SOCIAL GOSSIP

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 9, 1 September 1900, Page 8

SOCIAL GOSSIP

By Christabel.

Dear Christabel — SOMEONE has said that there is a smile in all human affairs if you know where to seek for it. Certainly a New Zealander in besieged Mafeking looked on the bright side of his afflictions, although he prefaces his letter by stating that " I'm not taking any more sieges, thank you. I m not greedy, and I think one will last me a lifetime." The hunger was worse, he thinks, than the shells. The latter they could dod"e, but the hunger went everywhere with them. They ate horses, mules, and donkeys, and oat-husks made into biscuits. There was nothing to fry things in at the last except raw lmseod oil, cocoanut oil, or cottolene. Starch flavoured with violet-powder, and brawn made of cows' and horses' hides and hoofs, were on the menu, and this Mark Tapley writes that the horse-soup was not at all bad, with plenty of pepper, and the occasional much-prized hunk of horse-liver, tasting like india-rubber, floating about in it. But the gourmets of Mafeking preferred donkey to horse, the former having a gamey flavour wanting in the latter. * • * One cannot help reflecting what delightful husbands these troopers will make, on their return from the fields of glory. They will not grumble at their dinners, or find fault with their breakfasts, but contentedly eat what is set before them. Any comparison they may draw will, if they remember Mafeking, be decidedly in favour of their domestic meals. Girls would do well to remember the supply of these model husbands is limited, and secure one before it is too late. * * • The majority of the besieged burrowed in the ground for shelter so constantly that, writes the soldier, it is wonderful they did not develop tails like rabbits. If when " Big Ben " went off there was no hole within reach the folk lay down behind the nearest wall, and, even at that critical point, the writer found infinite humour in watching a portly old gentleman, out of reach of hole or wall, trying to find some kind of shelter, and at last flopping down faceforemost in the street. There was much of the ostrich about the behaviour of some of the besieged when the shell came screaming like an express train puffing towards them. One man hid his head in a bucket, and another took refuge in the sheets of a newspaper. ♦ • » The third lecture at Government House, delivered By Dr Fin Slay on Boman Civilization was much enjoyed by the large number of guests. Notwithstanding the scope of the subject, and the tragic memories that centre about the " broken heart " of Rome, the lecture was entertaining as well as instructive- As one guest put it, there was ever so much jam with the powder. The views, too, of ancient Rome were intensely interesting and most picturesque. The particular one of the terrible dungeon where it is said St Paul was imprisoned and where he wrote one of his Epistles possessed a horrible fascination, heightened by a sort of subdued wailing that arose while the view was on the screen. A prosaic person said it was the lantern, but it sounded like au indignant ghost of one of the many martyrs executed in that dungeon and then thrown out through a square opening into the great sewer of Eome that led into the Tiber. • w * Another of the pictures was an underground passage used by the Roman Emperors to avoid the clients that used to dodge the imperial footsteps. Someone suggested that the same idea might be applied with advantage to ministerial lodging-places, especially in these times of revised tariff and many deputations. A pathetic interest was attached to a fine view of a Columbarium — a building honeycombed with pigeon-holes for holding the ashes of the dead. On the waljs were labels, and one pointed out by Dr Findlay indicated that the niche above contained the ashes of a little dog—" the pet of all the palace." This little touch of pathos seemed to bring the 19th Century and the

