EVERYDAY TOPICS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 22, 21 October 1907, Page 3

EVERYDAY TOPICS.

"COMMONSENSE." It was a French thinker who declared that for human relations to be successful indulgence and liberty wore necessary. Neither indulgence nor liberty is likely to exist where thero is no power of imagination and no idealism. What is called "commonsenso" is a groat foe to idealism. A woman of absolute commonsense interrupts hor husband whon he talks at tho dinner table, tolling him with a charming smile that sho will have no "shop" talked thoro, and that some really interesting subject must bo introduced. Sho horself loads the way, and gradually the conversation turns on the subject of personalities, not to say persons, and it drifts, by slow gradation, to tho delinquencies of the housemaid or tho prowess of Tommy in the nursery. . A little imagination would enable her to,grasp the truth that the talk of a. man ongaged in commorco, in a profession, or in somo scientific pursuit, contains infinitely more that is of general interest than such domestic details. Without tho gift of imagination no man can develop a great commercial enterprise, for a certain largeness of mind is necessary for a wide outlook. THE BRIDE OF TO-DAY. The bride of to-day does not follow conventionalities quite so closely as her parents (writes "Rex"). Years ago a wedding in the forenoon was considered "tho thing," now one may be married by daylight or gaslight, and stay to "cut the'cake" and enjoy one's own festivities. But' seldom docs the bride realise that the wedding customs, even to the wearing of orange blossoms, are relics of a Pagan past. The gold ring was formerly interpreted as the fetter which bound the bride, equivalent to the word "obey," which has been largely ■ repudiated by women of lato years. Even the orange blossom, though coiiiing in a moro civilised age, isa symbol of a ■''mother's blessing," ana, like tho curious lettering on the Japanese belts which so many ladies wear in ignorance, means "may you have 40 sons." Thi voil in Oriental countries still signifies '.'exclusive possession," and the time that elapsed before the victor brought his captive brido to make peace with his angry kinsmen is symbolic of tho modern 'noneymoon." The trifling and often very absurd superstitious beliefs,/in the wearing of a borrowed article on one's wedding day, or entering the church right foot forward, seeing the bridegroom beforehand, etc., are.often emanations from some over-zealous visionary, and happy isithe bride who has escaped knowledge of thorn. LORD KITCHENER AS A HOST. A ball at Lord Kitchener's and other Simla festivities are described in interesting fashion by an Australian girl there on a visit to friends in India:—"There have been a great number of dances here this season. Of course 'Lord and Lady Minto's stato ball at Vico-regal-lodgo and the balls given by 'Tho Chief,' Kitchener, you know, were the most imposing and very gay scones, with so many uniforms of various descriptions. Simla being an official station (tho Government summer capital), then, of almost every regiment represented. up hero. . Lady'Minto is back from her trip to England now, 'so her daughter, Lady Violet Elliott, ; has retired from her responsibilities as hostess, etc. Lady Minto has left the other-two"girls in England; they are quite young, almost schoolgirls." (Since this was - received tho engagement of Lady Ruby Elliott, daughter of the Earl of Minto, Viceroy of India, to Lord Errington, eldest son of Lord Cromer, of •Egypt fame, has been announced in London.) "Kitchener's dances at 'Snowdon' aro very well done. No tough poultry, water-ices, inferior champagne, or soup cup at tho Chief's dances. Kitchener's abode would just meet with any woman's approval as a homo of her own. Numbers of drawingroqras, receptionrooms, and ante-rooms for . sitting out at dances. He has a splendid collection.of valuable china, one of his hobbies. The supperrooms at 'Snowdon 'look very magnificent,, in the large room there is a wonderful display of silver, and in the smaller room Kitchener's gold plate is displayed on tho'suppcr-tables. A gold plate seems quite luxurious to be sipping off.. At the volunteer ball, which was most amusing. Lady Minto looked very handsome iin sapphire bluo. velvet, wido band of diamonds pu tho bodice, flashing necklet, with tiara, also of oeautiful diamonds, in her hair." . ; HORTICULTURE FOR GIRLS. Horticulture, not only as a study, but as a remunerative employment for girls who wish to live 1 at home, is being successfully tried in many of tho suburbs of Sydney (writes \Emilo"). "Last year I grow potatoes," ono girl told me, pointing to a plot of ground not a quarter of an'acre; "but this year I'vo had violets, daffodils, ramunculi, and carnations, and nearly doubled tho profits.". Tho device of coloured glass for improving the growth of the plant and tho size'aud shape of the flower has been tried by many qxperts. When the flower shows signs of budding, the whole plant is placed under a little glass portable stand, which is adjusted at different angles, during the day, but taken off entirely during the.night season. Red, blue, green, and white glass all produce different' results, according-to the colour of the flower, and • strength of the plant. Eed glass is most severo, and if used too long cripples the plant, though it beautifies the llower. Homemade glass-houses for individual plants grown in the open are made from broken bottles, jam dishes, and window panes; and act admirably. Flowers produced under this treatment are said to remain fresh longer than ordinary blooms, and do not wither so easily in gaslight. Some florists admit that half their supplies and most of their special orders are. grown locally by enterprising girls. '. . THE PILLOW. The very, name of "pillow" conveys asenso of rest and peace to our minds, and what is more disheartening' and disappointing than to lay, a weary or aching head on a hard or lumpy pillow. Tho ideal pillow, once found, is a thing to be treasured with affectioa, lor not only is~it an-important factor for our comfort but also of our health. Sleeping, as we generally do, on our side, the head without a pillow would be both uncomfortably and injuriously lowered, while if the pillow is too thick the neck is bout up too much, and interferes with tho flow of tho blood. In reality the head should be •. level with tho body, and the pillow fill up tho gap between the'shoulder and tho head. Sleeping oh high pillows is much a matter of habit, and should bo checked early, as with children it is apt to produce curvaturo of the spine. In various diseases the position of the pillow becomes a matter of'much'importance. Witk , sufferers from asthma or spasm of tho heart, the patients must bo propped tip-till they aro almost in a sitting position; also with those subject to apoploxy or congestive headaches, tho head should be kept high, while, in cases of exhaustion' or bad circulation head should.be low. Tho Japanese pillow is a curious construction, made just to keep the head on a lino with the body, and is a treasured possession of tho owner. It is composed of a curved pieco of wood nicely padded, which supports the 'neck and keeps tho head in a position which will not disarrange tho elaborately dressed hair of tho sleeper; but though very ingenious we would scarcely care to change our own comfortable cushion for it.