Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 52, 29 June 1901, Page 10

S ocial Gossip

By Christabel.

Dear Christabel — OUR \\ eek of loyal excitement is over, and most people will be devoutly thankful for the peace and rest. Rain and fine laiment do not harmonize well, and many smart hats and frocks lost their lustre during the bad weather. Indeed, those who were wise went about in a macintosh, a hat, and an umbrella, and saved their best clothes for better times. It was, of course, a distinct loss to the Duke and Duehets not to see the economic souls in their best array, but it was a saving to the waterproofed ones in pocket. The vicious downfall of rain on Wednesday afternoon had much to answer for, and women still talk gloomily of their damp and dismal procession before Royalty It is to be hoped Royalty did not take those at that reception as a type of Wellington citizens and citizennesses, for many of the women felt uncurled and untidy, most of the men were damp, and all looked sad — not to say cross. Outside the front entrance, pitiful scenes were enacted Old ladies, with their skirts over their best bonnets, scudded along before the wind, looking foi any haven. Girls, with feathered hats and white gloves, looked at tlio rain with sad eyes, and envied the complacency of the footmen. Men were flying about with umbrellas, generally belonging; to someone else, and waterproofs, left in nooks and corners, got considerably mixed. It was funny, provided you were a policeman, and a grateful country supplied your uniform. ♦ • • The Duchess's smile has been made much of, and is certainly sweet, lighting up her face in a wonderful way. It is more frequent, too, than His Royal Highness's. " But it seems unkind to allude to it, as a Southern paper does, as her "famous" smile. The Duchess is exquisitely neat, and in this copies her beautiful mother-in-law. Her frocks at Rotorua were sensibly short, _ of thick material, and made almost plain — as, indeed, many of the Duchess's dresses are Her beautiful black gown, at the Government reception, was severely simple, and with a very short train, and a very little jet embroidery. • ♦ ♦ No one can accuse Wellington of being otherwise than loyal after last week. Ram wind, and mud notwithstanding, crowds lined the' streets, and stood for hours when Royalty was to pass. Even, when waiting and impatient, good manners and good temper prevailed To the children, the illuminations were a delight, and the fireworks much looked forward to The programme was elaborate, and the youngsters gloated over the items beforehand with intense expectation. One boy even cut it out to compare it with the entertainment. The show was disappointingly short, and shorn of all the interesting items * ♦ • One small urchin, who had lived for the last few days in hope& of the humorous device of the bicycle, did not conceal his disgust at its non-appear-ance. The war-boats, too, kept dismally dark and silent. Now and again, an extra light on one of them w ould arouse some languid excitement in the crowd, and there would be hopes of the electric entertainment commencing. Then some gloomy voice would say, "They're only going to bed that's all," and certainly nothing moie came. The watchers had perforce to be content with the illuminations, which were certainly exquisite enough to satisfy the most critical. The lovely tower of Government House, and the beautifully lit-up Post Office, were sights one never got tired of looking at. * * * The Bazaar has been a great success, and the arrangements were excellent. Time did not hang very heavy on the visitor's hands She could go and dip from the fairy well, a moss-wreathed erection dear to the children, plunge into the bian-tub, guess how many beans wore in tlio gla.ss bottle, drive a nail into a log or put a tail on the pie. If all these diversions palled, sho could sit in the theatre and watch a clever little play by the Dramatic Students, or some, dainty dancing by the children. And, then, she could round off the a f ternoon's entertainment with a cup of excellent tea and delicious cakes, serv-

Ed deftly by pretty waitresses in the Cafe Chantant, a much and worthily patronised resort at the Bazaar. In the intervals she might have had to say no about a hundred times to the girls getting up raffles, but it is much easier for a woman than a man to refuse a pair of pleading eyes and an entreating mouth Quite a feature of one of the stalls was a quantity of shades for lamps, candles, or electric lights. They were exquisitely made of the most delicate tints of silk, in the form of petals, and were much admired • • • Those who were privileged to peep into Fairyland on Saturday afternoon saw a charming picture of pretty children and graceful dancing. The oolours were arranged, and the dresses designed, most artistically, and the dancing of a tall graceful girl in white, and a pretty page in pink, was especially delightful. But two tiny children, one fair, the other dark, to use a boyish expression, carried off the cake, or rather the chocolates, boxes of which were handed up to them instead of the conventional, and less substantial, bouquet. Nothing could be more comical than the serious posturings, always quaintly late as regards time, and the grave faces of the babies, for they were little more. Their performance was received with shouts of laughter, and I daresay they wondered why their audience were so amused. They evidently treated it in a very serious light. • * * The cold weather has been anything but suitable for white dresses, and some of the stall-holders must have felt the change in the temperature keenly. It vras strange to see girls going about with sealskins and fur capes over their muslin frocks. One damsel, in white, pursued the tenor of her way with her hands in a muff. The Cafe Chantant, notwithstanding its cozy look, was a very frigid place. [Continued on Page 11.]

