"The Distaff." A LADY'S LETTER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2295, 26 March 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

"The Distaff." A LADY'S LETTER.

(Home Paper.)

The persistent severity of the weather does not afford us much opportunity of recording novelties in the way of out-door costume, On these dark, foggy days and these bleak, piercing evenings few ladies venture out more than is necessary ; and when they do " take their walks abroad" their primary object is to keep themselves as warm as possible, so that the capricious goddess Fashion becomes somewhat neglected. An out-door wrap becomes precious for its warmth rather than for its novelty, and the woollen dress brocade. 1 It must be confessed, however that our manufacturers have brought their woollen textures to such perfection that they leave little to be desired by the most critical maiden or matron. Ti>ey are made in all shades of colour, and also in endless variety of check, stripe, and small pattern. Trimmed with figured or plain velvet, these woollen stuffs make a really handsome dress. Plush, which has been so much worn of late, is now giving place somewhat to velvet. A woollen grey dress trimmed with black velvet makes a very elegant and becoming costume. At a recent fashionable marriage the bride's travelling dress was made of grey cashmere, with a grey plush jacket. The Earl of Carnarvon's daughter wore a dress of heliotrope shade, with a sable fur jacket. In some instances lately, brides have elected to be married in their travelling costumes. I heard of one young lady who disliked furs, who was married in a handsome cloth travelling dress at half-past eight in the morning. The wedding party returned to the house of the bride's mother for some slight refreshment, and the happy pair were en route for the Continent by a little after 10 a. m. This was, perhaps, carrying simplicity to an extreme. I can understand that a cloth dress and furs would have more attractions on these wintry mornings than duchesse satin and lace, veils but the murky atmosphere which prevails at eight a.m. is assuredly not calculated to re-assure a wavering bride.

The wedding of Lady Winifred Herbert, to which I have alluded above, was a very pretty one. It took place in the beautiful little Savoy chapel, in which the bride's mother was a frequent worshipper. The first Lady Carnarvon, who was a pious and excellent woman, fully sensible of the responsibilities attaching to great wealth and high position, died iu her confinement about this time some few years ago. The housekeeper in her establishment, who was an old family servant, and to whom her mistress was much attached, had obtained leave to spend the Christmas with her friends in the country. On Christmas eve a terrible railway accident occured, in which many passengers were killed, and amongst the victims was the housekeeper. Lord Carnarvon, fearing the effect which the news might have upon his wife whose infant was but a few days old, gave directions that it should be kept from her. Unfortunately, his precautions were frustrated by the carelessness of some servants, who spoke of the tragic affair within hearing of the countess. The shock was so great that it proved fatal after a few days. Tho countess, who had extensive estates in her own right, left directions that her little son, Lord Porehester, should be brought up to recognise his duties as well as his rights,

The Savoy chapel is one of the archiuological curiosities of London. It- is a small, flat-roofed chapel, standing a little back from the busy, crowded thoroughfare of the. Strand, the great highway between East and West. If dates from the time of Queen Elizibeth, and was the first building in which the English Liturgy, in its present form, was first used. It is a very beautiful chapel, and is kept in admirable order. There used to be some quaint old figures of knights and dames, and a raised ceiling, which, unfortunately, was destroyed by a lire 3ome years since. The chapel like other ecclesiastical buildings, fell into the hands of tho Puritans, who plastered it over with whitewash. The ornate ceiling; with its raised figures, appeared to ordinary view as nothing but a blank space, and so it remained for decade after decade. One day, however, a gentleman was elected as churchwarden, who was something of an antiquarian in his tastes and studies. It occurred to him to investigate whether there was anything beneath this unattractive whitewash. A careful examination soon led to tho gratifying conviction that there was something well worth looking for concealed beneath and presently the beautiful ornamental coiling of which I have spoken, with all its quaint, historic figures, was brought again to the light of day. It was a matter of grept regret that it should have been destroyed. The present ceiliug is made iu something of the same stylo

I have seen one new style of trimming which I think very ungraceful and unbecoming , but, as it is decidedly novel, I must record it for the benefit of those readers who prefer originality to grace. It consisted of a large lace collarette, which continued below the waist in front and was completed by two large gauze scarves depending from the neck, which reached the centre of the skirt, and were finished oft' with large gauze bowsoneither side. The lady's hands looked quite de trop under all this apparatus. This kind of trimming is called a jobot, and I confess does not please me at all. Some adaptations of it are, however much prettier than others.

lam sorry to say that the fashion of wearing bird's heads, birds wings, and birds in every shape on the various decorative parts of ladies' dresses still prevails. A bride the other day had her travelling dress adorned with two birds heads. ! If our fair dames and demoiselles could realise the pain and misery caused by the perpetuation of this cruel fashion I am certain that it would soon go out of favour. Women are seldom indeed, naturally cruel. They are mostly tender-hearted when they realise suffering, but as the poet told us long ago, "Evil is wrought by want of thought as well as want of heart." Meanwhile a poor flower|worker raises a loud lament at the prolonged depression of her trade. If the tide of fashion would only set that way for a few mouths in the year, what 'happiness it would briug to many a humble home ! draws a vivid picture, and I con only hope that before long some Queen of Fashion may take it into her head to wear flowers instead of birds. That would be a change for the better in more ways than one.

I am glad to hear from Paris that in the gay French capital the modistes are makingl the head-dresses less overwhelming in size and shape. I began to think we should have to recur to the condition of things in the Middle Ages, when all the door-ways of the Courts had to bo raised and widened to permit of the entry of the ladies' head-gear. Terrible tales are told of our immediate ancestors, of the necessity of sitting up all night when one had one's hair dressed for an easy entertainment, since it was impossible to hurry over the business, and equally impossible to interfere with the head-dress when it was once placed on the head. But if Paris is returning to soberer ways, Loudon will, no doubt, follow suit, and the soaring hats, bonnets, and head dresses generally will probably subside before they have attained the alarming altitudes with which they are now threatening us. I see a decided modification in hats already, several of the flutter shapes being much worn. The custom of having the hat made of the same material as the dress is still very general for an ordinary walking 1 toilette. Felt hats for girls are very popular and comfortable. When velvet or velveteen is used for trimming children's dresses flat hats of the same material have a very good effect.

A quarter pound of bread crumbs, quarter pound of suet, quarter pound of marmalade, quarter pound of sugar, four

eggs. Mix the crumbs, suet, sugar, and marmalade together, beat the eggs to a froth, add, mix well, and boil in a basin for two hours.