Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 63, 14 September 1901, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

Dear Christabel — THK Laches' Galleiy was decoiatod one afternoon last week by Madame Darto, who looked as out of place as a butterfly in a classical library. I was going to wnte museum, but theie aie plenty of butterflies in museums — on pins. It was little wonder the grave and re\eiend signois below had their attention distracted from the finances of the colony to the radiant figure in a Parisian gown of pale grey voile, with trelhswork insertions of cicam. Fiom tho gold knob of hei daintj paiasol to tho string of blue beads round hei ne»k, she was coquettishlv perfect * ♦ * She took a good deal of interest in tho members, too but ceitainly not moie than they did ih her The fame of her frocks, by the way, has quite eclipsed that of hei dancing, wonderful though tho latter may be Like every true Pansicnne, she knows how potent is tho charm of a dainty petticoat. Someone saw hei on a wet aftot noon, shiouded m a dull waterproof, but as she tripped along, and raised her tiock, theie was a beautiful shimmer of rose silk frills that gladdened tho dreary day Her f rocks aie said to be created — that is the correct term— by Worth, a name that has a halo of glory around it to any self-respecting female. * * * Tho golf links at Miramar now pio-!-ent a busy scene on Satuiday afternoons Last Satin day a, mixed pans handicap was played, and resulted in a tio betw eon Mr Buchanan and Miss Cooper , Mi Duncan and Miss Johnston and Mr. Gore and Mrs. Harold Johnston, who were all two up on the Colonel. * * * Seveial of oui best playeis intend proceeding to Auckland foi the championship mooting. Amongst them will bo Messis Arthur Duncan, F. S. Hodson, W Higginson, and E S. Peaiee, of tho Wellington Club, and Mi W Prydo, of the Hutt Club Mr Duncan is the piesont champion, and Mr Pivdo is ox-champion so that Wellington piomiico should gno a good account ot itself V nuniboi of lady pla\ ers aio also going fiom here for tho Ladies' Championship meeting * * * Tho handsome silvei cup -which will bo known as the Ranfuily Cvp — piesented by His Kxcellencj the Govemoi, w a.s on mow on Satuiday, and was \ cry much admncd It is absolutely plain, and ot \eiv giacetul design It will be pi .nod foi annualU in a men's handicap pans match * * * What do >ou tlunk ot this foi a spimg fiotk, worn bj «vi exquisitely beautiful woman the Duchess oi Wcstininstei who used to bo Miss Comwalhs West J It wa.s oi white \el\et, ot a. u'iv tlun kind, made low in the neck, and tucked all over the body, back and front and sleeves the skirt very' long, was also tucked all round the bottom, and finished inside with three little pinked flounces of pale pink silk a. white feather boa was thrown caiele<-s-lv round hei neck, but not closed in front, so that one saw the beautiful necklace of pearls and the great diamond ornament at the neck Hei pictuio hat seemed to consist of folds of \ehot and two groat blacjk feat hois, fastened on tho oxticmo edge ot tho l)i im b\ a long buoklei made of paste Tins gown was worn at a flow ci show so that it had a sotting wortln of its pieturcsquonoss A very haunting pictuio indeed is Mr Leodham's Despair" One would like to passess it because of its artistic strength, but it would bo difficult to decido whoio to hang it. It is fai fiom being .1 di aw mg-ioom pictuie, and it would take ,\\\ ,w one's appetite it hung m the dnung-ioom Howo\or, it h<i.s boon bought In an admiier, whoso spnlts lot us hope, will not bo dashed b\ the gloom of Ins acquisition In tho photograph, ' Her Fust Ball," a. dam sol in gala, dross is getting out of a cainago in broad daylight She inusf have been ovei anxious to anno Otul> In Wellington wise gn Is usiialU get to a dance be foi o tho stated time — to avoid tho ciu^h, of com so but the.\ do

