LONDON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 5, 30 January 1892, Page 112

LONDON.

Dear Bee, November, 25. Yes, winter is here, and winter costumes are universally worn. Ido not much care for the new sealskin coats, which touch the flounce at the foot of the skirt. They are rather heavy-looking, but undoubtedly warm. The three-quarter length jackets are very unbecoming to short, dumpy figures, and the very large hats overpowering. There are, however, some very suitable ones for petite figures. The smaller shapes of felt, with their pretty ostrich tips and artistic ribbon, the equally pretty beavers and the cloth fur-trimmed capotes, are all seen in the best establishments ; and one of the latter hats to match a tailormade costume should form part of every woman's wardrobe, as nothing is more useful for the damp or rainy day, which works dire destruction with the feather and tips. But alas, Bee, the present feather-laden hat is a source of the keenest anxiety to its wearer. It will drizzle in November, and then woe to your curled feathers. The best thing to do when you have been thus unfortunate is to sit down immediately in front of a hot fire and gently wave your hat to and fro in the blaze, not too near for fear of scorching, but near enough for the feather to dry quickly. A little gentle curling with a blunt pen-knife or a silver fruit knife is good, but great care must be taken in doing this not to break the fragile strand. Now I will give you a good idea for the disposal of wedding guests after the happy event is safely over. Take them all to the theatre. I saw two wedding parties, who had evidently secured a large number of stall seats to hear a good opera, the other night. The bridesmaids (6) were all dressed alike, and all had lovely bouquets, made high. The six bridesmaids in one party were attired in cream coloured bengaline, with relieving colour of vieux rose. Their bodices were of the cream bengaline, cut in cavalier style, with full waistcoats of the rose. The sleeves were of the white, at the top very full and high, and had light lower sleeves of the rose, reaching from the elbows to the wrists. The bengaline skirts were plain and tight in front, with a box pleat at the back, and were edged with feather trimming and a narrow gold braid. They, of course, wore no head coverings when I saw them, but I heard the hats were of cream felt with a rough beaver brim, trimmed with a profusion of cream tips. They each carried very large bouquets of pink and white flowers, tied into loose neglige bunches, with long streamers of ribbon corresponding in colour. The other bridesmaids wore dresses of cream Indian silk, with trimmings of yellow bengaline. The bodices were of the cream, with a flounce of the yellow round the edges and yellow also slashed the high sleeves. The skirts, which were half-long, had silk panels of the bengaline, and a ruche of the latter formed a heading to the deep hem. The hats were cream, with high bows of the bengaline, also yellow and cream tips. But to change the subject. I visited Mr Parnell's grave the other day, and was surprised to note that amongst the crowds who go to see it, there were very many’ more women than men. About ten square yards is fenced roughly in by hedge stakes and ropes. In the centre is the grave, large and raised. I should think there were nearly a hundred fresh wreaths. A lovely erect Maltese cross over a recumbent one had just come from Mrs Parnell. The card with the flowers contained these words : ‘ My love, my husband, my king ! From your broken-hearted wife.’ This autumn it was much noticed that the Queen's visit to Balmoral has been marked by an almost complete abandonment of the seclusion which she maintained for so many years. She has made excursions to every part of the estate and beyond. Hardly two days (adds Vanity Fair} have passed Without some of the neighbours being invited to lunch or dine at the Castle. The Ministers in attendance have dined with the Queen several times a week. There has been a constant succession of visitors, winding up with the visit of the Duchess of Teck and her daughter ; which is ouite unprecedented. The gaieties of the season have culminated in the theatricals, which, under Princess Beatrice’s leadership, have occupied the attention of the Court and certain favoured ones of the Queen’s neighbours during the week. The Queen, by-the-bye, will find that the storms of the autumn have wrought quite an extraordinary amount of damage in the Home Park, which is her favourite portion of the Windsor demesne. Great destruction has been done to the timber in the private enclosure. The fall of one big oak nearly knocked down much of the fruit wall, while another threatened the house at Frogmore. One result of the damage done near the river bank has been to open a very pretty peep of Datchet from the terrace. There is a strong probability of the Queen going next spring to Cape Martin, the promontory between Monaco and Mentone. The Queen’s courieris reporting upon the suitability of the large new hotel there, which contains 150 rooms. If approved, it would be taken from the 15th of March. The Court Circular contains an affectionate tribute by the Queen to an old and faithful servant, Mr Maslin, who died recently. He was the last remaining person, excepting one, who knew the Queen as a child, and remembered all her youth ; and Her Majesty deeply feels the severance of this link with the past. So you are to lose your popular Governor. I see the papers state that the Earl of Onslow has submitted to the Queen his resignation of the Governorship of New* Zealand, on the ground of urgent private affairs. It is expected that Lord Onslow will return home in the spring. The many triends of the Countess will gladly welcome her back. Do you remember the now famous Sir V illiam GordonCumming ’ I hear his youthful bride is severely indisposed, probably prostration after all the excitement and worry. Have you read Mrs Grimwood’s book She gives a pretty account of her relations with young and feminine Manipur : —* Some of the Manipuri girls are very pretty. They have long, silky hair and fair complexions, with jolly brown eyes. They cut their hair in front in a straight fringe all round their foreheads, while the back part bangs loose, and it gives them a pretty, childish look.’ Every child is taught to dance in Manipur. The only restriction placed upon women is that when they marry they must put back their fringes.

A City Mouse.