CHIT CHAT FOR LADIES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 28, 7 December 1880, Page 3

CHIT CHAT FOR LADIES.

" Ouida," who is no longer young, is, it is said, growing stout. She dresses neatly, loves luxury, has been inlove.talks little, and is consequently growing more and move sarcastic about women in society. A very singular ornament has lately become popular in Paris, both ladies and gentlemen having adopted it. It consists of a small gold or silver pig, with jewelled eyes, and appears to have entirely replaced the favourite li.cket. The Siaireso Ambassadors have presented JVldio. Grevy with a dress whose material and pattern are almost exclusively kept for the use of the royal family of that country. So far back as (he latter part of Louis XI VYsreign, two similar xobes were sent to some French ladies of very high rank, and were greatly admired by all who saw them. The pretty Tasliion of wearing natural flowers for trimming of dress, as well as for the collarette and wreath, is much in vogue with both English and American brides, and their bridesmaids iiniittip them by employing the same to decorate their tabliers, fans, ana parasols, whilst the caps are formed wholly oi blußSoms. The Marchioness Tseng, wife of the Chiaete Ambassador to kngland, is petite, plump, and pretty. Her almond eyes have a dreamy expression, and her dark hair is almost concealed by a jewelled cap. She is a graceful hostess, and always wears her national robes, made of exquisitely embroidered silks. The Marquis is 42, and an accomplished scholar. The latest parasols are made exactly after the pattern of the Chinese, with an almost straight instead of curved top, and of course an extra allowance of ribs ; these, in many instances, are of a different colour. For instance, a black satin shade has gold ribs, bluo silk pink ribs, and so on ; as the peculiar form of the parasol* lets the ribs l >o brought into prominence, the painted contrast is in most eases very effective. It is said that "fringes" are becoming so untidy and shaggy amongst fashionable lidiesin Koglan.l that her Majesty has signified her wish thai those presenting themselves at her iiawing-rooms shall wc;ir tho hair brushed oft' the forehead in the plain style of s.rno years back. So adieu to your early " bangs," young ladies, for since Royalty's decree has gone foith you must bow your heads, and allow the heavy tresses to be removed from your fort-heads. r iho baby J*pnnish princess occupied a splendid losewood cradle, made in Paris, hung with blue satin, iind ornamented with gold. On one side are the (Spanish nuns' carved in relief. Tho sash with long ends and the greater portion of tho layette arc the gift of his holiness the Popo. The sash is of blue silk, richly embroidered in gold and precious stones. It was enclosed in an ivory casket which had belonged to Pius IX., and the initials of his i.'oliness in rubies and diamonds are inmistetl in the lid. A detachment cf Worth's enyrtoyees has been summoned to Madrid by Queen Isabella to manufacture the costumes for the ceremony of the churching on Oct. 1 lth, at the A tocha. 'I he costume to be worn by the Queen of Spain I will be a train of rose-coloured velvet embroidered in silver, with a petticoat of white satin, richly worked in flowers. All the crown jewels of Spain Till be display k! on every part of the dress. The costumes ot the ladies of the court aye all to be wotked up to that worn by her Majesty, so that no one colour will be allowed to predominate over *he other, and a genial harmony be made to prevail — Exchange.

An old Custom. — A peculiar, aud not generally knoAvu custom iv the French array, is noticpd in ono of ihe English papers. It is, that any regiment passing through Domremy, where the famous Maid of Orleans was born, invariably h.ilt, and co through the ceremony of presenting arras, in honour of her to whom the glory of France was so dear 1 . It is pleasant to think that the soldiers of the present day are taught thus to res-pect the memory of the fair und nobloheartcd giil, whoso sad fate loft Mich v dark and disgraceful stain upon the lilita of La Belle France, for which she had so fought and suffered. — Exchange.