WOMAN'S WORLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 190, 23 September 1909, Page 1

WOMAN'S WORLD.

I Lady Dovothy Onslow, who recently ] became engaged to Mr. Edward Lindsay Wood, only son of Lord and Lady Halifax, follows the example of her sister, Lady Gwendolen Guinness, in carrying off one o( the great parties. Mr. Woods' aunt, the late Mrs. Meynell-lngram, let a large share of her enormous fortune and estates to this nephew; another nephew is Mr. Francis Meynell, woo married Lady Dorothy Leggc. .The , family of which Lord flaliiu.v is head h»n always liecn noted for the suitability of lis marriages, a fact the more. *o be appreciated inasmuch as he is the most uncompromising opponent of divorce oulside llie bench of bishops m the House of Lords. It was Lord Halifax, by the way, who recently told the Lords the story or the American child who said to her little friend: "We've gut a new papa, and I hear you've got our old one," a tale thai makes a capital second to Mrs. Glym's in lier Elizabeth and America book. Lady Halifax was Lady Agnes Courtenay, only daugliter of the eleventh E'nrl of Devon. Lady Dorothy Onslow, tall, slender, fair, anil pretty, is one of the most popular girls in society, She is also one of the most brilliantly educated, and, like her future husband, is interested in the serious side of life, but not to the exclusion of youthful pleasures. The wedding will probably take place in the early autumn f rom Lord and Lady Ohslow's house m Richmond terrace.

On "NV.v Notions" a contributor to a society paper says: Every season brings its new manners and customs. A marked in 1909 is the way in which girls invite their friends to a dance in their own nnmes and without, a chaperon in attendance. Girls, and even children, send out their own invitations and themselves receive their guests. Jewels have been worn by gins for some lime past, but an impetus t'o this mode has been given by Princess Alexandra, who appeared at her first Court ball wearing many diamonds aad some dine pearls that had been given to her on her eighteenth birthday by King Edward and Queen Alexandra. Early hours (in the morning) are a fad of the moment. Many people breakfast at U a.m., or even at 8.30 a.m.; ind luncheon at a smart house is at 1.30 p.m. instead of 2 p.m., as heretofore.

Certain rules 01" dress are obligatory at Koyal balls when honored by tli'o presence of his .Majesty 'the King. The term '"frock dress" now often appears in tlte papers. This means that plain evening dress, as usually worn by men, is 71 (jl permissible. If a "man has a right to wear a uniform all is well, but if not he must get himself up as follows:—He must don an everyday evening coat, with a white waistcoat, hut would wear blaek cloth breeches instead of trousers, "black 6ilk stockings', and black shoes with big buckles. Frock dress was much to the fore at the ball given recently by Lord and Lady fjondeaborough. And or. these occasions the women of the party are expected to appear in full evening drees, low-necked and with short sleeves and, if married, to wear tiarns or some other soit of jewelled hcad-orname-.it. High-necked and long-sleeved gownf, however smart, are entirely banned -U such courtly entertainments. The above rules are only in force when the Sovereign is present, and do not hold good with respect to other members of the Royal family.

According to a French doctor, blue has a most restful effect on nervous people. Ho keeps his patients in a blue atmosphere, blue glass, blue decorations, and blue furniture, and he relies on monotonous repetition, such as the ticking of a clock, to induce the sleep which is part of the treatment. Absolute silence is enjoined.

Shade blending is carried to a most artistic pinch at present in millinery and frocks. For instance, purple and palest mauve—n pink manve—is often combined. All pale frocks are wo 1 "!! with black or dark hats. Peach-colored linen is mucli in favor, and has always :i note of black in stock or tic.

London, women have had lamentably few chances of wearing their pretty summer gowns, of which—as the season opened with a burst of sunshine—they bought many. Cowes week—the last fixture at which beautiful gowns can be displayed--was notable for tlie noVelties seen. Foulard, the old-fashioned sill; with water spots, was much in favor, and many coais were made of it, generally blended with velvet and finished with the übiquitous turn-down collar and turn-up culTs of embroidered muslin. With these striking silks black hats go invariably.

| Natural tussore became so popular that the besl-dres6o&. -women are preferring colors, But the fiilk must 'oe coarse and ribbed, and in browns of ail shades this is most effective. Soutache braiding is often seen on tussore frocks, but embroideries—of which we have had such a lavish show—are not so much hi vogue as pin-tucks,' with which many of the newest coats are decorated.

Contrasting waistcoats of black satin, plain or embroidered, and often edged with narrow galons. give a charming effect to serge and Shantung coats.