WOMAN’S WORLD

Evening Star, Issue 19050, 19 September 1925, Page 20

WOMAN’S WORLD

[By DIANA.]

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Mrs B. B.—Here is the. recipe for the butter sponge:—ingredients; Two tablespoons butter, three tablespoons milk,.or water, one large cup flour, three-quarters large cup sugar, three eggs,. one very small teaspoon of baking powder. Method; Cream the butter and sugar; then add one by ouo the unbeaten eggs, mixing each well; add the milk or water one tablespoon at a time, again mixing well. Lastly add the flour and baking powder, and bake in a moderate oven for about fifteen .minutes..... - •'’Whitewash. 75 —I am a [raid nothing will quite remove the stain. When the whitewash is dry, you can mb a good deal off; then try rubbing with bread crumbs. If the stain is largo, and you have pieces of the same wallpaper 1011, you inight find it better .to stick a new piece over, letting it fade a little in the sun to be like the older paper. “ Beatrice.’’—Try this method to take the shine out of .a serge skirt. If possible use an ironing board, as you will lin’d "it easier to -avoid creases in pressing the skirt. .First clean it well with a cloth and benzine, then after half an hour or so cover the skirt with a fairly thick piece of damp calico or old linen. Press with a hot iron, but bo careful to take the iron off before the wet cloth is quite dry. Theu pull up the cloth, when you will find that the serge adheres just enough to do away with its shmitibss. You should allow plenty of time to do it successfully, but it is worth it, as the skill will look like new; • “ W.J.”—See 'below for the. marmalade recipes you require., “Stranger ” asks whether it is possible to procure powdered skim milk in Dunedin. It is used in America, but she cannot find it here. Will any reader who enn help in the _ matter please send information to “.Diana.” SOCIAL AND PERSONAL, Lady Sim has left town to day. Mr and Mrs Edmond, Mr and Mrs W. O. BE’Kellar, and Miss .Burt have been to Invercargill for .Miss Harlot 1. t. wedding., Miss Warren, of Queenstown, is here on a. short visit. Miss Gladys Cross,™ has _ won _ the special scholarship given by TJte .Bristol Piano Company for a piano solo at the Competitions. Miss ttilkison on Tuesday gave a small tea parly at the Women s Club for Mrs Hay and Miss Hislop, nho spent a few days in town. Dora Wilcox has written, an AngloMaori play, which was rend recently at the Lyceum Club, Sydney, and which met with much approval. The Play Beading Circle at the Women's Club held its usual meeting last Tuesday, when the second part ol ‘Hassan 5 was read by all members present. - - The engagement Is announced of Anita Eileen, elder daughter oi Mr and Mrs Alexander Henderson, “ Build, 10 Sarah street, Timaru, ami oldest granddaughter of Mr and Mrs William Allan, of Clyde, Centra! Otago, to Douglas Gordon, eldest son of Blr and Mrs John Souness, of Roidston, North Otago. Miss Mary Billiugton, whoso death jyas recently announced, was one of the most brilliant London journalists, being closely associated with the ‘ Daily Telegraph. 5 She was also frequently sent* abroad on special journalistic work. ‘ . Bliss Nola Capselli, who some years ago won the dominion beauty competition instituted by the ‘ New Zealand Free Lance, 5 is now doing well in the film world. She plays leading pakeba lady in Mr Hud all Hayward’s now picture, ‘ Rewi's Last Stand. 5 . The book shop of New Zealand authors at Wembley has. been a much greater success than was anticipated by rits originators. Over 500 volumes were sold during the first two mouths, and the sales are still goingf on merrily. Let us hope that our little stall at the South Seas Exhibition will likewise meet with success.

would be the minimum order taken. A. very wide range of color is, however, already on the market, and one can buy candles in artistic shades of mauve, blue, green, and, pink, in addition to black, scarlet, red, primrose, old gold, and. other tints. They cost about (id each—a few pence more in larger sizes. Candles colored with the blue willow pattern design are also to be had.—London ’Evening News.’