The Countoss of Ranfurly has issued lm itations for an "At Home" at Government House on Thursday afternoon * * * A vciy pleasant final evening was spent at the Ait Gallery, when Mr. Malcolm Ross showed a fine series of pictures of Samoa, and the recently annexed islands, explaining them to aji interested audience. The Governor and the Countess of Ranfurly were present. Lady Ranturly, after the lecturo. went round the gallery with Mr. Brandon, the president of the Society, and looked at the many fine photographs. , . . She was diessed in a trailing black gown, with a folded satin belt and transparent white yoke and collar. Her picturesque wide black hat had black feathers on it, and she woie a black satin white-lined coat, with a high-col-lar covered with lace It was a very rough night, but even then the attendance was good Among the audience were Mi-, and Mrs. Tolhurst, Mr. Molesworth Tolhurst, Miss Denniston, Dr. and Mrs Fitchett, Mr. and Mrs. Gifford, the Miss Davys, and Mr. T. Young, as we'l as many of the photographic enthusiasts of Wellington. * ♦ ♦ Miss Mary Denniston, from Christchurch, is at present a guest of Mrs. Tolhurst's. * * * The Ladies' Gallery was overflowing on Tuesday evening, when a lively time over the breach of privilege case was expected The ladies were thronged in the doorway, and disconsolate ones, unable to get a foot in, wandered about the passage or sat on the step. They could hear, though they could not see, for the voices were raised in high feeling ovei the topic of Mr. Cohen's conduct, and the question at issue seemed at times lost sight of because of the side-issues introduced. But the w omen who endured the discomfort of the crowded gallery and the horror of the atmosphere, seemed to enjoy their evening and hung over the ledge in mute attention. The culprit, himself, his rosy face and grey hair thrown up in high relief against the green baizo background, was the subject of much feminine interest. We grumble about our weather now and then, but London has it* bad times too. In July the city was flooded, and an extraordmarv sight was witnessed at Liverpool-street and Broad-street stations in consequence of the sudden thunderstorm. Hundreds of people were huddled together, waiting for the lam to stop. Suddenly, from all points, came a cry of '•Umbrellas, two and sixpence sound umbrellas, two and sixpence'" and, in less time than it takes to say it, people were struggling to snatch up the protectois. Houndsditch had risen to the occasion, and in less than three minutes from the outbreak of the storm they had turned out six men with 700 umbrellas, and these were all sold in half-an-hour at prices ranging from two and sixpence to five shillings. It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. * * * Quite the latest craze is the 'facebook." Quotation and autograph and pig-albums are out of fashion. The new idea is for your friends each to draw a head of some kind— girl, man, child, or animal. If the results aie not artistic, they will be at least amusing. Of course the artists' names must be, nolens volens, affixed to the pictures. The result will be a most interesting, amusing, and, if you number among your friends any artists, charming album. Yours truly, Phillida.

The Students' Society entertained the students of Victoria College at one or their pleasant social evenings on Saturday lafet. The first part of the evening was. spent in progres&ive euchre, and, after a delicious supper, dancing was indulged in till midnight. Seveial prizes were presented to the successful euchio players, the first ladies' prize, a gold brooch, falling to Miss M. C. Ross, the second (two jewelled hat-pins) to Mrs Longton, while the third (a siher thimble) fell to Miss Edwards The successful gentlemen were Mr Longton, Mr. J. Stout, and Mr. de la Maae The boobies were Mr. R Beere and Miss Roberts. # » • Among those present were Miss Ros«, in cream striped silk , Mrs. Longton, blue silk blouse, black silk skirt, Miss Kdwards, cream silk, trimmed with gold lace. Miss Roberts, black silk, with black lac© sleeves and yoke , Miss Griffiths, white and pink silk blouse, trimmed with sequins, black silk skirt. Miss Fleming pale green silk blouse, black skirt Miss N Fleming, white silk , Mis&i Tasker, black velvet, Mis*> Van Staveren, cieam silk. Miss Playei, white muslin trimmed with white satin Miss Walters, white silk Miss Hales white silk Miss McLean, pale blue silk blouse, black silk skirt Miss Tuoinaii, cream cashmere Miss Hvanis, wink-, muslin.

