WOMEN'S FORUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 13

WOMEN'S FORUM.

HISTORIC LONDON.

[ TLe historic beauty of London was the themo of aa interesting talk given by Miss Rosemary Eees before the members of the Overseas Club, yesterday, in their rooms in Dilworth Buildings. In introducing the guest of honour, who was accompanied by Mrs. A. M. Ferguson, Mrs. E. A. Leighton explained that Miss Rosemary Rees was a member of the Overseas League and therefore they were doubly pleased to be able to entertain he." and welcome her to Auckland. Describing her first visit to the United Stares, Miss Rees eaid that the skyline of New York was very lovely, but she found the rush distracting. She was there for ten months taking part in a talkie, and. afterwards she went to Boston, where ehe saw the home of Louisa Alcott, where she wrote "LiVtle Women," and also the room where Emerson worked. He ascended to it by a ladder, which he drew up after him, 6o that he should not be interrupted. In contrast to New York, London, gave her a sense of repose, and in the historic corner where she lived with her sister, was Gray's Inn. Quite near by was Ely Place, which was the only remaining place in London where a watchman still cried the hours. When she had a friend visiting her she said they would go down and hear the hour cried, and so at nine o'clock repaired to the square only to watch the old gentleman move round and ; mutter something before each door. When he had returned to them she said to him, "Why, we came here to hear the hours cried, and we didn't hear anything," to which he replied, "Well, mum, I did my best." Near by was the house where Gray was born, and another house where Dickens lived when he wrote "Bleak House." A visit to the Charterhouse was described by the speaker. It was bought and endowed by Sir Thomas Sutton for sixty poor gentlemen of England and was managed by a board, on which she believed the King had a place. The building was Elizabethan and very beautiful. In the hall where the beneficiaries dined was beautiful carving and even a ministrels' gallery. Close by was a place showing the place where Thackeray wrote "The Newcomes." One unforgettable experience was being asked to the Master's rooms for a reception. This was a whole wing, with wonderful carving and panelling, and also splendid pictures, which were placed there for safety and never since removed. They were entertained by the Lord Mayor's Boy Players, who were started in the reign of Henry V., and of whom it was, said that Shakespeare was jealous because of the attention they received. They had lapsed as the centuries had passed, but of late had been revived and again encouraged by one of the late Lord Mayors of London. They> were dressed in the costume of the time of Henry V., and it- was wonderful to see them and hear them sing in the very rooms where Queen Elizabeth had danced. Although the speaker lived in such ail historic corner of the city she explained that in twelve minutes she could be in the Strand and would pass by three trees that were planted by Sir Francis Bacon. At the conclusion Miss Rees was thanked for her interesting speech and presented with a bouquet of golden chrysanthemums. WOMAN DIPLOMAT. The widow of a British Army officer, who saw service as a nurse with the British forces during the Great War, may bo appointed United States Minister to Denmark. She is Mrs. Ruth Bryan Owen, daughter of the famous William Jennings Bryan, and widow of the late Major Reginald Owen, Royal Engineers. It is learned that Mr. Roosevelt, in accordance with his reported policy of giving women a greater place in the affairs of the American nation, is considering appointing Mrs. Owen as United States Minister to Denmark. Mrs. Owen was born in 1885. She has four children. She has been a member of Congress since 1929. During the war she served as a V.A.D. in the Palestine-Egypt campaign.