A most enjoyable social evening was spent in the Town Hall, St. Kildn, when about forty couples mot to celebrate the twenty-first birthday of Violet, only daughter of Mr and Airs J. C. Stewart, of 'Musselburgh. The hall; was prettily decorated with red, white, and blue streamers, flags and balloons. Proceedings were commenced by Mr Stewart presenting lo his daughter the “ key of the door,” and from thou on dancing and games were indulged in, while vocal items were rendered 'at intervals bv Bliss Taylor, Bliss Jovee, and Mr Mitchell. Mr‘ Vic Evans acted as chairman. Bliss Stewart wore a. pretty frock of turquoise blue satin, with feather and marabout trimming, and Mrs Stewart, grey morocain. .Among others present were Blrs Stewart, senr., .grey crepe do chine; Mrs Hall, blade silk; Mrs Evans, amber-figured morocain; Mrs Gibbs, vieux rose taffeta; .Bliss Taylor, silver lace over pink crepe do chine; Mrs Hutchings, silver grey morocain; Bliss Hall, fawn crepe do chine; Blrs Wilsonj cinnamon crepe do chine" Bliss A. Wilson, apricot; Bliss E. Wilson, pale pink; Mrs_ Beeson, brown georgette over rod silk; Bliss Beeson, pale blue crepe de chine and silver lace; Blrs Galbraith, fawn crepe tie’ chine:; Blrs Bills, tangerine satin; Miss. Bills, rose pink embossed velvet; Bliss Simms, heliotrope crepe de chine; Bliss Turley, mauve shot satin; Bliss Scott, black velvet; Bliss Bill Is, emerald crepe de chine; Miss BE. Kennedy, blue morocain; Bliss Powell, cerise crepe de chine; Bliss Gillan, orange velvet and radium lace; Bliss Craik, jade green velvet; Bliss Brown, while crepo do chine; Bliss Gardiner, slate morocain; Miss V. Kennedy, apricot, satin; Bliss 0. Kennedy, rose pink velvet; Bliss Joyce, figured morocain; Miss V. Jones, pale blue taffeta; Bliss J). Jones, kingfisher taffeta. The music was supplied by Mrs Olay Inn ( piano), assisted by Messrs Bomia.ra and W. Rowley (saxophones) and Mr Farra.nl (violin). Paper hats were worn by everyone, and streamers, confetti and balloons added greatly lo the amuse mold, of those presen(•. The pnr.es for the bidv spot dance were won by Bliss K. Mills'and Blr 11. BVnotiou. A pleasant evening was brought to a dose by the singing of 'Anld Lang Syne ’ and “For she’s a jolly good fellow.”

The Dunedin ladies 5 auxiliary of the Sudan United Mission has been most fortunate this year in securing from Blrs Thomas Brown, of Broomlands,Eglinton road, the privilege of the use of her beautiful grounds for the purpose of a garden sale next Saturday afternoon. The outlook from tho property is a commanding and dclighUnl. ono, and the garden at this season of the year is naturally at its very best. The opportunity of spending an alternoon amid such, pleasing surroundings will bo welcomed by many, and the cause for which the sale is being held also makes a wide appeal hero, where many of the missionaries of tho Sudan United Blission are so well and favorably known.

