WOMEN'S REALM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 15, 18 January 1905, Page 10

WOMEN'S REALM.

THE HOUSE OF THE 20TH

CENTURY.

J What will the architecture—what will I the English houses of the future—be 'like? asks a writer in the "Strand j loggias and roof-gardens. , Some twelve years ago, Mr Edward !Bellamy, the author of "Looking Backward," declared that in his opinion "the. houses of the future—i.e., the year 2000 —"whether iv England or America,! |would be far better adapted to the needs | 'and conditions, not of their occupants alone, but of the community at large. ! With the extension of facilities for rapid land cheap locomotion, land values in the I :cities will fall, so that it will become | 'possible to erect large and beautiful] buildings whose proportions will not be j .cramped by squalid, treeless streets, nor 1 dwarfed by 'sky-strapei's.' Glass and j other transparent material will be emj ployed in the roofs, and the public will jbe safeguarded against the vagaries of the weather by extensive arcades and colonnades The low-ceiled room land the grim rectangular window will i disappear." "Tbe twentieth century bouse." says 'Mr H. G. Wells, "wheu it is thoroughly ! worked out, will be very different in icharacter from the houses of any former period. For example, it is very doubtful whether it will have ohimneys. lt seems , 'highly probable that electric heating will supersede the coal fire; and in that case not only will the chimney-stack and the. blackened and blackening chimney-pots go, but also the internal grouping of I the room about the fireplace; insteatl there will be a heater in the centre of the apartment. "At present electric heaters appear to be designed by ironmongers' apprentices in their spare moments; but there is no reason why an electric heater should not be made a very graceful and beautiful 1 h i ng. "Moreover, the air in rooms will be spun out by an electric fan, and will come in through a proper shaft and litter: and the-e appliances not only afford scope for tbe designer and metal-worker, and the emergence of the air-shaft upon the roof of an architectural feature, but 1 hey release the windows from the task of ventilation. The architect will no longer be tied to the hygienic sash-win-dow, nor obliged to keep the tops of his windows close to the epiling level; ho will place them entirely for lighting and for beauty of internal and external effect. He will be able to make them to open or not, as he wishes, and so he will be able to put them in many corners where now he dare not do so because of the risk of a draught. He will be tied to no particular shape —a liberty be will have to use with discretion. "Moreover, with the supersession of coal fires the roof and exterior of a house will become possible resorts, and the town bouse, where garden ground is limited, will open out skyward with loggias and roof-garden. ARE LOVE MATCHES ON THE WANE ? (By LADY MacGREGOR.) [Lady MacGregor is the widow of General Sir Charles MacGregor, whose "Life and Opinions" she has edited. She has seen a great deal of the world, having travelled all over India (where she resided with her husband some years). America, Egypt, and much on the Continent of Europe. The late Queen gave her apartments in Hampton Court Palace, whore she now resides.] "Any money?" "Is it a good match?" "What are bis prospects?" Are not these and similar questions unfortunately but too often the first asked byrelatives and friends on the announcement of an engagement in their set? Listening to the way in which they discuss the practical consideration of JC j s. d. and social advantages, one would almost, think that money had entirelyusurped the place once occupied by the little winged god in the hearts of the modern man and maid. Is the present generation so very sensible, so very matter-of-fact and busi-ness-like, so full of the pursuit of money-making and pleasure, that it has no time for romance and chivalry in the hurry and rush of everyday life? Surely this cannot be so! How dull and commonplace this world would be if there were no romance, no high ideals, no true, sincere love and unselfish aims to brighten our gloomy lives! No one should blame a man or woman lor taking a sensible view of the seriousness of what one might almost say is practically an irrevocable step, and for giving it due consideration. A certain amount of caution is absolutely necessary before entering into matrimony, especially when neither of the young folk happens to be blessed with much of this world's goods. "All for love, and the world well lost,'' sounds very pretty iv poetry and fiction, but it may become only an excuse for thoughtlessness and imprudence. Au income sufficient for the necessaries of life is indispensable for the happiness of any young couple, and it may be no mean and mercenary spirit which keeps a man from rushing blindly into matrimony without the means of providing an adequate home for the girl of his choice. On the contrary, it may in the end prove more tinselfish than if he plunged into housekeeping, incurring all the difficulties and expenses without the means of meeting them. A genuine love may be, and no doubt is, of great assistance in lightening one's work; but, however willing the young wife may be, she must of necessity feel the difference, and no one will realise it more than her husband. The more truly he loves her the more he will appreciate the difference of her present life with that she has been accustomed to. I do not wish to infer that a substantial income is necessary to happiness—far from it. Deeper and truer love is far more often to be found in tbe jas-mine-covered cottage than in a gilded palace. Husbands and wives who are poor in a worldly sense are often far more to each other than richer couples, and the woman who has struggled uphill with her husband generally cares far more for him than when she has joined him after he has reached the summit. 1 do not believe that there was more love in the marriages of past times There may have been more display of love and sentiment, but not more of the real thing. The woman of to-day has lost much of the sentimentality which characterised her grandmothers, and she takes a wider, broader view of life; but her affections, once they arc fixed, are just as true and sincere. Love never will be at a discount to a woman—it must always remain the best thing life has to offer her; and if the modern maid takes a little of that practical common-sense which she finds so useful in hex business relations into her love-affairs it is not because she is incapable of an unselfish

