Although the sun seems to have spent the greater part of the week in bed, and after being roasted with the dry heat of last week we are being neatly frozen with the damp coldness of this, one must have clothes, and fond confidence that there are sure to be some good days whereon to wear them, people appear to be luying in an unusual stock of smart things this season. Never has dress been more extravagant, though, I must own, Ihave known it prettier. Tu Pari-, T hear, the choice lies only between cl.iffon, taffeta, and broderio Anglaise if one wishes to bs absolutely up-to-date—and even the latter kind of gown is usually made with the all-prevailing long coat. Guagings at the waist are quite pise though there is still a suspicion of fullness, but nearly every skirt is finished behind with a box.pleat, and all the foundations have a thick cord or narrow steel in them as the skirts are still immensely full at the hem. Tam assured, however, that with the autumn we shall return to perfectly plain tight-fitting skirls, far Jess full, but still much adorned with strappings so dear to the heart of the tailor; with these will be worn tightly-fitting coats either three-marter length or short as funny dictates, ut no longer of the Bolero type which is now considered hopelessly démodé. dresses are extravagant, what is to be said for the hats of tody? I saw two exquisite ones this week both perfect in style and eminently becoming, but the price would have mace one's, grand—mother stare in amazement. One was black—tho finest straw imaginable something of the nature of a crinoline, but so closely plaited as to be barely transparent—the outside was almost flat, but round the diminutive crown there was band of lovely pale blue velvet very narrow but tied in a long double bow on the right side; the left was raised very much from the face and underneath the brim wore five lovely white feathers, two Of which turned their tips over it and: the remainder curled down -on the hai Nothing could have been more simple. or more stylish. The Secoml hat was of cream crinoline, and turned up from the back where it was adorned with a chou of five cream ostrich tips, a bunch of pink moss roses, so real that one felt one could have just seen them. gathered from their native bush, and an extremely wicked-looking bow of black velvet. It likewise possessed the merest apology for a crown, round which was a baud of inch-wide velvet. The brim of the hat had a most naughty-looking little kink in it just over the left eye (I am told nearly all French ladi adopted this eminently becoming little kink), and just exactly xt this point of the crown there was a secon! (and smaller) beach of moss roses which were only just ¢-mmei cing to open. The possession of the ti confections would have entailed an penditure of li tle less than ton pounds but of course if'ons had but the gift—and the shapes,—one could construct them at. home for half the sum or less than that if one luckily poss s-ed the feathers, though the flowers ars rimest us costly; I ful Frenei ones grow dearer every year though it is only fair to sly that they likewise g t more and more besutifal.
Huge box of "red rambler," roses ate now 13 for house decoration for 27/- box—they are mounted on long sticks, by irans of which arches can be constructed if desired. T saw soma fow days ago and quite thought the blems were rox) until my hostess explained to me how the dee rations had been effected. It seemed to me a capital idea and an immense saving of trouble and expense, as of course the trails could be used many times. I believe there were twelyy long ones in each box.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.