Topics of the Week.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 4, 28 January 1893, Page 74

Topics of the Week.

SOCIETY’S SAYINGS AND DOINGS

WELLINGTON has been singularly fortunate in the matter of gaiety during the last few weeks, foi, says my correspondent, there is actually another dance to chronicle, Mrs Charles Johnston being the hostess at her residence in Hobsonstreet. In spite of the warm weather it was a most delightful affair. Mr Featherston and Mr Harold Johnston, in whose honour the guests were bidden, had come down from the country for a few days leave to visit their parents. They left by train on the morning after the dance. The house was effectively decorated for the occasion with flowers, drapery and greenery. The supper table also looked very pretty, and was temptingly laid out with strawberries and cream, ices and all sorts of delicious cooling jellies and drinks. Tea, coffee, etc., were served in a room leading off the ballroom. The verandah was open and arranged with seats, etc., and the garden was most effectively lit up with Chinese lanterns, and had chairs and lounges scattered about the lawn and under the trees. This was very pleasant and much appreciated after the heat of the ballroom. King supplied the music and Miss A. Brandon and Miss Ida Cooper played a couple of extras at supper time. Mr and Mrs Johnston both received, and Mr Guy Johnston was also present helping to entertain. It was quite a small dance, there being only about twenty couples present, but as you can imagine, it was none the less enjoyable for being small on a hot night.

The Wellington concert party, which consisted of Miss Wilson, Miss Parsons, Mr B. B. Williams, Mr F. V. Waters, Mr McDuff-Boyd, and Mr John Magginity have just terminated a fairly successful season up country, and gave their last performance in Wellington on their return. It was only fairly well patronized, but was musically a great success.

A VERY satisfactory departure from the usual plan of giving the plums in the ecclesiastical, educational, and other departments to outsiders, was observed at the Auckland College and Grammar School the other day. From amongst eighteen applications for the position of science master, that of Mr Lippiatt, a local man was selected, and he was appointed for a year on probation. Mr Lippiatt is well qualified to act as science master, having studied under Professor F. D. Brown, who gives his pupil an excellent character both as scholar and teacher. Besides this, Mr Lippiatt has other equally good testimonials as to his ability. The chairman and Board of Governors are to be congratulated on their emancipation from the now exploded idea that to be any good, a professor, master, etc., must be imported, not locally manufactured.

The Blueskin Agricultural show was a very good one, there being 323 entries against 342 last year. The champion medal tor the best cow in the Ayrshire class of cattle was won by Mr K. B. Ferguson. At the dinner held in the evening after the show, Mr J. Mills, M. HR , who presided, presented Mr James Green, President of the Society, with a handsome gold watch, bearing the inscription ‘ Presented to James Green Esq., by the residents of the Bineskin district, as a token of their esteem and in recognition of the long and faithful public services rendered to the district. January, 1893.’

• Women,’ says Max O’Rell in his lecture on them, ‘are theroses of life. Some men say to me, “ Oh, yes, but roses have thorns,” and I answer them, “It is happy that the thorns have roses.” ’ Is it to be wondered that a man who says such things is a favourite ? Mons. Blouet is admittedly the wittiest and most amusing lecturer living, but it is his intense Frenchiness and the exquisite neatness of his satire and compliments that makehim so stupendous asuccess. The man’s insight is marvellous ; he sees at once the weak or beautiful spot, ai d with inimitable art makes you see it as clearly as he himself does. In Dunedin he broke the record for the lecture business, people being wild with enthusiasm.

‘Her Royal Highness —Woman,’ was hischiefest triumph. O’Rell has all a Frenchman's love of woman, and perfectly understands the position of the women of his own country, which he declares is side by side with the man. He defended her from the imputation of frivolity. •It she dresses her hair a dozen different ways, it is,’ he save, ' be-

cause she understands that love is fed by trifles,’ and declared that all the romance of a French love affair is after marriage, owing to the fact that after a bride is wed, she has to be won, while in England all the wooing is done beforehand.

The position of the American woman he described as the best in the world, and if be could have another life, and choose his nation and sex, he would ask the Almighty in a loud voice to make him an American woman. The American girl had her latchkey, her comings and goings were perfectly untrammelled, she held her own reception in her mother’s house apart from the chaperonage of her mother, and invited to see her ary gentleman she chose, and accepted his invitation to conceit or theatie, or went alone without comment, and the outcome of this liberty was that it was not abused, but used to such good effect that nowhere in the world did men respect women so highly as the Americans, and because the streets were so freely used by unprotected women at night they were kept clean of those sights which at every yard of a London pavement offend and distress.

