WOMAN’S WORLD

Evening Star, Issue 19352, 11 September 1926, Page 20

WOMAN’S WORLD

[By DIANA.]

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Mr and Mrs C. A, Thompson, of St. Clair, left by Thursday’s express on holiday to Canterbury and the North Island, Mr and Mrs Neil have returned from Queenstown. Mrs D, Ramsay gave a most enjoyable small bridge party on Thursday for Mrs Falla. Adjutant Coombs, of tho SalvationArmy, has returned from Wellington. Tho Wembley Dance Club will' hold its first weekly dance to-night in the Early Settlors’ Hall. Tho programme will comprise old and new dances, such as the waltz, one-step, lancers, foxtrot, alberts, Boston two-step, medley, etc. Tho first-class ballroom, together with the wonderlul music oi the llitz Orchestra, leaves nothing to be desired. The moderate charge ui admission incudes a sit-down supper, A very pleasant evening was spent at tho residence of Mr Nelson m Melbourne street last Friday. Tho occasion was Miss Nelson’s birthday, and a few of her friends gathered together and cave her a surprise party to wish her many happy returns. Music and jazzing filled the earlier part of the evening, and after supper games ami a set of quadrilles were so enjoyod by all that it was well after midnight when the singing of ‘ Auld Lang Syne ’ brought a most enjoyable night to a close.

So familiar is tho name and work of Dame Millicent Fawcett to all interested in women’s movements that it is difficult to realise that she has passed her seventy-ninth birthday. _ She has just returned from the Paris International Congress of Women, and took an active part in the women’s procession in July, when the demand was still the time-honored one—“ Votes for women on tho same terms as men.”

The fortnightly meeting of the Girls’ Mutual Help Branch of tho Otago Home Economics Association was held at the homo of Mrs F. C. Cooper, 84 Highgate, over twenty members and friends being present. The president (Mrs Smith) introduced the speaker for the evening, Sister Kirkpatrick, who held her listeners’ keenest attention whilst she gave an intimate personal talk to girls. At the conclusion the members requested that Sister Kirkpatrick be the speaker for next meeting. Before and after supper chorus singing, soles, recitations, and humorous stories made a good programme, and Sister Kirkpatrick delighted tho members with two clqver recitations.

It is a long time since Burns Hall has been as well filled as it was on Wednesday night, when Air Paul Snldaigne and some of hie advanced pupils gave what proved to be a programme of unusual interest to music-lovers, especially to those who can appreciate the difficulties and subtleties of opferatic singing. Solos from 1 The Barber of Seville,’ ‘ Mignon,’ ‘lrene,’ two delightful Spanish songs, as well as others in Italian, English, and French, showed the extent of Mr Saldaigne’s linguistic attainments. But perhaps of even more importance from the teacher and student point of view was the fact that. Mr Saldaigne has been able to train his pupils in these languages, Mr Fred James, Miss Isabel Tilbury, Miss Agatha M'Lean, and Miss Betty Russell all showing the results of good training in voice production and accuracy of pronunciation. It was only to bo expected, therefore, that the audience should bo enthusiastic and insist on several encores.

Tho fortnightly meeting of tho St. Clair Women’s Club was hold in the Presbyterian Church Hall last Monday night, when there was a very good attendance of members. Tho evening was an “ outside ” one, and tho responsibility ' for the entertainment rested with Mesdames 0. Williams and C. H. Johnstone. These ladies arranged an excellent programme, the first half being occupied by Miss Rosevcar, who gave a most interesting talk on the chemistry and digestion of food, tho members present gaining quite a lot of information regarding tho balancing of diet, the caloric value of foods, and their vitamino contents. The following ladies provided tho second half of the programme: Songs, Misses Phyllis West, Evelyn Shephard, and Ida Luimley: recitations, Misses Heather Smith and V. Jefferson; pianoforte solo, Miss Elsie Ford, who also acted as accompanist. The stage and tables were prettily decorated with supplejack berries and narcissi. Supper and tho singing of the National Anthem brought an enjoyable evening to a close.

