GOSSIP FROM ABROAD.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 337, 26 October 1908, Page 3

GOSSIP FROM ABROAD.

Princess Henry of Battenberg, the youngest sister of King Edward, is a'writer and a talented composer. She-has recently completed a history of..the Isle, of AVight,' of which she is';"CAptain. and Governor," and }t is to he published and sold for the benfefit of the island. Princess Henry's first published ' book was' a translation of a German fairyvtale, and'.her : first musical composition was a song, written to a lyric by Lord Beaconsfield, which was published in a, cirl's* .paper; " ' Ernestine Gregory, a well-known German writer, is the first woman who was permitted to pass the examination in ■ the seminary for Oriental Languages in Berlin. She obtained a .diploma' with honourable mention for. her knowledge, of' Oriental languages. A. short time before she was ■ permitted to pass the examination in Russian language and literature, and was pronounced one of the most' thorough scholars. She will probably obtain a lectureship in one of the universities. / ■ '• A women's Short Skirt League has been formed in London. The. members, according to "Woman's Life," bind themselves to wear dresses which will not sweep the floors and pavements, and so gather up dust and microbes. This is not a new idea. In America there is a similar organisation called the Five Inch League. Every member is pledged to at least five inches of clear spaco between skirt., and'floor. Christine Nilsson, now- the Countess di Casa Miranda, recently celebrated her sixtyfifth birthdav at the little crofter's cottage at Gardsley in Amaland, Sweden, from which she. used to start out on her concert .trips when eight years' old. In' recent years the singer has niade a practice of spending a few weeks: of each summer in' tho land of hor birth. Each year ..the inhabitants of country towns turn out to greet her, and in acknowledgment of such compliments she often consents to silig a simple ditty from the porch of the inn. :