GOSSIP FROM ABROAD.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 467, 27 March 1909, Page 11

GOSSIP FROM ABROAD.

Mrs. Flora Annio Steel, who has just added to her already notable record of books on India, is one of tho most distinguished Anglo-Indians living (says an English writer). Indeed, it is to bo doubted if any Englishwoman has over studied India first hand under exactly tho same conditions as Mrs. Steel has dono. Thoso well qualified to speak on the point havo oven maintained that Rudyard Kipling himself is "not. in tho same street" with his accomplished compeer when dealing with Indian life. It was probably Mrs. Steel's experiences as an inspectress of native Government schools in tho Punjab that gave her that remarkable insight into tho Hindu character that her books display, and make them such curiously distinctive reading. Liko some few other "creative" geniuses, Mrs. Steel lives wholly aloof from tho stress aud storm of contemporary life, and rarely identifies herself with the movements of tho day. She is, however, a prominent figure in the "National Indian Association," of which she has been one of the main promoters. Though a Scotswoman by birth, she elects to live in North M'ales.

Tho Hon. Charlotte Knollys, • who, with tho Countess of Antrim, accompanies Queen Alexandra, as "lady of tho bed-chamber," to. Berlin, enjoys an almost uniquo position, as everyone knows, in tho Royal entourage. Few women havo over shared to such a complete extont tho confidonco and affection of a Royal mistress as has Miss Knollys, and it may be truthfully Baid. also that few Court ladies have been more worthy of such trust. Some years ago the temptation to quit her post as chief friend and confidante of Queen Alexandra came to tho favourite lady-in-waiting in the form of a proposal of marriage, which was tho outcome of a mutual attachment. She turned her back, however, onco and for all on tho prospects offered by a happy married lifo for the sake of fulfilling in "single blessedness" her duties in tho Royal household. Miss; Knollys is, by tho way, tho only non-royal woman who is privileged to call tho Queen, by her pet name of "Alix." That women should display entorpriso in Colorado is not to bo wondered at, sinco they have been for many years fully qualified voters there. A good specimen of the advanced woman in tho Centennial State (says a New York paper) is Mrs. Nellie Upham, who is the vice-president of a mining company and who personally supervises tho running of fifty gold and silver mines, bossing three hundred workmen. Mis. tJpham bad studied mining and minerals for a long time, and some five years ago she drifted into her present business. It is stated that sho manages affairs with great ability.?— "Leslie's Weekly."