SOCIETY

Observer, Volume 6, Issue 147, 7 July 1883, Page 252

SOCIETY

f., y ..■: i : : * . „: There werif 100 applications for the office of /keeper of the s 'Crown Jewels, which is worth £300 )' a-year, witH ajiartraents in the Tower. Gentlemen ,in Madrid have not worn gloves at :' ;< balls or theatres ;for two seasons, and now the v Madrid ladies,; perhaps by way of revenge, are p also going bare-armed and bare-handed into public f 1 assemblies.;. [ The belief as very general in Belgium that the Princess Clementine will be selected as' the wife . of the eldest! aon of the Prince of Wales. She ie i a Roman Catholic, and will come into a large : ( private fortune. ;. Lady Q-ordon Cathcart gave £25 on leaving to each of her crofters who desired to emigrate, and „ £75 more on landing at Manitoba, or any other < destination they chose, besides taking over their ■ holdings and stock at a valuation. ['■ " Asmodeus,'* in the If. Z. Mail, tak^s serious \< objection feo the costumes worn by the ladies at the :'. opening of 't'firUament. He says they displayed [•; lesa care in dress than was ever apparent at any ■ previous p«.blic assemblage in Wellington. ; The United , Service Masonic. lnstallation Ball was one of the most eueoesef ul the craft have yet ; held in Auckland. Among the best dancers in ; the room w.e,?e Miss Lodder, Miss Slattery, Miss ;• E. Cole, M.M«t Craig, and Mi6s Hats well.. Tbe floor was in first-class order for good dancing. „ The family! of (3-eorg Von Majlath, of G-ermany, -'. refuse to reeeivo titles. There are a number of 1 families ' in Germany known as " the seven ■ families," who consider the simple "von" more distinguished than that of duke or prince. We know Yonder Hey de and Von Stunner -will be . proud to hear this. The Queen has ordered a braes plate, bearing a eulogistic inscription, in memory of John Brown ; which is to be placed on the walls of the Prince ';" Consort's Mausoleum at Frogmore. A bust and ■ a statue are also in preparation, and at Crathie ' an elaborate monument is to be placed over the , grave, and a •■" cairn " on one of the adjacent hills. Amongst the most novel features of the famous Vanderbilt Fancy Dress Rail was the Star Quadrille, danced by eight couples, each of the ladies { being dressed in coloured satin covered with silver gauze embroidered with star*;, with a wand tipped with a star in her. hand, and on electric star gleaming over her forehead. The effect was very charming, it is said. During a sale at the house of Mrs Fifczherbert (the Prince Regent's left-kanded wife) several inquisitive, persons rummaged about to discover tbe famous pa«sage said to exist between the mansion and the .-.-- <31ior>. They oalj succeeded in tumbling infcc ir eoal-cdiar and /retfciug their ". liamls black, I- ■.- vow doubted that any such ■ passage evsr cxi . cci . A curiously ?••/; .-c police e<).ict has been }usf. promulgated at wm fewa of B cento in Pmesiaa ;- Greramny. By '.. rsrms no youth under eove-n- --": teen is to be adr-i-ctcd to a 'ball or served with alcoholic beverages unless accompanied by his , parents. To bal masques the youths of the above . age are to be admitted on no terms whatever. ._ Moreover—and this is the severest cut of all— no' ■ r youth under 6isteen is to be allowed to smoke in the public streets. , ; What giddy old boys these princes are! It - -was only, so to 6peak, yesterday that , we learned , Priacd Gortsohakoff died in questionable quarters ■ at Baden ; and now we are told that Prince Batthyany, who fell dead on the Newmarket I racecourco,. has left the bulk of hie property to . his mistress*; He was 88. The will is about to be contested ,j but w« shouldn't wonder if the law , courts considered the lady, under these circumstances, to be entitled to at least the bulk of the -property. /■ , The autograph fan is rapidly becoming fashion--1 able in England, and threatens, at any rate for : the present, to put the birthday book and the . other devices of .the .autograph 'hunter into the shade. It. need scarcely be explained that the fan in question is, like the plates and vases on , which lady amateurs exercise their artistic skill,. quite plain when it .is bought, and that the object