A shop on Lambton Quay has the most gorgeous of shows in one of its windows at present. It is filled with magnificent Oriental embroideries on cloth, velvet, or satin, in gold, silver, silk, and jewels They are evidently intended tor table-centres and table covers. One, in black and silver, was very exquisite, though, perhaps, too sombre a combination to take most people's fancy. A wine-coloured strip, nchly embroidered in gold and silver thread, was extremely handsome. The window and its beautiful contents have attracted much admiring attention. • • • The Princess frock of twenty years ago, and called, by the way, after the Princess of Wales, is not creeping much into feminine favour again. It requires a good figure and a first-class dressmaker, and this is a happy, but rare, combination. Some of the newest skirts are much trimmed about the hips, and flare out considerably below the knees. One of the prettiest of the frocks at the Government House Reception was of pale grey soft &ilk, gathered apparently, into the belt, the tiny folds being confined by rows of steel embroidery at intervals below the waist. It had a quaintly pretty effect on the slim figure. * * * Notwithstanding the lain, the bestowal of the medals in front of the Parliament Buildings was an impressive sight, and watched by a very large number of people. Women thought nothing of standing in the wet, and on the damp grass, to see their relations and friends get their well-deserved honours. Many hearts ached over those troopers who limped or showed signs of their sufferings. Oui returned boldiers, some with their picturesque cloaks swung like stunted Court trains from their shoulders, were greeted very kindly by the crowd on the reception day. They, the navals, the veterans, and the Highlanders, shared the honours of the day — after Royalty and its entourage. » « » It is a pity that one got such fleeting glimpses of the gorgeously-uniformed staff. Just enough was seen to make us long for more. Gold lace, silver breast-plates, shining helmets, and tossing plumes, are a decided change from the dreary khaki. But, after all, it is the khaki that has served us in time of need, and glitter and grandeur are reserved for times of piping peace. Yours truly. Phillida.

The engagement is announced of Miss C. E Howlett, of Wellington, to Mr. F. Wade, of Auckland. * * * Miss Kate Best, the w ell-known Auckland songstress who has recently come to Wellington to hve, made her local debut at the Cafe Chantant of the Maoriland Bazaar on Saturday evening. She gave "Douglas Gordon," with sweet and touching expression, and produced a most iavourable impression. Miss Best's method is artistic. Her voice is a mezzo-soprano of excellent quality, good compass, clear in timbre, and of much flexibility. It is to be hoped she will be heard frequently on the concert platform m Wellington. * * * A noted actress, renowned for her jewels and dresses, is startling San Francisco with the latest thing in fads. She cannot display enough jewels by ordinary methods, so she has had her finger nails toughened and bored, and appears in Society and on the stage with a diamond pendant hanging from each finger nail, five gems set in her thumb, and a large jewel fastened by chains to the back of her hand. * * * Edna May, the beautiful "Belle of New York," is scoring tremendous successes in London, partly on account of her talent and beauty, and partly on account of her marvellous costume. This is the way a critic describes Miss May s latest creation —"She wears a clinging robe of yellow crepe all a-ghtter with aai embroidery of gold and girdled with a chain of diamonds, while a wreath ot golden laurel leaves crowns her looselyflowing hair. Her only ornament is a gold neck-chain, so fine as to be almost invisible, but bearing the precious burden of two great pendant diamonds, which blaze out on the white neck of their lucky wearer in such fashion as to make every woman in the audience envious. Edna also appears in the dress of a 'boy,' with a 'blue and white striped jersey' that follows every curve ot her slim, corsetless figure." * * • A very pretty wedding was quietly celebrated at St. Paul's Church, Auckland, on June 15th, when Mr. Sydney B. Shortt, eldest son of Mr W. F. Shortt, Wellington, was married to Miss H T. Curran, of Ponsonby, Auckland. Canon Nelson was the officiating clergyman. # Mr. W. F. Shortt entertained about one liundied friends at a delightful ouchro party, last Monday evening, the guests of the evening being Mr.

The prevailing fashion in hats i& bent-about gems, that look veiy much as though they had been subjected to a severe wetting and had never gone straight again. The newest styles from abroad are those that protrude well over the eyes, and with the trimming placed very flat at the back. They are giddylooking arrangements. One or two that I have seen would make the mo&t staid-looking person appear absolutely rakish, and they are not too becoming, but, of course, there is no reason why they should not become popular, so long as they are "the latest thing." Nothing else matters then. • • • For young girls with pretty hair, one of the new fads ought to be a very acceptable one, more especially for a concert or theatre. It is to have a hat composed of flowers and muslin or tulle, without any crown. The hair must be dressed high on the head, and arranged so as to show well at the top coming out from under a flower wreath. The idea of this fad can be carried out well in any sort of flower, and is particularly pretty in violets, made up in tulle of a suitable shade.