and heart-whole devotion. She has many other vocations besides matrimony open to her, and to marry is not now the aim and end of her life. Girton, Newnham, and all the branches of higher education for women, have done much to break away the old idea that any husband was better than none. So many interests in life are now offered to* the enterprising woman out- j side the realms of matrimony that she j can afford to wait until her more fastidious fancy is satisfied, and does not I blindly and eagerly grasp at the first j chance which may be offered to her. j No: love matches are not on the wane, j Fortunately, there are many marriages j taking place every day iv which love is the chief incentive. The love which unites the peasant to the prince—King Cophetua to the beggar-maid—still exists, and will never quite die out. Love is a vital necessity to most women — and mon, too: and, although it may not end in wedded happiness, it must sooner or later enter into their lives. A FEW THINGS TO OBSERVE IF YOU DON'T WANV TO LOOK TOO TALL. There are certain points which must, be studied by every tall woman who would look her best in tbe eyes of other iinen and women. Somehow, men do not take very kindly to the tall woman a: times. They seem to have a prejudice against ' her. onore particularly if they themselves are of small or middle height. Perhaps it is the thought that, she is apt to make him appear insignificant beside her which makes a man turn from the woman of commanding stature to her more petite sister. Or maybe the woman herself is to blame for not combining her height with gracefulness, and a style of dress which makes her least conspicuous. There is no reason, however, why a tall woman should not make herself quite as charming in the eyes of the male sex as her shorter sister. That a tall woman can be charming no one can deny who has seen such delightfullyclever actresses as Miss Violet Vanbrugh. Miss Dorothea Baird and Miss Viola Tree, for instance, who are among Ihe tallest of Hieatrieal celebrities. Thesq ladies not only- understand the art of dressing to perfection, but they also understand how to carry themselves as a tall woman should. And that is one of the most important secrets of the tall woman's charms. If is of little use for a tall woman to take care tbat she only wears those hats and dresses which produce an appearance of graceful proportion, unless she carries herself well. The fault of nine out of every ten women is tbat they have a natural inclination to stoop, evidently in order to appear less tall. As a matter of fact, tne tall woman who stoops when standing or walking with a shorter person, docs not take tho fraction of an inch off her height. On the contrary, she emphasises her inches and makes herself look awkward. It is necessary- that a tall woman should learn not to be conscious of her height. Tho mere knowledge that you are above the average height makes you feel awkward, which proves that the very first thing for a tall woman to learn is to forget about herself, and help to keep from impressing her height upon others. People see in every move you make, in every pose you assume, a consciousness of your height, if you are at all awkward. Of course, it is so much easier to bo "slumpy." as the saying goes, than 1o ! study gracefulness in pose and carriage. Put the tall woman who carries her Height well will after a time cease to think about it. and the more natural her attitude when standing or walking (he less attention she will attract on account of her exceptional stature. While trying to be unconscious of her height, however, the tall woman should not forget the important part which furniture and surroundings play in her appearance. For instance, there are few tall-women who pay any attention to what sort of chairs they sit in. Notice the contrast between the tall woman sitting in a tiny seat, and one oceupyincr a high-backed chair. Tn the first instance, her shoulders probably droop instinctively to be in proportion with her surroundings, her knees assume an awkward angle, while almost invariably you will see her cross her feet or sit with thorn in some ungraceful position. The impression she gives is that she is far too big for the chair, whereas a hi*»hbacked chair permits of graceful poses, and forms a fitting background for the picture. The same thing is noticeable in regard to low tables. A tall woman looks extremely awkward and uncomfortable when bonding over an unusually low table. She should make it a point to keep away from tiny furniture that is built on a diminutive scale. Neither should she stand under chandeliers nor lincer in doorways, for these call attention to her height. More can be accomplished by'dressing suitably, however, than by any other means 10 produce an appearance of graceful proportion. Broad shoulder ell'ects. anil low wide hats, take away from height. A tall woman's dresses should always be made to suggoisit breadth, while it is easier to decrease the height by wearing low-heeled shoes than to increase it very much by the aid of high ones. Tt would doubtless surprisp many women to see how some actresses, measuring five feet ten or eleven inches, make theniselveso appear five or sixinches shorter, and many years younger, in order to impersonate some girlish character. By such simple little devices as flat heels, ankle-length drosses, and hair done low in the neck and perfectly flat on top. it is quite possible for the tallest woman to make herself quite perfect. GIRLS AND THEIR READING. A recent discussion about what girls should read, and the declaration by Mrs Craigie that they would do better to read Fielding's works than many of the mawkish stories written for them, has brought John Strange Winter into the contrcversy. she says:—"Let them read anything and everything. Mv opinion is tbat if they have been brought up on pure and wholesome lines they will not care to read the books that are pernicious. If they do chance upon them, they will get no barm from them. 1 will o-ive you an instance. My eldest girl was reading one of these very books the other .lay. Noticing it, I asked her what kind.of a book it, was. She simolv said, T thmk it's the dullest book I ever read i„ ni y life. I don't think I shall finish it.' If you would restrict the reading of young people, think what you must cut. out. You must begin with tbe Bible. The effort of even' father and mother should be to cultivate in their children everything that is noble, to deprecate everything that is ignoble. Cultivate in your children a love for fresh', breezy, wholesome human books, but never forbid them to read ans one,'*