of the owaer is to got it cov-erod with the signatures of more or less distinguished friends and acquaintances, as soon as possible. At the concert and dance given at Northcote Hall, the most conspicuous costumes were the , following :— The Misses Fernandez, pink llama, trimmed with satin of the same colour and cream lace, ornaments of silver; Miss Laura Roberts, ; whifie tarlatiih, trimmed with blue safin and white ;, lace ; Miss Cook, blue satin cloth, trimmed with cream lace • Mrs' Brabazon, white llama, trimmed . with white satin and lace, silver ornaments ; Mrs . MoClymoht, black "dress, trimmed with black satin, 1 \ gold ornaments. The large,, old-fashioned, unglazed, hand-made < sheets of rough-*3god letter-paper arelikolyto be j more generally used. When written, the 'letters ; are folded, tucked in, and fastened with se&ling-|-j wax, envelopes being discarded The fob-ehain- "■> and-seals young men are at the bottom of this \ littlo movement, and perhaps one will hardly' be ; considered nnre&sonablo in looting iv botiio V quarters for a speedy return to the tight breeches and generally picturesque, if somewhat uncomfortable, costume iv vogue when George IT. was ; king? 'W: ' i The TmicJcrbilt fancy ball in JTew York is thus | spoken of by a journal of one.^f.^he Southern i? •;"' States:-- " Tko Y&ndcrbilt dweliing-hause in iv which the recent fancy-ball was giren oost [|-;; r £800,000. Thory Trere assembled guests to the |£%sinibev of ;800. The combined wealth of these |ygd& guests 'was £1,00,000,000, to wit-. W. H. VauPPfefUl,. £40,000,000 ; tho Mtors, £-10,000,000; imStf'K. Vandqrbilt, £5,000,000; Oeorgs Pullaa, •^'^Si' 000 ' 000 '''' C J I>UB ? iold > £2,000,000/& c.; The !? 'SSlrers cost £2000; Mrs W. E. Vapde^bijt's {. <iress<- oost- £2000; ■ Mrs ,W\ E. fliidtah^i't \, cost £300,000 dStfOQO^ | the entire oxpei^of tluTjall £10,0001 i»

the city where all this wealth exists men and women were dying of starvation. The papers that give an account of this display of luxury record the death by suicide, by insanity, by starvation, of men and women who had tried to get employment, and died because of failure and for want of food. . A charming, useful, and inexpensive dress is of plain black nun's veiling. The skirt is made in a deep box-pleat the depth of the skirt ; the bodice is pointed with paniers, which end at the back in a series of graceful loops and pouffs. The. sleeves only come to the elbow, and are finished by black lace. Long black gloves to meet the sleeves. Black chip bonnet, with a black aigrette, kept in its place by a large jet dragon-fly. Black sunshade, trimmed with lace. London is the mart of the world. You may buy anything here, from a wife or a white slave, to a castle, a palace, or a pedigree. It is not often, however, that a crown is in the market. Such is the case, in all sober seriousness, td-day. There is an island somewhere to the east of Sardinia to be bought, all except the port, which is the property of King Hubert. The rest is en vtnte, the price being £30,000, and tho purchaser will be permitted, if it suits hie caprice, to assume the name, style, and title of King, such being the designation of the vendor, who prefers hard cash to barren acres and barren honour, like a wise Roman. Here is a fine chance for Mr Shoddy, Mr Brummagem, and those numerous plutocrats who will back any political party that will covenant to give them a baronetcy in return for hard cash and their votes. A King is surely a cut above a Baronet, and, amongst other advantages, he could make all his progeny Princes and Princesses, and he might recoup himself by selling titles ad Üb. The marriage of Miss Cameron, of Auckland, to Mr William Osbaldiston, of Kaukapakapa, was solemnised by the Rev. David Runoiman at the residence of the bride's parents, Scotia Place, Upper Queen-street. There were a number of guests pi'esent, and the bride looked extremely pretty, dressed in cream Egyptian cloth, trimmed with satin ; veil of Brussels net, and wreath of orange blossom. Miss Agnes Shanks acted as bridesmaid, and wore a dress of pale cream, trimmed with lace. In the evening the bride's parents entertained a number of friends, and dancing was kept