FREE AND EASY MANNERS IN LONDON SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 88, 20 February 1879, Page 3

FREE AND EASY MANNERS IN LONDON SOCIETY.

: ': Ladies who a few years ago would havo ■ , considered the idea appalling, calmly array '...;■■ thomselvos in the glorified dressing robe • known as a " tea gown," and proceed to ' display themselves to|tho oyes of their admirers, The reason, perhaps, is not very far to seek. Certain adventurous dames, . , who determined somo years since on the invasion of man's last stronghold, the smoking room, arrayed themselves for con- ! quest in bewitching robes de cham'bro. Their less enterprising sisters, not quito desiring to follow them to nocturnal extremities, were/unwilling to be defrauded of , : theopporhinity of adding another weapon "■"V origin .vjfrtho ten gown. Of course, it in «o wayijjjjmWes tho dressing-gown of utility, It is of elaborate design and , r infinito cost. It is worn for about an >/' hiur in tho day, and yet in a country y Jpuso visit of a weok, the saino must on '/'■" T no account bo oxhibited more than twice, ■< if, indeed, so much may be allowed. It is . - absolutely useless, and utterly ridiculous; but this is not tho worst that may bo said - . about it. It is, to all intents and purposes a deshabille; and so great is the forco of association that the conversation is oxced ingly apt, nay, almost certain, to becomo ,'. dcshabillo; as well. The gentlemen iu houses whoro tea gowns prevail relieve themselves of their shooting 'attire and re-appcar very frequently in gorgeous smoking suits; ihere is an ease and sans facon about tho wholo proceeding that favors laxity of discourse, and advantago is generally taken of tho latitude afforded. At their first beginning tea gowns only put in an appearanco when tho boverago from which they take their name was dispensed in the hostess's boudoir, and . . only a rare and favored specimen of the opposite sex was admitted on Buffrance, But such old-fashioned prudery has long .been thrown aside in the eager desire for more admirers of such becoming raiment;

[the tea gowns have descended to the j drawing-room and the hall, and have ; becomo mora marvellous and move voyant in the transit. With the graceful neglige tbiletthere has come in a habit of lounging, which is certainly of most doubtful grace Hands are not imfrequently to bo seen, clasped above or behind the head, thus often liberally exhibiting the arm by the falling back of tho loose sleeve; feet and ' anklos aro lavishly displayed as dainty . slippors aro rested on the fender; more ardent spirits reclino in ostentatious ropose i on various sofas. It is considered the thing to suit tho action to tho attiro and 1 .exhibit in it tho supremacy of ease, In 1 somo very Bohomian establishments it is v'otea a boro to dress again for dinner; ,' tliat.meal is partaken of in tho easy mas- . /; querading attire, and, as a not unnatural •'■J I sequel, there is a prompt adjournment to J I tho smoking room and a brisk demand by } /.. the ladies for cigarettes.—' London ] / World.'