old Kornan times very close together. • # * According to Dr Findlay, and his remarks were apt after the recent parliamentary remarks on old bachelors, it was the unmarried men, not the husbands, who were crushed in the old Eoman times. It was considered the duty of every man to marry, and he gained by marriage all sorts of rights and privileges. For instance, the best places in the Colosseum were given to the benedicts, and the bachelors had to take back seats— literally. But the proudest position in a household was held by a father-in-law, who, Dr Findlay remarked, filled much the same office as the mother-in-law of to-day. He could actually walk into his son-in-law's house, and divorce the man and wife. But a Eoman father was a personage, and ruled his household in a manner that the benedicts of these days would marvel at. However, it is probable that, as the lecturer said, the women of the family had even then a good deal to say on all subjects. In Eoman betrothals, there was a deposit that in case of breach of promise was forfeited. • • * The Countess of Eanfurly was gowned in black chiffon and silk sparkling with jet, the Ladies Constance and Aileen wearing white frocks. Mrs Findlay had on white brocade, and Mrs Corliss black and jet. Lady Stout wore black and white, Mrs Wallis black with lace drapery on the bodice, and Mrs Brown black embroidered with steel. Mrs Fitchett had on a yellow brocade made with a tunic, with embroidery of amber and flame-colour. Mrs Crawford wore yellow satin with narrow bands of black velvet, Mrs Fell grey brocade, and Miss Eichmond black and white. Mrs Moorhouse was gowned in pink brocade, Mrs Carlile wore white brocade with jewelled trimming, Miss Coates a green brocade bodice with transparent sleeves, and a black silk skirt, and Mrs Abbott black satin and lace. Mr« Butt had on black brocade and white lace. • # * Mrs Easterfield wore white brocade and chiffon; Miss Pharazyn soft white material with chiffon ; Miss Sfcowe heliotrope silk and lace blouse, and black satin skirt, aud Miss M. Stowe geranium brocade blouse and black skirt. Miss Douglas 1 frock was of green muslin, and Miss M. Douglas wore amber and brown gauze. Mrs Butler had on pale blue silk with lace flounces, and Miss A. Johnston wore white satin. Miss Williams wore black silk with white lace, and Miss U. Williams black with transparent sleeves and sapphire passenterie. Miss Williams (Hawke'sßay), had on a grey-green satin with white. Mrs Arthur Bawson wore black silk with white lace, and Miss Eawson a pink gown. Miss Butts had on black with twists of emerald velvet, and her sister wore scarlet and silver. Mrs Herries wore green velours with jewelled embroidery, and pansies. Both Mrs Dyer and her sister, Miss Seddon, wore white silk. v * * There was a good deal of discussion in the House last week on the subject of physical drill for girls. One member — not a Wellington man —actually accused the girls ot the Empire City of slouching, and said, if the House wanted to see girls walk, it should go to America. Probably, now this suggestion has been thrown out — by a Government supporter — the Premier will organize a trip to America. Parliamentary tours are in vogue at present, and certainly a review of American girls, upright, free and easy, as they were described to us by their admirer, would be more attractive than the opening of an abattoir 1 If the girls of Welligton do not walk well, and I do not admit; the fact, it is probably because of our wretched roads. If a census were .taken of Jthe people with sore feet in Wellington, the numbers would be astonishing. We stumble day by day over coral reefs a misguided Corporation calls asphalte, we bang our poor toes against stones, and wade, in wet weather, through puddles that, year after year, form in the same old holes in the same old places on the very Quay itself. * » • Strangers who come to Wellington constantly complain of the havoc our socalled pavements wreak on their feet. And what is the play of wit, the feast of intellect, the outflow of hospitality, if one's feet feel about two yards square and one's boots only a yard and a half 1 Physical drill is all very well, but, if we are to walk well, let us have decent roads to walk on. Mr Monk suggested that girls should be made to carry pails of water on their heads to induce an easy carriage, and Mr Hogg proposed the teaching of dancing and deportment. Deportment, in the old-time sense of the word, is a lost art. Now and again, in some of the very few old ladies that survive, for there really are no old ladies now-a-daya, we see the sweet dignity and (Continued on Page 9.)

