The Scheme of Things TOPICS for WOMEN A WAR FASHION PILSUDSKI'S WIDOW

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 103, 28 October 1939, Page 17

The Scheme of Things

TOPICS for WOMEN

A WAR FASHION

PILSUDSKI'S WIDOW

It is quite interesting to read in an , English paper something of the wives r" (or want of wives) of public men of A:, the-world; Behind most of them, how- - ever,' are wiyes and families, with the //rnoderatirig /influences and better '" ■Understaridingness which such connec'_"■',tions "imply. There is something widening about family life. Every man and - woman with a home and children has •'•<■' a far bbetter chance of knowing how to • take his world, and.uf in a position of. -'influence to. do justice to the many A matters '.which come before him in any kind of world work. It is well known, ~ of course, that Hitler is not married, :* arid there appears to have been a lack /of. that softening influence in his life, partly from his own wish, arid partly from circumstances led up to by his own actions. It is stated that M. Daladier also is a bachelor, but judging from his photographs there is a great • fund of both kindliness and humour in.' him. Of Stalin's home life little is known outside Russia. Apparently, : however, he has been twice married, both his .wives being dead, and the statement of a third alliance bias never ■ been confirmed. New Zealand's leading politician, the Rt/ Hon. M. J. Savage, is also among the ranks of bachelordom. Coming to Great Britain, the Pre- ' mier, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, was narrowly near bachelordom, as he did not marry till he was 42 years of age. Now, at the age of 70, he has to carry . the responsibility' of statesmanship such as seldom has fallen to the lot of any man. But he has always a friend and supporter in Mrs. Cham- , berlain Partly bbEnglish and partly • Irish, Mrs. Chamberlain's maiden name : was Annie Vere Cole, and she met her future.husband at the wedding of his ' brother, Austen. Probably she has the - Irish temperament as well as the English,. . vivid;. energetic, and ambitious . ibr those she loves. It is said that if it..had not been for her Mr.. Neville ; Chamberlain would not have occupied \ the wonderful and responsible posi- • tion. he does nowadays. He was, in the; "early days of. their marriage, a "plain business man." She induced /him..to stand for a City Council membership, and eventually he captured a :■ Parliamentary seat. Mrs. Roosevelt is j nejEt";'mentioned as "tallest first- lady" ; in-her sphere, as she is sft llin in -/height. She is one ,of the busiest .women in the, world. In addition'to /her work as the wife of the President of the U.S.A., she is an author whose writings appear in a number of American, papers and are read by millions. X"EyetyX moment of her days is filled. '•'- She received 300,000 letters during the , first, year she was at White House, and even now the number amounts 'to 110,000 a year. Yet, in spite of it all, she always appears with her husband at the right times when it is due that] she-should be present. She is not what the world calls "good-looking," but has a delightful smile, and a vivid personality. j Donna Rachael Mussolini is still a simple homely soul who shuns the limelight as, far as she can possibly 'do so. She does not entertain, and _ when i$ is necessary for State reasons \ for banquets to be given, or distinguished people entertained, they are .7.alwayg.''in hotels pr restaurants. Sig..nora Mussolini has made valiant and largely 'successful efforts at self-educa-tion, but she is given to being very self-conscious and somewhat repressed .by her humble upbringing. , She was Aprily eight When" she left fipj-jtool, and S*\vas still 'a&very Jyourig girr'^hen she ''rwas employed at AllesandrO Mussolini's f wine shop, where she met her husband. /Mention is made of the wife of Gen-.-eral Goering. She was Emmy Sonne%>nann, a person whom Nordic enthusiasts would describe as a typical wo- , man of the kind they most admire. She ',is tall and fair, and married Goering ■ four years after his first wife, a Swed ish Baroness, had died. She was ari actress, and left the theatre to become the wife of the man who has played such an important part in Europe during recent years. Since then she has taken her part in all necessary social entertaining; the two have made them-

