Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 43, 27 April 1901, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

DtAR C HUIS I ABEL — FROM news just come to hand, I leain tliat the Duchess of Cornwall's chesses, although in evciy instance sa\e one entirely black, are perfectly beautiful. The only garment which has a touch of white is the mantle to be worn at the opening of tho Commonwealth Pdihament. This has white chiffon frills under black chiffon, and a lining of white satin. * * Two Or three of tho evening gowns are of moiro, stuped or brocaded, opening in front over petticoats of chiffon or frothy frills of net or tulle. Gauze, embroidered w ith black carnations, comprises one lovely evening dress, the flounce, run with many rows of gauze ribbon, being headed with bunches of carnations. A soft black satin is draped with lace and garlanded with cherries, the bodice crossing to the left side, with folds of jetted lace, and clusters of chomes decorate one of the short sleeves. All the belts worn by the Duchess are slightly pointed in front. Some of the frocks are made in the style of 1830. In every instance the skirts are elaborately trimmed, large collars of lisse or embroidery appear on many day-dresses, and double sleeves are worn. All the dresses have been made at one house, the Maison Frederic, and, wherever it was possible, British or Irish materials have been used. Mrs. Keeler, who was visiting Wellington last week, sketches in pen and ink most exquisitely. Unfortunately, the weather was not at all what it might have been during her stay, but one view of our city — taken from the Duco, and looking towards the Post Office — made a charming picture. A study of tree-ferns, plants that Mr. and Mrs. Keeler have seen nowhere else, and were great ly delighted with, was a most artistic and faithful piece of work. Nothing at all like Mrs. Keeler's illustrations is done here, but we have seen and admired similar examples in the American magazines. Her aunt was the foundress, and is still the editress, of St. Nicholas, the most beautiful and artistic of childien's magazines. • « • Mr. Keeler's ideas on art in the house have been widely discussed. Unpaanted or varnished wood, unpapered walls, tho rafters of the roof showing, great hospitable chimney - pieces — all these are very charming, but in Wellington one has to be content with a very difiercnt style of house, and be thankful to get it, even at a ruinous rental. If you informed a landlord that his ideas of art wore wrong, and you could not live with paint, paper, and varnish, he would ask you to try somewhere else. He could easily get someone whose artistic conscience was more elastic. Mr. Keeler has a very fine profile and very keen blue eyes, that match his satin necktie exactly. He wears a picturesque sombrero, a turned-down collar, and his hair long, and parted in the middle. Why do Americans usually part their hair in the middle? • * * May white, with a modicum of black — say a white glace-, with knots of black velvet — be called half-mourning? That is a question that is agitating Society at present, and which is not likely to be answered, till Lady Ranfurly returns. The general opinion is that the frock must be a combination of black and white, with a preponderance of the former. From a London letter, received by last mail, I hear that women are beginning to wear purple, with touches of white. The writer puts it quaintly, "The darkness that brooded over the dress of men and women is becoming less deadly, especially in the latter Purple, above, below, and around, is becoming very popular, and women look very smart in it." • ♦ • What a delightful place the Wellington Golf Club tea-room is on a fine afternoon' Thanks to the liberality of members, the walls are being decorated with pictures, the last art donation being a large portrait of the King. The chairs are comfortable, especially after a long game, and the tea and homemade scones and cakes, dispensed by the pleasant-faced, white-aproned caretaker, most delicious.

On Saturday, when the sunshine tempted one to go out, a large number

of golfers were at Miramar. Some novices were being initiated, and were more or less depressed, according to the lesults. Golf is one of those deceptive sports that look easy till you begin to play. Captain Madocks rode out with Mis. Balfour, his sister, and Mr. Balfo»r, who are at present visiting Wellington. Miss Coates drove out, Mr. Coates and Mr. Embling riding. Miss Dean came with Mrs. and Miss Medley. In a recent number of the "Post," a house is advertised to let for some months. It is stated to be completely furnished in every particular, "young children excepted." It is quite a novel idea to consider children as part of the necessary furniture of a house, though even the harassed mother of many would rather part with her chairs and tables than one of her chicks. It is possible the prospective proprietor pio tern, of this desirable furnished house will raise no objection to the fact that there are no children to let with In a letter by last mail from a lady who used to live in Wellington, the following particulars are set down concerning the large afternoon tea given by Mrs. W. P. Reeves, to meet Lady Ranfurly, who was leaving for Wellington the next week. There was a large crowd of New Zealandeis present at the function. The Countess of Ranfurly looked very handsome in a black frock, with a very large picture hat. Mrs. Pole Penton was very smartly dressed, and looked extremely well. Lady Glasgow and two of her daughters came, Mrs. Orr-Ewing (Lady Augusta) looking thin, but extremely pretty. Miss Githa Williams was with them. Mrs. Wason w r ore a grey tweed skirt, and a short velvet coat. Miss Louie Halse, Mrs. G. Beetham, Miss Johnstone, and Mrs. Harry Vogel were among the guests. * * * It is not generally known that Queen Victoria, as she was carried to her last resting place, was dressed in the same white satin gown she wore on her wed-ding-day. It is also stated that all the rings and other jewels given her by the husband she so dearly loved lie buried with her at Frogmore. » • • The very latest theatre coats are of black lace, lined with black silk. Lace and embroidery are to be seen everywhere, on every kind of garment, and combined with fur and feathers. Many of the new black frocks are being cut a trifle low at the neck, and are finished by a Vandyked real lace collar, which, in its turn, is completed by a jetted band round the throat. * • • When colours are to be worn again, navy - blue, combined with orchidmauve, emerald green, or deep orange, will be fashionable. Buttons of late have become trifles of importance, and the embroidered button bids fair to out-do the gold one in popularity. * ♦ * Nearly all evening costumes are completed by the huge rosette of chiffon or tulle, worn generally at the left side. Long ends depend from this almost to the foot of the skirt. The pretty, oldfashioned mode of the satin or brocade skirt, opening in front over a dainty frilled lace or net petticoat, is being revived. Some of the Duchess of Cornwall's lovely evening gowns are made in this style. (Continued on Page 11.)

