"The Distoff."

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2209, 4 September 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

"The Distoff."

*«fi '^[Hc^e Paj®, July 10.] M TjiE jjbourflj|nic fdj| tho lato King *]»WMirffflw r lalffli l llw' upon the back* of a season already overburdened by other drawbacks. The unnatural cold has been, terribly detrimental to the dressmakers ; tho General Election has knocked all festivities on the head. Hostesses without number have had to give ,up,,,aH Jtden of dinner-giving, "for what with going down to the country to vote, canvassing and electioneering, men are unable to accept invitations with any certainty of attending. Then, just as this vexations order for court morninsr is promulgated, the sun blazes out in all its midsummer splendour, and the pretty costumes contemplated for the State concert have to be laid asido and funereal tnid-wintcr garments substituted. Even, tho youthful. Princes Louise* of Wafea > ; p'( in blaqft satin at the concert ; rtn 4, a °k satin sounds very grandmotherly' Jfor a girl of seventeen. In. Frauee they are more fortuuate, and crimson foulard, dotted with white and much trimmed with cream-coloured Russian embroidery, is conspicuous amongst the many costumes of cream, white, heliotrope, and mauve. By the way, the dresses at the concerts given by the Russian choir in St. James's-hall were like a page from "The Arabian Nights." The one worn by Madame d' Agreneff was historical, made from models and drawings preserved at Moscow, and cost over £5,000 ! The cloak is of real old cloth of gold, edged with Russian sable ; the dress itself of ruby velvet, richly embroidered, but the materials are such as were to be had 200 years ago. Why is 1 it we deteriorate so ? In the Colonies one may see some of tho lovely Dacca muslins exhibited, and one thinks it would be impossible to excel their delicacy and* softness ; but we are told that these modern muslins are as kitchen cloth beside the muslins that used to be manufactured, but are no longer to be had. All India might be searched for: examples of the marvellous muslins made 1 , in days gone by, which they called " tho dew of evening" and " running waters," because, when clipped in a stream or laid in wet grass, they became entirely invisible. It is the same with Cashmere shawls. A few beiutiful ones are exhibited, but they are no longer made. Modern society prefers dolmans. 1 Earl Cairns seems fated to die a bachelor. He broke off his engagement with Miss Fortescue (or his family did for him), and now Miss Sybil Grant (or her family for her) has broken off the second engagement. . A good many rumours are current, which it is' better not to repeat without good authority, but there must be good reasons for breaking an engagement which has existed nix month*, especially as, I am told, the bride elect's trousseau is made, and all marked with a coronet, arid the initial ! "C." This letter <i.s easily altered to a "G," but the cofon«t is awkward. The Prince and Princess of Wales have been working hard this last week, laying foundation stones and opening new wings of hospitals, &c. On Saturday they were at the Crystal Palace fete to the Indians and Colonials, when the fireworks suspassed anything ever before witnessed anywhere, the weather being delightful, and even the wind in the right quarter for blowing the sparks away. The first set piece was fired by the Princess of Wales. She- pulled a string -in the, balcony which ignited a quick match, and, the rose, shamrock, and thistle instantly gleamed out, and presently turned into portraits of the Prince «nd Princess, which elicited great cheering. There is very little fresh to chronicle i this month in the make or material of ( costumes. Hats are still profusely- 1 adorned with flowers, feathers, fruit, rib- i bon, and velvet trimmings. Bonnets are charmingly light in weight, being chiefly | constructed of transparent textures. In i this respect they rival the straw shapes during hot weather, but should we experieuce a return of the uncongenial atmosphere, straw bonnets will again be to the fore. They are always seasonable and serviceable. I think the most ladylike are modified Princess shapes trimmed with loops of velvet ribbon, the same shade as the straw ; they look consistent with any style or colour of costume worn. Many bonnets are stringless ; these are always accompanied with veils, generally cream or white tulle, plain or spotted, and sometimes beaded. As so many ladies wear their hair dressed very high, an elastic to keep their head gear in its legitimate place is no use ; so, when this article is minus strings, it must be pinned on with fancy pins, designed for the purpose. Tridents, daggers, and even now the bishop's crosier have been imitated. It is a good plan to hare one or more jewelled safety pins, to fasten on sprays of flowers, so that a different flower can be occasionally substituted to suit other dresses. This is an economical idea, especially useful when a lady is from home, and does not care to be troubled with such luggage. A black lace bonnet, with, removable ornaments, would almost defy recognition. Supposing the wearer provides rosettes of different shades to correspond with her dresses, and should strings be approved of, they must correspond with the trimming, and one pair should be of black lace ; one or two sprays of flowers, or cluster of small feathers, would make an agreeable change ; but it should be borne in mind that flowers occupy a considerable space in packing, as their fragile beauty is impaired if crushed. Tiiis transformation method can be adopted in other requisites for a .lady's toilet, such as various coloured ribbons on a black tout-rn-cas or an ecru sunshade also, by making varying simulated vests to wear with jerseys or bodies cut in a simular fashion. I have seen a very pretty arrangement formed by crossing two large coloured silk] handkerchiefs in the space intended for a movable waistcoat. In this case there were concealed fastenings behind to kee^p the bodice in place. , Some of the manuscript offered to our printers is so bad that it ought first to be sent to the House of Correction with its author. It looks easy and home like to see the baby at the table invariably eat its bread with a spoon, while it picks up treacle with its fingers. Fifty-seven years ago people were gazing in wonder on their first gas light. To-day they are gazing in wonder at their last gas bill. Mr Archibald Forbes's Marriage.-— The London correspondent of the Sheffield Independent writes: — "Mr Archibald Forbes's marriage is not without its air of romance; His acquaintance with Miss Meigs is not of yesterday. He met her on a visit to Washington, made some two or three years ago, and then became engaged to her. He then pursued his fortunes round the world, lecturing in America, Australia, and New Zealand, making a considerable fortune. This he invested with a light heart, and lost every penny. Miss Meiga is an heiress, and Forbes being reduced to the position of a poor man withdrew from the projected alliance. The engagement was broken off, though, as was said at the time, and as now apappears certain, not with the approval of the lady. Forbes has been lecturing throughout England for the last year or two, and has returned in some measure to his old journalistic wnk. When tho new editor went to tho D.iily News, Forbes placed his pen at the disposal of his old friend and colleague, and did somo brilliant work, notably tho description of the opening of the Colindieries. But fortunes are not to be made out of loading articles or descriptive articles, however brilliant. Forbes is probably no nearer boing a rich man now than he was when he broke off his match. He is cmt.vinly in better health, and that may have something to do with the sudden change, the approach to which ie plea^d him to keep a profound secret fro'n all but a few of his most intimate friends. For the world at largo it was flashed upon them by Keuter's telegram."