THE LADIES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4096, 6 September 1884, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE LADIES.

LADIES' GOS3IP,

DEAn Edith,— According to my promise i. I am sending you a slight description of the arand bull given by our popular Mayor, and he must feel highly gratified at its great success lam sure our largo Town Hall never looked more beautiful than it did on this occasion, when 1700 guests accepted invitations and oven our sober old l< rank, who cares nothing for public balls, declared this Al Greatly in its favor were the cosy little nooks so suitable for flirtations and seldom found in bare ball-rooms, so Jack remarked, and which I can assure you ho took advantage of. In the South Gallery the musicians were, which is far nicer than before, the Upper Gallery being then turned info a delightful fernery, affording a pleasant lounge while watching the dancers. All around on the ledge of the galleries plants and statuary filled the vacant places, while exactly opposite the organ shone a crown of brilliantly colored glass lighted from within, and beneath the balconies huge mirror?, which reflected the ever-changing scene. So, all the arrangements being so perfect, we quite agreed with Jack on our return home, that it was the jolliest ovening we ever spent. But, really, dear, my toes still ache with my exertions in the Terpsichorenu line, and so many old fossils, who thought my toes were For a crushing purpose I think, that made one say it was high time for bald-headed and corpulent men to give up gyrating in the mazy dance, and thus make more room for we younger branches. I hope you will be able to form your ideas from my description, so will hasten on to the dresses. White was most worn, and spotted chenilles looked so pretly over silk with low bodices and ostrich feathers for trimmings, and many were the Medici? collars worn, where the tiny tips lie close side by side, each one curlin" gracefully over tho rolled collar. I am quite charmed with Lady 1-och, who looked lovely, and as she made her regal prom-ess through the ball-room she reminded me of a swan, the very embodiment of grace and beauty. Her dress -was composed ot rich cream satin duchesse, with low corsage and long square train, the petticoat, also of satin duchesse, was draped with two flounces of exquisite renaissance lace; at one side w-as a double loop of satin ribbon, finished with a bow. Her fair hair, beautifully dressed in small rolls, was ornamented with a cream feather aigrette, and a pearl buckle. On the whole, dear, I think that inoro new dresses and gowns had been prepared for this ball than for any public ball that has taken place for some time, which must bo taken as a compliment to Lady Loch. In the first quadrille, which opened the ball, the Mayor had for his partner Lady Loch, while Sir Henry loch danced with Miss Smith. This lady, the sister of the Mayor, and the one who assisted him m the'arduous task of receiving the guests, wore a handsome costume of dark warm grenat satin, the rich brocade which formed the trimming having a gold-colored foundation, with a trident-shaped design in grcnaf, velvet almost hiding the color beneath. In the same sel was Lady Clarke, whose dreas was certainly one of the handsomest in the room, and suited well the brunette tints of the wearer. It was a combination ot chenille dotted net, brocho satin, and flowers. The bodico, bavin* a deep point back and front, was of broche, a design of olive greenflowers on a warm cream with just a dash ot sulphur giving it a deeper color. The wide, full skirt, with a semi-long train, was of net silk and broche, and around the bottom were three narrow pleatings of tho two shades, the olive green forming an inch wide border. Across the front was a long spray worn halt apron fashion of pendant daisies. On her hair was a close small half wreath of daisies laid across the fringe, forming a becoming headdress. The famous Clarke diamonds

were also worn. . Miss Clark was most becomingly dressed in cream silk and coffee lace, and with coffee colored lace sleeves. . Miss Fanny Smith, gown of rich coral pink brocade, with fan, killings and draperies of plain coral pink. . Among the guests were Miss GenevicTe Ward and Mr W. H. Vernon, who have just returned from Sydney preparatory to the Macbeth season. Miss Ward wore a handgome dress of grenat velvet, the skirt being draped ard. trimmed with magnificent silk lace. The low-cut bodice, almost Blaeveless, showed to advantage the beautiful shoulders of this distinguished lady. An effective gown of crimson plush, over a very handsome petticoat of whito silk, covered with white jet tulle. A handsome gown of black broche, effectively embroidered in jet, with tablier of jet over'crimson satin,and ornamented with jet butterflies and cascades of lace, amongst which were partially hid some beautiful

crimson roses. A lovely pearl spotted tulle gown, on the front width of which hung innumerable pearl tassels; the bodice, was of brocade and trimmed with pearl lace. A black lace over grenat silk, tho bodice and train being of the new red canvas silk, brocaded with velvet. Very charming pale blue broche skirt, draped with pale blue and gold pom-pon tulle. Really lovely dress, the corsage and waterfall back of cream satin over a petticoat of cream lace, faded leaves. Elegant. cosLume of ivory eatin and lace, ani pearl butterflies. A petticoat of shrimp pink satin, covered with Venetian and ornamented with pink obtrich tip point, with corsage and train of black silk velvet, head-dress of feathers. Most elegant gown ; the corsage and train of golden brown satin over a petticoat of pink Ottoman brocade, ornamented with cwam lace and pink ostrich feathers. An elegant dress of turquoise blue satin, with square corsage of royal blue velvet, ornamented with forget-me-not flowers. The jewels worn wore turquoises matching tho color of the gown. Trained dress of pale bluo silk, robed front, handsomely trimmed with lace and festooned with shaded pink marguerites, crescent and star of gold worn in the hair. Strikingly handsome dress of geraniumcolored satin, relieved by black lace. Pink satin, trimmed with cream Point do Galle lace, caught up tho side with roses and dark green foliage, short pointed bodice, edged with pearls, high collar, ornamented with rosc3 and dark loliage. Handsome dress of grenat satin with waterfall of white, trimmed with white chrysanthemums, pearl fringe and ornaments, diamond jewellery with comb to match. A most charming combination of pale sage green silk, and shell pink satin, with full Fedora plastron of Limerick lace, with pink sago green and cream ostrich feathers. Beinarkablc handsome gown of rich black broche, beautifully embroidered in jet. The Jet tablicr in front was worn over a skirt of cardinal satin, and on either side a cascade of lace fell, partially binding the beautiful crimson flowers. The bodice of brocho was cut square, and the sleeves were of jetted lace.

Very beautiful dress of pink silk, which was most effectively trimmed with Edelweiss luce ; the bodice, which was cut square, was trimmed with that fairy-looking pink gauze, caught together with pearls; pearl ornaments were also the only ornaments worn with this dress.

Magnificent dress was of grey broche, richly trimmed with Edelweiss lace, crimson velvet flowers, and grey butterflies caught and held in place the draperies of this costume.

A black broche, relieved by amber satin, and ornamented with bouquets of buttercups. The jot tablier, which was worn over amber satin, considerably increased the effectiveness of this already handsome costume. Now, dear, to finish up with our own. Ml looked very nice in whit o tulle, trimmed with daisies ; mamma in black velvet and lace, and your humble servant in white silk, covered with flounces of beautiful laco; the bodice, which was cut squore, and trimmed with lace and pearls, was of. white watered silk as* wero also the panniers and draperies. The flowers, pf crimson, afforded a most tasteful relief ; and yrWpb satisfied our quiz Jack. The shops are busy preparing for the spring sliows, which take place on the 20th of next month, so I shall be on the look out for novelties for youv Gossip. For the present adieu. —Lourrc.