —Miss Maxwell (Eemuera) : Delicious costume of blue cambric, ths corsage fitting to perfection ; becoming bonnet, a bit of loveliness in snowy tulle ; long Suede gloves. (Very stylish.) — Miss C. Thomas : Gracefully draped cream gown ; exquisitely fitting pale pink corsage ; fancy straw hat trimmed with an artistic arrangement of pink ; Suede gloves ; cream parasol. — Miss Devore : Dainty white gown, charmingly drape:!, relieved by picturesque hints of crimson ; pretty white hat, enlivened by a soupgon of the vivid colouring ; long white gloves. — Miss Brett : Effective costume in a pale shade of pink, the corsage finished with a pleated vest of white cambric ; large cream straw hat, with lace fixings ; cream parasol ; white silk gloves. — Miss C. Puekey : Handsomely embroidered white Indian muslin toilette, the pretty full corsnge ornamented with an embroidered vest ; white tulh hat, garlanded with Marguerites and oats ; elbow gr.nts de Suede. — Miss Boyd : Pretty pale pink cambric costume, linished with waistband, collar and cuffs of black velvet : white tulle hat, trimmed from the back with a bow of satin corresponding with the dress: ; elbow gants de Suede. — Mrs Edminston wears the most stylish costuni3 of the wtek— a mviaNdutr creation in deep cream, beautifully embroidered in bronze ; effective bonnet in the same delicate tint ; long Suede glovts ; handsome parasol. — Miss Briton : Lovely costume in the exquisite shade— sea-foam — the long art folds giving an especially graceful effect to the charming tout c tiff m bte ; white tulle hat, garnished with grasses ; white silk gloves, rea.cn ing to the elbow ; tan kid shoes. — Mrs Moss Davis : Elegant toilette, composed of vicux rose and grey striped material ; stylish black bonne;;, a knob of vieux rose contrasting delightfully with tho sombre duo ; deep cardinal silk parasol, a handsome bow of ribbon finishing the handle : Suede gloves.