GIRLS' GOSSIP.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 532, 2 March 1889, Page 4

GIRLS' GOSSIP.

['Cassandra' will be h.ippy to answer queries from girl readers through the medium ot tins column. All communications must be addressed care ot Editor, Observkb office.]

DEAR COZ,— The amusement thermometer registers something below zero with us. In my humble opinion Comus has swallowed a strong narcotic, from the effects of which the merry deity shows no symptoms of recovery. We are fairly drowning in the dark waters of ennui. A solitary life buoy alone inspires our social circles with hope viz., the return of the Squadron to the shimmering waters of the "Waitemata (plagiarism acknowledged), when we are promised a whole packet of Terpsichorean bonbons. ' The only event of moment I have to post in the week's day-book is the valedictory concert tendered to little Otic Chew. The rnuch-talked-of ' musical farewell ' eventuated at the Choral Hall on Thursday evening. Needless to say, dear, your fair relatives were amongst the fashionable crowd assembled to bid a public addio to the infant violinist who in private life is one of the most lovable children I have ever met. The crush was something terrific. Voluntary motion proved quite a superfluous commodity ; nolens voletis we were borne onwards by the mass. A gentleman behind me, who was evidently suffering tortures from the height of his collar, and the fear lest he should lose his only glove, politely elbowed his way in front of us, muttering to his companion the while, 1 Deuced wough affairs these —aw — cclonial concerts.' May fairly bubbled over with contempt at the inuendo, but her scathing glance was wasted. After some trouble we managed to reach a haven of rest in the shape of reserved seats, the large building was crammed to excess ; even the orchestral sittings showed a plenteous human harvest. The entertainment was under the patronage of Mrs Fairfax (Admiral), who was present in a charming demi-toilette, combining silk and lace in a delightfully artistic -mcJcnujc. The appearance of the young benejic'utirr, which occurred somewhat late in the programme, was greeted with a thunder of applause ; nothing disconcerted, she bowed right and left— a very picture of bright, unaffected childhood, her arch ■riante face set off by the pretty hue of her dress, savouring somewhat of mauve, with tints of heliotrope, the corsage (a cunning wee thing) showing her shapely arms to advantage. At the termination of her violin solo, Miss Otic was literary buried in bouquets. A duet of horticultural triumphs, too lovely to bear collision with the boards, were handed to the little lady, who kissed them with the graceful (qrfomh of a professipnal. One of the exquisite floral trophies was a monstrous snowball of pure white blooms. Its rival united in its construction the red, white, and blue of old England ; the body of the group was white; here and there vivid scarlet played hide and seek amongst the true blue. I wish you could hear her play, Coz. Her attitude, her momory, and the beautiful timbre she produces from hei br-iovoJ instrument bespeak for her a cv.'uxi ia'.ave in the musical world.- May wept Jr.vtivoJy during the --'rformanee of 'Home. iSveet Hojr'yV The >. .bud garden of sweet girl iiiLtrunymoV.-^!? v.or .iot so successful as on t'ueu- i'.?s\ aprcartine-.- ; nevertheless we thoroughly enjoyed -he vnh'-, Vergiss Meinnicht. Mrs Bahnson, who v.as suffering from indisposition, was not heard at her best. T, for one, felt sorry that the artist's good nature should have been exercised to th" detriment of her surpassingly beautiful voice. Pier dress was a lovely harmony in soft tones of black lace and satin, which was marvellously becoming to her fair stateliness. Mr T. Jackson sang ' The Death of Nelson ' better than I have ever heard it rendered. His voice, a pure, rich tenor, stiU in the rough diamond stage, should with cultivation prove a gold mine to its possessor. He is to take part in the amateur performance of ' lolanthe.' The cast in this last attempt of the Club is much superior to ' Pirates.' Mrs Cooper takes Phyllis ; Miss Julia Knight, ' Queen of the Fairies' a role immortalised by Mist: Alice Barnett ; and Miss Rewe, lolanthe. The chorus, too, promises better things, several good voices having been added to the ranks. But I have wandered on into the dim future, and must retrace my laggard steps to the shrine of Fashion, as built by the audience at Thursday night's concert. Mrs Philson, who sat in close proximity to our party, wore white, clouded over with black lace. Miss Courtayne was in a pretty white tulle gown, her fair silky hair dressed en coronet. Miss Thomson had a charming symphony in pink silk and pale coffee lace. Miss Beale was attired in the palest of blue, the cerulean clouds contrasting deliciously with the great vivid blossoms at the throat. Mrs Lewis was in black lace. Miss Clayton wore black illustrated v»ith white blooms. Two pretty girls, stamped, with the seal ' stranger,' occupying seats to our right, attracted my attention. One, a tiny brunette, was robed in faint maize silk, devoid of all trimming save a huge scarlet passion flower fastened amongst the tulle shrouding her white neck. Her companion, whose delicate fairness acted as a foil to her rich colouring, wore black tulle scintillating with jet. Their escort wore an immaculate evening suit, high dog-eared collar, and a coquettish red silk handkerchief, coyly tucked into the front of the coat. Jack was so deeply impressed with the trio, he forgot to air his knowledge of music by ejaculating in a very perceptible stage whisper ' flat,' ' out of tune,' etc., etc. We have had a busy week shopping with Laurel, who is plunged into the mysteries of trousseau hunting. We spent tho whole of Friday morning at Milne and Choyce's. The firm are holding their annual sale, consequently within this happy millinerial coursing ground the bride elect was enabled to unite economy with plenty. We saw such an array of very tempting things, that really I did long for once to have more money than I could count. First of all there was a perfectly lovely material for winter wear, a soft serge navy blue bordered with a handsome red design. A tiny little bonnet,