Among the gentlemen present were Professors Brown and Maclaunn, Messrs. Longton, Stout, De la Mare, Beore, Henderson, Foley, London, Anderson, Van Stavoren, Thomson, Quartley, Kirkcaldie, Burns, Graham, Robertson, and Rose. * * * The fancy for chains and baubles still exists, but I doubt whether the nevf industry of bead-stringing for ladies will gain much popularity. Barbaric uncut atones of value, in cunously-wrought gold chains, are in themselves things of beauty, but surely a lot of coloured beads strung together cannot add to the effect of a good frock, though they remind us of doll-dressing in our childhood days. * * * Lace is to have it& reign tins year. Honiton and Maltese will be favourite makes, although both are rather costly. Lighter makes, of course, will appear on the "simple, muslin, frock," which, to the masculine mind, appears so inexpensive and ideal. * * * A new material, which took my fancy gicatly, is the "Louisme silk." I saw two pretty pieces, suitable for blouses , one, a heliotrope, threaded with gold, and patterned by a spray of brown, the whole overspread by a sheen which throws the colour into shadow. The other was grey, with oriental design and colourine softened by the same sheen that made the other silk novel. * ♦ * Very tempting models are to be found in the millinery departments of our leading houses. Everything is flat, and flatness is a novelty. Colours are very subdued and restful to the eye. Blue seems a favourite one Chiffon and tulles will still be much worn, and goldthreaded lace and sequins put in an appearance on the most "chic." Magpie contrasts are still in favour, and always w ill be now lovely woman has found out how becoming they are. A pretty hat, in three colours, of rich white crinoline, had an aureole brim of black glace, stitched with white, with a swathed trimming of white tulle and black glace forming long Alsatian-like hoops to the front, centred with a brilliant steel buckle. » ♦ » I notice a leaning among my friends towards transparent, yokes for spring, and although they may be very becoming, the woman who wears them on a scorching day will present a mottled appearance shoud she happen to appear m evening dress afterwards. A light lining of double or single chiffon, or light glace silk, is a great improvement, and gives a "body" to the yoke, removing the appearance of dragging. It is almost impossible to mount the rest of the blouse on an unlined yoke, and I advise all amateur dressmakers not to attempt the task. I have seen a great number of models during my pilgrimages through the shops, and find that the main decorations consist of tuckings, insertions of lace and appliques of guipure. The materials most in favour are glace in every shade, plain or figured, white or ivory China and Japanese silks, and a revival— grass lawn. This last fabric inlet with beige or pure white insertions makes most delightful blouses, and will be one of the most favoured of fabrics. * * * Quite the latest thing in skirts is the "Corselet." It is mad© either of silk or satin, with a shaped piece fitting tightly round the hips, reaching about a foot from the waist, cut either plain, in points, or in scollops. To this the rest of the skirt is fixed, tucked, or pleated to five or six inches of the hem, and it is allowed to flow out round the feet. When the corselet joins the skirt, a band of insertion is arranged A beautiful model can be arranged by having the corselet of some firm fabric, the rest of the skirt taking the form of tucked moussehne-de-soie, or chiffon, mounted over the same material. The insertion would look very well run through with narrow black ribbon velvet. This mode is a very favoured one just at present, and makes a little break in the monotony of the ''straight up and down" ball toilettes. # The tight s'eeve is doomed. A modification of the "bishop" sleeve has already appeared, and puffs are cropping up occasionally No doubt it will revive the tendency to exaggeration, although ifc is early yet to speak of the change. * • • A lady, writing from Sydney, tells me bridal gowns are being made en Pnrv^ ce«se, with transparent yokes or laco bolero. They are particularly graceful for a slight figure. Bridal gowns are much bpdecked with trails of orange blossom, and myrtle. Gloves are frequently dispensed with, the long sleeves with overhanging lace making them unnecessary. For spring, head gear promises somo enchanting designs. A lady, recently arrived from Sydney — the Paris of colonial fashion — has treated me to a pn\atee view of a delightful toque. It

was in a shade of buttercup, the orown entirely of little frills of gold tissue, the edge of chiffon in the i,ame tone, alternating with rows of satin straw, and formed into large open roses. It was finished with a bandeau, on which was arranged a bow of black ribbon ye vet. It's smartness was most convincing. * • * Her fellow-traveller, a charming blonde, wore a pink "plateau" Cuba straw, quite devoid of ornament, but with rows of tucked white chiffon beneath, daintily held in. position by wide bands of cream applique. ■* * * An original device, also from Sydney, but claiming Paris for its birthplace, was in blue fancy straw, with a "small" crown, trimmed with Beige lace, pink roses, and black ribbon velvet. # * ♦ A Wellington matron, always charmingly attired, has literally blossomed forth with the coming spring in a smart Princess bonnet, formed of lace wings edged with jet, divided by lines of white roses. Tulle strings and a long osprey completed this alluring confection.

not cairy ultra-punctuality as far as the photogiaphcd debutante. 1 However, I suppose darkness would hav-e hidden her ehaims, and a flash-light spoilt them, so we arc "bauld tae complain " ( Coul timed on Page 11 )