"ART LIVES LONG"

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 23, 28 January 1936, Page 15

"ART LIVES LONG"

TAPESTRY WORK POPULAR

THE VICTORIAN INFLUENCE

(Nclle M. Scanlan.)

LONDON, January 3,

Next year will see the centenary of Queen Victoria's accession to the Throne, and already there is a tendency to return to Victorian fashions. By the time the centenary is launched, we may expect to see a swing back from the present modernism.'

Many of the best features of that long reign, have been rescued, and though the wool flowers under glass and the cluttered knick-knacks which crowded the drawing-rooms of that period have small chance of revival, there is a marked increase in interest in other directions. Mahogany is once more in, favour for furniture. And on all sides women are working tapestry for chairs, screens, and stools. The Royal Family are busy on this work, which has spread down to every sphere of life. Only yesterday a woman who is herself working eight pieces to cover her Chippendale dining chairs, told me that when she gave her maids the choice of Christmas presents, two asked for pieces of tapestry to work.

Most people like to leave behind them some more .or less permanent work, and tapestry has a long life, and a useful one. One bridge enthusiast has deserted the card table this winter, and all her spare time is spent on working a set o£ chairs. With such enthusiasm at home, husbands cannot withhold the cost of adequate and fitting mountings for this labour, nnd, if the present spate goes on, by the beginning of Victoria's centenary, quite a lot of chromium-plated furniture will be on sale in the second-hand shops. . .

Men, as well as women, have taken up necdlecraft to fill in the spare winter hours, and in several parts of England unemployed men and women are being taught in schools or guilds organised by experts at "The Big House."

KING GEORGE'S SISTER

UNFAILING SWEET SYMPATHY

Gentleness, complete unselfishness, and thought for others, an intense desire to make the world easier and more beautiful for all were the chief characteristics of Princess Victoria, whose passing has left a great gap in the lives of so many, states a writer in the "Queen." Although more resembling her father, King Edward, in features, she had the sweet, generous loving nature of her mother, Queen Alexandra. The bond between mother and daughter, in fact, was extraordinary. With a perfect understanding, they found their chief delight in care and help for others, and their personal generosity— although its full extent will never be known—was amazing. During Queen Alexandra's widowhood the Princess was her inseparable companion. Her gentle sympathy and loving kindness were always at her mother's side. Despite her own poor health the Princess was ready to talk or read to her mother at any time of the day or night, and this beautiful companionship helped the late Queen greatly in the closing years of her life. The bond between the Princess and King George was equally strong. However great the strain of his duties on his Majesty, he never allowed a day to pass without a talk on the telephone with his beloved sister, and the loss of her unfailing sweet sympathy must have constituted an irreparable blow to him. DIGNITY AND GRACIOUSNESS. Princess Victoria was popularly supposed to be abnormally shy, but this was really not the case. Her health never permitted her to undertake the burden of public appearances to any great extent, and she naturally took the greatest delight in the company of the dear ones around her, but she could, when necessary, fill her position with dignity and a graciousner/ that was outstanding. The Princess was possessed of many talents. When very young she became an expert photographer, and acquired a wonderful collection of her work that might" have brought fame had she so wished. She was also an expert bookbinder, and, a few years ago, took a couple of prizes at a London exhibition of book^ covers under the name of "Miss .Matthews." Apart from these pursuits she was a particularly fine pianist, an accomplished needlewoman, and she could discuss the finest works of literature with firsthand knowledge. Great musicians such as Elgar and many great authors were proud to be numbered among her friends. Had she been stronger physically, the Princess would have been a great open-air woman. Cycling was her great hobby, and she rode fearlessly; but golf, tennis, and fencing were also among her accomplishments, while she was a fine angler. HER LOVE FOR CHILDREN. Her love for children will never be forgotten. Frequently, when out with her bicycle and camera, she would stop and take a snapshot of some happy group of children, and she seldom passed a child without a smile and a word. During the last years of her life, while living at Iver, she took the greatest possible interest in the children of the village, and allowed them the use of a recreation ground. It was her custom, also, occasionally, to visit the local cinema, where a special box had been built for her, and if she happened to notice any children around who seemed anxious, but unable, to see the performance, she would always send someone to pay for their admission. An ideal hostess, the Princess took a special delight in ministering to the individual tastes of her guests, and her solicitude for their comfort was extraordinary. Her own servants adored her, and the household staffs at Sandringham and Windsor proudly regarded her as a real friend. Up to the last she took an active interest in everything that was going on around her. During last summer she was seen about more than usual, and even took a flat in town —an innovation for the Royal family—-for the Jubilee celebrations.

The Princess lived a life of real value and service. Her simple, beautiful, warm-hearted nature had endeared her to all who knew her, and the sorrow at her passing has been as profound as world-spread.