The Blackpool Herald. — 1893-08-18 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

THE PREMISES  UNDER EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT.  GOSSIP FOR LADIES.  I mentioned accordian pleating in my notes last week, and since then I have been asked where this kitting is done. The best firm for this work is Messrs. Hammett, 1.88, Euston-road, London, and I believe their charge is from 3d. to Is. 6d. a yardlaccording to the width of material. They will also hem and prepare the skirt for Is. extra, and band it for a further charge of Is. 6d. For a skirt, double the amount of material will be required than is generally allowed for an ordinary dress, and Messrs. Hammett prefer to have the length made of the width, that is, so that the selvidge forms the hem, and there is only one seam in the skirt. Roughly estimating, I should say that the cost of a skirt made in this style would be about 12s. 6d.  The latest and most correct style of bodice is to have it short, with seams round the waist, and a frilled basque about six or seven inches deep. They need vary skilful cutting, and are made either with severs to show a shirt-front, or plainly buttoned straight down the front, snd sleeves are only of the ordinary coat dimensions.  To write shout fashions this week is very difficult, as I have not been near a shop window for a long time. In fact, dresses and all pertaining thereto have become a positive burden, for I am camping out, and the edge of my skirt is continually being decorated with an inch of mud, while my hat would be scorned by the most ancient of scarecrows through much battering by the sail of the boat, and being sat upon in mistake for a cushion. How one longs for a rational costume that would not necessitate eternal brushing, and in which one could climb over barbed wire fence*, and jump into boats with some degree of elegance and comfort. Our tent is pitched on the banks of my beloved river Wyre, so that we get good boating and bathing, especially the latter, as some of our visitors can testify who have received impromptu dackings through the misbehaviour of the craft in which they were journeying. After boating, , the chief amusement is gathering mushrooms, and it is astonishing how alluring this pastime is. You may be heartily sick of eating this dainty, yet you feel impelled to get wet feet and an aching back in Minting for them, the popular time being at midnight, when one ought to be in bed, and with the men of the party, just when a meal is ready. The preparation for eating is decidedly a lengthy process. If we were sensible we should have an oil stove, bat one of the gentlemen insists on everything being done in a truly gipsy fashion, so we have the orthodox tripod and smithy kettle over a wooden fire; which said fire has a charming habit of going out if left to itself for one minute, or else the kettle tilts over when at the point of boiling, wasting its contents, and squelching the fire, so that the whole process has to be gone through again. Then the edibles get rathfit mixed up; the marmalade is found upset in the flour, a candle appears in the milk, and the tea tastes of paraffin. But it is a wonder that there is ever anything eatable in the larder (which is a box), as the men will insist on bringing all parcels by boat, even from Windy Harbour, quite a short distance, and loaves and pastry generally arrive in a more or less squashed and sodden condition. As for other parcels, it is a miracle if they reach their destination at all. The last package of groceries was deposited on a bank (with a rising tide), whilst a boat was hunted for; its contents can be more easily imagined than described as the wanderers on their return found it committing suicide by drowning. The spot will now be for ever known as " Sugar Point."  One ought to have a great love for animal life to thoroughly enjoy being under canvas, for all manner of creatures visit one, from the lively chamois, as Mark Twain calls it, to an inquisitive horse that scares one in the night by pawing the tent and snorting furiously; beetles, earwigs, and caterpillars crawl from under one's couch, and as for wasps, they are with us in thousands, adorning all our food, and inflicting grievous pain on our bodies. The wasps multiply exceedingly, for we kill and kill until we feel that there cannot be a single one left, but lo! next morning they all seem to have come to life again, and we give up in despair. Of course, the weather has a great deal to do with our enjoyment, though we are very snug and warm in the family quarters, even on the most drenching days, but the bachelors' tent not having undergone the Cravenette process leaks in places, and one individual confessed to having spent the night on a chair under an umbrella. Still, notwithitanding the slight drawbacks, it is a delightful life, so healthy and invigorating; and it is one of the most perfect ways of spending a holiday for anyone who doesn't mind roughing it. It is, however, absolutely necessary to treat such obstacles as stiles, hedges, ditches, cows, sunburning, mud, and showers with the greatest oontempt, or else a woman will never survive one week of the life. Nerves must be left at home with all furbelows and fripperies, and I would advise any lady who wishes to follow my example to take only serge or tweed skirts, with a multitude of blouses, several pairs of good strong boots, brown ones preferably, a pair of goloshes, a macintosh, caps, sailor hat, and plenty of rugs; and don't forget curling pins, which must be kept in the pocket, or they will disappear mysteriously. Unfortunately one cannot stow away all one's belongings in this fashion, so that such details as finding that the bath sponge has been used to clean the boat with, and the toilet soap for washing the dishes, have to be taken as matters of course. _ . _