-WEARING REGIMENTAL

BADGES

REFUSED A PALACE

■;, When the Queen visited the Black Watch "■ Memorial Home, at Dunalistair sije; wore the Black Watch regimental baicige pinned tp; the "lapel of her coat, states : tbe London, "Daily Telegraph." These jewelled regimerttal brooches are extremely popular now that so many women have, either a husband or near relative doing some kind of militarj. service. Jewellers treat the design of these badges from an artistic standpoint as well as making sure they are heraldically correct. Being made of really precious stones these brooches are as suitable for wear with formal afternoon and evening clothes as with tweed suits and costumes.

- ,£&£. Duchess.. pf ; Gloucester wears a fjsgl&iitel:. topoch with, a simplyttailored suit. Many regimental badges are symbolic of some famous battle or historical legend. The grenade of the 'Gu^ii-battalions, for instance, which appears-in the modern badge as a Cluster of diamonds, is a reminder of the days when the Guards carried hand grenades. The only regiment with two badges is the Gloucestershires.- One badge is worn in front of the cap and one behind.

Regimental badges are also fastened an the corner of cigarette cases and flat gold evening bags. They are smaller than the brooches, and are often combined with initials and monogram made of platinum and tiny diamonds.

selves the centre of a social circle that contains some of the brightest theatrical lights'in Germany. There is one daughter, Edda, named after Countess Ciario, Mussolini's daughter. Another interesting personality is Madame Jadwiga Beck, the wife of Colonel Beck, .Foreign Minister, ot Poland. She is one of the best-dressed women ax Europe, and Colonel Beck is a tall, dark, handsome man, both having come from old Polish families. Madame is an excellent hostess, and has all the social qualities that go for popularity. It is difficult to imagine how they have borne the misfortunes and tragedies of Poland. Pictures show, not only their ruined home, but those of so many others, all of whom, no doubt but a few years ago, expected to enjoy their blessings just as those in other parts of the world are doing.

In reading of these wives, all so different, not only in nationality, but ih circumstances, outlook, and expectations of peace and plenty in the future, ,-t is difficult to realise that these troubles have arisen so quickly in some, cases, and, so it seems to many people, for such, inadequate causes. Probably, not only these ladies, but the large majority of women of the world, join in prayers and supplications that worse may not yet befall mankind. It seems though, at times,, as if there, is still a large number of people whose minds and consciences are yet unawakened. They do not appear to be aware that there is anything better worth while in the world than amusing themselves in one way or other, and display an extraordinary hardness to the sorrows and troubles of others so long as they have all they want themselves. ' It is to be hoped that the settlement of world affairs will riot be delayed till all these peopble have been made to feel that they are riot bearing a worthy part in, the history of their nations.

Lovely Linda, Darnell : (above), 20th Century-Fox actress, in a becoming "glass" hat, with a crown of black velvet. Right, Evie Hayes, featured Cinesound player, wearing a cyclamen straw sailor hat with primroses perched in front and a cyclamen bandeau tying ih a large bow.

(By Air Mail. From "±he £ost'£" London Representative.) LONDON, October 3. Accompanied by her two daughters, Madame Olgfa Pilsudski, widow of Marshal Pilsudski, has arrived in England. She- has "sought shelter in England because she jWill be allowed to live in strict retirement. In France there are so many Poles that It would be more difficult for her to avoid publicity.

During the War pi Liberation against Russia, when Pilsudski was "Comrade Victor," his wife was known as "Comrade Olga;" She frequently acted as courier to the front lines in the most dangerous sectors. When her husband became leader of the country she refused the offer of a palace, and preferred to live a retired life in a small flat in Warsaw: After his death she went regularly to Cracow to pay tribute to her husband's ashes. She always travelled second class. She was born in 1882 near the Lithuanian border, and attended the.University of Lwow.

Her two daughters have been studying at the University of Warsaw. It is not decided what th, ey will do in England.