TESTED RECIPES.

POTATO SALAD.

One cup of cold-bmlcd diced potato**, or cut them in thin slices, season yt]& 'salt and pepper; sprinkle over the top* cup of boiled beets db'eed, the yolk 0 | one hard-boiled cg<r rubbed through % strainer, add a toaspor>nful of choppy parsley and pour over French dressing. CROQUETTES OF CALF'S BRAINS. Lay the brains in stilt water for a j hour* or until they look perfectly white. Boil in salted water 111d.il tender. Bojj also a sweet-bread. When cold mine, fine together. Stir into a. white saves and boil up well. When cool enough shape, crumb and fry. Tine twectbrcaj can be omitted. APPLES IN CUSTARIX Peel four large, good cooking apple* core them, and fill the. spaces with anji kind of jam. Put ihe apples in a pie, dish, and set in a hot oven until the* are quite soft. In the meantime jnakj a rich custard. Sweeten to taste, and pour it round the apples, allowing the, tops to be seen. Grale over a littla nutmeg, and place in the oven until the custard is set and firm. APPLE OMELET. Peel and core ton large apples- Boil them to a pulp, into which stir two; ounces of butter and two ounces of sugar. When cold add a well-beaten egg, Butter ti deep pie-dish for mould, anj stew it thoroughly with bread-crumbs, Pour in the mixture, and cover with 4 layer of breadcrumbs. Bake in a mod, crate oven for half an hour. Turn thl pudding out of the dish to serve, CABBAGE SALAD. A small cabbage chopped fine. Dres* ing: One-half cup of Champion's vinegar, a tablespoonful of salt, butter the gizjj of an egg, two eggs, and a dessertspoon* fill of mustard: put tbe Champion's vine* gar, salt, sugar, and butter en th{ stove, and let it come to a boil; beafj the eggs and mustard well, while pour, ing ou the Champion's vinegar; replace] on tho. stove and lot if boil for a fety minutes, pouring over the cabbage whilj still hotPOTATO PUFF. One pound of boiled Homy potatoei two Qiinccs of butler, two raw- eggs, one gill of cream or. milk, pepper, and salt. Rub tho potatoes through a wire sieve* warm the butter till it is just oily, add it to the potatoes: beat them till they arj like cream. Beat tho eggs till they ar« frothy, then add them and the cream o, milk to Ibc potatoes. Season the mix, ture well. Heap it up neatly in a but* tered pie-dish. Bake it in a sharp oven till it is well browned and light an! puffy. Serve at once. TOMATO KETCHUP. Use half a bushel of .somidlo, matoes. Wa-b and cut them int. pieces. Cook gently for half an hour, then press through'a sieve. Cook again' for one hour; then add one ounce ol ground ginger, one ounce of mustard, one gill of salt, half a pound of sugar, and one quart of vinegar. Cook.to tha proper consistency: add five drops of oil of nutmeg, and the same of celery, oj a tablespoonful of celery seed. Bottle, cork and seal. BROWN BETTY. Peel and slice cooking apples fine, puf stale bread in the ovon until a light brown and crisp, roll it with the rolling pin until fine. Put a layer of the apples and a layer of the bread crumbs in a granite baking pan. Sprinkle plenty of sugar on them. lots of butter and nutmeg