LONDON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 19, 7 May 1892, Page 477

LONDON.

Dear Bee, March 15. Of what shall I write to you ? I can give you an accurate description of a thaw, or make you shiver responsively to the realistic screed. I could pen you anent a snowstorm. I can tell you of tantalising gleams of sweet spring sunshine, or of great sweeping snow clouds that loom across the sky at a moment’s notice, bringing overhead blackness and underfoot whiteness in their train. LADY SALISBURY’S ‘AT HOME.’ Lady Salisbury was ‘ at home ’ at her Arlington-street house, which however was not anything like comfortably full. The night was a bad one for horses, and those who did turn in there contented themselves by rushing through the rooms (which the electric light did nol help to warm) scattering a few nods among their friends and then sending for their carriages. The gowns were—well, dowdy and dull to a degree. Much black was worn, and some grey. Here and there I saw a heliotrope frock, and one in pale blue was quite startling in its singularity. Even the best family diamonds did not come out on this occasion. Lady Cairns was the prettiest woman there. Most of the prominent Anglo-colonials were present. The men were in a minority, and if the entertainment was a foretaste of the joys of the coming season, I can only say that I shall envy the people who eschew all vanities this year, and spend May, June and July in the country. PETTICOATS A LA MODE. Apropos of the chiltbns on which I discoursed to you last mail, you must inform your ‘ lady friends ’ in such a fashion as your delicacy and discretion dictate, that if any of them aspire to a successful wearing of the unlined sheath-like skirt of to-day they must be prepared to spend both time and money on their petticoats. These garments positively intist be of silk, short or striped ; they must also fit the figure like a glove, and must, of course, reach the feet, and for house wear should be a little bit on the floor at the back. Any amount of froo frou may edge them, in contradistinction to the dress skirts, which for choice are, when trimmed at all, garnished with bauds of something quite flat. Now, if all the colonial ladies are not cor.ectly ami up-to-datedly petticoated, it will not be for the want of telling. Will it? The following is a list of those who were present at the Earl of Glasgow's reception : — Hon. Edward Hoyle. Col. Put Boyle (Private Seely), Capt. Bunter Blair (A.D.C.). Sir Chas. Mills. Percy Russell. Esq., Woolf Harris. Esq., J. S Nathan, Esq., W. 11. Lane. Sir Andrew Clarke, (’has. W. Reece, E. H. Fison, A. Meltougall. A. Nathan. Thomas Salt, Owen F. Jones, Arthur Claydon. Major-Genl. Steward, A. It. Fraser. W. H. Craig. Hon. W alter Johnston. Geo. Cowie. C. R. Carter. E. A. Smith, W. 11. Levien, P. Camp hell. W. Savill. Sir John Bray. Sir Edward Braddon, F. Nelson, R. R. Hunt. W. IL Tyser. R. B. Brett. S. Deering. .1. M. Saunders Sydney Johnston. G. E. Sainsbury, Henry Gnist'ord, John Tinlir.e. Lieut. Findlay, Dr. Gerald Harper, H. Von Haas!., S. Herbert Cox. H. Kimber, M.P., Sir James Garrick, W. Itoxat (Dalgety and Co J, J. Alexander (Redfern and Co.), F. W. Ward, J. MeCosli Clark. Leonard Harper. T. It. Saunders. Sir James Anderson, F. E. Hesse. O. R. Strickland, Sir Saul Samuel. Dr. H. Widenhatn Mansell, James Ewen. Wm. John Ross, It, H. Give. H. M. Paul. John Blackett, <l. M. Nation. F. Faithful Begg, Philip Mennell, A. E. Gawthorpe. Henry Gibbs, Sir Julius Vogel. Brodie Hoare, Chas. H. Cooper (Union S.S. Company), Prideaux Selby (Bank Australasia). Newborn (Union Bank Australia), IL B. McNab (Bank of New Zealand), W. 11. Preece (General Post Office), L. Rolleston, and J. Grace.

Lulu de Hawkshaw.