up till an early hour. There were several very pretty costumes in the room ; some of the most noticeable were worn by the following ladies : — Miss Daw, pink sateen, black lace polonaise ; Miss Henderson, pink skirt, black velvet body ; Miss Reid, pale blue cashmere ; Miss Hodge, fawn lustre ; Mrs Philip McLeod, fawn silk ; Mrs Cameron, mauve silk, white trimmings. Mr Frank Deacon discharged the duties of M.C. very efficiently. Miss Shanks was the acknowledged belle. Another marriage will soon take place in the district. One of the peculiar features of modern times is the social status occupied by the histrionic idols of tlie hour. It is not so long cia<;e a num'ooi or Aucklauti talibiee were grossly -i-andolisod a I.- the I spectacle of cJir William Jea-vois talking openly .iiid vjifch utidisgttised eoi^leecusion to Miss Jonuic .Lee sit :.. ball. At one lirao ( here was a reepe-cUibLflJ •ar of mystery behind tbe scenes, even Roj;<U.-%3 wob oompelWl to pay ?fco)ei? visit-B t/> biie } room, and the ladies of ihr- aristocracy assailed their lords wifcu keen inquiries as to the manners and customs of those persons. All this is now at an end. The line of demarcation between peer and player is completely obliterated. The handsome jeune fremiier is much sought after at fashionable country houses, shoots the marquis's pheasants, or drives the marchioness in her pony phaeton. Billy Mugg is tho life and 6oul of the weekfy banquets atßeamanoir House, and almost upsets the professional gravity of the groom of the chambers every time he addresses his distinguished host as " Dook." Actresses have no reason to complain that they are neglected in the gatherings of the greatj and when a fashiouable actress is among the ladies in the drawiug-robin alter dinner, before the gentlemen have left the table, there is accorded to her a position not merely of equality but of superiorly. Theatrical, literary, and musical folks are always pleasant company, though the intercourse between people who live by their wits, and the people who aye prosperous in spite of their stupidity, must alwnys be strained and unnatural. In the hurry of going to press last week, our ■notice of the many elegant and costly dresses worn at the Lodge United Service Masonic Installation. Ball was naturally very brief, but through the kindness of a lady, however, we are now enabled to supply the following full and correct list : — Mrs Lodder, black silk, white head-dress ; Mrs Dallen, black silk, cardinal trimmings; Mrs Tucker, fawn silk ; Mrs W. L. Waddel, Avbite satin and lace ; Mrs Hulme, dark prime silk ; Mrs Kelly, grey Bilk ; Mrs Carter, prune velvet ; Mrs Allen, black silk ; Mrs- Wade, cream skirt, cardinal velvet bodice ; Mrs J. Levy, rich black silk, beaded trimmings; Mrs Pearce (Bevonport), dark grey silk, splendid gold jewellery ; "Miss Lodder, cream skirt, and cardinal satin paniers and bodice; Miss Slator, white sateen; Miss Hulme, rose-pink satin; Miss Craig, exquisite dress of pule pink velvet, trimmings of white lace — the mosfc uncommon dress in tke room ; Mies Smith, white cashmere, trimmings of white Bat-in and pale blue flowers-- a pretty dress ; Miss Bowving, cream and pink skirl, cardinal velvet bodioe ; Miss Cole, combination of cashmere and brocaded aatiu, lovely pale piuk frosted flowers ; Miss Ha-Lsweli, pretty whilo oashuiero and white lace ; Miss Slattory, grey dress,, satin tmmuingy to mutch ; Miss Slator was belle as tfegards appearance, but the Misses Cniiiif, Colo, and Hulme lan her pretty close for the honour. Several ladies whose names could not- be ascertained wore the following,: — Black silk, trimmed with beautiful white Maltese lace; a white-niuslm, trimmed with peacock's feathers, black satin bodice laced with white (this dress had rath,er fj novel appearance) j and a pale pink sateen, with ..white satin bodice. The" various coloured regalias of the gentlemen, who were mostly all in- -evening dress, gave ft, splendid effect to the rich dresses "of "the Fadiosj.apd the members of Lodge Um>ed Service^ hire ,,eve*y .reason to fe^l quite proud of fehe .©uccew «tf tikmt. fi?«t ibstallatibn bftU. , Brother P*at M*fcer W. ck Suiter made» "oburtgoaa' Htes^W ef eerettwnies.