the dainty grace of an age that was taught the use of a backbone, and the science of curtseying. * * • An interesting picture in the latest Ladies' Field shows the First Commissioner of Weihaiwei, whose brother, Lieutenant Gaunt, was but recently here in H.M.S. Porpoise. Commander Gaunt is shown standing outside the Queen's Palace, a weird building with grotesque Chinese figures painted on the front of it, and approached by an imposing flight of steps. His wife, whom he married only fifteen months ago at Hong Kong, is sitting in a sort of litter borne by two Chinese. She is an Irish girl, pretty, popular, and a good artist. Commander Gaunt became Governor of Weihaiwei almost immediately it was ceded to England. While first lieutenant of the cruiser Narcissus of the China squadron, his alertness and presence of mind in manning a cutter saved the lives of five out of a boat-load of his comrades whose boat had been upset at the mouth of the Fish river, whither they had gone on a fishing excursion. His captain, a brother of Mr Lang, M.H.8., was among those who lost their lives. # * • It is curious how small even London is, and how New Zealanders adrift in the great metropolis stumble against each other. Miss Dorothy Quick is just now having a delightful time at Home. During Henley week she was staying at a lovely old place called Phyllis Court, a residence once associated with the merry Monarch himself. Its beautiful lawns and gardens slope down to the Thames. One day, while sitting reading near the river, Miss Quick looked up and saw, in a boat that was passing. Mr, Mrs and Miss Tolhurst. Tableau, very much vivant and also — probably— parlant. m • * The shops at present are just emerging from their chaos of red-ticketed bargains into the symmetry of their new spring shows. And verily a stroll through the lanes of dainty silks and muslins, or an hour spent in the vari-coloured forests of the latest spring hats, is time well spent. I feel sure that you agree with me Christabel, for I saw you actually peering into the sacred boxes in order to secure a hat before, so to speak, the dew of its freshness had been dispersed by the fierce and critical gaze of the public, or— what was more to the purpose — its ethereal wreaths of chiffon and soft plumes had been tossed by rude and irreverent hands. It is a revelation to watch a woman with a soul for the beautiful, as the milliner, with rapt gaze and tender fingers, draws the " very thing that suits " from its soft wrappings. There is a hushed breath, a look of ecstasy, a long-drawn Ah 1 of admiration as the chef d'ceuvre " is held up. And then the trying on — the soft pats of the waves of hair here and there, and the settling of the hat on the head while the milliner and the friend — there is generally a friend — walk round and gaze critically and pronounce it charming. Alas, there is always a thorn about life's coses, and when, possibly, you show that iiat to dear George, whom you naturally want to pay for it, be asks you if you n<ade it yourself ! And when you think to dazzle him with the effect and you put it on, he looks up from his newspaper and grunts a sort of approval which is qualified by the remark that he likes you better in your sailor hat. * V * Q'his is going to be a muslin summer, and the airiest and fairiest varieties are to be seen fit for Titania herself. Eosecolour strewn with pale-green leaves, blue scattered with poppies, marvellous effects of yellows, creams, and purplesit is absolutely perplexing to choose a sown among so many lovely patterns. Colonel John Hay, who is not only the United States Ambassador in London, but a vitty and wise poet, says :—: — " Maidims, why should you worry in choosing whom you should marry, Choose whom you may, you will find you have got somebody else." So, no matter how much you ponder over the choice of a frock, it is quite on the cards that, if not directly after the fatal scissors has cut off the length, at anyrate too late, too late, you will see something you like much better. This is a vale of tears, and contentment is a great gain. Yours truly, Phillida.

A very pretty wedding was celebrated in St. Thomas' Church, Newtown, on Monday afternoon, when Mr T. S. Young, Manager of the New Zealand Express Company's Wellington branch, was united to Miss Emily (Phillis) Hookham. The ceremony was performed by the Key. Otho FitzGerald, vicar of the parish. The bride, who was given away by her father, looked charming in figured silk lustre, with the usual wreath of orange

blossoms and veil. She was attended by Miss Cissy Hookhaiu and Miss Maggie McMahon, who were attired in white Indian linen over green, tucks and insertion, white Leghorn hats trimmed with tips and chiffon. The maids wore handsome gold brooches, and carried lovely spray bouquets, the gifts of the bridegroom. The bride's mother wore a dress of black figured crepon, with satin trimmings, bonnet of sapphire blue trimmed with white ospreys. The bridegroom was attended by Mr Brown, as best man, and Messrs. Kendry and Hookham, groomsmen. # # » A reception was held after the ceremony at the residence of the bride's parents, Eintoul-street. Among the guests were Mrs Sloan, attired in black merveilleux and silk lace ; Mrs Davies, fawn dress, white satin pearl trimmings ; Mrs Troup, grey costume, silk trimmings; Mrs Garod, black figured lustre, violet silk and white lace ; Mrs Leggett, black figured lustre, black silk trimmings; Miss Eaymond, black and white check, white silk trimmings ; Miss Edwards blue silk blouse, black skirt ; Mrs Keene black silk; Mrs Eeeves (Eketahuna), black silk, and white lace ; Mrs Peters, black, and silk trimmings ; Miss Dale, blue costume trimmed with white ; Miss Leggett, blue, and white silk front ; Mrs James, black lustre ; Mrs Jordan, green cloth costume ; Miss Henderson, black silk passementerie ; Mrs Warne, black silk ; Mrs Muir, ditto ; and many others. Among the guests were noticed the Hon. Lee-Smith, and Messrs Henderson, Griffiths, Muir, J. B. Gibson, Sloan, W. Brown, Troup, Keith, and others. • • * Amongst the very numerous gifts were a handsome marble clock and a silver teapot from the managers of the company's branches in New Zealand, and a substantial cheque from the directors, and a silver cruet and butter-dish from the local employees. The couple left in the afternoon for the Hot Lakes, where the honeymoon is to be spent. The bride's travelling dress was a splendidly-fitting fawn costume, sapphire blue collar, and black and white hat.