between each layer: add a good pinfi of boiling water. Let bake until thon oughly done. Circa so the pan before pufo ting in apples and bread. DERBY" POLL. Mix a. good teaspoouful of powdered ginger with lib of brown sugar. Maka some light suet pastry anil roll out thmly, spread it with r'lie mixture ol sugar and ginger, and form into a rolypoly. Wet tho ends of Tho pastry and squeeze them together. Place the roll in a floured cloth which has previously been wrung out of boiling water. Piling* into boiling water and cook for twit and a-balf to three hours. Serve hoi with sweet sauce flavoured with lemoq juice. WASHING DAY HINTS. In putting wet linen through thl wringer, it is well to fold every article fairly straight in the wash-tub befo« it passes between the rollers. This process takes up very littll more Time in the long run, and it saves the linen wonderfully, as when article, are put through in heaps and lump* they are liable lo get torn and cut, and to be deprived of strings and buttons. This precaution is particularly impofl tant when wringing from the 'last wa» ter, before putting to dry. If the line* is forced through tightly screwed rollers in lumps, the multitudinous creasei thus caused will never completely drjj out. and the articles will give'morf trouble iv ironing without looking neap ]y so well. All garments will, of course, be fur* Pd insidc-out during the washing pW cess. Sheets and tablecloths, serviettes, etc.. should be folded with the selvedges inside, as they are thus loss likely to fray and break with the friction of throllers. In handling large articles—sheets, tablecloths, quilts, etc., the best pl»» is to fold them in the water as far ss is possible, and to put them throug'the rollers to squeeze out the wet; then to fold them quite straight, wripg on. again, and to hang out to dry immediately, pulling them smooth and straight on the lines after pegging. The help oi another person iii folding and hanging big articles will facilitate matters considerably. Pocket handkerchiefs should be foM' ed into squares, and laid on top of ons another, when three or four will go De " tween in one thickness. Collars -»■ cuffs may be laid very straight in * large old handkerchief or piece of ?W linen—kept exclusively for the purpose and washed every wash-day—and taUl passed through the mangle. It is advisable to put only a few art* icles at once into the blue-water, as » linen is allowed to stand any time > it.' tbe blue will fleck in patches. *f peeially is this tho case with collar cuffs, white shirts, handkerchiefs, etc. The linen should be shaken from j| folds, and pegged out as soon aii P '. sible. Fine linen for starching sho«» be dried indoors in winter-time'Wß?? the day is clear and bright or frowb and the atmosphere quite free l soots. Fine linen seems to cateb e« ' stray atom of soot, and the shgf» e marks show when starched. A strong frost is an effective of linen, and the garments hung well frozen on a winter's day * o( whitened and purified. Any y e . Uo * r , discoloured linen may be vastly ed by being washed and then E ttt JT to. freeze.