A WOMAN'S LETTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8160, 18 June 1906, Page 6

A WOMAN'S LETTER.

' (Special to the Age). WELLINGTON, June 16. There is little or nothing to chron icle this week iu the way of gaities, as not only the Empire City, but the whole of New Zealand, is mourning; and all social functions have been postponed. Mrs Vallanoe, Masterton. is visit - iug Wellington. Mr aud Mrs Kebbell, Wairarapa, are on a visit to Wellington. Mr and Mrs Maurice Denniston have returned from their visit to Christchurch. Miss Miles, who has been visiting Epsnm for some weeks, has returned from the North. Miss Perry, Mastertcn. is staying with her sister, Mrs Avery, of Khandallah. Mr Avery is building a pretty house on Central Terrace, Kelburue, so they will soon be coming into town to live.

Miss Winnifred Fraser, the charming little actress here with the Broughs, is going Home —not to follow her profession there, but to ba with her husband. In real life she is Mrs Poss, with a daughter emerging from childhood aud a buebpnd well-known in theatrical circles. Miss Eraser was charming in "Quality Street," and looked soarcely more than a child in that quaintest of plays, ,"Little Mary."

Mrs T. A. Rhodes has received the honour of being appointed by His Majesty the King, honorary associate of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

Miss Norah Long, who for many years was a pupil of Sister Mary Agnes at the Convent, Wellington, has met with great suooess sinoe her arrival in England eighteen months ago. Her voice, which was trained for opera, has won for her an engagement with the MoodyManners Opera Company, and she will play the parts of "Mecaela" in "Carmen," and "Venus" in "Tannbauser." Mr Charles Carter, of Pollard's Opera Company, also has an engagement with the MoodyManners Company. Mr Julius Knight, who is at present in England, will return to the Colonies next year with several newplays, himself as star, under engagement with Mr J. C. Williamson. It is with pleasure we read of Miss Gertie's Campion's splendid recovery at Te Waikato Sanatorium, Cambridge. A letter from there tells me that Miss Campion is looking so well; in fact, she is quite fat, and speaks of being married before tbe end af this year. Madame Sarah Bernhardt, who is at present in America, touring, is meeting with a good many difficulties, being forced by oiroumatancea to give all her performances in large tents, as, for some reason, the theatre trusts have refused ber the privilege ol using any of the American, theatres. 1 noticed a description of one of her frocks, which must be a blaze of beautiful colour. It is of ivory satin, and is decorated with diamonds and torquoises. A leaf from Adolph JBriason's "Portraits" gives one a glimpse into the crowded hours which forms a day of this great aotress's life. As soon as Sarah Bernhardt, opens her eyes the bouse whioh has previously been so quiet and peaceful, begins to buzz. People asking all sorts of favours hasten to beseech their lady. She converses with them as she opens her mail and what.heaps of letters—letters from oelebrated persons, letters from unknown persons, letters of friendship, letters of business. A manager asks five seconds interview; a New York reporter would like to know what she tbinES of Shakespeare; a lady from the country wants an autograph; an obscure actor, who is in want, writes a begging letter, and there are numerous manuscripts tied with pink riDbon, whioh contain great plays as yet unplayed, all to be gone through, answered, and many requiring a personal interview. Dressing by snatobes, and breakfasting by snatches, she goes to the theatre, where phe is expected at 1 o'clook. Now she is in ber true kingdom, and it is filled with subjects who are devoted to ber. There are the friends she has invited to come and dine at the tbea're at six. When tbe hour arrives you find your way through dark passages behind the scenes, and are shown tbe door by the soene shifter. You enter an apartment hung with tapestries. Oriental rugs, flowers, and pot plants are arranged around, and a cheerful fire crackles in the grate. Before the n\e, extended at full lengtn on heaps of cushions, wrapped in a Japanese kemono, is the mistress of the bouse. The table is laid on tbe floor, a white table cloth covers the rugs, and an elaborate bill of fare is served. As tbe guestu arrive, each one takes a plate from tbe sideboard, snatches a cushion, and arranges himself before this Oriental table. Twenty times during the dinner there will be interruptions from the stage manager, who wishes to consult the artist. At 8 o'clook Sarah Bernhardt has just time to dress and prepare for the stage, the performance not being over till one. Some people depiot her as being a woman of the world, worldly, devoted entirely to the excitements of Fads, and leading a life of luxurious ease. ' , Tbe Empire! style for evening frocks 1h now quite the'favourite, and notirng can be prettier for a slight girlish figure. Quite recently i noticed a pretty, fair girl wearing an Empire gown of pale blue orep-de-ohine, whioh was gathered into a folded velvet band below the bust line, while tbe head of three narrow flounces, whioh finished the hem of the skirt, was finished by a threeinoh blue velvet ribbon run in and nut of the button-holes. A bertha of chiffon waß beaded by a wreath of chßrraing pink ohiffon roses, with dainty green ribbon leaves, and the puffed sleeveß were also finished with white ohiffon and studded with pink roses.

Mahogany brown is now becoming one of the most fashionable shades, and a cream serge dress, with leather belt aud gloves of this shade, whioh was also the colour of the rosetrimmed hat, wa3 a delightful costume which I uoticod one of our smart women wearing.

Our old friend, the English "sailor" hat, will again make another appearance, but worn at a dfferent angle than formerly, and trimmed with great 9oft rosettes, and iu some cases with a quill or wing.

Puritan collars are to be worn iu place of the now favourite white linen golf collar. These are of white linen also, but are much wider in shape.