Ladies' Column.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 409, 10 March 1904, Page 2

Ladies' Column.

FASHION AND THIKG?f. FEMININE Bt MISS ADA MELLHB 'AN AUTUmFcOSTUMB. t_ v ajgKLOTH and corduroy velvet may Efrk? termed the backbone of a wonwaflj eutumn wardrobe so far as her. out-door costumes are concerned. Ab light, colours will be a feature of the, new season's dress materials, any prevailing hesitancy anent a choice of colour- , ing for the new waiting dress may advisedly be settled in favour of pale fawn, which ia really one of the most becoming colours, especially fchen reproduced in velvet anfl Bmooth ana associated with tinted lace. The autum% costume sketched in this column would make up very well in light fawn-coloured corduroy or cloth, inasmuch as the little coatee falls quite simply, which is always an advantage where velvets or ribbed

materials ate concerned, these being better displayed when there are neither pleats nor gatherings to disturb the harmony of their appearance. The coat is slit np in deep points,and strapped across, and visions are caught of cascades of old lace, either string-coloured or tea-tinted, falling beneath the openings, ruffles of' similar lace hanging from the sleeves, while the upper part of the coat is decorated with quipure insertion arranged .in Vandykes, and.a little knot of velvetribbon. The skirt is quite simple, the only decoration employed being a few folds of its own material. The folds might be headed by broad bands of guipure insertion if fancy lay in the direction of giving a more dressy appearance." The design is equally suitable fox grey friece or tweed. •-.'.■■ NEW MILLINERY. From what may be judged atpresent by the specimens of autnmn mulinery displayed, lowers will be • less used than formerly on felt hats, ribbon and feathers taking their place; for the most parts though, of course, there will bes a good : deal of millinery exhibiting the usual inconsistence of summer flowers against autumn furs. Lace ecarvea draped round the brims of beaver hats are;to be observed; and velvet millinery is also noticeable. The two hats sketched this week are pretty models of new millinery for the autumn. The larger picture bat is of black beaver draped with a scarf of

black tulle knotted' into a rosette in front, and having the addition of a long ostrich plume. The mixing of so airy a fabric as tulle with solid beaver is but another example of the inconsistency of fashion, willingly overlooked and parcloned, however, bj virtue dl its grace v.;,;:f and charm. Chiffon or soft sati a ribbon '; could, of course, replace the tnlle, if prefe'rred. The ;smaller, hat is of velvet, trimmed with chonx and,' a soar! of marvellous ribbon, and is a very useful hat. The ribbon might be black, emerald green, or pomegranate, to suit the taate of the wearer and toilette with which it is worn., > i - • ,i " ' ' MUD-BATHS. The most fashionable medicinal bath is the mud or peat bath to which the tired Sooiety beauty flies at the end of the • aammer as a restorative for jaded nerves. Thousands of these mineral moor baths are given every year, I am told, at Salzoraaggiore, Franeensbad, Marienbad and-other places famous for their'cures. In Sweden and Finland they are held in high repute. Those who have only heard of mud baths without knowing, anything further about them, may be interested to hear of what they are composed;! A mud or peat bath is a thin, pulpy mass of dark m colouring, the peat of; which it oaosißM being made jof decomposed minerfi and vegetable sjttbitances, of residues salts of Various kinds* vegetalblajßarth, and mnric acid, resins, siliceeus earth and clay, phosphate of protoxide r of iron, ant phates of oarbonicjacid, snlphnrMrand formic acid,, magnesia, eto.i all-of them powerful elements* acting directly upon the skin. In preparing a mud bate, the peat is saturated with water and steam into a pulpy mass, situated Jn a toga wooden vat. The temperature of tna bath is from 90 degrees to 100 degrees Fahr., and Into this dark mud goes ttft patient, and remains, as it were, for halr-an-hour or so. She then passes uito an . ordinary warm bath and is thoroughly cleansed, after w&ioh she emerged anff is - rubbed and dried. '" j ■/*&',. ~ Japan's national to about 27 millions a year. Debt of that country is J&ifiQOffi ,;