A WOMAN'S LETTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8145, 21 May 1906, Page 6

A WOMAN'S LETTER.

(Specially Written for Age). WELLINGTON, Saturday. I We now quite realise that winter is with us, and means to stay for some time; so, wisely, we make up our minds to accept the inevitable and enjoy the pleasures and pastimes of the colder season. Many New Zealanders are wintering in Australia this year, among them beidg Mr and Mrs John Duncan and Hon. W. and Mrs Johnston. Several jolly private dances have been given lately, ono of the most successful hoing a surprise arratsged by a number of the Hutt ladies for Mrs Soales, whose charming house is so well adapted for entertaining, the wide verandahs making an ideal retreat for those not wishing to dance, the view from which was greatly added to by a glorious moonlight effect ou the harbour. On the arrival of the brake v»bioh conveyed the guests to the house, the rooms wera quickly prepared for dancing. Mrs Scales wore a very hfludsome gown of blaclc satin and lace; her daughter a dainty white muslin frock. Some of the guests present were the Misses Foster, Allan, Menteatb, Caw, Elliot, Tregear and Humphries. f I Mrs Stuart M«nteath was a hostess of this week, the occasion being a girls' tea, given for her daughters, the Misses Lois and Valerie Menteath. Afternoon tea was served in the dining room, and the table was most tastefully decorated with a large centre basket filled with crimson fcerries and beautifully tinted autumn leaves, and the table was crossed from one corner to another with wide bands of crimson satin ribbon. A most exciting competition was muoh enjoyed, tte prizewinners beiog Miss Luoy Brandon and Miss Laishley, who received for first a silver-bound birthday book, and for second a silver frame. Mrs Menteath wore a cream gown, with touches of blue; Mies Menteath a pretty gown of violet cloth, and Misa Valerie's frock was cift '.m. A few of the gueets were Miss II igginson, wearing a gown of crea/n cloth; Miss Z. Nathan, who wore a blue dress, and hat to match; Miss L. Brandon's gown was of brown cloth; Miss H. Miles wore a white cloth dress, and white felt hat; and Miss Laishley, who wore French grey crepe cloth, with finishing touches of blaok velvet. Mrs Laing entertained a few young people at a dance in the Goring Street Hall, last Thursday, ht which the guests enjoyed themselves immensely. Miss Allport has issued invitations for a dance early next mouth. Miss Violet Warburton is giving a small dance on the 2£th of this month. Miss N. Abraham's engagement is announced to Mr Franois Hewitt, both of Fitzherbert. The engagement is also announced of Miss Dorothy Lathbridge, of Feilding, to Mr George Taylor, of Manawatu. Since there has been so much about the future Queen of Spain, it is interesting to read that the Pope has presented the Golden Rose to Princess Ena of Battenberg. This symbol is a cluster of roses and rosebuds growing on one thorny stem, bll of the purest gold, chiselled with exquisite workmanship. At every benediction the Pope pronounces upon it, he inserts a few particles of amber and musk into the centre cup. It is blessed on the fourth Sunday in Lent, and given to that Royal person whose zeal for the Church has been the most remarkable. If no one is deserving ol' the gift it is laid asidn in the Vatican. In 1868 the Golden Rose was given to Queen Isabella of Spain as a reward for her virtues which made her a shining light amongst women. Amongst others who have also received it may be mentioned Queen Mary of England, Napoleon HI., and lastly, the Empress Eugenie of France, the Godmother of Princess Ena of Battenberg, the future Queen of Spain. At a recent winter wedding at Home, a group of bridesmaids looked most .effective in frocks of red ailk muslin. The full «kirts were sherred into the waist-band, the bodices being fashioned in the cross-uver style, with chemesette and collars of sherred red chiffon; the elbuw sleeves were finished with ruohings, and chiffon sash ends, and bouquets of holly berries completed these altogether novel and charming toilettes. Now that ohestnuts are in season some of my readers may be glad to have a recipe for "marrona glaoes," and I know that the following one canjbo relied on. Seleot one or two pounds of ohesnuts, and scald them for a few minutes in boiling water. The outer husks will come away; put the chestnuts into a vegetable steamer and cook until a skewer will easily run through them. The inner skin will come away without breaking the nut. Make a syrup to cover the nuts from the following:—21bs of loaf sugar, \ pints of cold water; bring the sugar and water slowly to the boil, and stir until all the crystals are dissolved. If, after removing' the soum with a spoon, dirt continues to rise, beat lightly the white of an egg and throw it in. Stir well and skim again; then any impurities will come away with the egg. Boil with the lid on for five minutes by which time the steam will be rising up from the lid. Drop in the prepared nuts and place the pan well back from the fire, After this the Jchestnuts must be kept just warm; if allowed to boil they will lose their transparency, and become hard. They may be removed from the fire without hart, and as the process of cooking is rather a long one, it may be a good plan to only cook the sweeta in the evening, as the fire is dying down. From twelve to sixteen hours is about the time; bat be guided by the appearance of

the nuts, whi«h become transparent when finished. Take them out singly on a fork and dry on a sieve near the fire. Take the syrup that remains, and add to it a dessertspoonful of rum, a stick of cinnamon, and enough red colouring to change the syrup to a deey chestnut shade. Boil quickly for ten minutes, | dip the chestnuts in separately, dry on a sieve, and finish by placing each in a little paper case.