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FEMININE FOIBLES,

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FEMININE FOIBLES, FANCIES, AND F,' ,MONS. BY A LADY. (All Rights Reserved.) Though Charles Dickens the elder was himself the originator, and for many y-ears the most wel- come contributor to that class of periodical litera- ture which always deluges us at this season of the year, I have been told that, some time prior to his death, when he edited All the Year Round" in its 3ld form, Mr. Dickens made a request to the con- tributors of the journal that when Christmas came round they would abstain from any allusion [.0, and mention of, the usages and associations connected with the festival. Yet year after year we see special publications of this kind issued, and the marvel is that some other well-advised autho- rity does not interpose to stop the torrent and lay m embargo of silence on the subject, about which loll may be supposed to have said, or written, something. I am going to imagine someone, as a precautionary measure, has whispered "ad nauseam" in my ear, or otherwise fancy the warning comes, maybe, from the ghost of Christmas, whom—or should it bo which?—the earnest Psychological Society is pursuing too closely in its curious inves- tigation concerning manifestations from spirit- land. I possess a story that might give them some food for speculation—"A true story," as chil- dren say, the incidents of which happened tc myself, and the facts of which are corroborated in a manner that dissipates the assumption of delu- sion, superstition, or over-wrought nerves. I will not tell this story privately to the few learned scientists referred to, but some day, behind the shelter of my incognito, I will simply relate it to a far more extended audience, or rather circle of readers. It seems not a little strange that persons usually over-ready to talk of their several and particular experiences in connection with spec- tacular and other—to them unaccountable—mani- festations, now that they are appealed to, will not produce such testimony as they possess in order that the matter may be patiently and thoroughly investigated by the light, however dim, which science has endowed men with. If, instead of calm, deliberate, and unbiassed research, the avowed object of the new society were to hold up every incredible story or facts not easily ac- counted for to the withering light of ridicule, one might well understand the diffidence men and women would feel in coming forward with their version and experience. Most persons are con- scious that this is a material age, and that effects in the majority of cases are distinctly7 traceable to causes. So It is, I suppose, that they shrink away from the cold scrutiny of scientific research, and with their cherished, but not in the eyes of sceptics well-founded, beliefs, they would, on having them dragged before the unbelieving, endure much the same torture that seizes a rene- gade lover when his foolish, fond letters are read out in a drawling, cynical tone by the opposite counsel in open court. Can any keener sensation of intolerable humiliation, or more overpowering conviction of egregious folly, be imagined. The rack itself would be ease and comfort in compari- son. From persons of the very highest, intelli- gence down to those of the grossest ignorance, men of all grades have now and again believed that the earth is revisited by departed souls. The broaching and discussing of the subject in connec- tion with their own feelings, and the supposed revelations of their beloved dead, many would consider as great- an act of sacrilege as the tearing j away of the veil which hid the Holy of Holies would have been in the sight of the great Levitical High Priest. I read that the members of the Psychological Society express themselves dis- appointed that so few persons have responded to their invitation to give them matter for in- vestigation. A year ago the columns of a popular daily teemed with volunteered statements in support of the Church Stretton Mystery, yet it is complained that few of the writers, even at request, have come forward now to repeat their statements. It is easy to hazard statements and believe them authentic behind an alias, conscious that they cannot bo dragged forward for microscopic investigation. But the bar-of science, like the tribunal of justice, is awe- inspiring, and in either case the deity presiding is stern, and by no means to be trilled with. We may be fuily convinced within ourselves, but the corroboration necessary to convince the sceptical, these even the staunchest believer is not always ready to furnish. Last week I made no fewer than three attempts to gel into the principal streets of the City to see the shops, in order that I might describe their con- tents to my readers, .alas for the vanity of human intentions, I found myself on more than oné occa- sion actually pitying King Pharaoh, and thinking (for