Page 1 Advertisements Column 6

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 365, 15 October 1863, Page 1

a liorsepond, and which were so short tha* one would think'all the ladies of that age had with one consent, followed the example of St. Martin, and cut off half their garments to cover the poor. Go on to about 1830, and see how the bonnets rose menacing to heaven and spread out to the east and . to the west, and how these clinging garments had turned plethoric in the sleeves. These, of course, are sights which must be painful to every well-regulated mind in 1863 ; yet each fashion in its turn received implicit credit. Was it then good ,dressing? Certainly not. Then come down to ten years ago, and you will find that tho close-clinging dresses have filled out and expanded; the sleeves were vandyked, the great bows went out of fashion, while the head was covered with a small and modest bonnet. You ask if that is good dressing. I say it is. Women dressed well ten years ago, bnt they would not let well alone. They had got rid of St. Martin’s | gowns ; they had got rid of bonnets which expanded to the east and to the west, and which rose to the zenith ; they had got variety of colour. Having all these advantages they yet listened to some powerful but tasteless adviser, and so then they made their gowns stiff with cages of whalebone andiron, reviving the costumes of Elizabeth and Marie Antoinette ; which we thanked our stars had marched off, never, as we fondly hoped, to re-appear. Hut here are the old antediluvian hoops again ; and the small graceful bonnet is changed, for one which pokes up like a coal scoop. It was formerly a coal scuttle, but now' you will agree with me it is more like a coal scoop.. Bo there onr ladies are. Ten years ago you were well-dressed, ladies ; but you would not let well alone, and now you are dressed —a V Imperatrice.—Lecture Art , on by Bere&furd Hope.

WHITTLINGS. CRAPULENCE. Mr. Jacob Sobersides wasn’t well. He reclined in Ins rocking chair by the o. en< window. Mr. Jacob’s nervous system was grievously shaken, and his head ached severely. A bottle of sal volatile aud a saucer containing some vinegar stood upon a small table at his side, aud were frequently applied the onej to his nasal organ aud the other to his throbbing temples. We may add, parenthetically, that Mr. Sobersides was a bachelor, and, having no one ni b loving, gentle baud to lave his burning brow aud make his coffee, lie doubtless considered bin. ~ self, at that moment the most unhappy wight in Wanganui. Heading was out of the question with our sick friend, so he tried to entertain his mind by looking out, with it somewhat languid eye, upon the sunny landscape. Beneath the window was a bit of garden, which contained several fruit trees and some homely flowers, such as daffodils and “ the primrose gay,” which as a schoolboy lie loved to pluck when waudeiing through the woods. Two or three qu nee and pear trees were in full blossom and a l w flowers yet lingered upon the peaches, whilst; a young apple made a fair display of buds — to be regarded as so many faise promises. “As the apple tree amongst the trees of the forest so is my beloved among the daughters of men,” was once said by a wise and keen observer of nature; but, alas! the comparison doesn’t hold good with us now-a-days —for the apple, once the pride of the forest is now blighted, and its glory departed. Beyond the garden ancl neighbouring houses there stretched a bit of country bounded by hills, with cloud-shadows sailing ueio>s their sunny slopes; the whole being ■dressed in a spring mantle of many ci lairs, like Joseph’s coat. In one green field a flock of snow white lambs were frisking abou:, cutting all sorts of silly capers, and running races to and fro all together. A maori pa, too, was visible, n -stliug in a group of wi 1 avs, whose light foliage contrasted strongly with tiie sombre-lined sviiares beneath-. Ihi willow seems a favourite with all; one sees it everywhere—in winter a na-s*>f slende ■ naked branches, in summer clad in most refreshing green. The sun, travelling through the azure heavens, “ varnished,” as painters say tins beautiful tableau, making it a thousand times more beautiful. Such a picture as we have but faintly described was enough to soo.he ■ for awhile the sufferings of our poor invalid, who was a passionate admirer of nature, and who murmured to|himsolf some li. es which although not originully intended for New Zealand were not inapplicable. “ Now nature hangs her mantle green On every blooming tree ; And spreads her sheets o’ daisies white Out o’er the grassy lea ; Now Phoebus cheers the crystal streams And glads the azure skies, But nought can glad the weary wight That fast in durance lies.”

Mr. Jacob heaved a sigh as he finished his plaintive recitation.. There sat he, Jacob Sobersides, in durance vile, with'a sick headache and au uucomfortable stomach, whilst all without seemed to invite him forth to enjoy this glorious spring day. There was a spice of remorse - in Mr. Jacob’s sigh, for was it not his own fault that he was as he was ? Yes; it must be toh', for tiuth will out sooner or latter, Mr. Sobersides had “ dined out ” the previous evening, ami had “ druuk too much wine” or plain (and ergo vulgar) parlance, had got shockingly drunk and They who indulge in wine and laughter Have headaches and sickness the day after.