The monthly meeting of the Palmerston Blusical Club was held at Blrs Le Ferre's on Thursday last. Much regret was expressed by the president (Bliss Grieve) on behalf of the members at the departure for Dunedin of their secretary, Mrs Dobson, who has been of valuable assistance to the club. Bits Mathieson has been appointed to fill the vacancy. The programme lor the evoniim included a paper on Bach, by Bliss Pardv, illustrated by a two-part invention by Bliss Elizabeth Shcat and a prelude in fugue by Bliss Grieve, A Rubinstein reading by the htctai} circle (BEesdames Dobson, Lo l-evro. and Blathieson) was followed by a pianoforte duet by Blisses Isabel Lang and Bela Morrison, solos by Mrs Arkle, Blisses Joan Garth, _ Rein Bloinson, Isabel Lang, Blarjone BE Intosh, and Celia Newman, and a song by Blrs Robson. A very pleasant function, being the final for the year of a series or progressive live hundred parties, nas held in the Returned Soldiers Association Club Rooms by the Social Committee of the Otago Tramping Club. ihe room looked most attractive_ with its lamtenis and Eastern decorations, and the fifty-odd' participants of both cards and cross-word puzzles settled down to thoroughly enjoy the evening s .entertainment. At intervals various items wore given by members, and judging by the applause were much appreciated. At the conclusion of Be evening the president (Blr R- OdKiw,n) presented the prizes to the winners and after tho National Anthem brui 'been sung a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close.

Bliss Sybil Thorndike comps of a family with strong ecclesiastical associations. Her father was a minor canon of Rochester, her undo is a suffragan bishop, and, her brother was at one time a chorister In St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. Sybil Thorndike herself is a devout member of the Church of England, and a .frequent_ attendant at the Church of St. Blary, iu Graham street, close to Sloano square Underground Station. - Two- or three years ago she addressed the Church Congress, at Southend on the subject of the ‘Church and the Stage.’ Members and friends (for ft vas an "open evening”) of the Music < : do on Wednesday night heard a charm nig little address by Blr Paul Saidaigno, on ‘Opera and the .Operatic Stage.’ MjSaidaigno being a well-known Belgian singer in grand opera, ho was eminently qualified to speak on this .subject, which was all the more interesting as •being largely based on his own oxpori- ■ Uiccs in iil'wi-i-p. Iln-Pm. jnul other place.-,. Ho poiu-.i -i »■■■■■ a lung and arduous training was inrcs.-ary before one could be a professional singer with any chance of success. Criticism should therefore bo of a. kindly nature, for singing almost move than any other artistic work depended on physical Illness. Blr Saldaigne then wont on lo speak of a, project ho has_ at heart- - namely, to form an operatic society in Dunedin. He assured his audience, I hat there was plenty of very good unu.mial locally, and that the Dunedin climate was just as good as that in the warmer north, as far as singing was concerned. Blrs Wakefield Holmes, who acted :n chairwoman in the absence, through ill health, of Bliss "White, and Blrs S. BL Park, who proposed _ a veto <>f thanks, both spoke endorsing,what Blr Saldaigne had said, a.nd_ hoped_ that such a society would bo formed in the near future. Supper then concluded a most enjoyable evening.

THE ENHTBTTTON. - -Women’s Section.The fortnightly mooting of the Executive Committee oi the women s section was held on Tuesday last, with Mrs J. S. Ross in the chair. Ihe following members _ were present.--Lack 'Ferguson, Bliss Eowuie Slenait, Blest! ames Mainsworth, W. It. J.MJ ward. Barnett, Hewitsoo, .Macdonald, Job us tone. Misses Fraser and Rumman, and Professor Strong. Regiet was expressed over Mrs Tapleys conlimit'd illness. ~ n va s decided lo proceed with the catalogue of exhibits for the women s section, and to secure advertisements. A selection romnuGce war. set up tm the portion,. „ -, A 'h.ro’c amount of vaV dealt with, and the appreciation of the committee was expressed oyer the generosity of the Rest Room Comrai..lee in its help towards the funds ot the aG The’report of the Spectacular Dance Committee was most enthusiasts. Major Dampen has generously undertaken the general management of the dance, and the various committees have ihe arrangement so well in.band tnat the dance'is an assured success. the poster parade promises to he a brilliant one. Great interest is being displayed by the business firms of the citv and applications are coming in. " tfie secretary submitted her report, w summary of which is here presented ' A few days were spent in Oamaru and Timaru, where publicity meetings for tho section were hold. In Oamaru the secretary addressed a group ot about tbirtv-five women m the Council Chambers, "and in the evening more than fifty women attended at the Women’s Clnb, where the section was further explained. A number ol entries 1 for the various competitive sections 1 wore secured, and a small committee formed which would endeavor to raise funds for the section. There was quite a misapprehension in Oamaru over the finances of our section, as‘the president of the Women’s Club had just returned from Dunedin with, the news that we bad secured all the money needed. She

