£100 FOR BEAUTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11538, 24 November 1900, Page 5 (Supplement)

£100 FOR BEAUTY.

Ireland scored a signal victory in the World's Beauty Competition at Earl's Court, the fair daughters of Erin carrying off the coveted prize— cheque for £100. The public were the judges. All through the summer months visitors dropped their voting papers into ballot boxes placed opposite the various sections representing the Women of All Nations in the Empress Theatre. The result was that the Irish ladies received no fewer than 33,095 tributes to their charms. This announcement at. the prize distribution was received with ringing cheers. Hearty shouts of " Good old Ireland !" burst forth simultaneously from every quarter of the theatre. It's iligant entoirely!" announced one of the blushing maidens, as she flourished the strip of paper aloft. "But, shure, we knew it, for Ould Ireland's beauty never had its equal!" And she retired with a bewitching smile into hsr little log cabin for tea. The tumble-down homestead, with its smiling, light-hearted girls, was the chief attraction of the exhibition for the rest of the evening. England came next, nor were John Bull's stately daughters very far behind, for they obtained 24,092 votes. " Rule Britannia" greeted their appearance to receive the reward of £75. Their beautiful dresses as well as their pretty faces were the envy and admiration of many feminine spectators, who were loud in their praises; and the setting of the dainty little scenes depicting English home-life was voted quite as good as anything seen on any stage. "Bonnie Dundee" walked off with the third prize of £50. These winsome lassies " fra Glasga," had tripped their way into the good graces of 5527 voters, and this announcement gave the whole assembly an opportunity to mark time to the skirl of the bagpipes. Fourth on the list came the fur-clad children of " Our Lady of the Snows." Canada's handsome representatives had appealed to the hearts of 1201 susceptible voters. Eight other prizes were awarded in consolation Japan, America, Spain, Switzerland, France, Holland, Belgium, and Rusj sia sharing the honours among them.