LADIES' COLUMN
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MY DEAR COUSIN, --

    Just now holiday-making is the order of the day, and all those who can
possibly leave home are now availing themselves of the "Easter Recess", from
the M.P. downwards.  The weather, taking it on the whole, has been fairly
good;  at any rate, a slight improvement on that previously experienced
during this month, the only drawback being the intense cold for the time of
year, almost like January.  The children will have been made happy with
another "egg rolling" day.

    By the bye, I have just heard for the first time of another ancient
custom in connection with eggs.   An egg service is a somewhat uncommon
feature in our churches, but it is, nevertheless, an annual occurrence at
the little church of the Kentish village of High Halden, where quite
recently, on the 11th of this month, the sixth egg service was held, and
some hundreds of eggs collected to be sent to the large and very poor parish
of St. Luke's, Camberwell.  High Halden is a great poultry district, and
eggs are plentiful there.  The day following the service the eggs are packed
up and despatched to their destination.  For the last three years, they say,
not a single egg has been broken during the transit, and one can imagine the
boon that they must prove to the sick and delicate of some crowded London
parish.

    The great event of the theatrical year, the production that has been so
eagerly looked forward to, has at last taken place, and "Madame SansGene"
has made her appearance at the Lyceum Theatre.  If possible, ELLEN TERRY has
risen higher than ever in popular favour.  Though her power in tragedy is
already well-known, she has again proved her wonderful versatility of
talent, for on this occasion she once more showed that incomparable genius
of comedy that must make her name for ever conspicuous in the history of
drama.  The entire play, I understand, rests on MISS TERRY's shoulder, and
SIR HENRY IRVING plays but a comparatively small part, though needless to
say, that small part is the perfection of acting.  I suppose his Napoleonic
make-up is exceedingly clever, and though he is not exactly the "Little
Corporal", he presents a noble and interesting figure.  I also heard that
MISS TERRY looked most charming in her gowns, especially the magnificent
jewel-embroidered Court robe with its train of geranium-pink velvet.  The
theatre was of course, crowded with a large and fashionable audience.  What
a lovely theatre the Lyceum is !  I think there are none in London to
compare with it, for comfort and elegance.

    By the way, there is to be an amateur theatrical performance here in
connection with the Primrose League.  From all accounts, I think it is going
to be a great treat for us Whitehaven people, as I imagine it will be very
superior to anything of the kind that we have previously been favoured with;
and I feel sure it will be largely attended and fully appreciated.  I hope
next week to be able to tell you something about it.  I trust you did not
forget to wear a primrose on the 19th in memory of our every lamented, and
never-to-be-forgotten, LORD BEACONSFIELD !

to be continued.......................................
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