The dance given by the combined banks of Dunedin on Wednesday night was an unqualified success. Both the Tudor and the Warwick rooms were requisitioned, the latter for supper, when the unique lighting effects helped to make supper even more pleasurable than it usually is. One need hardly mention that both halls were respondent not only with their permanent beauty of trophies of the chase and oak wainscoting, but with the added charm of unlimited spring flowers and hothouse blooms. The band, especially imported for the Savoy dances, gave excellent music, and so all went to make a merry evening. Among those present were Mr and Mrs Hammond (the latter in a handsomo black georgette), Mr and Mrs Angel, Mr and Mrs Young, Mr and Mrs It. S. Black (wearing green velvet), Mr and Mrs Gerald Black, Mr and Mrs W. T. Smellie (powder blue taffeta), Mr and Mrs Calder (embossed flame georgette), Mr and Mrs Elmes (black georgette embossed with henna embroidery), Misses Fisher, Malouey (in black and silver), M. Austin, P. Lavender (in blue pleated georgette frock), G. Smith (blue crepe de chine), Elmes, M. Smith, M'Artnur. Blackwood, E. Archer, M. Welsh, M'Meakin, Turner, Johnson (2), Atkinson. Messrs Boddy, St. George, Edwards, Elmes, Houston, Milne, Styche, Hilton, Paapo, Duckworth, and Thompson. Altogether nearly 200 ladies and gentlemen wore present.

A curious state of things exists in England. At the age of 12 years a girl may bo married; at 14 years she may enter the labor market; at 16 she contributes to the national insurance scheme; at 18 she pays full national insurance rates: at 21 she may exercise the municipal vote; but only when she is 30—that is twelve years after she has been recognised as a selfsupporting adult—is she recognised as a full citizen. At 21 a woman may sit in the House of Commons, but she cannot use a vote. When still under 30 she may he a barrister, a surgeon, a teacher, a minister in some churches, an accountant, a journalist, but while helping to mould the minds of others and carry on important services to the State, her own mind is classed with those of lunatics, minors, and criminals, \

