WOMAN’S WORLD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11226, 25 March 1897, Page 6

WOMAN’S WORLD.

The' Baroness Burdett-Contts recently presented Sir Henry Irving with the identical ring worn by David Garrick when he played the part of Richard m. Manchester’s Lady Mayoress is distinguished by the privilege of wearing a sumptuous official chain, which was presented to the city two years ago by Sir William Cunliffo Brooks. A golf wedding is the latest idea in America. The contracting parties in such a marriage which lias recently taken place wore both golfers, and they and their guests aliened the ceremony in full golfing dress. Matches on the links preceded the ceremony and followed the breakfast. *

No loss than eighty-two women passed the last Bachelor of Arts examinations at the University of London ; twelvepassedthe B. Sc. examinations successfully, and four passed as Bachelors of Surgery, one only, Mrs Scharlieb, M. D. passing as M. S. Miss Hyacinth e Dcano has been appointed, by the English Education Department, Inspection of Cookery, in succession to Miss Harrison, who resigned on her marriage. Miss Hyacinths Deane is sister to the Miss Lucy Deane who was appointed Eactory Inspector in 1595. Princess Maude of Wales delights in collecting things which are distinctly bizarre. Amongst her unique collection of ivory she possesses several complete elephant’s tusks, two huge hippopotamus’ tusks, which were sent her by the Mudir of Dongola ; several curious specimens of carved ivory of Indian workmanship, and some fine pieces jf British carving. The latest id|a for bridal bouquets is rather a pretty one. Instead of all the flowers being grouped together in one bunch, they are tied in separate little bundles, and secured by white satin baby ribbon, which combines them in plaice. Then, when the bride is going off for the honeymoon, she shakes all the bonquets loose, and the bridesmaids each try to 1 catch one. There is a superstitious fancy anent good luck being attached to a flower from a bride’s bouquet. There are two medical women at present practising at Christiania, Dr Marie Spaugberg, who, in addition to her private practice, is clinical assistant to Professor Strom, and a member of the Committee of Public Health, and Dr Louise Eamm, who has recently returned from Dresden, where ■ —after acting for some time as assistant to Professor" Sangeus, at the Leipzig hospital for women—she has gone through a further course of special study. Women specialists for women are much wanted in Norway. It would scarcely be exaggeration to say that some considerable credit in the matter of Madame Patti’s success is due to her very skilful cook, who has attended her now for many years past. Many singers get extremely fat, but Patti has kept her figure all through her thirty-eight years of professional life. Her cook is said to bo in his own way a perfect genius. Some years ago, when Patti and 4ier husband were occupying a suite of rooms at the Midland Hotel, I well recollect one of the items on her daily bill of fare. It consisted of a jelly made out of no less than ISlb of the best meat procurable. Dr Jex Blake, the Dean of the Edinburgh school of medicine for women, is devoted to her profession. She will be remembered as the courageous lady who more than a quarter of a century ago, bore the brunt of the battle when first women claimed the right to qualify as doctors. She is now a genial looking lady, with white hair and keen dark eyes, and may frequently bo met ’ driving her little victoria in the streets of Edinburgh. Besides her school and a largo private practice. Miss Jex Blake supervises the work of a small hospital for women which she founded some years ago in one of the poorer quarters of Edinburgh. There many a poor woman, who shrinks from the ordeal of a large hospital, has had the benefit of women’s medical skill and careful nursing. In her various enterprises Dr Jex Blake has the assistance of her ex-student and friend, Dr Margaret Todd, who is well known to novel readers as Graham Travers,” author of. “ Mona Maclean, Medical Student.” Queen Margherita of Italy is not only a beautiful and most distinguished looking woman, but she is possessed of a singular charm which makes her beloved wherever she goes, and tends to soften the reserve and ceremony which are otherwise one of

the most striking features of the Italian court. To this must be added that she', is the best of consorts, the most careful and self-sacrificing of mothers. The Crown Prince was for years delicate, and lias always been shy and retire, and since ho has become as smart and as clever as he now is, it is tc a great extent the work of his mother, who also takes a natural and pardonable' pride in her son. The Queen is the’ idol of the whole nation; even Republicans, and Socialists always show their reverence. The Queen is very fond of. rural life and is quite famous for her pluck and perse-! verancc as a, mountaineer. "When residing 1 at her villa, the Queen dresses very plainly,' and mixes in the most genial manner with the people in the district, having a kind word for everybody, and talcing the liveliest interest in all their little domestio affairs. The Queen is ah excellent linguist; she speaks fluently five languages, and has. a knowledge, by no means superficial, of' Latin and Greek.