, The Masonic, ball at New Plymouth was held on Tuesday evening, and came off with great eclat, albeit there was an unaccountable want of patronage shown by some of the " upper circles." The Masonic brethern mustered in good force with their wives and sweethearts, and altogether about 200 persons were present, including guests. There were two M.C.'s, who were thoroughly up to their business, and consequently there were no gentlemen to be seen lounging about the doors on account of not being able to obtain introductions to partners. Of the unmarried ladies, Miss H. was the most graceful in figure and deportment, and her dress was acknowledged to be exceedingly handsome. Mrs B. carried off the palm among the married ladies. The affair was such, a success that the local papers thought it was of sufficient importance to warrant them in publishing the toilettes worn by the ladies ; but they had reckoned without their host, for a gentleman of rather autocratic propensities representing the head of the Masonic brethern requested — nay, ordered — the papers not to publish them, as the ladies did not wish it. Bather a cool proceeding to dictate in that fashion, but the truth is one or two of the elite had neglected to wear their beet dresses at the ball, and hence the objection — they declined to play second-fiddle to tradesmen's wives and daughters who wore better dresses. Such paltriness is not to be commended, and is only equalled by the effrontery of the would-be " Almighty " Grand Master who had the conscience to go to a newspaper office and lay down his dietnm. O tcmpora O mores ! what are we coming to in these days of snobbishness, ? Is there no boundaryline drawn between a gentleman and an excruciating tooth-extractor, who imagines he canteaoh his superiors the art of politeness and good breeding, when the only education he has had is how to file down teeth and fix them into the gums ? However, it is gratifying to know that such snobbishness has met ifcs due reward, and the Grand Master alluded to has been singled out by a number of the fair Bex, who have written to the local Press branding him as an unmitigated 6uob. The following is a fist of the costumes : — Mrs W. Bailey, grey eilk, trimmed with lace ; Mrs Honey field, pale blue satin, trimmed with pink plush, silver flowers ; Miss Honeyfield, pale bjue satin, trimmed with cream plush, gold flowers ; Mrs Roy, ruby brocaded silk, ta-immed with creum silk; Mi6s Perm, white silk draped with lace; Miss N. Perm, black satin, trimmed with net, jet ornaments ; Mrs Ellis, black silk velvet, trimmed with brocaded silk, scarlet flowers ; Miss Ellis, prune velvet with white lace ; Miss White, white silk, trimmed with satin and lace ; MissE. White, pale blue silk trimmed in ruby velvet; Miss Rennel, pink satin, white lace, aud 6ilver flowers ; Miss Allen, pale blue silk, trimmed with ruby plush, cream lace, and gold ornaments ; Mrs Enever, grey silk, with lace ; Miss Holmes, pink silk, trimmed with ruby satm ; Mrs G. Graigmile, old gold silk, with black lace ; Mrs Cock, grey silk with pink tulle, silver flowers ; Miss Cock, white nuns-- veiling trimmed with pale blue satin ; Mi-s O'GWnel. rnby tarlntin, trimmed with goM I and ruby satin, gold ornaments : Mis:.- S/ott\ v, hilv. larls'"':. 1 . fcrinimi!.! with Hfitiu jiud silver iiowevi; :. .Miss L. S<?o!.t, white t.