SOCIETY OF HOSiGIAHS There was a good attendance of members at the meeting of the Society of Women Musicians of Otago, held on Wednesday at the Bristol Concert Chamber. Miss Yorston, president, was in the chair, and spoke a feu words of welcome to the speaker for the evening, Miss Alice Church. Miss Church, a daughter of Or Church, has recently returned from London, where for about three and ahalf years she studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and from the experience and knowledge gained there kindly agreed to speak to the members of the society. That the lecturer dealt chiefly with the teaching of the piano did not at all lessen the interest of the audience as a whole;' because it was the fundamental rules (those applicable to the teaching of every branch of the art of music) which were emphasised. In her opening remarks Miss Church said that everyone who thought of studying music seriously should first be convinced that it was worth while, that it was a real factor in education. The speaker then showed that the study of music was educative in many ways. First of all the pupil must be trained to concentrate, to give his mind wholly to the subject being studied, lie must be taught to attend aurally, muscur larly, and visually. Aural training includes teaching the pupil to realise that f there is a definite time for every sound . to begin and end, and that tone, in all : its variety, must be first imagined ami j then listened for. In muscular train- ' ing the pupil is taught that between key-movement and the muscles ol hand ; and arm there is a vital connection; I while in visual training he learns to ob- ! serve accurately all the signs on the | page of music before him. With re-' gard to interpretation, Miss Church ! said that “ one must be .sensible in j order to be expressive.” The player I must realise the plan of the music to be performed, and must also have a sense of climax. In conclusion, the j speaker stressed the need for definite-, ness of aim during the practice hour; the student’s mind should bo perfectly ‘ clear as to the special thing that is to 1 be done in the time, and effort should ; bo steadily directed toward that end. ! Before delivering the lecture Miss 1 Church delighted her audience by giv-: ing a short song recital. The songs, seven in number, were very varied in , f' , ia.ra'’tcr. but by her skilful interprets-: tiou the singer carried the listeners from , one mood to another. First were two Irish folk songs, ‘ Down by Sally Gardens ’ and ‘The Lover’s Curse’ (these songs were arranged by Herbert! Hughes); ‘ Lullaby ’ and two Tennyson songs (‘Entreaty’ and ‘Dainty Little Maiden ’), by Frederick Keel; ‘Lament of Isis’ (Granville Ban lock), and ‘I; Know a Bank’ (Martin Shaw). j Miss Maisio Wood added to the pleasure of the evening by her clever and sympathetic playing of Chopin’s studios in E Major and C Minor, and of two modern pieces, ‘ Cnpriccio ’ and A Sea Idyl,’ by Frank Bridge. ! The evening was most enjoyable, and the vote of thanks proposed by Miss Ida White was carried very heartily by, the audience. TL'E RIGHT BESJPE So many housekeepers wonder at this i season of the year how to change the ; pudding fare. J have before me some recipes by a well-known authority, Miss Barbara Brooks, and, as they promise both nutrition and daintiness, 1 give three of them here;— Daffodil Meringue.—Two tablespoons granulated tapioca, two tablespoons lemon juice, half a cup of honey, three eggs, one pint boiling water, one tablespoon butter, pinch salt. Moisten the granulated tapioca with cold water, and stir it into, the boiling water. Salt, lightly and cook until clear. Beat the yolks of the cgs and beat in the honey with the lemon juice and butter., Add j this gradually to the tapioca, and cook over hot water until it thickens—about] twenty minutes. Pour into a buttered | dish, adding a little candied lemon peel | if desired. Cover with a meringue | made from the whites of the eggs | beaten with three tablespoons of honey, j and bake to a delicate fawn color. j Fruit Cornstarch Pudding.—-Three j tablespoons cornstarch, 8 prunes (cut in i pieces), quarter cup water, quarter cup raisins, two cups milk, half teaspoon salt, one-third cup brown sugar, one teaspoon vanilla. Mix the cornstarch with water. Heat the milk in a double boiler. Add the cornstarch, sugar, fruit, and salt. Stir until thick, cover, and cook for twenty minutes. Add the vanilla, and pour into moulds. Chill. One-half cup cocoanut may bo substituted for the fruit. Corn Flake Date Cookies. —One pound dates, half cup water, one cup sugar. Remove the scods from the dates, and boil dates, sugar, and water until soft. One cup butter, one-quarter teapoon salt, one cup brown sugar, onehalf cup water, three half-cups of flour, two cups corn flakes, two teaspoons baking powder. Cream the butter, add the sugar, and beat thorouhlv. Add the flour, which has been sifted with the baking powder and 1 salt, then the water, and last the corn flakes. Roll the cookie dough thin, and | cut into rounds. Spread ono round with date mixture, and put a second layer on top, pressing the edges together, Bake in a moderate oven for" ten to twelve minntes. THE PROOF OF TOE PUDDING [By Babbaba B. Brooks.] A well-known woman physician has said that the problem of the homemaker is not so much getting the food cooked and on to the table as it Is getting it off the table and into the child. At this time of the year especiallv are children’s appetites fickle. Dishes which have been popular all winter lose their charm, and certain vegetables which have been eaten under protest may be rejected entirely. There are several ways to treat these appetite lapses, and one is to serve the food in a different form, even if it is the old stand-by rice pudding, creamed spinach, or omelet. Even the dishes which are used on the table may play their part in encouraging children to eat. There are pottery bowls, which make eating cereal an event; little man-shaped jugs to hold milk, and plates decorated with intriguing pictures of children or animals. There are even pitchers which play a tune when milk is poured from them; but these are expensive, and often are broken by over-enthusiastic use. In one. family there is a highlyprized yellow crockery mould with the imprint of a bunch of grapes in the bottom. Children in the family will eat any dessert if it is baked in this dish. Many a plain corn starch pudding and custard have been glorified by this bunch of grapes. A ring mould costs little, and can he used in a variety of ways. It is popular with on© group of youngsters

Reports of nodal functions will bo welcomed for this column. "Diana** win also answer all reasonable questions relating to the homo, cookery, domestic science, and any topic of interest to her sox. But each letter or report must bear the writer's name and address aa a guarantee of genuineness, and questions that do not permit nt a pahlio reply cannot bo anaworod. Questions should be concisely pot »**d tha writer’s nnm os plums dearly written.

