ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue IX, 21 August 1897, Page 265

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Notice to contributors.—Any letters or MSS. received by the Editor of the New Zealand Graphic will be immediately acJtnowledyed in this column.

*EnTRE Nous.’ —Will try to find a place for verses on mine. The amount of a year’s subscription to the Graphic, including postage, is £i. ‘Modesja.’—The prettiest shades yet devised for the popular candles in silver holders are now found among the beautiful novelties in silverware. The shades are fashioned of silver in dainty and graceful open-work patterns of flowers, fruit, scrolls, or conventional designs, and are made to fit over Empire-shaped shades of soft silk, the lower edge finished with a narrow silk fringe, which forms below the silver work, giving a soft effect to the whole. The shade is fitted over a mica frame, which prevents the silk from being scorched. The silk shades are movable, and can be changed to match whatever flowers are used for decoration.

‘Lady Charlotte.’—You should try and devise some sort of a smoking-room if yon object so exceedingly to the smell of tobacco. I have heard that if a tin of water is placed at night in a room where there has been smoking, all smell will be gone in the morning, but I have not tried it. Our remedy is to open all the windows the very first thing in the morning. I can tell you of some first-class chairs for the purpose, which I should think will just suit you ; that is, they are extremely comfortable, pretty, but will not retain the smell of smoke. The ones I mean are to be fonnd at the Auckland D.S.C., in the furniture department. They are of iron covered with basket work, and exactly fitted to each part of the human body. They therefore do not need cushions. They are the result of some years’ study of anatomy, and I sat in one with a delicious feeling of repose. Men will greatly appreciate them, as there is nothing to disarrange nor mess nor get out of order. For your new drawing-room carpet, get one of this same firm’s new Axminsters with a border. For your sunless room, there is one with a warm terra-cotta and Indian-yellow shade, very much subdued and harmoniously worked into beautiful browns and autumn-tinted leaves and patterns, rich and beautiful ; or if you prefer a square, there are some really exquisite designs here. For the kitchen you require a big rpron in cream linen, brightened with fancy washing jraid—bine and white, red and white—rows of which are carried across the bib, round the hems, and pockets. To protect your sleeves, make big linen cuffs up to the elbows of the same, trimmed to match.

‘ Mr M.S.B.’—You can send in your poem if not too long. But if it is at all like the specimen you enclose, please get some poetic friend to revise it for you. ‘ Boy ’ and ‘ buoy ’ as rhymes are not suitable. They are too much alike. ‘ Mere ’ and ‘ career ’ are not correct. * Robin ’ and ‘ grogging ’ do not rhyme; besides, what is * grogging ?’

* Bee. ’ —Many thanks ; will do admirably. ‘ Susette.’ —There is not the slightest need to take your maid with you. In fact, you would find her in the way if she is an average servant, for she would not put up with many inconveniences which you will only laugh at.

•An Engaged Man.’—l most strongly advise you to rent ever so small a cottage to live in alone with your wife in preference to taking her to the large house where your mother and sisters are now living. They will be used to ordering all the household arrangements, and will find it extremely difficult to give up to a stranger. And if they do give up the reins of government, they will be more than human if they do not severely criticise the young wife, and compare her new ways of arranging and managing with their old-established ones. Believe me, nnless your wife is very indolent and cares nothing for the joys of sweet domestic intercourse, she will not like your plan. She may be very fond of you, and foolish enough to consent to your idea, but if she has any force of character, any individuality, she will feel her anomalous position keenly. She may be too sweet-tempered to complain, but she will sutler all the same, and suffering in silence is harder than complaining. Besides, if you are so extremely happy and comfortable in your mother’s home, with her and your clever sisters to wait upon you and minister to your every want, why do you want to marry ? I don’t think it’s fair to the girl if she is anything short of an angel. ‘Polly.’—Yes it came safely. Did you not see it in the Graphic last week ? All accounts of weddings, parties, etc., must reach the Eady Editor by io o’clock on Monday morning. Many thanks for your good description.

Amateur Gardener.’—This is just the time to sow early peas. Have you not put in your potatoes ? You should do so at once for an early crop. Send for Sutton’s seeds to E. C. Pilkington and Co., Queenstreet-

Auckland. They will also let you have lettuce and radish seed, which put in at once on your soil.

‘ Inquisitive.’—The following are given as the precious stones appropriate to the different months January, hyacinth ; February, amethyst; March, jasper ; April, sapphire; May, agate ; June, emerald ; July, onyx ; August, carnelian ; September, chrysolite; October, beryl ; November, topaz ; December, ruby. It appears that some wore these as charms, and fancied a connection between them and the planets and seasons.

* The Dnchess.* —I am so glad that you are au admirer of new and pretty china, for I have just seen some beautiful specimens of the designer’s art which I am sure you will greatly admire. They are to be seen at Mr Wilson’s china shop, high up in Queen-street, Auckland. I forget the number, but it is before you come to the market. (The postman knows it if you want to write.) But as you are staying in Auckland, do go and see them yourself. They are called Dellarobbia Pottery, and are deliciously quaint and uncommon, no two pieces being alike in size, shape, colouring or design. One of the taller vases, rather like a big jar with a mouth, or one of the Roman-looking ones, without the lip, would be the very thing for your corner bracket, to stand on the top shelf above the smaller pieces of bric-a-brac. Or if you have a round table, get one of the quaint bowls to fill carelessly with spring blossoms, and stand on it. But most of them are so handsome, they do not need anything in them.

‘E.B.C.’ —I am amused at your query, and wonder much what use you are going to make of my answer. However, here it is:—lt seems that even men are to introduce a lighter and brighter element into their clothing this year. Trouserings are more decided in pattern, and gloves and neckties in colour. In waistcoats the choice is so large that everybody ought to be pleased. Trousers are to be cut wider and straighter this year, inclosing the boots without a gap at the heel. Holland waistcoats are likely to be much worn, single and double breasted. Knotted neckties are considered better with a morning coat, and a bow with a frock coat. Flat braiding is proposed to be introduced on frock coats. It remains to be proved whether it will be worn. Plain silk facings are the mode, and grey cheviots, and there is nothing very new in the sporting garments.

‘Author.’ —The only way is to keep on writing if you really feel that to be your vocation. If you have talent, it is sure, like cream, to come to the top and be recognised eventually, though possibly it may be some time before that happy period arrives.

‘ Tom Thumb.’ —I am really sorry for you ! To • like very much ’ two charming and pretty sisters, and not to be able to decide which one would suit you best as a wife, is, indeed, an awkward situation. One, you say, you prefer in your lighter moods, the other fits in best in your soberer moments. I should be inclined to propose to the latter, for in this weary world there is much more darkness than light.

‘ La Bella.’—A long dress cut a la Princesse would suit you. Have big box pleats from the shoulders to the feet, or have cascades of lace. The front is generally loose, the back drawn in to the figure. A full blouse and skirt would also suit you. Another idea, and a very fashionable one, is a scarf starting from the back of the waist at the narrowest part, bring it over the shoulders, securing it under the waistband, and allowing the ends to fall at either side of the front breadth. Of course, this wants a little clever arrangement, but nothing is more worn than these stole ends, and it seems to me it would be quite possible to adapt them to such a purpose.