THE WOMAN'S WORLD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12074, 18 September 1902, Page 3

THE WOMAN'S WORLD.

LUXURIOUS SHOPPING.

" An American Woman" writes to the London Daily Mail:—There is one thing I have noticed during my trip to tins country, and that is, that you Britishers do not understand the art of shopping ia comfort —not to say luxury. Compare --our stores with our huge places in New York and Chicago. We have restaurants that will lunch 200 or 300 people at one time. There are libraries, and for the men smokeroems; and the latest is a garden where you may rest and soothe your nerves on rustic seats in creeper-covered arbours. If we take our children with us we can turn them over to a nurse on the spot, and she looks after them and gives them toys to play with. English uteres have nothing lite this ; but they have the hard-faced shopwalker, who terrifies me with his haughty and superior manner, and nearly drives me out of the place.

THE WOMEN WHO MARRY. Aftep. typewriters, the self-supporting women who exercise most charm over the masculine heart are the sick nurses. Thes* two professions stand far ahead of the others as furnishers of wives to the annual crop. After them comes the actress. The female writers, painters, musicians, avid doctors straggle far behind ths footprints that their more engaging sisters leave in the sands of time as they bend their course altarw-ard. Can it be that the more advanced intellectually women become, the less interesting they are to the other sex? —Geraldine Bonner, in the San Francisco Argonaut. PARISIAN FOOTGEAR. One might search the world over yet never find women so exquisitely booted as are the Parisiennes. The general impression that Frenchwomen wear very high heels t-e their boots and shoes is like many another general impression, quite out of date. The cheap smartness that a high heel too often imparts has no place in Paris, where many of the most chic wear especially low heels. And when the heel takes the, form of that known as Louis XVI. it is invariably lower than is the one worn by the far taller woman in London. The Parisienno with small and pretty feet takes at present a special delight in her out-of-town boots of patent tan leather with black patentleather vamps or slippers and tan-coloured heels. Her all-brown boot will have pale yellow toned leather for tha slipper part, wlule the upper of the boot, except the strip up the front that carries the lacing holes, will be darker in tone. A valuable aid is this in reducing the apparent size of the ankle. The toe of the newest French boots and shoes is neitner painfully sharp like that deemed smart by American women nor has it the gradual rounded form of the English boot. It, is something between. Both a pointed and straight toe-cap are in the running for fashion's favour, and in both black and brown walking shoes of the finest, kid the unrelieved front is not far behind.

For carriage and dry-day wear every delicate pastel shade is sold in suede to match the gown of delicate colouring which has also stockings en suite. Only when they are part of the scueme of the toilette are black shoes and stockings utilised for afternoon affairs. Canvas shoes are sold for the canvas and sacking dresses. Perfect in tone, though stronger iu material than is that of the gown, a piece of which is, as a matter of course, sent off to the bootmaker when the new gown is ordered. These walking shoes lace up neatly in front, as do nearly all the walking shoes that are not buttoned, the decollete shoe, a« it is called, being built for much lighter wear. The simple case of satin here develops quickly and takes on all soils of elaboration from the art nouveau buckle, enriched with jewels at the foot of a large fanlike tongue, to the (transparent slipper of fine gold lace, with Its edging of precious stones. With brocade shoes a riboon running through the top of the silk ties in front, forming a smart bow with pearshaped pearl drops attached to its two ends. Another fancy is for a latticework of bebe taffetas, with either silver or gold alternating with the little strip of daintilycoloured silk ribbon. In comparison with this the lattice-worked front, or that composed of some 20 little straps, is quite an ordinary affair. HOUSEHOLD HINTS. To Freshen Coloured Straw Hate: First brush thoroughly. Dissolve a piece of gum arabic about the size of a small nut in about three tablespoonfuls of cold water. The best plan is to put this soaking overnight. Brush the hat well with this solution, being careful the brush goes into every crevice, aud hang in a cool, shady place till dry. To Revive Carpets: Grass cut while the dew is still upon it is an excellent thing in place of tea leaves to use when sweeping carpets. It prevents the dust from rising, and gives the carpet a beautifully fresh appearance. After sweeping, all furniture should be first dusted with a damp cloth, then polished with a, dry oneWhite Spots on Wood: Spirits of camphor will quickly remove white spots on wood caused bv the upsetting of some spirits, or by hot plates and dishes. Apply with a feather, using only very little ; then rub immediately with a cloth dipped in : sweet oil. Repeat if necessary; and when j the stain is entirely removed, polish with ! beeswax and turpentine, or any other furnij ture polish.