the darkness was. quite Egyptian) how glad he must have been when the Israelites finally de- parted. Though how he came to be so short- sighted as to pursue them from my childhood up until now has proved an unexplioable source of mystery7 to me, and never more so than when in the face of these detestable fogs, which spoiled my eyes, discoloured my plate, and perpetually recalled that mournful refrain of the poet's in a sense both ludicrous and unbecoming, viz.:— We saw but dimly through those mists and vapours, Amid those earthly damps; And the dull fuuereal hners Were not heaven's distant lamps. I beg my pet poet's pardon for such a travesty of his exquisite sentiments, but, spite of myself, the lines would run in my head, however conscious I was that they had no business there. Just now elders arc brought down to a level with little folk, and I had lately exhibited to me under the rose an eccentric toy, that is expected to create great delight among the juveniles next week. It is a large cow that makes a plaintive moan when you move its head, and so ingeniously is it constructed that milk may be poured in at one place and milked out at another in most wonderful style. Indeed the speciality7 of mechanical toys seems to be their well-developed capacity for producing unearthly noises. It is well-known that the heads of our principal Royal Households take much interest in the selec- tion of suitable and acceptable gifts for the several membjrs of each establishment. By the order of the Princess of Wales a large room at Marlborough House is every year set apart for the use of certain tradesmen, each of whom therein furnishes a stall with his most attractive wares, including speci- mens of all Christmas novelties. In this private bazaar her Royal Highness is at liberty to make her extensive "purchases in the seclusion which she prefers, choice necessarily involving time which in public shops it would be impossible to bestow. The Princess always invites a number of her personal friends to join in the inspection, and share the advantages of this little fair. One unique Christmas gift has with some pains been prepared by a gentleman relative for a fair lady of my acquaintance—a very dainty lady by the way, and one who likes to have everything of the newest and the best. The prospective present is a set of buttons, made of coins of this and other realms, which graduate carefully in size, and are drilled finely to admit of their attachment to the dress they will decorate. A handsome crown piece is furnished with a pin and hook. This forms a brooch declension begins from it, and when the difference between our national coins is too marked for proportion foreign currency is called into requisition. As the bodice to be fastened by this singular means is cut with long points, and the buttons are sewn on it closely,it has cost time, trouble and expense in procuring and arranging these handsome ornaments. The smallest coin is a silver groat, and the largest a noble crown piece. Very pretty bracelets made of shillings drilled through, and threaded with elastic so as to overlap each other, make tasteful bracelets, and each friend may contribute to the gathering if disposed to do 30. Ncckiaces that are Oriental in appearance can be constructed in similar fashion and I have seen an armlet made of threaded bronze or copper coins that looked very well with some dresses. Applique is a very favourite method of deco- rating the surfaces of unpatterned materials. The designs are to be purchased by the dozen at the linendrapor's for a comparatively small sum. Flights of swallows, negroes' heads, cats, dogs, horses, flowers, and other representatives of Nature and Art are all obtainable. I saw one tabiier covered with the eyes of peacocks' feathers manu- factured in silk; and birds with gay plumage are especially affected. The Silk Transfer Company supply admirable coloured designs, which, in a measure, supersede hand painting for the decoration of antimacas- sars, cushiot.s, &:c. I have not yet discovered how the work is accomplished, but it is pronounced easy and effective, and an acquaintance has pro- mised to procure all requisite information for me. Dancing never grows unpopular as a form of en- tertainment bus, while young folk revel in tripping with the light fantastic toe, their elders —I refer particularly7 to pater and materfamilias— though generously disposed to sacrifice repose and comfort for one night, naturally object to have the house turned upside down for many days before and after the evening cf the festivity. They don't grudge the expense; it is the discomfort and general upsetting of household routine whcih they object to and after passing a certain stage of ex- istence, "shifts,"as they are termed, are not often considered diverting, nor likely to soothe and temper the feelings of steady-going people. Many persons who are quite willing to give a dance hesi- tate when they reflect on the turning