At a, recent party Earl ami Countess Beauchamp gave at their house in Brigravo square, the hostess had obtained an excellent lighting effect by the use of candles— that soft, kindly, .gracious light. In the drawing room the centra l candelabra with their hanging crystal ornaments were filled with white candles. So, ton, the wall brackets. On the buffet iu the dining room scarlet candles in silver-branched candlesticks made a good glow of color. None of the candles had any shades. BE lie Jean de Gasalis ges most of the color in her little Mayfair flat through candles. In ono corner she will have brass candlesticks holding pale green candles. On a window sill more brass and orange candles may accentuate the simplicity of a spray of Bladonna lilies. For people who do not care for hangings or too many cushions this is an excellent idea, for you can change your color scheme quickly at will. It is.possible to have caudles made in any color required, though possibly 31b of them

Benoits of eocial functions will bo welcomed for tte cotosm, < “ Diana M will also answer aD reasonable qaosSorts rotetmc to the homo, cookery, domestic science, and any topic of interest to her sox. But each letter or Booed must Dear tha writer’s name and address as a guarantee of genuineness, and qaertions that do not permit afa pabtw c&tmot la answered. Questions should be concisely put and the writer’s nom da plunw * dearly written.

no doubt referred to tbe rest room. In Timaru the women citizens convened a meeting, and a. mom at the Council Chambers was secured as an office for a, day, when forty-two women came for interviews about exhibits, accommodation, and matters pertaining to women at the Exhibition. Ibo newspapers gave much publicity also to the section’s activities. The office work of the section has become most strenuous. Though the entries for tbe general exhibits closed on Sontomber 1 a' tew belated entries from the north and overseas come in almost every day. and before we can wive accurate information concerning the entries we must receive complete lists of the collective exhibits coming from the Auckland Women’s Committee, the New Zealand League of Penwomen, the Pioneer Club of Wellington and the Women’s Institute, Hawke’s Bay. This information is expected this week, after which the cataloguing will proceed apace._ The entries for the special exhibits section close on October 1, so daily m receive entries for tnis section. This all means careful classifying, entering, and acknowledging. Over £SO has now been received in entry fees for the section. , , The daily average of letters and telegrams received in the section is twentytwo. This is just mentioned in order that 'the committee might appreciate the business of the office. Committees have also been active. Realising the importance of now heading up the entries in the various classes, committees of the general exhibit section are now busy listing and cataloguing the work to be shown. The Customs officer has explained his procedure in the case of exhibits arriving irom overseas, and he will bo oi great assistance to the section.

The Queen’s exhibit has already arrived, brought by Air Marsh, director of the Exhibition Art Gallery who delivered the parcel to Her Excellency Lady Alice Fcrgusson, who asked Mr Marsh to deliver it to this office. The exhibit is now in safe keeping in (he strong room of the company. Already from overseas have enmo some beautiful enamels and 80010 Shetland avool work.

The following coinmiUepa have mot during the past week: -

Art Needlework. This committee lias had some entries for most, beautiful work, and is now planning its display. Loan Exhibits.- Tin's committee has so gained the interest and confidence of the women who are the possessors of beautiful and rare articles that they have had to begin a rigid selection. The committee has its list lor cataloguing well in hand. Special Exhibits. —This was a wellattonded meeting, when the entries were discussed. This section is a most popular one, and tho entries are mounting up. Already there are 3 (JO entries in the crochet class. This commit!ee has decided to use the certificates of award to be issued by ibe section.