for 14 codfish dam.” Mould mashed potatoes in the ring, torn them out on a chop plate, and fill the centre with creamed codfish. The children love to break the dam and to see which one can eat the most of it. The same mould makes attractive such things as spinach, vegetable gelatine salad, boiled rice, and other staples in a child s diet. Cereals, such as rolled oats and bran, KII bo baked into broad and cookies. A’ cookie sweetened with molasses or honey, instead of sugar, and cut in the shape of a heart or an animal will be as popular and far more wholesome than some kinds of cake. Individual class baking dishes interest children especially if they can see fruit on the bottom under the bread pudding. These extra touches all take thought and some work, but they pay a ., c , ” is to form right food habits while lie is young. WUHAN'S WORLD IN LONDON [Written by Cynthia, for the ‘ Evening Star.’] It used to bo the rule that only young, married women set the fashion in Mayfair; the unmarried girl wasi like the modest violet, and never exhibited herself or ideas until some gallant came her wav and she was a chosen bride. Now all" these obsolete notions are swept aside, and Miss 1926 rules over her own particular kingdom of new departures and ideas, and adopts an individuality which makes her a celebrity, and it may be whispered, oftimes a rival to the young matron. “Live and let live is a more accepted axiom than ever. Two girls who rule a, section of the social world are the “Ruthvcn twins, as they aro always called, being the twin daughters of Lord and Lady Ruthvon. They have other daughters, but the twins are prominent wherever they rro More or less their style is their own, and as they dress exactly alike it must be awfully hard for partners at a ball to toll one from the other. Beantifully groomed» their mvon locks poifortly shingled and waved, they arc for ever introducing new “ gadgets ” with regard to jewels and details m dress, and aro, I must tell yon, the observed of all observers wherever they go. I saw them just recently at that wonderful Mansion House dinner, about which I will tell yon directly, dressed in white georgette, very full short skirts, witn green embroideries, and both wearing silver dog collar necklets (this a vogue of their own, which everybody races to copy), strands of pearls and emeralds twisted round and round their arms as bracelets, and carrying most smart big green pochettes, and wearing green satin shoes of the low-heeled variety, with a single, strap. THE PRINCE’S CHARM. You’ll admit the originality of this get up, and naturally everyone was asking: “Have you seen the Ruthven Twins"?” So these girls are celebrities in their own right, as well as being full of dash and go, and most witty conversationalists. Consequently they are always surrounded by a bevy_ of admirers. At this particular dinner the Prince of Wales was present, so there was a tremendous show of “ glad rags ” and glad jewels, too. It was a brainy idea hatched by Mrs Frank Braham with the excellent object of raising money to stamp out consumption in this country. It is now exactly half the menace it once was, so with a special appeal from the Prince and the presence of all the millionaires in London you may easily imagine a very goodly sum was forthcoming. £IOO,OOO was aimed at, and, would you, believe it? £IB,OOO was collected there and then ! _ Someone remarked; “ We’ll bo lucky if wo get £3,000,” so of course wc were very gay and chatty and beamed on everyone when the amount collected was_ called ont. No one can refuse the Prince of Wales, and he smiled that charming smile, and that did it. BEAUTIFUL FROCKS. Lots of “well knowns,’_ in lovely frocks, attended, and the idea was a huge success, and caught on “fine,” as the Yanks say. Then, after everybody had said nice things to ono another, we hied off to the League of Mercy ball at daridge’s, and I caught sight of onr indefatigable Prince, as gay as a lark, and dancing with Miss Marshal!, the daughter of Lord Marshall (who is hon. treasurer of the league), whom lie later escorted to supper. I also saw him doing a modified sort of Charleston with Lady Bingham, who is a racehorse owner, and very smart always. Of course, the Ruthvcn Twins were engaged three deep that evening, and I don’t know where their final ending up function was; but I heard them say it was “an all-night business,” so it meant bed when the milk came round, I suppose. FOR COWES. I’ve just been to tea on a perfectly lovely yacht which is soon off to Cowes for the week. The way it is fitted is charming; such ducky cabins with real beds, and charming _ mirrors, and fitments all painted white, the panels being of Eastern tapestry. Then there’s a delicious deck cabin, with luxurious lounges and cosy scats, so when it is windy or wet one can revel in the sea air just the same, and when it is hot and fine the after-deck is awned in, and tea there or coffee and liqueurs after dinner a simple joy. Mrs Withers is the lucky owner, whose granddaughter had such a pretty wedding last week in London.