-vrl;»i hi t-nmined :f!fp|fcsut/in md silver }io\r t >vs ; Mr<s Hnrsf.house. f||fi^L!k \ufJi We ; M.Li-» Mc-Donuki, pink si!;|"Tri:;;mof! »viih ruby velvet; LJr-". Cribb^s, p'tT silk broi-adcd, frur,i?,ocl with pale blue; Mit-* Hanjinwtoii, cre»iu murs- roiling, Tilth ruby sati^ bodice ; Mii<fcj WilUiiiau, uunV veiling, with black velvet bodice ; Mrs Anderson, black brocaded Bilk ; Miss Oarrington, black velvet with lace ; Mrs Humphries, black velvet with lace; Miss Grey, pink silk, with lace, and silver flowers ; Mrs A. Bailey, black velvet, with ruby satin bodice, gold ornaments ; Miss St George, white silk, trimmed with satin, silver flowers ; Mrs Hammond, ruby velvet; Miss Cholwell, prune velvet, trimmed with gold ornaments ; Miss Wood, black velvet ; Mrs Bird, grey silk, trimmed with lace ; Mrs O 'Donahue, blue velvet, trimmed with satin ; Miss Joll, ruby silk, gold ornaments ; Miss Newsham, blnck velvet; Mrs Edmonds, black velvet, trimmed with 6atin ; Mrs Honeyfield, black silk trimmed with satin ; The Misses Honeylield. black satin trimmed with jet ornaments ; Mr= Harris, fawn silk, trimmed with lace ; Mrs McKellur, grey silk trimmed with velvet ; Mrs H. Gilmour, ruby silk, trimmed with satin, and gold ornaments ; Mr* A. Gilmour, black velvet, trimmed with brocaded satin ; Mrs Snell, pale blue satin, trimmed with ci'eam. lace ; Miss Pellear, black velvet, with jet ornaments ; Mrs Collis, black silk trimmed with velvet ; Miss Shora, white tarlatan, scarlet trimmings ; Mis Monkton, black silk, trim tried with scarlet silk ; Miss Monkton, pink tarlatan, tinseled with gold, satin bodice; Mrs Clark, black silk with gold ornaments; Mrs Edmondson, black silk trimmed with satin ; The Misses Barnes, black silk velvet, silver ornaments ; Miss Symond, pink silk, silver ornaments ; Miss Hiley, black, gold ornaments.

Doctors Gave Him Up.— "ls it possible that Mr Godfrey is up and at wort, and cared by so simple a remedy P" ' "I assure yon it is true that he is entirely ' cured, andwith nothing but Hop Bitters, and only ten days ngo his doctors gave hiuinpuud said he niust die." " VVell-a-day !' If that is so I will go- this minute and get some for my poor George. v I know hops are good." Read. " Journal ■ des Modes."— March, 1881.— " Royal Amethi'st " Velveteen. This is a new innfce of. velveteen introduced by one of the largest velveteen uiaufacturers in Manchester. The quality is superior ; for th,e price to any other material yet inr.roducecl, and will in every way, recommend itself to -the purchaser both for lustre and quality. W. Eatfcrny, Sok Agent for , Auckland. Who amongst us does not reuolloct the time, when, seated on the- maternal knee, they listened with eager ears and beating hourts to the words of the jfi'isitest of children's poets, Or Watcs, inculcating in our infant mind the result of deviating from the path of 1 honesty expressed in the lines— "That him as priya vo<; isn't his'n Yen he's c-ntched will-go to prism." Now, that wus the luw in aur curly days, and t-iioao simple and touching- iineo liave beca the means of keeping wany a man honest. The now versiou "*dvstk" — " That him as wants boois aud 'those he prigs, Why, if he's caught, must ' ante-up the dibs.' " That is the law and %'tio prophets, the luw agrees with some people. .The MeSurs Gurrott Bros., of WakefieUl- . sftiiet, i.re now selliuij-oif tbeir large stock of boots and shoes, and should any one wish to hare a pa*r or two, for a'V afct<:r of :* that, go up abont dinner time orany, time; provided no onois alK>ut,and take what you want. If anyone interVnptfl yoa ask th^ii^ice-'dnd'.pay. Thatis V tfte law. If yon arenot interrupted and get away with yo«f ,Kooi»ft^> the prpfite. ; Mr WiU^.Qjjjretjt^jitv tfie- htttoavitpo'^jrd'verDMii.inall aatiTOs oifth^GifMn . t£k l«ft the Police Cdort, the bther.day, eing ing •« jsjfiii , *B?s«tty o'er M? a&mog.' 1