LONDON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 26, 27 June 1891, Page 112

LONDON.

Dear Bee, April 29. I am glad to be able to send you some news of old friends, as I know you like to hear of the movements of New Zealanders in England. The Rev. D. Bruce, and Mr and Mrs John Hay and Airs Holdship arrived by the Orizaba. They landed late in the afternoon at Plymouth, coming on to London by special train. At the Paddington station Mis Honeyman, and Mr and Mrs Ashby met them. It was two o'clock in the morning, and the visitors, who are in excellent health, and have greatly enjoyed their voyage, were very glad to go to bed at once. As far as I know at present, they intend to remain in this country until October, when Mrs Street and Miss Rooke will probably return to the colonies with them. Doctor Honey man has taken his degree at St. Andrew’s, Fifeshire, and the Rev. D. Bruce has been made a D. D. of the same University. Mr Sinclair Gillies is at St. Bartholomew’s, where, you will remember, there has been so much sickness amongst the nurses. Truth took the matter up, and ably exposed the ignorance of the authorities on various important sanitary matters connected with their hospital. Mr Gillies has already passed two examinations, and talks of remaining another live years at St. Bart's. Of course you have, at one time or another, worn gloves bearing the well-known name of Jouvin. The widow of the famous glove manufacturer is just dead. M. Jouvin caused quite a revolution in the glove trade some years ago by inventing the machine for cutting out kid gloves, and also introduced thumbs with only one seam. He made a large fortune by his business, and died worth several millions, having done a great deal for his native town. The firm still employs thousands of work-people of both sexes, the gloves being in as much demand as ever. A Statue of Xavier Jouvin has been erected by his grateful fellow-townsmen in the town of < I renoble. The honeymoon of Prince Aribert and Princess Louise of Schleswig-Holstein is to be spent at Cliveden, which has been lent them by the Duke of Westminister. Their marriage has been fixed for July 6th (the day after the silver-wedding day of Princess Louise’s mother), which is the birthday of her cousin, Princess Victoria of Wales. Have you heard the terrible whisper, Bee, that once more white stockings are to be worn ! They are very ugly, and make the ankles, when worn with walking shoes, look so large. But sigh as we may, if it is the fashion, we must follow it. The National Review, trying to solve the problem of domestic service, suggests the employment of poor gentlewomen as cooks and parlour maids. It is willing to allow a servants’ sitting-room, with piano and library, abolishing the back door. Given circumstances like these, and skilful, willing, properly-trained ladies, I do not think the position would be bad for them, or for their mistresses. But, as a rule, few gentlewomen are capable of taking a situation either as thorough cook or good parlour maid. The famous Mrs Langtry is playing in ‘ Linda Gray ’ at the Princess's theatre. The piece is too amateurish to be a success, but Mrs Langtry does her part very well, and, what we women always take note of, dresses beautifully. By-the-bye, the frocks worn by Mrs Bernard Beere in ‘ Lady Teazle ’ deserve a word of notice. Imagine an exquisite gown in white, heavily embroidered in every gradation of colour between deep orange and palest primrose. With this is worn an Oriental turban, which may cause an epidemic of turbans in the near future, or perchance the quaint hood of lily leaf green satin and lace that the popular comedienne wears in the screen scene might be worn again on the heads of some of our daughters before the season is over. It is curious what trifling incidents will start the hare in the matter of a fashionable craze.

The great topic of conversation lately has been Grasse, the Queen’s stay there having, of course, made the place popular. The Queen and Princess Beatrice visited the Perfume Factory the other day. There are six rooms, 130 ft. long with golden asphodels and sweet violets, ready to be transformed into liquid scent. Naturally, tire honour of Her Majesty’s visit has been commemorated by a new perfume called the Victoria Bouquet, said to be very fragrant. Mr Toole has been warmly welcomed home after his colonial trip. He is looking very well, and both he and his company—Miss Vanbrugh in particular—speak very highly of the kindness received from you all. I am sorry to tell you that influenza has again appeared. Many are suffering from it, amongst others, Mr (lladstone. Our fashionable Hower for early summer is to be the carnation—so say those who know. Did you hear thatlinsey is coming in again? It is made in all colours now. The white makes a lovely and useful

tennis dress.

A City Mouse.