The Social Sphere

By Muriel*

My Dear Mubiel,— I conld not think what waß the matter in town last week, so many well dressed women were to be Been, bat I came to the conclusion that the aufcamn shows were attracting fashionable Anckland. I saw the Misßes Cotter and Baddle wearing white ; they looked ao cool and dainty. Close behind them came a lady, name unknown, wearing a red velvet frock ; the skirt was trained, so had to be held up, displaying a pink lining and glimpses of a blue petticoat. A large feathered hat of various colours completed thia costume, the gorgeouaneßs of which must have been the only thing that kept the wearer from fainting — to look at it alone made me feel hot. Mrs Mitchell, from North Shore, looked awfully well in tussore silk dress trimmed with sapphire blue velvet, and black hat ; Mißs Flegeletant, fawn coat and Bkirt, black picture hat, which suited her fair beauty to perfection ; Mrs D'Arcy was wearing a pretty grey and white frock and pink toque; and Mrs Napier, looking, if possible, lovelier and more stately than ever, waa in black. ' Mr and Mrs Thomas Brassey leave by the next mail steamer for London, and last week the cluba farewelled Mr Brassey with dinners, -while Mrs Braaaey's many friends entertained her with farewell ' teas.' A small one given by Mrs N. Williams at Mount Eden last Thurs day was very jolly. Among the guests were Mrs Brassey and Mr Ailoway. Mrß Montgomerie, who always looks bo dis tinguished, wore pale blue, and Mrs Laurie was much admired in a perfectly fitting black costume. It waa quite a treat to go to the Opera I House again and see something bright and amusing. I chink the Auckland Amateur Minstrel Club's entertainment quite sur passed anything of that description that we have had here lately, either amateur or professional. When the curtain was raised the prettily-decorated stage and rows of clean- looking blacks drew forth murmurs of admiration The two extreme corner men quite fascinated me — the sylph-like beauty of Mr Denton is too well-known to need description, and words fail me whan I think of the fatal beauty of Mr Marshall aB ' a corner man.' He displayed a lavish amount of ankle, and forgot to blacken his hands. 