IN LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 19724, 26 November 1927, Page 21

IN LONDON

LUXURIOUS LONDON HOTELS ["Written by Cynthia, for the ‘Evening Star.’] It is something for America to own that London hotels are tho finest _■ in Europe, and surpass those in America. One reason, I am told, is that the very latest hotels in tho gay metropolis are not so colossal, and it_ is possible to give more personal attention to everyone. An hotel with several thousand bedrooms (which obtain in the States) makes this impossible. 1, personally, have been staying in one of the very latest, and there 1 found a large light and airy bathroom to each bedroom! I was really amazed at this. Hot and cold water laid on, and to be had all night. The wash basins fairly excited me; they were ot real onyx in the dressing rooms! Another comfort was an electric clock i in every bedroom, which, by the pressing of a button, became illuminated, so that you could see the time at any hour. Tho beds were the most luxurious I over slept in, and the eiderdown quilts cost as much as £35 each, being of Italian workmanship and richly embroidered. Then the ’phones rang in the servants’ quarters the moment you raised the receiver. The service was simply splendid, and you never rang twice for anything. Tho t'urnish'ng cost £IOO,OOO, so ivhat could you but superlative luxury. Americans adore these homes ot superb comfort, and fairly ravo about them. At another new Loudon hotel the air is oxygenised and changed ten times in an hour! This palace has a wing lor chauffeurs, with a telephone in eaeli bedroom. So you can call your ear Irom your own room, without the bother ot sending a message by a hell boy. Can you think of anything to add to this condition of perfection? No wonder London hotels arc extolled those days. LEST WE FORGET.

Only quite recently a friend asked me if I Avould cavo to go to Buckingham Palace to ono of the “ Not forgotten ” parties for our still suffering cxservico men. You may bo quite sure I accepted very heartily. 1 had the pleasure of meeting Mis’s Marla Cunningham, the founder and organiser of tho association. AVc arrived early, and saiv a wailing stream' of boys in blue, nil disabled, but so bright and happy-looking, and soon the great gales leading to tho courtyard of the_ Royal Riding School Avcro opened, and in they all Avont. Some avctc carried in on stretchers, others Avoro in Avhecl chairs or in transport Avagons provided by the Red Cross and St. John’s Ambulance Associations, and dozens came in char-a-hiincs. All Avero guests of tho King and Queen, and bidden to ono of tho delightful tea parties so often held at the Palace. A really splendid tea Avas served in the lingo 'riding school, with long tables groaning with good things, and bright and gay Avitli flowers, Lovely cakes are ahvays sent by Princess Mary, and any amount of other ladies and gentlemen send gifts. It may surprise you to learn even now 7 there aro 15,000 men scattered about at the different hospitals still invalids from the effects of the Avar. I felt so sad and sorry for them, yet how cheery-' they Avere. One told me of the splendid tobacco and cigarettes they had given them with delight very apparent in his eyes. What they all enjoyed was the'music, for a military baud played the whole of the.afternoon. We Avandered through the grounds so generously throAvn opcn_ by their Majesties, and I noticed with great interest that all sorts of games and amusements Avero provided for those who could take part in thorn. Some Avent for yoavs on the lake in tho splendid Royal boats; others sat about and talked, but all Avero so pathetic, I thought, still Avoaring tlio well-rcmem-hcred blue suits which to many of ns recalled sad and heart-breaking hours. ARTS AND CRAFTS.

Has it ever occurred to you how very clever are many of the arts and crafts taught people to-day, and not only clever, but so extremely artistic? I am always trying to learn something new, and 1 think one of the most novel and delightfully pretty things I saw recently at an exhibition was the flower jewellery. It sounds odd, hut you would hardly believe how attractive these things are, and since to be in the front rank of fashion you must wear ornaments to match the color of your dress, the idea fills a niche, so to speak. l ( 'or it is not the value of tiro ornament but its harmonising properties wliich make it so desirable. Let me describe some earrings modelled on cardboard. A pear-shaped piece ot cardboard cut out in the centre and leaving a margin. This be gilded two or three times all over with bright gold. It has the appearance of a drop, and on to this tiny flowers were modelled in special paste sold lor the purpose. • I’ll tell you how to make them. Press out flat a piece of paste and then stamp out circles for differ-ent-sized flowers, or use scissors. Then group them on the lower part of your cardboard drop, and make a charming little group. When arranged, smear them all with metal glue and press them on to the foundation, but curl up the petals to make them look natural. A modelling tool will be better than lingers to use. You must let the flowers bo perfectly dry, which ■ will take a day or two; then paint in color with Barbola paint, and, when dry, varnish with Barbola varnish.- _ Now, to complete, boro a tiny hole in the top of your drop, and insert tho ring of tho earring screws, and you have just tho most_ delightful pair of earrings you can imagine. Of course, you arrange the flowers to match your costume, or use a brilliant contrast. I know the description may sound boring, but in reality its is really lovely—and if you have an artistic tendency and clever fingers you will find the work fascinating. I’ve told yon what can he done with fishbones, I think, but this cardboard jbwcllery is really prettier. THE BEAUTY OF COLOB. Queen Mary docs not belong to tho monstrous regiment of elderly dressers —for ever in black. 1 think she is wise, and clever, too. It is a very common mistake some women have of always wearing sombre garments. It is not that the Queen dislikes black, but she believes that soft pastel shades suit her white hair and fine clear complexion best, and I am quite sure she is right, for blue eyes nearly always look bluer when thrown up with pale shades—certainly the powder blues so much liked by Her Majesty. Hydrangea blue nianves, petal pink, and these charming cloud greys are so much liked in preference to any other shades by the Queen, and ,no one ever heard of her wearing any shade of brown or green at any time, nor did she ever appear in" beige, for which there has been such a craze. It is, largely owingto tho Queen that pale-tinted glittering evening gowns are so popular, for she sot tho vogue of having her evening dresses made to match each particular set of jewels she possesses. If tailormades are required, navy blue is first favorite -with- - the -Queen-. Princess