AT SANDOWN. I seem to have been here, there, and everywhere last week. Sundown for the Eclipse Stakes was so charming; and then I rushed off to a country fete and garden party at .Rudyard Kipling’s old homo to meet Mrs Stanley Baldwin, his cousin, and that was a charming affair, too. But I’ll toll you about Sandown first, as you all know how r.hic the frocks are there, with such adorably pretty women to wear them. The King and Queen and Princess Mary all forgathered, and the s Royal Pavilion was ever so spick-and-span, with its gleaming gold pillars and white paint. The Queen looked very elegant all in white of a creamy shade, and had a long coat of georgette, collared and cuffed with white fur, and wore a cyclamen mauve toque, with flowers cf a suitable shade at one side. Princess Mary is very fond of ecru this season, and I noted that her georgette and lace frock of this shade was eminently becoming, and especially 'so with her big pale blue chapeau trimmed with pink roses. How keen she is over the horses 1 She carries her race card in the cutest little leather case with gold edges. MRS BALDWIN’S OLD HOME. Now for my race to the country! It was seaside as well, for my destination was Rottingdean, loveliest of Sussex villages, where Airs Baldwin was married, and whore she used to live. Such a real Sussex welcome she got, as she hasn’t been back since her marriage some twenty-eight or twenty-nine years ago. So the people who knew her as a girl fell over her, so to speak, and it was all very touching and happy, yet sad, too, for times are changed. Bui Rudyard Kipling’s old homo (he still lives in Sussex, but in a more secluded spot) is the most delightful place imaginable, the rambling gardens glowing with roses and gleaming white lilies and all sorts of country blossoms made it liko a scene in a play, with the old world Sussex flint walls and arches, a riot of colorful beauty. One can easily imagine him strolling beneath the elms on the lawn (the house is called “The Elms”), or conjuring up stories and rhymes m the dear old-fashioned rooms which could so easily bo an inspiration in themselves. The day was divine, and those gqydens unforgettable. OUR CHANGING CLIMATE. I’ve been hurling epithets at the English climate in a way we—who love sunshine—all do, but the last ton days a change has come over the spirit of my dreams, as the Muse hath it, and, lo and behold, glorious sunny weather has been our lot, Delicious! But would you believe it, the papers talked about a “ heat wave ” and 11 rain coming” which I saw as a consoling heading, in one! Good heavens, wo’vo been dying for sunshine, and when it comes it might be an awful visitation, the way these brainy reporters talk aboiit it. Weil, that’s that; but there, have been wonderful arrays of sleeveless frocks and stockingless logs. I can’t say I admire the latter, nor did I think they looked any cooler in such unconventional garb, and I am sure baro logs don’t accord with smart frocks, and should only bo reserved for the seaside or the river, where anything is 1 thought some of the coolest-looking women on the hottest day in town really looked tantalisingly cool in filmy black laco and georgette, though black is not supposed to bo a cool shade, THE LATEST DRINK.