Publicity and Information.— 1 nqiiirics are being made concerning UlO catalogue, and prices are being sought for fun-page, half-page, and one-third page advertisements in the catalogue. Spectacular Dance. —This committee has secured the sendees of Major Lampen as director of the general arrangements, tho Catering Committee has almost completed arrangements vvil.ii Mr Nichoi (official caterer for- tho Exhibition) for tho supper, the Poster Committee has canvassed tho town and has secured more than 100 promises for posters, and the Publicity Committee has now issued tho tickets and made arrangements for posters for tho trams and circulars for business firms, etc. The tickets are now ready for distribution and sale at Tho Bristol, Jacobs’s, Information Bureau and Kiosk, Octagon. WEDDING. The wedding of Miss Helen Sccat, daughter of tho late Professor and Airs ■Scott, and Air .Rowland Todd, second son of Mr and Airs Andrew Todd, of Aiaori .Hill, created much interest locally. The ceremony took place at Ail Saints’ Church, Dean TTtchett officiating. Mr James Kirkland (Aliddiomarch) acted us “ best man,” The bride looked charming in a handsome gown of white silk and Chinese embroidery, with a train of georgette, and a beautiful veil of old family laco, and a bouquet of arum like,-. Tho bridesmaids, Aliss Scott and Miss Todd, wuro very pretty saxc Lino voiio dresses, embroidered in while, and black tulio hats; tho two little nieces of ibo bride, Afargaret and Sylvia Scott, with their white and blue embroidered frocks and black tulle bats, completed a picturesque Scene. Later on a reception was held at Airs George Todd’s residence, ‘‘ Nevada,” to which among others r;mie. .Dr and Mrs J. Scott (Oamnru), Pr and Mrs F. Scott (Christchurch), Mr and Airs Bruce Todd (Fmitlands), Mr and Mrs Galloway, Mr and Airs Patterson, Air and Mrs Clues, .Dr and Mrs Barnet t. Air and Airs Batham, Air and Ain; Skinner, Lady Ferguson, Mrs J. APKerrow, Airs and Alias La id law, Mrs Shand, Airs Maitland, Airs Ramsay, Airs G. APLran, Alisscs Galloway. Tlieomin, E. Roberts, Kirkland, APLean, Barnett, Ulrich, Alncroady. Ramsay (2), Messrs Barnett and Bell (Shag Valley). Air and Mrs R. Todd's future home will be at Green A’a.lley. near Palmerston. THE RIGHT RECIPES. A) aramlarlo Lemon.— Nino lemons, j fourteen cups water, 101 b sugar. Slice finely tho lemons, and soak in Mu. water for forty-eight hours, stirring occasionally. Boil slowly till the skins are quite tender. Skim, then add tin; sugar, and bod quickly another bom - , stirring frequently. BoH-le in Hie. usual way. Marmalade Orange. ■ Siv Seville oranges, two sweet oranges, two lemons, sugar, water. Slice finely the fruit, taking out. the pips. Weigh, and to each 11b of fruit allow two pints of water. Stand it in a basin at least twenty-four hours, stirring now and then. Then boil till the skins are soft. Stand it till next day. Weigh again, and add sugar in the proportion of fill) sugar to each 11b of fruit. Boil till ii j cities, probably about one hour. Bottle when hot. Poormau Ala main de.—Ton poonuan oranges, four lemons, twenty large nips water, twenty-four nips sugar. Slice tho fruit, boil it two hours. Add the sugar, and boil it another hour nr till cooked. ODDS AND ENDS. Keep a small dish, of salt nr soda near the kitchen sink, and a clamp cloth dipped in either and rubbed on cups will remove the tea or coffee stains. When cooking bacon, cut the rind off with a pair of scissors in place of a knife. The edges will look neater when the rashers are fried, and the method will he found most effectual. On a warm, sunny day linen HifH is stained and discolored can be vastly iniproved if it is Wenched in this way: Spread the ' articles out on the grass. • and when they are dry sprinkle jinuu with water from a watering ran. Continue this during the day, repealing ■