The individuality of the American woman was allowed to develop, with the result that she had become the most charming companion a man could have. He condemned the silly, narrow restrictions of the British woman who, he said, followed John Bull meekly at a distance. When an Englishwoman was beautiful, he said, she was the most beautiful of all women, but when ugly, the ugliest. He says very little of John Bullish women, and although nothing in their disfavour, he leaves an impression that either he never got a grip of their character or else he is prejudiced against them. His manner is unique, of a conversational style —more wit and gentle caustic than pathos. He makes you wince without offending, and adds a balm to his sting. In no way does he remind you of Charles Clark. They are totally different, between whom comparisons would be odious, but Charles Clark could make you live with him and feel as he felt, while Max O’Rell, whose every word is worth hearing, and whose lecture is an intellectual treat, never makes you forget you are listening to a lecture. Mrs Blouet and Miss Blouet are travelling with the gifted author and lecturer.

Mr George Tinworth, the famous worker in terracotta, has produced a worthy* statue of the late Professor Fawcett, which is to be erected in Vauxhall Park, on the

site of the house long occupied by the blind scholar and statesman. The memorial, with its pedestal, stands about sixteen feet high, the principal figures surmounting it being considerably more than life size. Professor Fawcett him-

self is represented seated in academic robes, and Mr Tinworth has been very successful in catching the k likeness. Behind stands a graceful figure of victory, with wings extended, and holding out a laurel wreath. On the pedestal are eight bas-reliefs, half of them allegorical, and the rest naturalistic. Thus on one side are personifications of Courage, Sympathy, Justice and Truth, all undoubted attributes of the character of Mr Fawcett. The others pourtray young women of the ordinary human type, suggestive of the Post Office. One is looking complacent over ‘ good news,’ and a second less fortunate sister is receiving • bad news,’ a third is busy with clerical work at

her desk ; lastly, there is a figure symbolising India, in testimony to the former Postmaster-General’s active concern in Indian affairs. The statue has been presented to the public by Sir Henry Doulton, Mr Tinworth’s employer and patron.

Polo in Auckland was extremely well patronised on Saturday last, quite double the number of ladies attending than had been seen on the previous week. The stand looked very smart and pretty, the show of summer gowns being brilliant. Sad to relate, however, just as the onlookeis were most excited down came the rain and play was stopped.

There was a good attendance on the Mount Eden and Epsom Lawn to witness the tennis match between players on that lawn and a team from Whangarei, and much interest was taKen in the various games. Unfortunately, Mr Barton, Captain of the Whangarei team, but formerly champion of Auckland, somehow managed to injure his foot in the course of the match. This little accident considerably interfered with his play. The results are given elsewhere. During the afternoon tea and cakes of a particularly tempting description were handed round to the visitors and members. The weather was warm but fine.

In New Plymouth the first of a series of concerts to be given during the ensuing months, was most successful. The attendance was large and the audience enthusiastic. The Drill Shed had been beautifully decorated for the occasion, Chinese lanterns being used in place of hot and garish gas lights. The platform was most picturesquely treated, the background being a most effective arch of tree fern and evergreens dotted here and there with fairy lamps. A feature of the evening was the song composed by Mr G. Garry, * At Last.’ He was fortunate in obtaining so capable a vocalist as Miss Ford to interpret his music. She sang the song beautifully, and gained a well deserved encore.

Says my Dunedin correspondent: The closing nights of Williamson’s Comic Opera season were brilliant ones, and on the last night of all, w-hen the ‘ Mikado ’ was produced, the house was packed in every corner, people sitting on the circle steps, and downstairs standing room even was valuable. Mr Bracy has been first favourite here. The apparent enjoyment of his parts and his artistic representations have won him many friends, and a re-appearance would be heartily approved of. His ‘ Nanki Poo’ was more than excellent, and his singing of ‘ A Wandering Minstrel I’met with the greatest favour. Sincere regret was felt when the Company departed for Hobart.

Polo becomes more and more popular in Christchuich. The games last Saturday were fast and furious, and the numerous onlookers were greatly excited. Mrs G. G. Stead provided afternoon tea and delicious accompaniments. Among those looking on our correspondent noticed Mrs Heaten Rhodes, Mrs Arthur Rhodes, Mrs Wills, Mrs Wilder, Mis Alan Scott, Mrs Archer, Mrs and Miss Campbell, Mrs and the Misses Tabart, Mrs A. Fenwick, Mrs Stevens, Miss Loughnan, Miss Palmer, and a sprinkling of gentlemen.

On Thursday evening a meeting in connection with the photographic section of the Canterbury Women's Institute was held at the Y.M.C.A. Rooms. Mrs May, President of the Health Department, was in the chair. She stated that a class had been formed for practice under the direction of Mr Page, of the Canterbury College. The class is intended to provide members with means of enjoyment, taking them long walks into the country, under the auspices of the Health Department, and otherwise affording a pleasant occupation. On Friday the first meeting of the literary branch was held at the same place. Miss Col borne Veel leading off in the absence of Mrs Grossman. Her paper on ‘ Tennyson’s Women and Tennyson’s Lovers ’ was a very interesting one, and was followed by reading and discussion of poems by Tennyson and Longfellow. After the holidays the meetings will be held fortnightly, afternoons and evenings alternately; gentlemen will be made welcome at the latter. The next subject is ‘George Eliot.’ A lady who was for many years a near neighbour of the famous authoress, has promised some interesting details of her life.