Mrs. Beaumont, the wife of the new Admiral, promises to be a gieat social success in the colonies. She is fond of gaiety, and loves to gather as many people as possible round her. She dresses exquisitely, and is a well-read and tasteful woman, who is sure to be the leader m all society functions. She hails from Boston, where she has relatives. The Admiral's god-child, a Miss Rawson, accompanied Mrs. Beaumont from England. • • • The newest notion in jewel adornment is to twist strings of pearls in the hair, and if this is neatly and artistically done, the effect is excellent, especially when the hair is dark. This is really an old fashion revived, as a glance at books of beauty or portraits of ancestresses will easily prove. It is by no means necessary to use real pearls , indeed, many people consider that contact with the hair injures the beauty of valuable pearls. * ♦ • Then, have you heard of the new idea in bracelets 3 When no sleeves, or the shoilest sleeves, aio worn in the even-

Sydney Shortt and his bride, in honour of whose "home-coming" the reception was given. "Shotley," Mr. Shortt's residence, was beautifully decorated for the occasion. The spacious verandahs which surround the house were enclosed, carpeted, and daintily furnished, and being lighted with Japanese lanterns formed cosy and picturesque drawingrooms. Euchre was played until 11 o'clock, when a sumptuous supper, catered by Mr. G. Mawson, was enjoyed. The health of the bride and bridegroom, was proposed by Mr Chas. Wilson, in a very appropriate speech, in which he set forth his knowledge of the bridegroom, who was at one time his pupil. The Rev. W. C. Waters, vicar of St. Peter's Church, very kindly called in during the evening, and congratulated the happy couple. # * * After supner, the very handsome prizes were presented to the lucky winners. The gentleman's prize was a silver flask, and the lady's a pair of mother-of-pearl opera glasses. Music and dancing wa& then indulged in Those who contributed were-^-Messrs. Hutton brothers, cornet and violin and 'cello; Mr. McGlashan, violin solo, the Misses Wills. Harbro, Randall, and Grady contributed songs , and recitations by Dr. Scott and Mis® Watson were much enjoyed. The numerous and costly presents received by the bride and bridegroom were displayed, and were greatly admired. Three hearty cheeis for the host and hostess, who had so n°-ht royally entertained their friends, brought the evening to a close. Faced cloths of any shade is excellent for evening wear, and a rather pretty idea is to have them made something like the old-fashioned waterproof, with a long upper cape, the yoke portion being braided in silver. For younger girls, with limited means, cloaks of nun's veiling are serviceable, but these would have to be wadded for the winter, and they could have little hoods lined with silk and two or three little capes edged, perhaps, with either ruchings of silk or flat roses to correspond in colour, while the inside of the hood would also look well lined with roses.

In a chatty letter, which I have received from a Wellington lady who went to Melbourne for the Commonwealth festivities, I am told that some of the very stylish people there are braving the mourning order, and going in for ivory and white confections. In the former, ivory cloth, with many appliques of Cluny lace and cream woollen embroideries, is greatly favoured. A gown fashioned on these lines, with some touches of black about it, and a hat of black with ermine and black chiffon choux, quite took my correspondent's fancy. It was worn by a woman with a good figure, and displayed, when the skirt was lifted, a petticoat of black with innumerable silken frills. * * * The popular style for coat and skirt includes the bolero, or else a tight-fitting coat, reaching nearly to the three-quar-ter length, and a skirt inclined towards fulness, especially at the bottom. All tailor-made skirts are made to touch the ground in the front and to trail two or three inches at the back. The long skirt is actually no more difficult to manipulate out of doors than the skirt which just touches the ground. The favourite materials of the hour for the coat and skirt are frieze and faced cloth, the preference being slightly in favour of the former. In colour it seems that the light pastel shades of last season have given place to richer tones of golden brown, olive-greens, turquoise-biues, and various shades of red. All these tints, particularly the pinks and the blues, require the most careful additions of trimmings. They must be oither lace (that lovely o!d yellow shade) or black glace silk. If you were to attempt to put heavy velvet with these artistic tones you would at once ruin the smart effect required or desired. • * • Then, there is the blouse, which, like the poor, is ever with us. My friend remarks the graceful effect which is obtained with this article of attire. The secret of this lies in the waist tape, whicb is usually of webbing, and is fixed at the back, and then drawn round tightly in a downward slant to the front, where it is also pinned on to tho stays. This does away with the "sloppiness"' that is so often noticed upon the average shirt-wearing woman.

ing, a pretty fashion is to have a wide band bracelet to wear between the elbow and shoulder. The upper part of a woman's arm is often far more Tbeautiful than the forearm, and a close-fitting bracelet emphasises this fact. These ornaments are sometimes jewelled, but as often made of a plain band of dull gold. A recent bride had a bracelet of diamonds, set close together and very flat, given her to wear in this effective manner. • # ♦ In evening dress, black for young matrons is still well in the foreground. How do you like the idea of a black tucked silk muslin and Chantilly lace — the lace being encrusted with a few sparkling sequins? That is mentioned as a costume which took my gossip's fancy. The general rule is that the skirt shall be long and trailing, and the material soft and gracefully draped.

The Roman Empire, nigh forgotten, Once exeicised a mighty sway, But like some buildings old and rotten, Was left to crumble and decay. The human body needs attention, In order to long life assure, For coughs and colds we've but to mention W. E. Woods' Great Peppermint Cuke.