When cleaning furs, heat some bran until it is as hot as you can bear to toner with tho fingers, then rub it well into the fur. As fast as the bran becomes soiled, use fresh. Finally rub in a frcsh_ amount, and leave it in the fur overnight. In the morning shake and brush tho fur thoroughly, and hang it out of doors for a few hours if possible. To clean sponges, rinse thoroughly with plenty of 'clean water. Squeeze tightly, then soak in a pint of water to which the juice of one lemon has been added. Allow to soak for about an hour, then squeeze clean. Rinse and dry, preferably out of doors. A use for soap oddments is to amalgamate them in their dying days, and turn them back into cakes of soap. Tin’s is done by melting them all together in a little water, and adding line oatmeal according to discretion. Mould into cakes or balls and leave to harden The result will offer surprising variety of color and perfume. To enable chairs to be moved about on the floor without making noise, treat the legs in this way. Cut a piece of felt to fit the bottom of each leg, jit' l fix this with glue. Where sheet rubber of some thickness can fie obtained (such as a piece of old cycle tyre) this is even better than the felt, FASHIONS IN CLOTHES. The great difference between feminine and masculine fashions in dollies is that perhaps in unconscious expressions of profound sox psychology women’s vogues are usually for a, year at most, while men’s usually for almost an epoch. Yet changes do work, even in masculine attire, and, since the war’s enlorcecl iconoclasm, with growing rapidity, but so far, despite the furious efforts of the new Oxford trousers, with more effect aloft than alow. Two marked edicts of male fashion may he noted now as settled. The once popular straw boater is utterly obsolete, so much so that its manufacture must soon entirely cense, and thus the few isolated devotees be forced to surrender. And the once equally popular crush hat worn by all men wil h evening clothes is going the same road to oblivion. Either a glossy topper or no hat at all is the strict mode of 1925. —Loudon correspondent. THE IMPISH ARCHER, Han Cupid is a bad boyl He has abandoned old-fashioned arrows for up-to-date Mills bombs. Otherwise (writes our London correspondent) how shall our savoir faire account for the latest marriage—of Cambridge’s most brilliant mathematician-economist, the only living man whose brain fathoms clearly the turgid depths of post-war conditions, to Lydia Lopokova-, petite, blonde, roguish, who danced herself into fame as a Russian ballet star in New York fourteen years ago, at the age of eighteen, and turned London’s susceptible head in Armistice year? Not long ago Lopokova’s first marriage to a former bullet manager was annulled. She is thirty-two. Mr Keynes is fortytwo. Both live in romantic Bloomsbury. Which of its old-world slightly passe London squares listened to the love-making of the Cambridge don and the Russian dancer? Cupid must, he forgiven. He proves that the world is still ns young ns over.

