A MAID IN MAY FAIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 102, 2 May 1931, Page 4 (Supplement)

A MAID IN MAY FAIR.

CUSHIONS FOR BRIDES.

QUEEN OF SCOTS RELICS.

(From Our London Lady Correspondent.)

An academic relative tells me that if present proposals are carried through, Oxford's sweet girl graduates may soon cease to beat the men so conspicuously at studies. The reason why the women so often eclipse the men at present is because they are subjected to a far more searching test before going up. This is due to lack of accommodation at existing women's colleges. Once the latter extend their premises, as Lady Margaret Hall is now proposing to do, •women will he more freely admitted, the entrance examinations will be made less exacting, and the average academic standard of women at Oxford will be no better than that of the men students. My academic friend quite cynically contends that, when this happens, the masculine prejudice against Oxford blue stockings will appreciably modify. Men hate being "shown up." WEDDING GIFTS UP TO DATE. When a recent bride knelt at the altar jupon a dainty satin cushion which exactly toned with her long Tudor wedding dress, everyone seemed a trifle curious, but this fashion for having a cushion specially made to match or harmonise with the bridal gown is steadily growing. Especially when the wedding procession is of the "period" order, is the altar cushion in request. Then one of the small pages may even carry it up the aisle, since it is but a revival of an ancient mode. The idea is spreading, too, and one of the most acceptable gifts a woman can make to a prospective bride is an embroidered cushion. Long afterwards it may perhaps !• handed down as "the cushion great-grandmother knelt on when she [was married." ALL THAT GLISTENS. Even in these days every cloud has ;at least an aluminium lining. The cheap jewellery trade, it seemsj is absolutely booming in these depressing times. The reason is that the people who usually •went into their jewellers and spent many pounds on valuable necklaces or rings can no longer afford these luxuries. There is an increasing demand, therefore, for imitation gems of different sorts and kinds. But while the cheap jewellers axe making handsome profits, Hatton Garden is very much in the doldrums. Many old-established firms, I am ;iol&, see. nothing but insolvency ahead of them if they "carry on." Rather than go bankrupt they are closing down altogether. Others, who have : large stocks of precious stones s.till on their hands, are resolutely refusing to sell them at ft loss. But they are buying no new .stock, and as soon as they can get their present stores off their hands they also will "put up the shutters." 1 SCOTTISH RELICS. There has never been anything to ijequal the Scottish exhibition for beauty. and tenderness and sentiment as long .as London has known exhibitions. Nearly everybodyT met coming away from the opening ceremony had invested in a season ticket, so that-they might go again during the next fortnight. Everyone was looking. at ; Prince Jamie's watch, the pictures of Bonnie Prince Charlie, at Mary Queen of Scots' letters, iher pearls, and the exquisite lock of her hair. It is a very tiny circle of pale gold threads, still silken, but beginning to lose ever so slightly its rich colour. But it is easy to see in imagination the scene before the battle of Langside, when she snipped it from her head and pressed it into the hand of John Hamilton, of Udsden. Her rosary lies close beside it—a rope of plain brown beads, with a large square „ cross of Bilver. Near to them again are the little silk reins which she -embroidered in silver for her little son. "WRITING FOR THE PAPERS." We are promised two notable recruits to the ranks of journalism in the near future. One is Lady Patricia Ward, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Dudley, who, hitherto, has been interested in a hairdressing establishment in the West End of London. Everyone will ■ wish her success in her new role. She is a clever and versatile girl, and it -would be a pity if she shared the fate of'.so. many society people who have found:that, while it is easy ior• a title to obtain the entree to Fleet Street, it is not;always easy to get a permanent footing-'there, unless you possess the necessary'journalistic flair. The other ; recruit is Miss Helen Jacobs, the famous American lawn tennis,star. She is taking: her profession every bit as Sriously as did her friend and rival, Mrs.'Moody, wh6n' theilatter, as.Miss Sen Wills, decided to. adopt art as a St, The "Other, Helen", as-.they call Miss Jacobs in America, is taking course of-instruction, and I understand,-to specialise in sporting journalism - . ; / DECORUM AT THE COFFEE No other London institution- attracts such varied humanity as the ««« See stall. These thriving establufcmfnts,oTten;Soldwith ««»*JSS Sillvaione, are patronised .by the slum* SoVoy society. It has apropos present sensations, that Scotland Yard men listen to some coffee stall ebssip for clues to wanted murdered At a West End coffee atall, with its queues of smart saloon-cars, you may hear Persian art and. Stravmskian music in epigram. A famous K.C. told m« the other Jay Jiow fashionable is nowadays the Portland Street coffee stall. Mayfair halts its limousine after the theatre to sample coffee and sandwiches. In fact, the K.C. complained, with (admirable gravity, that soon he believed .they might refuse to serve him if he were not in evening dress! BLUE MUSHROOMS. According to the latest gossip in horticultural circles, the price of mushrooms is likely to be revolutionised in the course of the next year of two. Throughout the winter English mushrooms have been selling freely at anything from 2/6 to 3/6 per lb, and though French mushrooms are selling at a substantially lower price, those cultivated in England seem easily to hold tlieir own. A scientist across the Channel is, however, experimenting now.with a ,npw method of cultivation. The troublesome spawn is dispensed-with altogether, arid he has evolved a sort of powder which can be readily scattered in the field,,on the garden lawn, or on specially prepared ground. He claims, however,"to be-able to raise mushrooms in three ferent colours —white, brown and blue. If .his claims >are justified we may s.ion findmushrooms -by. thej greengrocers at-*6d -•-'• ;•■:•->--4--