SOCIAL AND COURT CLIPPINGS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 30, 25 July 1891, Page 205

SOCIAL AND COURT CLIPPINGS.

The Princess of Wales is not only one of the most onia mental, but most useful of women. When her daughters were still in the school room, at nine o’clock punctually every morning she apfieared to examine their exercises of the day liefoie, and made inquiries generally as to the pro gress of their studies. Besides her arduous public duties, the Princess undertakes an exceptionally laige private correspondence, and is in almost daily communication with her brothers, sisters, and other members of the Danish loyal family. Indeed, so numerous are the calls upon her time, that when in London, the great lady is rarely able to retire to rest till one or two o’clock in the morning. Every member of the household is ready to testify to the extreme generosity of both Prince and Princess, and of the kind consideration they display, more particularly towards those in any way connected with their children. Not so verylong ago, the Prince chanced to overhear a little conversation passing between two of the Court ladies, who were agreeing to re-arrange their yachting costumes of the previous year for the then impending Cowes season. Not a word was said by U.K. IL on the subject, but a few days later a box arrived from Redfern’s, addressed to each lady, containing the smartest of new gowns and coats, chosen for them by the Prince himself.

All the world knows that Lord Harris, the present Governor of India, is an excellent ciicketer, but I think Englishwomen in general had no idea that Lady Harris also (for a lady) is a player far above the average. I suppose men will tell me that it does not take much to be that, because the ordinary lady cricketer is a very feeble person, but still I do not think there is much to be ashamed of in a record of forty-six runs, and that was Lady Harris’s score in a recent match played at Mahableshwur. Each side consisted of six ladies and six gentlemen, which was a much fairer ariangement than that of men on one side and women <>n the other. The men played left-handed with a broomstick, bowled and fielded with the left hand, which sounds a seve.e handicap. The captains on both sides were ladies, Lady Harris and Mrs Von Donop respectively. The match was practically won by the Governor’s wife, whose play was pronounced quite biilliant.

The fashion for gorgeous sunshades was introduced by the Hereditary Princess of Lobkowitz, at the May Festival in the splendid Prater Park of Vienna, at which the aristocracy of the Austrian capital have their annual spring dress parade. Why they should be called ‘ sunshades ’is really a mystery, for the peculiarity of them is that they are practically transparent, ami consequently do not otter the least protection against the rays of Plm-bns. Some of these novel parasols have their seams edged with gold or silver thread. Another kind of sunshade, which is fashion able for driving in showery weather, is made of light surah silk to match the dusk cloak. Many of them, as well as the heavy grey silk <■» tout cux, are adorned with flights of swallows, embroidered cross-ways from the top of the stick down to the edge.

In a scrap book in Belvoir Castle the Piineess of Wales recorded her sentiments on sundry subjects not very long after her marriage. Here is the full list: —

Her favourite king and queen are "Queen Dagmar’ and ‘ Richard Co-ur de Lion.’

Her favouiite hero, poet, and art ist are ‘ Wellington/ "Byron/ and ‘ Sir Joshua Reynolds.’ Her favourite author, ‘ Charles Dickens.’ Her favourite virtue, ‘Charity.' Her favourite colour, ‘ Blue.’ Her favouiite dish, a " French tart.’ Her favourite Hower, the ‘ Hose.’ Her favourite name, ‘ Mary.’ Her favourite occupation, ‘ Reading aloud.’ Her favourite amusement, ‘ Driving my ponies.' Her favourite motto, ‘ Dieu et mon Dioit.' Her favourite locality, ‘ Home.’ Her chief ambition, • Not to be fast.' And as for her chief dislike, she has ‘ None.’

Somewhat unfavourable comment is made in Berlin because the Emperor’s boys have such a very English appearance, as far as their clothes are concerned. They are usually seen in grey tweed suits, white waistcoats, knickerbockeis, yellow shoes, and now and then in Eton jackets and high hats, such as aie to be seen on the little fellows in fashionable London. This dressing til' .l nqlaixe is said to be due, in the first place, to the English predilections of their Imperial grandmother, and in the second place to the known partiality- of their uncle and aunt, Prince and Princess Henry of Prussia, for English clothing. It is a wellknown fact that Princess Henry once told a countess that she would advise her never to purchase any but English made socks for her children, as the colours never hold fast on German made hosiery. Prince Henry is said to have remarked when the Princess showed him a lot of blue socks which had arrived from England, that * Patriotism was all very well in its way, but it must not be allowed to dye one's legs. ’

The Empress for in door wear is fond of ‘ Florentin,’ a material like batiste, in blue, pink, or violet. Her Majesty lias each of her ‘ Florentin ' dresses richly trimmed with Madeira embroidery. The Royal lady Inst week on the terrace of the Schloss at Potsdam was wearing one of the dresses of a pretty shade of lilac. The skirt was arranged in broad pleats, and the front of the bodice was covered with Madeira work, through the pattern of which the hue of the dress beneath was visible. Her Majesty hnd one of the little Princes clinging to her gown, and both looked in the best of health and spirits.

It has been said that women rule the world. The latest acknowledgment of this comes from China. Miss Lucy IL Hoag, M.D., has for some years been carrying on a inost successful medical work among the Chinese of Chinkiimg. She has lately it appears, been appealing for funds to help her to continue her good offices, and if possible to extend the usefulness both of her hospital and dispensaiy, and I am glad to say has been liberally responded to. It is a Chinese paper which goes on to say, * Benevolence of this kind will go more towards keeping down riots than the biggest gun which Herr Krupp ever cast.'