FIVE O’CLOCK TEA CHAT.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 40, 4 October 1890, Page 15

FIVE O’CLOCK TEA CHAT.

SOLL\ : ‘ As I was looking over the latest designs. . in summer bonnets and toques, it struck me that had St. Paul been alive now he would greatly have disapproved of them.’ - Gladys: ‘Well, they are un Biblical ; they /T&rc l ,ar, Ry be called “ coverings " fora woman > head. But if bashion decreed we should wear absolutely nothing hut hair on our heads, ami • use only parasols out-of doors, we should certainly blindly obey her mandate.’ Vera : ‘ I see in one week six lady doctors were received into the Faculty of Medicine at Paris. The brother medicos warmly applauded them.’ Dolly : ‘ Have we never a lady doctor in New Zealand? How is it that we are so dreadfully behind the age?’ Gladys: ‘ The fact is this colony is so absurdly healthy that lady doctors who cure their patients rapidly would have no show at all.’ Stella : ‘ I heard that a number of Mr and Mrs Stanley’s pretty wedding presents were stolen, so that now it is necessary to have a private detective in the room at weddings to guard the treasures until they are safely packet! away. ’ Dolly : ‘ I have been fancying how funny Stanley must look saying sweet nothings to his wife as they wander about the New Forest. \on see he had no time for courtin" before marriage.’ Gladys: ‘ I hey are both too sensible for anything of that sort.' ‘ f \ era : ‘I am surprised at your cynicism. But before the idea escapes me let me tell you a new plan of mine which is delightfully romantic.’ Gladys: ‘ Romance is out of fashion, but proceed.’ \ era : ‘ W hat do you say to getting up some good play in the garden one of these lovely moonlight nights ? You have no notion how .exquisite it would look. Of course one would require a warm night and a suitable play. Hide a piano behind some tall bush, and station a violin behind another. The effect would be very quaint.’ Dolly: ‘ If! lived in the country I should get up a costume garden party. On the cards or notes of invitation I should saj. dresses of the 16th century to be worn by all,” or gipsy costumes alone admitted,” or any other fancy garments as the “ happy thought ” came to me.’ Gladys: ‘I hear in some places they are getting up “ house-top parties. Spread the roef of your house with matting, or a pretty Eastern carpet, put a tent in one coiner, have palms and flowers, and plenty of sandwiches, claret, and champagne cup, tea, coffee, cake, etc. Being out of doors the men can smoke, and where there is a «mod hostess they come in crowds.’

Dolly : ‘ < hit of all our suggestions someone ought to be able to evolve some pleasure for visitors, but I fear a roof party, squatting on cushions would spoil a good carpet, lea, etc., would be so liable to go over without even a moment's notice.’ Gladys : ‘ Talking of carpets being spoilt reminds me that a lady in London recently sent a very handsome Persian carpet containing five million stitches, and costing £l,OOO, to be cleaned. By the upsetting of benzine (I think), which took lire, parts of it were burnt. The lady claimed £l,OOO damages, and on bringing an action for that amount actually won her case. ’ Dolly : ‘I am glad to hear it. Women are often snubbed for the fuss they make about their furniture. Another case of snubbing I have lately heard of, but really I do think it is (piite deserved.’ Aera: ‘I can guess what you mean. You have been reading some of the numerous tirades against women as cyclists. Ido not myself see much harm in a lady riding a cycle along a quiet country road, but when it conn's, as it did the other day, to ladies riding races in public before a gaping, applauding, criticising crowd of all sorts ami conditions of men, with their rough jeers and in some east's coarse remarks on the liders' appearance, it is quite time for female cyclists to receive a good snubbing.’ Gladys : ‘lf they could only see themselves ! Hot. panting, cap askew, hair coming down, the veins on their hands and arms standing out like cords, dress getting tamded up in their excitement -whew! I really do think"'they would be obliged to own that it is by no means an elevatimspectacle. ’ Polly: ‘ 1 lie remarks made by their juvenile relations ought to have some ell'ect on them. The infant terrible does oeca-ionally say something useful.’ Stella : ‘ I heard a pretty story of a small boy aged three and a-half. His mother Ims lately added to tlie familv an ’iifant girl. Said three-year-old, •• I think it’s a very good thing we buyed that baby before the strikes came. Babies has gone up dreadful." Another small child was wont to carry warm water every morning to his grandmotiiei, receiving the sum of one halfpenny per week tor the little attention. (>ne day last week, there was no hot water forthcoming. “ What does this mean, laddie?" in quired his mother. “ I’ve struck,’said he, sturdily, ‘■and I dou t intend to work any more for a halfpenny. I won't carry up grannie’s water for less than a penny a week." ' Gladys: ‘I see that ladies are inducing men toattend their afternoon teas by a bait of sandwiches for variety l‘«te dr foie f/ras ami brown bread sandwiches, watei-eres-ami brown blend, anchovy, game, Imm, ami tongue paste, yolk of egg (hard-boiled), shrimp paste, etc., are al! used at home, witli the usual mikes, biscuits, bread and butter, etc.' Vera: It is astonishing how cheaply one can entertain in this way. I used to cut quantities too much, now I find for ten or twelve peopl large plate of white bread and butter, a smaller one of brow n, a plate of sandwiehe-., eai.e, biscuitsand fruit are ample. In London, people have a n-i v pleasant habit of dioppiug in after dinner in an informal wav upon friends ami acquaintances foreotlee, cakes, music, ami conversation, a little palmistry or thought reading, etc. This, of course, in aitistic ami literary society.'

The oldest Peeress is the Dowager Lady de Itos, whois ninety live. She was present at the fa mon-ball given by her mother, the Duchess oi Richmond, on the night before Wateiloo, ami wrote recollections of it two years ago. Probably she is now about the only survivor of those present.