WOMAN'S WORLD IN LONDON (Written by Cynthia, for the ' Evening dtai.'] " Something new >l is the cry everywhere; we are all, attracted by novelty, 1 know, but sq. often these novel ideas are very fat; from being practical. But the latest which has come to my notice Ido really think possesses this virtue. It is a dressmaking club. This may not convey much to those who have, every opportunity of making their own garments in a homo properly '/quipped; but in London the countless thousands who live in a very humble nay (perhaps one or two rooms, a tiny flat, or hotels and boarding-houses) whore such a convenience as a sewing room does not exist, it ia a boon. Even if there is a more or loss liberal allowance for dress, the woman with ideas and ability to make her own frocks has no opportunity. So 1 must tell you how very interested I was to learn about tins club. 'lt has been started by a woman who has been a professional dressmaker and gown-designer for years, and has boon employed in giving lessons in dressmaking in schools and institutions, and she came across so many who know a little and wore anxious to know more that the notion of this club entered her head, ft is provided with a large and pro-porly-Jittcd room, with cutting-out tables ami boards, irons, ironing hoards, sewing machines, dress stands, and every necessity for the making and finishing of clothes. Export information can he given tho members if desired, and as the is a very moderate one, a small fee is paid extra for this. Non-members can attend for a day, but must be introduced by a member, when a small charge is made. Such things as cuttingout scissors, chalk, tacking cotton, measures are also supplied. _As the lady running tho place explained to mo, so many women are extremely ignorant of these important items when making a dress( and do not know how Essential they are. So the club provides all these articles. Lessons are also given as well as every help to members. The club is in a most accessible place in London, and few realise the advantage this is to many who have the talont to design and make their own dresses and other garments. It is an idea which might well bo copied in many towns and centres, and when T heard about it I immediately thought of tho use of such a club in many outlying towns in overseas dominions. i hope my bit of nows may bo helpful to some of my readers. WONDERFUL STOCKINGS. For tho young, skirts are not very much longer, so invention is setting to work to ovolvo something ne w in stockings. Paris is quite w'ondo’Tul in this way, hut with the had trade out look it i$ not patriotic to buy any but Empire goods, and personally I will not buy stockings unless they are correctly stamped “Made in England.” French stoclcings are most attractive, I know, but the price is going up by leap's and bounds, and I do not know that I was altogether sorry for the English woman the other clay who had to pay £4O odd for concealing stockings in her hat when trying to evade tho Customs here! She would have bettor helped the country by expending that sum in British-made stockings. Well, some of the very newest stockings have open-work lace clocks right up the sides to tho knee—very smart, but not much given to bard wear. Then others hare points from the knee downwards, ending in a very narrow one about the ankle. These are often embroidered, and sometimes of inlet lace. There is a great feeling for more ornate stockings, hut with artificial silk, of which thousands are made, it is not easy to inlet ornamentations; heavy silk "is only satisfactory for such treatment.

WINDING UP THE SEASON.

I This is tlio last week of tho season ! proper, and Goodwood begins to-mm-- ■ row. The papers aro full of departure j notices, and the north-going trains aro i crowded with people off to Scotland ! and tho moors. Baggage, gnus, fishing , tackle, golf clubs, and tho like are 1 piled nigh, and at King’s Cross, one - of tho great stations for the north, it I is not possible to got a seat for weeks —people book so much in advance now. At the moment it is “ pouring cats and dogs” and blowing a hurricane, so I 1 do not much fancy the chance ol snmhnery frocks to-morrow at the Duke’s 1 mooting. A wot Goodwood is very | miserable, for it is one mass of trees, j and when the rain is heavy you really | get wetter under tho trees than in the j open. But there it is, and no one knows what the weather god will give ns in those islands. The summer has boon glorious, but it is like winter toWell, the London season has been brilliant, not so much lavish expenditure as in \ re-war days, but a heap of entertaining, small dances galore, dinners, lunches, garden parties, receptions, have literally tumbled over one j, another, with one or two big balls like the one last night given by the young Duchess of Sutherland. She had a huge hall room built out over a very extensive bard tennis court at Hampton House, and beautifully furnished with Persian bangings, flowers, and pictures, and she entertained a number of Loyalties, including tho Queens of Rumania and Belgium,'and though this came at the very end' of the London season it was the most important by far. The evening before a reception- was given in the same beautiful room for the Prime Minister and our overseas visitors, so I daresay lots of you will Itave mends who were present. X do not know when I have had such a strenuous time, what with any amount of weddings added to this list of gaiety. Then the second garden party at Buckingham Palace was another great event. The weather was °not as fine ns on the occasion of the first party (that was a blazing summer day), but though overcast at first it turned out quite" fine. The Queen was graciousnoss itself, in a charming mauve gown, with shaded feathers in her hat, and she wore beautiful pearls. The Duchess of York looked sweet in mastic shades, with orange flowers on tho brim of her hat. The prevailing colors at this party were undoubtedly all shades of mauve; and very charming were scores of dainty frocks and big hats to match. Tho color which followed as next favorite, I think, was flame, with all tints of warm apricot pink, and nearly every woman wore a swathery of tulle round her neck. Small hats were mucii worn, but I gave the palm for charm to the big ones. Your summer is approaching, so those hints will come in useful, perchance. A delicate, pretty addition to a ■ summery toilet is the shaded tulle for this class of neckwear, and, let me whisper it, so awfully becoming if yon are past the first blush of youth! Sunshades were wonderful at these parties, and I believe I once said that the Ascot sunshade would never appear again. Well, I found since that thev do come out at the Royal garden parties, so their life is not ns short as one has imagined. I beard a lady from South Africa remark after eating some ices, “ I wish T had tho Royal recipe for these; the Cape people would go mad over them.” I could have whispered, “Messrs Lyons are the caterers.” This was right, for the famous London firm supplied all the refreshments at Buckingham Palace on this auspicious occasion.