stringless, and made of the most delicate grey crepe, was trimmed with two darling red roses — and such roses ! They looked as though they had been freshly plucked from the tree, with their green leaves fresh as themselves, straying over the silvery grey of the bonnet. I should like to see it worn by some very pretty woman. A most effective costume, ready for ownership someone of nature's favourites, was of black lace with bands in shaded red beads, placed so as to look as though buttoned down, whose presence brightened up the gown in a wonderful way. A small fichu of silk gauze was arranged under bands of coloured jets at the neck and waist. A lovely evening dress, made at this establishment for the bride elect, is in crepe de chine in the new colour called 'lie de vin,' with panels of pearled net and a small drapery of the crepe at the top of each side, tasselled with pearls. The train is of faille, in a darker shade of the same colour, surrounded by folds of the crepe de chine, which soften it most wonderfully. One always sees beautiful things and new at Milne's. Sunshades, whose purchase seems thus latter in the season like a merry burlesque, were the nexfc things shown us. Laurel chose one of the yard and a quarter ' Incroyable,' a very good name for these hideously ungraceful innovations, since the beaux and belles of the ' Incredible ' era used to carry very long canes. Apropos of masculine parasols, it requires much skill and some intelligence to hold an umbrella after the style approved by tho masher of the day. The correct thing is to nip it three inches short of the ferrule, and lightly swing it to and fro. The experiment, if tried by one who wanted to prove he belonged to the fraternity, would doubtless result in damage to his neighbours' optics. We were shown some delicious fans the shape of a palm leaf, composed of white ostrich feathers foaming over one another in one fluffy loveliness, in which we severally invested. Novelty, methinks, dear, has stretched her longest bow in the invention of phonographic dolls. The luxury is expensive as well as sensational. These waxen oddities represent different statesmen, and imitate their manner of speaking. Only fancy the delight of possessing a ' composition ' Sir Julius Yogel. Pans, too, have staned a line of their own. The very newest are of gauze, with three very large flowers forming the entire shape and design. Fashionable winter or autumn bonnets are to be made of velvet, with the crown absent on leave and large borders flaunting upwards. A half wreath of flowers reposes inside the border and feathers outside. This is not the only decree issued by Madame Mode savouring of dead and gone generations. In Paris an edict has been sealed which ordains the use of mouches or patches as in the old days of Louis XIII. The patches are placed coquettishly on the cheek, the chin, or the shoulders, and sprinkled when safely in position with the dimmest suspicion of pearl powder. So much for the vagaries of the frivolous goddess. Blanche hero interrupt.? my meditations by reading the description of a most remarkable plant ( known to botanists as the fusticia picta, or to more ignorant individuals as the caricature plant ). It is well worth hearing about. At first it appears to be a heavy, large leafed plant, with purple blossoms, chiefly remarkable for the light yellow centres of its dark green leaves. When the beholder sees the odd plant, he thinks what a sickly blighted appearance it has, when suddenly h? is impressed with the fact that it is • making faces ' at him. The curios shrub, in uutb, occupies itself in growing up in a r;Ji'.ulouri caricature of the 'human face divine, ' '--'la is covered from the topmost leaf down with the 'ro.oercst faces imaginable, the flesh-coloured profile-- standing out in strong relief against the green of the leaves. It is very easily cultivated in a hot house. I should like to be the happy possessor of a curio such as this. A man might iind it handy in case of his mother-in-law as a means of expressing his sentiments by proxy. Knowing your propensity for the things that perish, I take my tender farewell, dear, in a pair of toothsome recipes. First let me salute you with Cheese Fritters. Mix three ounces of flour, two of fresh butter, one heaped teaspoon of cheese grated, salt and cayenne to taste, to a smooth, stiff paste with a few drops of water; cut it into biscuits with a tumbler or wineglass ; egg and breadcrumb them, and fry in boiling lard. My second addio is Devilled Biscuits. Here is the manner of their being made : Take some water biscuits and butter on both sides ; sprinkle well with salt and pepper ; pound some anchovy and cover one side of the biscuit with this ; dust with cayenne, broil and serve very hot. Try both, they are delicious,— Your devoted cousin, Cassandra,