The Orchestral Society gave its second concert of this season on Monday and Tuesday evenings last. Amongst those present were Lady Stout, wearing black , Mrs. Embling, black satan ; Mi's. W. Gill white muslin, lace fichu, Mrs. Fitchett, cioam lace frock, large black volvet bow on left shoulder, Mrs. J. Tinle black satin, Miss G. Richardson, soft blue bilk, white chiffon fichu, Mrs. Lawrence Watkins, black, with transparent yoke and sleeves , Miss Watkins, white, niuslin Mrs. Sprott, black silk, her daughter dainty white frock lace yoke Miss Harcourt, soft wlate chitton blouse, silk skirt , Miss Hislop, black satin, with pink flowers, Miss B. Mislop, blue silk blouse, draped with white lace. Miss Morrah, black, Miss Grace Morrah, pretty blue silk frock, Miss K. Knkcaldie, crimson silk blouse, white lace collai Mrs Harrison, pink silk blouse Mis Miles, very handsome opera cloak and black brocade , her daughters, were in white muslin Mis.s Widdop, blue, draped with black lace, Mrs and Miss Riley, the latter in pink silk frock. Miss Frazier was wearing white satin, with chiffon sleeves. Miss Prouse, cream brocade, Miss Connie P rouse, white muslin and old gold sash • • • The now ladies' hockey club the "Aorangi " commenced play last Monday. The membeis' list is long, and contains some leally good players so, altogether the club promises to bo a <r lO at success. Miss Maggie Simpson has been elected captain, and Miss Macintosh secretary, for the coming season. # # The Aorangi uniform is both smart and becoming— sky blue blouses, with black skirts, ties, and tam-o'shanters. • * * Mis H. B. Mason opened the dancing season for her assemblies with a very successful ball, at the Druids' new hall, in Taranaki-street, on Friday last week. There were about one hundred couples present, and a very pleasant evening was spent. Ihe hall was very prettily draped in red white and blue, and these colours blended with the dresses of the ladies to form a very bright and charming tout ensemble. First-class music was discoursed by Mr. King's string band, and Messrs. Bedall and Rosenberg carried out the duties of M.C's. to the entire satisfaction of the guests. • • • Among those present were —Mrs. Seddon, black satin, trimmed with jet passementerie, relieved with white , Miss May Seddon, becoming white silk ; Mrs. Cooper, black and white Mrs. Lolly black, lace transparent sleeves; Mrs. Wilson, a lovely white broche, handsome pearl trimmings, diamond necklace, Mrs. Morris, pink satin, handsomely trimmed; Mrs. black velvet, trimmed with white chirfon and pearls, Mrs. G. Little, cream dress, trimmed with lace and maroon velvet necklace of brilliants, Miss Davidson (Kumara), rich duchess satin, trimmed profusely with brilliant steel sequins, a strikingly handsome dress, Miss Maude Mason (Auckland), white silk trimmed with dainty white silk lace ; Mrs. Pudney, pink satinette with pearl trimmings, Miss Barr, black duchess satin, trimmed with jet, Miss Gyles, white cashmere, black bebe ribbon Mrs. Schoch, black satin, with overskirt of lac© embroidered with white silk, Miss Smith, blue bengaline, Miss C Hunwick, white, trimmed prettily with niched chiffon, Mrs. H. B. Mason, black brocade, with moonlight sequin lace trimmings, Miss A very, white muslin and lace. Miss Robertson, black velvet and chiffon, Miss Simmonds, blue nuns' veiling with white silk trimmings, Miss Sherwood, black and red, Miss Wright, purple dress draped overskirt, with cream lace,' Mrs. Benge, black silk grenadine Miss Benge, black silk, Miss Philpot, pink silk, with white transparent sleeves, Miss A. Philpot, white silk and lace. • • * Miss Recce, pretty white net dress, Miss Conrick, white lawn, with lace insertion , Miss E. Robinson, pink merveilleux Miss Naughton, pink cashmeie, swansdown trimming, and gieen passementerie Miss Levy, neat white silk frock, black jet traninings , Miss Spedding, blue silk grenadine; Miss Powell, whte muslin, trimmed with silk in the form of true lovers' knots. Miss Devonport, yellow silk, trimmed with black silk and steel, Miss Hales, handsome green and white check silk, trimmed with white satin , Miss Shoneberg, pretty white muslin frock, Miss Hamilton, pink cashmere relieved with white silk, Miss E. Hamilton, cream silk- Mrs. Futter, black and white silk' Miss Johnson, heliotrope draped bodice and skirt, with cream lace, Miss Colvett, black watered silk, sparkling green trimmings, Mrs. Alexander, white silk crepone, with white lace transparent sleeves , Miss Yuille, lemon silk trimmed with handsome black jet embroidery, Miss Doran, white surah silk bodice, trimmed with pearls, white lustre skirt, Miss J. Naughton, white silk, chiffon ruching iclievcd with green sequin trimming.

Mrs. Pitt, from Auckland, is staying with Miss Coates. Mrs. Weymouth, from Chnstchuroh, ls a guest of Mrs. Eicheibaum's. Captain Alexander left by the Monowai last week, for Sydney, where he will meet Lady Ranfurly and the Ladies Constance and Eileen Knox. The Misses Fergus, who have been visiting Wellington for some months, have returned to Dunedin. THE FIGHTING REWARDS.