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FASHION NOTES.
BY CORA.
Once more I am taken to task by a critical
correspondent, wbo conceals his or her iden-
tity, under the nom de plume of violet.
The query contained in the heading "Why
describe our dresses ? " I leave the Editor to
reply to; but may I suggest that the question
be slightly amended, as follows -- "Why pub-
lish descriptions of our dresses?" Editors,
like, other persons, should know their own
business best, and I fancy that the reply
which wonld be given might serve to fully
enlighten "Violet" and others who have so per-
sistently attacked me over the publication of
fashion and dress descriptions in these
columns. The charge levelled directly at me
of frequent misdescription is serious, and
might well be regarded as malicious. No
instances are given, but a general charge of
a damaging character is directed at me in my
humble capacity of a Press writer-a charge
which I cannot afford to pass over, unless I
am prepared to admit unfitness and, its cou-
sequences. Not far a moment do I believe
myself incapable of error, and that my eyes
or memory may not occasionally deceive me
as to tint and material in this kaleidoscopic
and inventive age. But I give the
subject entrusted to me some study,
and until I read "Violet's" accusa-
tion of '"startling inaccuracy" I had
reliance on my own eyes, and trusted in my
knowledge and experience. As to my acquain-
tanoe with the "slang of the modiste," I
don't think that the word " slang" is a fair
or a proper one. A friend, speaking to me
of this point in "Violet's" letter, put it much
more nicely when he said that every art and
every, trade has its technieplogy and jargon,
and if recourse were not had to the terms which
most accurately, and technically describe the
parts of a costume, tbe style and the oolours,
the result would be bald, uninteresting descrip-
tions, such as,'Mrs. S. wore a red dress with
yellow trimmings," which would elicit the
remonstrance, maybe, of my old friend and
critic " Modiste!" Then, as to colour par-
ticularly, the gradations of tints are now-a-
days innumerable and bewildering, and I
suppose one could find names more or less
accurate and intelligible for fifty shades
between, say, pink and red, or yellow
and brown ; whilst the new tint shades
render chromatic nomenclature increasingly
difficult. It is not my fault if "Violet's"
"charming little friend" did not understand
the words I used in a description of her
dress. I can only supply the description,
not the intelligence to understand it. I
quite admit that it falls to my lot to now
and again re-describe a dress, and if I, who
have to manufacture my "tale of bricks"
with sadly little straw, attempt to "ring the
changes," am I so very much to be blamed
Let "Violet " and others pause to think of some
of the difficulties of Cora's position. What
would be thought or said about her descrip-
tions if she wrote somewhat to this effect
"Lady S. wore her everlasting green silk,"
or "Mrs. J. once more resurrected her yellow
gown and her old-fashioned pink bonnet."
Both these descriptions might be strictly
accurate, but they could not be regarded as
exactly complimentary. On the other hang,
Lady S. and Mrs. J. are local "personages"
and to omit reference to them altogether
might be regarded as displaying ignorance
of their status, or a lack of respect. It is
clear that in such, cases I must either offend
the susceptibilities of Lady S. and Mrs J.,
or those of Violet and her charming friends.
Let me also give one little amusing and in-
structive episode-and mind, this is only one
of many. At a recent large afternoon
gathering, a lady came up to me and said,
"Now, my dear Cora, you, with your quick
eye, will at once see that the gown I have on
is that which you so well described when
I wore it only the other evening at ----.
Whatever you do, don't describe it in such a
way as to let people know it is the same
dress." I looked, and lo! it was the same,
and a very nice dress, too. The description
which gave of it let nobody into the terrible
secret, and yet I think no one would say
that either the first or the second description
was incorrect. The sneer at me as "as a
woman with a mission" is uncalled for. I
have never posed in the role. My chief
mission is to satisfy my Editor, and, in the
next place I try, as far as my small powers
'allow me, to encourage good taste and
becoming styles. It is, therefore, with some
little satisfaction I notice that even "Violet,"
who begins by blessing ma and ends by doing
the opposite, admits tbat I am "very much
in earnest," that I never advocate extrava-
gance in dress, often expressing the frankest
admiration for the simplest costume, and
at the same time I am "'quite at home
amongst the richest materials," and "know
just what to say of each." After all, what
greater praise could a humble describer of
dress and fashion require than this?
"Violet" would have me confine my comments
to the " lilies and roses of fashion," whoever
they may be. Many flowers make a garden,
and the fragrant violet and the modest daisy
claim and receive as much admiration as
the "rapturous rose" or the "languorous
lily." No flowers give truer pleasure
than violets-their odour is so de-
liciously sweet, and they bear such
close inspection. Who knows but that
" Violet's" own modest frocks may have struck
me as being in truer taste and better style
than Mrs. Rose's or Lady Lily's gorgeous
gowns-as it is admitted by her that I often
express admiration for the simplest costume.
If " Violet," however, does really regard with
dissatisfaction my "impertinent descriptions"
of her "modest frock," and if there are others
like her, they have their remedy-they can
write to the Editor, and ask him to kindly
omit "Cora's" references to their dresses, and
I am sure that he would not be so impertinent
as to publish tbeir names or anything about
tbem
Peith should Eoon be rel oved from the
unusual dnlneBS which bas pie vailed since
Eas+e'\ Besides the^GoverFor's'Ball on the
20th June, there is to be a Yacht Club Ball,
and also a Berida of tbe private assembly
dances, which were so successfal last year
and theyeBr before. In Fremantle also a
series of assembly dances has been arranged.
The Musical Union gives its next concert on
June the 7tb, and the Perth Amateur Operatic
Society are rehearsing for a grand operatic
concert. Parliament does not open for anoth. r
six weeks, 'by which time the Perth Beason
should be" in full swing. I am sorry to see
that the Hunt Glub movement has tem-
porarily fallen through ; but on tbe other hand
we are premised a series of the enjoyable
paper chases of last season.
$