FIVE O'CLOCK TEA CHAT.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 2, 10 January 1891, Page 15

FIVE O'CLOCK TEA CHAT.

LADYS: “Why, Dolly, how sunburnt you cl Cj’aPh-J are A Dolly : ‘ Yes, and I have spent a small fortune over early cucumbers to be “ rubbed twice daily ” into my roughened, freckled skin ; I have used lemons by the score, and have only succeeded in imparting, I fear, a permanent redbrown tint to my complexion.’ Vera : ‘ Whereas if you had well washed your face in butter-milk, or even in good milk, before exposing yourself to the glare of the sun, you would have saved yourself much annoyance. But how did you do it ?’ Dolly: ‘We camped out. We started on New Year’s Eve, three girls and myself, with a tent and a few necessaries, and joined a large party who were also going camping. Believe me, Vera, it’s not. much fun. The tent was fearfully hot, the Hies and mosquitoes were simply unremitting in their attentions, bathing on a rough beach was cutting, the sun was roasting on land and boiling on the water, one lady grumbled at everything, and one man sulked. I only stayed five days, and that was exactly five too many.’ Stella : ‘ You have had an unfortunate experience. We have done very well. We took an unfurnished house by the sea, and-camped in it —mattresses on the floor, and all that. We are there now, and enjoying the fun and freedom greatly. I only came over to see Gladys to learn the latest news.’

Gladys: ‘ Sir William Jervois has been distributing prizes at Shakespeare's Boys’ School in England. The boys acted a play, and did. it admirably, some of them making lovely girls.’ Vera : * I hope, if they christen Lady Onslow’s baby Taihoa, they will hide the name in a thicket of others. Fancy how the Rugby boys would chaff “ the little Maori !” ’ Gladys : * I have a hint to give mothers, especially those with detrimental sons. This, en passant, has nothing to do with baby Onslow. If any lady has a son who is what is called a detrimental, let her send him at once on a tour through Central Africa. If he can get an excuse for his journey, especially if it be a humane and philanthropic one, let him do so ; if he can’t he must trump up something, but he must go somehow. It is all very well talking about the hardships of an African career ; but the African careerers seem to be very comfortably looked after when they make their return to civilisation. Mr Stanley married a fortune; Mr Herbert Ward married a fortune ; Mr Troop married a fortune.’ Stella : ‘ You forget, Gladys, that Mr Stanley was engaged before he went.’ Gladys : ‘ I daresay few men could really go through all that these explorers have undergone ; but I do think something might be managed by a trip to, say Zanzibar, a thorough study of the most recent books on African travel (Stanley’s and Ward’s, for instance), a vivid imagination, a judicious expenditure of a few pounds in African trophies, say a dwarf’s skull, a crocodile’s front tooth, a lion’s skin, with a thrilling and fictitious story attached to each. With all these an ordinary young man might create a furore in London drawing-rooms, and marry an heiress.’ Vera: ‘Why not come to New Zealand for a change? We have many nice girls here.’ Gladys : ‘ Yes, if there are any rich enough to tempt our hero.’ Vera: ‘ I wish, that the Queen of Roumania would come here. She has been quite a godsend to Society writers at home.’ Stella : ‘ Carmen Sylva, you mean ? Yes, she must be worth seeing. Beautiful, charming, and talented.’ Gladys : ‘ She has been reciting some of her poems in Wales. An English paper says: “ Queen Elizabeth of Roumania is a very clever woman, but decidedly eccentric and very capricious. Recently she was to have visited Windsor Castle. Every preparation had been made for her reception, but at the very last moment a telegram arrived to announce that her Majesty did not feel well enough to undertake the expedition, although it subsequently transpired that her indisposition had not prevented her from going elsewhere. An idea has since got about that she is offended that no notice of any kind has been taken of her arrival in London, either officially or by the Court; but when a Sovereign announces that she is travelling under the strictest incognita, it is naturally supposed that she desires her privacy to be respected. It is a pity, however, that Royal carriages and servants were not placed at Queen Elizabeth’s disposal, as every possible attention should be shown to her, considering the magnificent style in which she and King Charles entertained the Prince of Wales two years ago. Is it that all our- Royal carriages and servants are wanted for German hangers-on ?’ Dolly : ‘ I am sorry to notice that some of the English aristocracy are indulging in cricket to a large extent. Chief among the lady cricketers of London athletic society is Lady Edward Somerset, who captained the team at Gloucestershire not long ago, and made seventy-three runs, the victory being brought about by the splendid batting of Lady E. Howard, and the Misses Maud, Henry, Matthews and Wallington. Is it being taken up much here ?’ Gladys: ‘ I really do not know. Information on this point will greatly oblige, also accounts of ladies’ cricket matches.’ Vera: ‘ I always fancied that Rhoda Broughton had written an immense number of novels.’ Gladys : ‘ She has written twenty-two, and only published ten. She is fifty years old, snowy-haired, but sweet-faced and sunny-hearted. She has a pretty home in Oxford that it has taken her a quarter of a century to procure.’ Dolly : ‘ I like the stories “ Helen Mathers ” writes. Do you know who she is ?’ Gladys : ‘ “ Helen Mathers,” author of “ My Lady Greensleeves ” and other novels of the Rhoda Broughton order, is the wife of a West End surgeon who has a large practice. His name is Reeves. She is young, and dresses well, attends the private views, and is one of the observed at the meetings of the “ Salon,” a literary and artistic club.’ Dolly : * Being the wife of a surgeon explains the medical part in two of her last short stories. One, “ Blind Justice,” appeared in a New Zealand daily paper. Was it not the Auckland Evening Star? And another has only just been published at home—“ The Strange Story of Felida, or a Double Life.” Both these have been evidently inspired by her husband.’

V era : ‘ As we are talking about novelists, let me contribute my little story. It is not generally known that the Rev. T. Baring-Gould, one of our most celebrated living novelists, married a factory girl. Such, however, is the case. During his curacy at Horbury, near Wakefield, some twenty years ago, he became enamoured of a Miss Grace Taylor, and after a brief visit had been paid by her to a ladies’ seminary, they were married. Her relatives still reside in their native village, excepting one, whom he generously sent to the same place as his wife. A detailed history of his courtship is contained in the novel entitled, “ Through Flood and Flames.”’ Gladys : ‘ I notice that Mr Firth’s * Nation Making ’ has been very well received at home. Are you going so soon, Stella ?’ Stella : ‘ I must return to my happy hunting-ground, only telling you what a Dunedin geatleman related to me the other day as a good joke against himself. He was in his office, when a lady at whose suburban house he has visited a good deal lately, came in. “ Oh, Mr L.,” she said, “do let me leave Birdie (her smallest daughter) with you for half an hour. lam tired to death dragging her about the town.” Of couise he agreed, and- said in a joking way :— “Birdie, you must be a good little girl, or 1 will send you home.” “If you send me home,” replied Birdie, “when you come to see my sister I’ll send you home.”- After that Birdie remained.’