IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 113, 6 February 1937, Page 6

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN

Many women want to do things that they were not taught to do in early life. They are attracted by music, painting, wood-carving, high-class cookery, and certain studies. But, anyhow, whatever it is—why not learn it now? “If. is never too late to learn while there is the -desire to do so,” writes Maude B, Jacob, in the “Sydney Morning Herald,” We have recently heard of a happily married young woman who lamented the loss of music in her otherwise perfect home, She had never been taught music, much as she loved it. Perhaps school work had crowded it out. She tried to console herself by deciding that her baby son should be taught music as soon as he could sit at the piano. By that moans they would have home music in the years to come. A poor and doubtful consolation. The child might not be musical. Besides, it would take so long.

Why should not the mother learn music without loss of time? Two halfhour lessons a week and some daily practice would soon bring some simple music into the home. It would also be a delightful diversion for the budding musician.

This woman’s experience is not unusual; others are similarly placed. I know of three women who first learnt music between the ages of fifty and sixty. They got on well (we can generally do what we like doing), and they gained much happiness and satisfaction.

Indeed, for all sorts of beautiful and useful occupations there might well be a larger number of grown-up pupils.

An old lady once said that in her early home her father never allowed his daughters to learn painting, although one girl particularly wished to do so. Later the girl married a reasonable man. She soon joined some art classes, and within a year a picture of hers was hung in the Paris Salon. This is, of course, unusual. I did not hear, however, that the artist’s home duties were neglected. It seems, indeed, that, while wo are training one sense, such as seeing or hearing, we are improving all our senses, and are bringing more usefulness and happiness into everyday life.

We certainly are never too old to learn if we wish to do so. Shyness or false shame sometimes hinders any serious attempt at learning when our schooldays are long over. It. need not do that, however. Many noted persons have learnt late in life, and Queen Victoria celebrated her seventieth birthday by taking her first lessons in Hindustani.

Mrs. G. W. Guthrie presided at the monthly meeting of the Mothers’ Helpers recently. Donations were gratefully acknowledged from Lady Shirtcliffe and Mrs. D. H. S. Riddiford. ENGLAND aT CORONATION TIME. On March 23 next a privately-escorted party, limited in number, is leaving Auckland for a tour round the world, including in its itinerary the most interesting and picturesque parts of England, Scotland, ete., and the Continent. The party will be hr London for the coronation. Full particulars of this attractive tour will bo sent on request, but immediate application should be made to secure the necessary hotel and steamship accommodation. Write now to: Neal's Empire Tours, Dept. W, Box 1620, Auckland C.l.— Advt.