The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-09-06 00:00:00

LADY JOHN MANNERS IN THE
HIGHLANDS.

of corresponding lace -drawn across the front, looped
on both hips, but higher on the left, and falling half-
way down the back; a full bodice with three-quarter
sleeves, and a fall of gathered lace falling from the
throat, caught up on the right side with a few poppies,
tied by a red velvet bow; a waistband of velvet and
three graduated loops on the left side, the shortest
measuring about 14in. and the longest about 18in.,
with three cut ends from 17in. to 28in. long. Hats or
bonnets of ecru straw, trimmed with red velvet and a
cluster of poppies, long ecru gloves and straw-handled
fans with large cluster of poppies tied round with
velvet, complete the costume.

DELATNE is another favourite material, particularly
in apricot trimmed with lace, with a fichu of soft
Indian muslin drawn from the shoulders down the
front, passed under the waistband and looped back as
paniers, finished on one side with loops of ribbon ad
on the other by a fan of lace. The fichu is a long
straight piece and can be of lace or of coloured Surat.
It measures from 3:.yds. to 4yds. long, and from 12in.
to 14in. wide. It is worn over any sort of evening
dress, and also in black lace. An old-fashioned lace
or fancy scarf is often adapted for the purpose, and
answers perfectly. Muslin and Valenciennes insertion,
arranged in rows to the waist, with a full Valenciennes
edging round the edge of the skirt, is much in vogue
for white bridesmaid's dresses. The waistband and
long side loons are A white velvet, and there is a cas-
cade of lace and loops down the full bodice, com-
mencing on the left shoulder and terminating at the
head of the long loops on the right side. The hats or
bonnets are of white or colour, according to taste.
Embroidered gauze (resembling the open-wOrked
Madeira embroidery on silk muslin) sometimes com-
poses the skirt, mountell over pink, red, or any
favourite colour, and is worn with a gracefully draped
tunic of that colour, cut open up one side, with the
ends loosely looped over. The bodice has a waistcoat
of the embroidery, and the throat and sledves are
trimmed with it. A narrow plaiting of the colour
peeps out below the scalloped edge of the embroidery
at the edge of the skirt. A favourite combination is
cream-coloured gauze, under salmon-pink fancy Surat
drapery, and bows of very dark terra-cotta, brown, or
peacock-blne.

tuz-...._.-carr I many visitors -of
ble, the

In distributing the prizes at Birnam to the winners
of the Birnam Highland games Lady John Manners
said—We have all much pleasure in bearing our testi-
mony to the skill and agility displayed by the com-
petitors. The feats of strength were astonishing. I
cannot help wishing that some competitors for these
prizes could have appeared at the Health Exhibition,
for we have seen living examples of health and
strength here to-day. (Hear, hear.) I trust that this
great blessing of health may be long enjoyed by all
present. Most of us are aware that anxiety is felt in
many quarters at the possible approach of cholera. I
think every soldier here—and I am glad to see that
there are many—will like to know what that revered
lady, Florence Nightingale, says on precautions
against that disease. She writes : "Vigorously
enforce sanitary measures, but with judgment;
wash, cleanse, limewash ; look to all sanitary
arrangements; look to stables, cowsheds, and pigsties;
look to common lodging-houses and crowded
places, dirty houses and yards." I felt anxious to
carry out Miss Nightingale's instructions. I asked
Mr. Lowe at the Birnam post-office to sell penny
sheets about measures against cholera. I procure
these sheets from the Ladies' Sanitary Society, 22,
Berners-street, London, where similar papers may be
had respecting 'small-pox, scarlet fever, measles, and
other infectious illnesses. It is worth recollecting
that before the last outbreak of cholera in England
the Bristol authorities spent a large sum in disinfect.
ing the sanitary outlets of their city. They were well
repaid, for no necessity arose at Bristol for providing a
cholera hospital. The late Dr. Parkes, Professor of
Military Hygiene, the science of health, at Netley,
wrote a manual on personal care of health which 1
earnestly recommend. He dwells much on the value of
oatmeal and milk. Medical men regret that porridge
is less used in Scotland than formerly. Perhaps the
difficulty of obtaining milk has caused this change.
Whole-meal bread is now strongly recommended. Dr.
Parkes, in touching on the question of alcohol, tells us
that one and ahalf ounces of pure alcohol in 24 hours
form the limit of moderation. About two pinta
of table beer contain that quantity. Ile tells us
that of all errors excess in alcohol is the most fatal.
Owing to the great kindness of the inhabitants of
Birnam, Dunkeld, and the neighbourhood, I am
thankful to say the Birnam Institute now offers ac-
commodation for those who prefer non-alcholic
drinks. There is also a small coffee-room in a side-
street, where many kind people will be glad to hear
that the poorest travellers can get a bite and a sup.
Many a poor soul has found. comfort there during the
winter. The travelling tinkers are an interesting
class, usually honest, but they object to live in houses.
Indeed, considering the difficulty the very poor find
in obtaining decent shelter in towns, probably the hill
side is more pleasant, but in cold weather they suffer
much. I was overcome with pleasure and surprise
when I saw the charming lawn that now adds to the
attractions of the institute and the beautiful seats pre-
sented by Mrs. Howard. Sir Douglas Stewart, among
many other marks of interest, has sent very handsome
Bibles. In a place like Birnam,where in the season so
-'iv visitors of different nations and different creeds
assemble, the gift of copies of the one book that all
Christians agree to reverence is particularly appro-
priate. My best thanks are due to those gifted ladies
and gentlemen who have given concerts during the
winter with the object of clearing off the debt on the
institute. When I tell you that Mr. Kinnaird, to
whose exertions we owe so much, is responsible for the
amount, I feel you will require no further inducement
to help on the series of concerts the committee pro-
pose to give to pay the amount. In addressing some
concluding words to my kind neighbours, I wish to
ask them whether we could possibly obtain a
iiecreation-ground or play-ground for Birnam. To
grown people and visitors the hills, moors, and glens
of Scotland form one vast recreation-ground, but
too often the puir wee bairnies have to play in
the middle of the road, to the risk of their
lives. A fire-engine is wanted at Birnam. I
should be very glad if a branch of the Girls' Friendly
Society could be established here.. That society
already numbers 80,000 members. Mothers whose
bonnie lasses are away from home would feel it a
comfort to know that ladies in this society are kind
to the members in various ways. Though, perhaps, it
is rather a melancholy subject, I wish to say Lord
John has allowed me to join the Funeral Reform
Society. (Laughter, and bear, hear.) It is feared
that custom has sanctioned great expense on occa-
sions when simplicity and solemnity should reign in
the house of mourning. The Duke of Westminster
has set us the example of mourning the dead by con-
sidering the living. I thank you for the patience with
which you have listened to my words, knowing it is
for the sake of "Auld Lang Syne," and of that " auld
acquaintance," Lord John Manners, whose happiest
days are spent under the shadow of your grand
Birnam Hill. (Loud applause.)

A DROP TOO MUCII.—The recent " drop " in the
thermometer.—FUlt.
GROSS IMPOSITION ON TRE SOPTII CO(ST.—Tunanus
(down for the day, and only just in time for the ebb
tide) • "Why, Ann, clanged if they bain't a-lettin' t'
watter off !"—Judy.
VERY MUM "ON 'CnArtox."—The barometer just
now.—Fum.