THE LADIES

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 81, 1 April 1882, Page 41

THE LADIES

Bronze, gold, and purple are the combinations for elderly ladies. It is rumoured that no less than thirteen teachers, under the Auckland Board of Education, are to be dismissed. Several old identities have returned to Auckland lately. Amongst them Thomas Shepherd, Esq., only son of the late Colonial Secretary when Auckland was a Crown Colony. He is accompanied by his wife. Mrs McCosh Clark gave a lawn-tennis party last Saturday, which was attended by many distinguished visitors. Amongst these were Mrs and. the Misses Whitakev, who have returned from their long sojourn at Waiwera. Velveteen is more fashionable than ever, being found so serviceable — that is, if the best qualities are chosen, and it is a great mistake to buy any other. Brown is the favourite colour, but blue, dark green, and ruby, aie much used. We understand that His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh is engaged in composing an operetta. The scene is laid in a Russian village. The music is said to be bright and sparkling, and several of the numbers somewhat original. Feather collars are the novelty for young ladies' out-door wear. Those of dark green feathers, with a tiny bird for ornament on each shoulder, are handsome with green costumes. Others are ravens' feathers, jet black, with a fringe of feathers tipped with jet. The old zouave jacket in ruby-coloured plush or velvet, fastened across the breast with handsome agrafes of gold or silver, are being revived by young ladies. . Besides being exceedingly stylish and becoming, they give a rich appearance to a very plain costume. A distinction is being at length made by ladies between the wearing of flowers on the right side and that of wearing them on the left. Married ladies of course get the right side of every question, and logically wear their bouquets on the right ; while unmarried ladies pin their bouquets on the left. What with the ulster, the Derby hat, and Newmarket coat, to be worn by ladies in the coming weather, there will be about as much difference between the out-door garments of Mr and Mrs Smith, as can be distinguished in those of Mr and Mrs Noah as shown in the ark, beloved by the children of many generations. At a grand American wedding lately, the bridal presents included hundreds of diamonds, silver plate in vast quantities, railroad bonds, bank cheques, pianos, etc. These are something like wedding presents. We poor Britishers in this young land are contented with one diamond, or diamond ring, as a present ; but our cousins are not as other people are. We know a lady in this city who is the enemy of her sex, because she is popular with young and old, with nien and women. Some one asked her the secret of her popularity ; " I am a good listener," she modestly laid. Let some of our young women whose tongues run faste? than their brains can supply thoughts meditate upon j this. Silence is always golden. Theatrical newspapers are highly indignant at Mrs Langtry presuming to act without having been brought up to the prof ession ; but it appears j that the public do not share in their anger, for no sooner was she announced to play in the Brighton Theatre than every seat was taken; and had she been able to give half-a-dozen performances, the curiosity to see her would not have been satisfied. THE PINK OF PEKFECTION. Amid all the hues that a lady can choose, • For midsummer dress to day, The popular pink is the greatest, I think, That a pretty young girl can display. "When it's yoked on the shoulders and drawn at the waist, And shirred on the tight-fitting arms, It's the very perfection of feminine taste — In fact, a whole bnndle of charms ! To be the right sort, the dress should be short, To keep clear of dust and of dirt, And the least bit of white should just flash on the sight From under the hem of the skirt. A body loose-fitting, so cool and so free, Is best when the weather is warm; But the skirt gathered back just as tight as can be, To show off the pretty girl's form. When it's trimmed with, white lace, and worn with a grace, And caught with a band at the knee ; When it's prettily shaped, and properly draped, It's as dainty a dress as can be. And when under the brim of the Cherry Ripe hat, There's a tangle of sheeny brown hair, Would you wish for a prettier picture than that — Could you point to another so fair ? Ah ! me, but you know, there's many a beau Has by pink had his heart set aflame j It's all very well to get fond of a belle, But, oh ! it's a dangerous game. For a dear maiden's smile is too often but guile — There's a sort of mysterious link 'Twixt snake-kind and human/twixt serpent and woman, And the devil's sometimes in the pink. Broad sashes appear to be as popular as ever. Magnificent white dresses of all kinds will be the rage in the fashionable world this winter, cream, ivory, and snowdrop being preferred to dead white. Of fabrics there are a most elegant and endless variety. White brocade, white satin, I white plush, white velvet, white cashmere, white drap (Petes, vegogue nuns' veiling, tulle, and | French null being equally fashionable. Canning's Restaurant is to have a new front, and to be greatly enlarged. The music shop adjoining, in the occupation of Mr Eady, will be taken in. The ladies' dining rooms will be downstairs, and will be greatly enlarged and improved. If the menu also is enlarged, and a few more dishes added to the bill of fare, Canning's need not fear any competition. We must say this will supply a want greatly needed, and daily felt by the ladies. We cannot refrain from expressing our sorrow at the premature death of Mr John Curnow, and our sympathy with bis sorrowing relatives. Several families in Auckland and Christchurch will be, placed & deep mourning ,J>y this loss.

He was one of the best loved masters in. the Auckland College and Grammar School, and the boys of his class were loud in their expressions of regret when he left them. It seems but the. other , day that he married Miss Elsie Munro, and took ; her with him to Christchidrch, a young, pretty, and happy bride, and how she is left a mourning .; widow with two children, still in extreme youth. His death at J;he early age of thirty-two from congestion of the brain, and Mr C. Nicholson's (late assistant master of Wellesley-street school), severe and hopeless illness; are sufficient proof— if proof were needed — of the arduous and wearing work of the energetic and conscientious teacher.