I did discover I liked iced water, the YYnk’s favorite drink, and now they serve it with ices, a new departure for London. Really its very refreshing, and 1 love the tinkle ol the ice at the side of the giass, and there’s nothing heavy about it liko alcohol on a hob day. Ono thing I did notice during our “ eighties in the shade or more ” days, those dainty little fans wo found'so attractive before the war, or© not given away 'at restaurants as they used to be. They were a boon and a blessing in warm weather. Seriously, though, fans were an absolute necessity this last week, and I saw some extravagantly lovely ones. Princess Mary has a superb ostrich feather fan of a beautiful delphinium shade, and Lady Patricia Ramsay one of glorious pink feathers, and then the Queen of Spain carried an enormous fan of jade green ostrich plumes, which looked so well with her pale gold hair. So fans are very much “in” just now in London. A WOMAN OF TACT. I heard of a good example of tact the other day. In London there’s a very woil-known rich American whose name is Mrs Marcus Elliott, and who rents the palatial palaces of the great for the London season. She was dining at a house .the other day, and had just reached the soup course when she suddenly remembered she had inadvertently accepted another invitation for the same night! Hastily sho made an excuse of having forgotten to lock up her jewellery, and went off. She' dined with the other lady and left early, returning to the first hostess to finish the evening. Nobody was offended, i Wasn’t it clever? I NO GLAD RAGS! i Another story of a dinner party has been told me—-this time about that wildly clever playwright, Sean O’Casey, the irishman who, 1 think, for all his brilliant wit, looks more like a Bolshie than ought else. Well, he’s a lion, you may know, because of his remarkable plays, which have greatly pleased London audiences. A great hostess asked him to dinner, and proclaimed the fact to a cho.sen few who were invited to meet him. To meet such a lion some competition took place, but the hostess’s numbers were made up,

and sho was obdurate. All the guests assembled, but O’Casey came not, and after waiting some time the guests wont into dinner, leaving the hostess not a little puzzled, -for no message was received! After the evening was over tho hostess spoke to her butler on the subject, wondering if there had been a ’phono call. Suddenly the faithful servitor remembered. “There was a person called,” he said, “ but I told him he must have mistaken the house, as this was a dress dinner!” You may be able to imagine the feelings of that hostess out to trap a lion! Of course, if people who are geniuses will go about like haymakers, what can you expect? THE ANKLE SNAKE. I had a bit of a shock the other night at a dance, when 1 caught sight of a slim pair of ankles fox-trotling with a most realistic-looking snake coiled round ono of them. It was a nasty jar, as I hate reptiles. After watching I came to the conclusion it was an imitation, but a real good one. Isn’t fashion the limit? Now I bear all the gay maidens of Mayfair are (•porting golden snakes on their ankles, with glittering jewelled eyes. _ It is said it is tho Egyptian vogue coming to life again. Wo were rather “done in” with Tut’s tomb, and snch things a little while back, which reminds mo 1 saw an actual photo of the mummy the other day. The head was all covered in gold. 1 think it’s a shame the poor boy should be exhibited liko that. He was only about fifteen, it seems, and to possess such marvellous wealth and jewels and be buried in such costly state, and only three thousand years after to be dragged out and made into a show! It’s all wrong, I can’t help thinking. I hope it won’t bo the fate of our crowned heads, that’s all.' HOT WEATHER VOGUES.

Shingled locks have their advantages in hot weather. Everybody knows how uncomfortable are the close-fitting little hats of the moment, and I’ve Fceii several girls lunching without their hats these warm days. Such a delightful idea in & crowded restaurant!

Tho pocket comb and mirror, which no solf-respocting woman ever moves without, soon arranged untidy bite of hair, and there in no time was comfort. But ono girl went a hit further, for I saw her walking bareheaded in tho street carrying a jaunty bit of millinery! She was jolly well dressed, too, and looked topholc, as my young schoolboy cousin says. FOII THE MOOES. A snro sign tho season’s dying are the smart regalias in the shops marked “ For the Moore,” Yes. people are flitting fast, and long before you get this the “disgusting dreary desort” atmosphere will bo an all-pervading one in our much-loved West End. 1 know we talk about London being empty, but is it ever? One lot departs and another walks in. This is what I generally find to be the case. When one’s particular friends take themselves off one is always apt to look upon any place as a desert. It’s only natural. There are such attractive hats for sporting wear in these shops I’ve been talking about. They are leather, but such a new soft, pliable sort of leather they almost belie the word. They possess full draped crowns and tiny brims, and are immensely smart, and I foresee they will pack splendidly, and bo so useful. Then the new woollens are so much more colorful than heretofore, and have the appearance of silk in some wonderful method of preparation, and are spotted and prettily patterned like foulard. Wo are to be nothing if not bright in our dress this autumn.