Mary is never seen in black, but she adopts the pale tints so popular with her Royal mother. 1 have seen her in pale green—this at Ascot of this year—and well it suited her, for the Princess inherits her mothers’ blue eyes and flawless skin. 1 do _ think Women should consider these things in the same way as our Royal ladies, but the monotony of black can be, and is just now, positively boring. _ Black is the highest pinnacle of fashion’s meed to-day, and every other woman or girl is arrayed in tho smartest of black tailor-mades, with either a widishbrimmed bat or a skull cap, known as the Mephisto hat, with tufts of plumage at the sides, PRINCESS MARY’S LEAD. Another departure is duo to Princess Mary, and that is the wearing of country clothes correctly. _ It won’t surprise you to hear the Princess wears none but British-made tweeds, English or Irish homespuns, and handwoven Scottish tweeds. At Golsborough she wears coats and skirls and knitted scarves, generally made by the crofters, and soft felt hats with a brim. I think our Princess lias been largely responsible for the great impetus given to the wearing of sports clothing, but she never wears pull-overs or cardigans, but a silk shirt with a man s plain collar and tie, and does not patronise the Fair Isle knitted jumper. Take all our Royal ladies, and you will rarely sec them in black. The Duchess of York, for instance, liko the Queen, delights in pale colors. 1 am sure you must have noted this when she was with you. She is very feminine, and does not care tor tailor-mades, her coats always being trimmed and flounced with fur. Something fluffy at the side of her hat suits the Duchess, and she knows it, and always has tho trimming put on in this way. It is quite clear these Royal ladies realise tho valuo of color, and the Duchess of Pork especially never departs from the feminine touch with all her clothes. She it was who gave encouragement to the robe de style or picture dresses, and very sweet she looks in them. needlework; cl lture. It is extraordinary since the war how women in England have revived the art of needlework. 1 have seen the loveliest work recently, which will live for ever practically, both in finest Beylin wool work, tapestry, and petit point. The present-day woman lias undoubtedly returned to Die pastime or her ancestress of tlio Middle Ages with regard to needlework, and I am visiting this week ono of the most wonderful’ eshibtions of ancient and modern needlework which has ever been gotTogetlier. The exhibition is on behalf of one of our county hospitals, which, like all county or other hospitals, is kept going by voluntary contributions, and is shouting for funds. This is the first time such an exhibition has ever been held on behalf of chanty, and Queen Mary is patron and is also lending some valuable work for the show. ENTERTAINED BY THE KING AND QUEEN. Tlio Koval Standard floating over Buckingham Palace tells all Londoners, that the King is onco more with them, and this week both tlio King and Queen have been very busy, having shaken hands with 250 American Legiomiires, who received a Throne room welcome at the palace. I he visit lasted nearly an hour, and our American friends 'were frankly delighted with alt thov saw and the interest the Kin** and Queen took in them. Queen Man 7 was most sympathetic towards Legionary Schobell, who lost his sight through tho bursting of a shell at Verdun. He was thrilled, he said, at tho Royal reception, and should never forget the kindness shown him. The went all over the 1 alaee, were very impressed with all thev saw, and' declared they would never forgot their visit to London. “ Tho King talked to mo just as if wo were friends,” said one man, “ and a kindlier mau I’ve never mot.” In tho afternoon, tho Lord Mayor of tho City of London and. tho sheriffs entertained the visitors to a luncheon at tlio Guildhall, where the American flag (Did Glory) and the Union Jack were draped above, a fitting symbol of tho unity which should ever exist between the two countries. The Americans were delighted with the ancient splendor of the- surroundings. In replying to the Lord Mayor’s welcome. Air Howard P. Savage, the National Commander of the Legion, reminded his countrymen that these “grand walls” were built long before the United States existed. Then at night tho whole company attended a farewell dinner at the Hotel Cecil before returning home. This is the last contingent of the Legionaires, for some had already sailed for home.

ANNIE BESANT ON MISS 1927. I suppose all the world has heard of the veteran Dr Annie Besant. who is SO years old, and the noted Theosoplncal leader. This really wonderf.ii woman is just returning to India, and she gave some interesting opinions at a meeting with respect to the modern girl. She described her as better m some ways than her ancestors, and worse in others. More intellect as regards tlio vital questions of lifo and tho nation, ami continually seeking more knowledge, but less fitted for motherhood, and home, and the bringing up of her children. Too fond of frivolous things, too much money to spend on them, and too little experience for many nf the positions held since the Avar. This applied to both young men and girls, and here I cordially agree Avith this vise old lady. You can’t put old heads on young shoulders to-day any more tlian you could in days past, and it is this that gives swollen heads, so often ending in disaster. Dr Besant thinks gijnies and sports excellent m moderation, but never should they bo carried to a ridiculous excess. Women were not built for it, if they wish to bo normal.