BEAUTIFUL BRIDES. Yes, this season has been noted for its beautiful brides, and for the return of the all-white wedding and the long retinue of bridesmaids so fashionable in Queen Victoria’s time. I certainly do love the white or ivory wedding gown; yet what lots of brides prefer gold or silver dresses, and pink has had its votaries, too, for quite a number of brides have been wedded in palest pink. The other day a bride of my acquaintance wore a very lovely creamy frock and train, but her veil was palest pink, and held with a wreath of pink orange blossom—quite uncommon—but candidly I prefer the natural shade. I do not want to boast of the beauty of my follow countrywomen, but I have seen more beautiful brides and bridesmaids this year than over before—slim, elegant, graceful of outline, with pure English complexions, devoid of make-up, and certainly healthy, happy, bonny girls. 1 must say the women of to-day aro more beautiful than over, and I think they heat the men all round. I do not think we have the handsome, well-set-up men wo were so accustomed to see at society shows before the wav, and if there is any change to bo noted it is certainly in the lack of good looks amongst them. The physique is not what it onco was, nor do you see such tall men. I note, though, the school boys of to-day give real promise, and are a sturdy, splendid set, who I hope once again will establish the British race as one to bo proud of. GRAPE FRUIT CRAZE.

There is always some new fad in the fruit and vegetable line-which makes for slimness amongst women. Only last week I extolled the orange as a wonder for these things; now comes the grape fruit. It is said Germany is buying up all the pineapples in order to create slimness amongst its women. Grape fruit is being oaten in wholesale quantities in London to balance tins, 1 think. It is now an article of daily diet, whereas it was once only an occasional dish, and I know several hostesses who always servo it first at lunch with crystallised cherries and angelica, chopped over it—and very good it is, too. Grape fruit bowls or glasses nil the china shops in endless varietysome low, and some on high stems like the American sort, for no ono ever saw an American lunch table (or breakfast table either for that matter) without its grape fruit. Then special curved knives are sold to cut round and divide flic pulp from the rind. Also—and this is important—the new yellow is called “grape fruit color”! A FAVORITE PASTIME. Miniature golf and putting clocks are quite the fashion in Kensington Gardens, where there aro several of these courses laid out, and on payment of a small fee an hour’s amusement can be obtained. The idea was first started at some of the noted South Coast resorts, and took on so well that the authorities in Kensington Gardena realised that this part of London, with its cool greens, shady walks, etc., was just the place for the game in miniature. This one is close to the afternoon tea place, and players can got refreshment after a round or so. KING GEORGE CHANGES THE FASHION. My men friends tell me that King George has quite changed the fashion, and *has entirely killed the idea that you must not wear a double collar with a morning coat. Ho does it now almost as a rule, whereas as it was always de rigueur to wear the wing collar with Bitch a dress. It was noticed that as His Majesty wore such a double collar at Ascot and at the garden parties several men I noticed wore the same. Are they more comfortable, I wonder? Another little fashion I've noticed—this time amongst women—ladies attached to the Court are wearing badges with the letter 51 in diamonds, the Queen’s initial. I understand it is Her Majesty’s wish, and these pretty adornments ' have been presents from the Queen.