FRENCH CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 14, 17 July 1939, Page 14

FRENCH CLUB

NATIONAL FETE CELEBRATED

In welcoming the guests at the French Club's celebration of its national fete, the president, Dr. Marshall Macdonald, referred in warm terms of appreciation to the FrancoBritish alliance as the bulwark of Western civilisation. He recalled the peaceful conquest of a hostile Paris in 1903 by Edward VII when he won the hearts of the French in two days by his tact and bonhomie. This miracle, the capture of republican hearts by Royalty, was repeated last year when Queen Elizabeth made a conquest of France by her grace, her winning smile, her simple spontaneity, and strangest of all, by her wonderful gowns, "confectioned" by an English artist. One French writer explained this miracle by the French blood the Queen derived from her ancestor the sister-in-law of the Duke of Wellington! "Les Vacances d'Apollon," an amusing skit on the Alcestis of Euripides, was produced by Madame dv Chateau. Dr Carbery was a striking figure as Pelias, father of Alcestis (Miss Kissling) Mr. Berendsen was an effective Apollo. Dr. Keys played tlie gawky husband, and other parts were taken by Mme. Finlayson, Messrs. Griffin and Mills, Mme. Betts-Vincent played several pieces on the piano, and a charming interlude was supplied by Misses McLay and Muter, who danced and mimed La Fontaine's fable of the "Two Pigeons/ the verses of which were read by Madame Lash. Madame Pouquet received the guests, and a dainty supper provided by the generosity of the Consul concluded the party.

Mangone uses soft French woollen fabric with white embroidered dashes for a box-jacket suit covering a sheer white blouse with a froufrou of fine lace,