FROM LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 21823, 12 September 1934, Page 5

FROM LONDON

M SIC TRANSIT " [By M. S. Primmer.] LONDON. August 8. , Those of you who knew London thirty or forty years ago—no, just to the outbreak of the war—would bo astonished, and, I think, a little shocked at the changes tnat are so rapidly taking place. Gone are the times—and cash—for dashing steeds and liveried menials, cracking whips, and all the rest of if. Almost as defunct is the old aristocracy, that glory of Victorianism. Think of Thackeray’s heroes now behind counters, bowing just as politely as of yore, but to-day with an eye to the probable purchasing power of the fair motor customer. The daughters of Mayfair, too, have joined in the wild scramble for bawbees, and everywhere in London you can find shops run by Lady X. for garden produce, flowers, hand-work, _ and so on. _ Of course, there are still a few American millionairesses about, but they, too, are getting scarce. I suppose it was only to be expected old mansions should suffer the fate of their owners, and change almost out of recognition. Still, one does not like to hear of such stately homes as Chesterfield House being pulled to pieces. After all, _ apart from its literary connections, it was the first home of the Princess Royal when she returned from her honeymoon with the Earl of Harewood. Now she has a much more modest home tucked away in a little Mayfair street. Perhaps soon we may all see one of the Royal apartments, which we certainly would not have done in the old days. Anyhow,, an American film company is probably buying a great salon, panelling, and gilt ceiling intact, to be used as the correct setting for “ stately scenes of English life.” The marble staircase is still for sale —nearly all the other parts ha-ve gone. But, think of it! What modern flat can accommodate it, or _ the enormous wardrobes that the Princess had all round her bedroom walls? And now more pulling down is in view—three mansions in Grosvenor square; and actually shops will install themselves under the flats. Finally, four historical places in Arlington street, touching the Ritz. All to suit the modern craving for a flat life, little home work, and anything but a quiet, meditative hour. I am glad to add to this dismal picture one bright gleam—buildings are to conform to a typs that will not break the harmony of the skyline. _ We certainly do, not want American ideas on the height of houses. Nor must I forget the fine old bridge now doomed to extinction, no less than Waterloo Bridge, known in 1809 as Strand bridge, changed to its present name in 1818. It is already nearly gone. WHAT’S IN A NAME? I always feel sorry for the woman who has to invent names for Paris “ creations ” —for they are all duly christened. You cannot keep up indefinitely “ Midnight Dream,” ‘‘A Fireside Corner,” “ The Daredevil,” “ Repose.” A few of the big “ houses ” now just use numbers. But what about the new materials that are constantly thrust upon a greedy market? You have simply got to find something attractive to urge the coy buyer. For quite a while we have had ” angel’s skin.’.’ Now we are reduced to chicken skin, really of beautiful texture in spite of its unpretty name. More zoology is apparent in “ goat’s hair,” a new artificial silk woven with that animal’s hair, other beasties used for a similar purpose being rabbits and calves. “ Asterisk Tinsel ” is quite new, and guaranteed nncrushable because it has a woven net back and a bumpy design, like an asterisk. We are all crazy for nncrushablcs this year, _ especially for cruising clothes. It is such a job keeping up appearances on board with no irons handy, and the young fair who ride the ocean wave harbour many romantic thoughts as to possible future partners, so some remedy must be found. That reminds me. Cork trimmings are the latest thing out. Pretty cork buttons touched with a coloured bead or two, necklace, and bracelets,' to help keep you up while you are swimming, or rather sun*batbing. for they have nothing in common with the vulgar cork belt handed out to you for drill practice on liners. Cork soles are light and effective for sandals—innS' all the rage here. One final word to tenuis enthuisasts. do not ho bashful in the way of coloured shorts. At the great tennis dance given after Wimbledon by Lady Crossfield, lots of young Mayfairites sported these. Lady C. Willoughby was in pale pink crepe with a black belt, another had pale blue. The one drawback, to my mind,, is that you must have attractive legs. So, plump ladies, beware. SUN BATHING I have just seen a lovely little model for sun-bathing. By the way, be careful not to jump into it (sun-bathing, not the suit) too rapidly. You can get a painful skin that will leave marks for a long time if it blisters. Well, this pretty thing, is in Shantung silk, a material that has regained its old popularity after some sad years of eclipse. Choose bright colours, red and blue, or perhaps two shades, of orange, and so on. The upper part of the dress is almost just an enormous scarf. Two ends tie at the back of the neck, while the rest is passed through a largo ring at the waist hack, then brought round and tied in front. For the lower part you wear wide-pleatod shorts, and over that, when you do not want the sun to heat on your legs, wrap a woollen skirt that fastens with cork buttons right up. This skirt crimes in useful as a rug in off-hours. To make the picture complete, make cushions of the same colours, and finish oft' with a huge hat (which will give needed shade to the nock), it'nr of stitched silk or rather coarse straw.