upside-down which such a festivity necessarily involves if it takes place under their own roof; and to hire a public hall savours of ostentation in the eyes of many, or otherwise involves the issue of a larger number of invitations than was intended besides, everyone is conscious of the depressing effect pro- duced by a half-filled room. A charming solution of the difficulty i:3 to engage from a house agent some uninhabited residence, have it well scrubbed down, hang it with suitable draperies; scarlet floor and stair carpets may be added, and line the coriidors with flowers in pots. Light either by gas or candles, as is practicable all which arrange- ments may be accomplished with greater ease and less expense than if operations were conducted in your own home, into which exclusive castle tiro- some, intrusive tradespeople need never set foot. Fnsn it you may transfer whatever seems requi- site and the festivity over, if you leave some re- sponsible person or persons to look after your goods, you, like your guests, can retire to the un- invaded privacy of your own sacred chamber. I know several persons who have adopted the above plan, and find it answers admirably. There are no carpets to take up nor to put down again, or other- wise to leave on the floors to be trampled to pieces bv revengeful feet, the owners of which will not bless you next morning for the aching which usually follows a carpet dance. Yesterday I was present at a fashionable Metropolitan Church, of which a certain canon is the well-known vicar. It was whispered that amidst the congregation was a patient from Netley, a private in the company of the Cameron Highlanders, who was wounded at Tel-el-Kebir. Rumour said some high clerical authority had requested the soldier to appear in the military dress which he wore during the engagement. His appearance in national costume led to the belief that the request had not only been made, but granted also. Some of the reading specially prepared for Christmas leisure is, to say the least of it, of a very ephemeral character; but charming among the books of the season is "Lady Bloomtield's Memoirs, or Reminiscences of Court and Diplo- matic Life," the first part relating to the time when the heir to the throne was a baby in petticoats. The work gives one curious glimpses into the customs and manners of an authenticated past of not so very, very long ago. Seeing that our Royal mothers are almost continually accompanied by their young children, it seems incredible, as was related of Lady Bloomfield herself, that when a child, with her nurse, her father meeting both on the steps of his mansion, struck by the little girl's beauty, stopped to inquire to whom she belonged. The servant, greatly astonished, exclaimed, She is your own, Sir Thomas." How such an anecdote illustrates the difference between the domestic usages of that day and our own. The amusements, too, which entertained the Royal circle of an even- ing 38 years aero are singularly simple. For instance, the author says the Royal party fre- quently indulged in the innocent and somewhat childish game of spinning finger rings, at which pastime Prince Albert excelled. Lady Bloomfield says, The Queen supplied me with her different rings from her own hands, and gave me the history of each." One small enamel, that had a tiny- diamond in the centre, the Prince presented on the Queen's sixteenth birthday. Another emerald serpent ring was given after betrothal. The next, the writer says, was the Queen's wedding ring, which she had never taken off, and reports that when a cast was taken of her Majesty's Uaad she was ia agony lest the golden circle should come off with the I plaster. Windsor at that tiine seems to have been full of fun and jollity. Miss Liddel tellsjus how delighted she was to win eighteen pence at vingt-et-un, and speaks of the round games and merry dances continually going forward. In the Memoirs" we read of a dance popularly called Grand-pere," a. sort of Follow my leader," where, on the particular occasion alluded to, the Prince and the Duchess of Kent led the way, and it is characterised as great fun, but rather a romp." Many works of a class resembling" Lady Bloomfield's Memoirs" are entertaining as well as instructive, and I certainly prefer such reading to many of the season's stories, which I am, in the interests of truth, obliged to denominate trashy. Some, nay many, years ago, Lady Bloomfield says, one of the favourite occupations of her Majesty was to plait paper for bonnets. RECIPE. M.VUMA.T.ADE PUODING.— Six ounces of beef suet, half a pound of grated bread crumbs, half a pound of orange marmalade, two table spoonfuls of moist sugar, one ounce of candied peel, chopped fine, and a quarter of a pint of milk. Mix and boil fast four hours in buttered basin. Eat hot with brandy and melted butter, or pour the above over and send to table cold.

Y BARDD CYMREIG.

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