ENHANCE YOUR HANDS

HINTS FOR MANICURED PERFECTION

Very often a hand which would otherwise be beautiful is marred by uhsigbtly nails. They may be broken or imperfectly manicured, sometimes they are brittle or are discoloured by nicotine, and too frequently the under part of the nail appears as if it were in mourning. Finger nails are an important part of the toilette, and you really should devote adequate time to them, urges an English writer. .."'.■'..

To a certain degree, the state of'your nails' will depend, upon your health. When you are in a nervous condition and suffering from debility you will find that they are liable to split and become brittle. Often this denotes a deficiency of lime in the system.

Ari iriipi-'ovemerit in the nail condition will be noticed if lime water and plenty of milk are drunk in between meals.. At the same ; time you will avoid the use of inferior nail polishes and will either use one with an oil base or you will coat your nails with nail base before applying the polish. At night time it is an excellent idea to procure.a bowl, or an old cup, and fill it • with a mixture of warm soapy water.

Place the finger tips in the liquid and allow them to soak for five minutes. ; Dry them thoroughly and massage them with, or soak them in.

warm olive or; almond oil. This treatment will gradually soften the nail. PHYSICAL HEALTH. i Scissors should never be used for cutting brittle nails, as they will break into, a jagged edge. File them gently with a sharp-edged file. Often small white irregular markings and ridges can be discerned. The ridges are popularly supposed to indicate a susceptibility .to chest troubles, while the white markings are supposed to indicate a liability to rheumatism.

Whether this is true or not only your doctor can tell, and if you are at all worried about your health it would .be just as well to pay him a visit.

Biting the nails is purely a nervous condition, and a good tonic is needed. If you frequently, smother the tips of the nails with some bitter aloes the unpleasant taste will be so unpalatable that all desire to nibble the nails will be lost. NICOTINE STAINS. A thick and hard cuticle is never pretty, and as it has a tendency to split and lift it is liable to become very sore- Wrap a small piece of cotton wool tightly around the end of an orange stick, dip it in, oil, and then press the cuticle back with it, taking care to work away any little pieces of dead skin. ■■ If you are a heavy smoker and nicotine has stained your fingers and nails the stains can easily be removed with a mixture of peroxide and lemon juice. This is remarkably effective and will help to keep the skin white. Slender fingers are a necessity and if your knuckles are spreading rub the joints every night with warm almond oil. If the skin is lined and coarse, a pad of absorbent cotton wool, which has been soaked in the oil, should be bound loosely around the finger and allowed to remain on all night. '''-.- The cuticle can always be softened and easily removed by soaking the hands for 10 minutes in warm soapy water to which has been added a few drops of lemon juice. A good plan for cleaning the underneath part of the nail tip is to dip the end of your orange stick in some lemon juice before cleaning. STUDY THE SHAPE. When you file your nails you should always study the shape of the nail itself. If it is oval, file it to a slight natural point at the centre so that the oval shape is mademorepronouncedtheh when you apply your polish take it almost to the tip of the finger, so. that just a fine white line is left. If you have a round nail file it to a very gradual point at the centre and then apply your polish over the entire naiL When it is dry apply a second coat with one wide stroke of the brush down'the centre of the nail. only. This will give a slenderising appearance. If .the nail is square shaped, file more1 into the corners than usual.

and when you apply . your polish allow a narrow strip on each side to remain unpolished: This • will detract from the width of the nail. If the moons and the. curved tips are exaggerated the , nail will then appear quite narrow.

If you. have beautiful, perfectlyshaped hands, you can draw attention to them. Otherwise make them as inconspicuous as possible. This is best accomplished-with the use of a natural polish.

When you apply polish you must be quick. Strong bold strokes from the cuticle to the tip. In these days there is not the slightest reason why every girl should not have beautiful nails. So next time you glance at yours and feel ashamed of them, remember that the remedy lies in your own hands.