THE WOMAN'S WORLD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12624, 3 August 1904, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE WOMAN'S WORLD.

A SPONGE TRAY. Hygiene, as well as common sense, requires that our sponges and things used in our daily ablutions should be well dried and aired each day after using. The sketch shows what a pretty toilet accessory a sponge tray may become. The foundation is of stout wire, bent to tho required shape; the inside lining is of American cloth; the outside of any pretty colour, ornamented with a floral device, the edge being scalloped and buttonholed. The four cords may be fastened with a loop, as in tho sketch, or with a ribbon bow. It is said that a woman's character can be told* by the state of her household cupboard and drawers. Much about her refinement and

nice feelings could be found out from a glance at her bedroom. Plain, it- may be, but it should always be quite neat and orderly, and furnished with the toilet necessities which mean so much and need cost so little. A cynic, too, would look to see if tho carpet in front of her lookingglass was more worn than that at her bedside where she says her prayers. Oh, it is the little things that speak of character, just its it is the trifles, the unconsidered trifles, -J.hat go to make up life itself those trifles which we neglected at our peril, because it is just in as far as we have been faithful in these small things that we shall be fit to have the greater things and opportunities given unto us.

MATCHMAKERS. Marriage is largely a matter of propinquity. Bring a number of men and women together frequently in close and friendly companionship, and the result is stive to be one or more marriages among them. It is simply carrying out the laws of nature, which, speaking in a. general sense, do not, intend that man or woman shall go through life ' alone. Often we meet middle-aged women, beautiful, charming in every respect, and we marvel that they never have married. The reason is, in a majority of cases, that in youth they were so situated as not to come into close acquaintance with men. Now, here is where married people should recognise an obligation, says an American writer. They have been so fortunate as to meet, to love, and to marry. They have their home, their influence, their independence.. The temptation is very strong to be selfish to settle down to mutual enjoyment, to let other people, get on without their help. Instead of doing this they should help their unmarried friends to perhaps find equal contentment and happiness. It is only those who are married who can manage such matters. If they would feel some sense of duty in regard to them, not only would they serve society at large, but they would make life much "happier for the young people, who play at cross-purposes and el; their affairs dreadfully muddled and have many trials which might be. avoided if "only somebody who knows bow to do ib would help things along. This does not mean that marriage should bo the sole object of a woman's life any more than it is of a man's, but only that both have a vested right to a fair chance, and their married friends should see that they get it. GLOVES WHICH ARE BOTH USEFUL AND ELEGANT. Regarding smaller accessories, one is glad to find that the washable gloves are to be obtained in even more variety than of yore. Most of us have suffered from the cleaned glove which, taken out in a shower, has returned patterned in spots. We have all wearied of the white kid glove which has spent most of its life at the cleaners, or been made hideous with benzine at home, whilst few having the smallest eye for seemliness or beauty but have been made miserable by the sight of soiled kid on other folks' hands. There is no necessity for an}' ot these ordeals nowadays, however, and if we are wishful to wear suede, kid, cape, castor, or indeed any material, as gloves we may obtain them so treated that they may be readily washed at home. The innovation is a distinct boon to almost till of us, and we are no less slow to offer a welcome to the gentleman's, boy's, and girl's gloves of this description which can now be obtained, for even if these members of the family may not affect white, nevertheless they usually have a way of soiling their gloves, useful or elegant,, whichever they may be._

A TABLE CENTRE. A prettily-laid table goes a great way towards the success of any little entertainment, and housewives are always on the look-out for new styles in the way of centres, arrangements for flowers, etc. A charming table centre may be made from a trefoil-shaped piece of satin as illustrated. This is embroidered with three half-wreaths of small flowers, the leaves being worked in subdued greens, the blossoms in any dainty shades suitable to the design. All round the outside of the design and in the centre small silver sequins are powdered, but these might be omitted if preferred, their place being taken by large French knots. The outer edge of the tre-

foil is next turned once and tacked with line silk, .so that the marks of the needle may not show. Take some narrow chiffon or cut narrow strips from very thin China silk, and make a gathered frill to go all round the trefoil; you should allow almost twice the length for the frill, but too much stuff in it will give a clumsy look. Measure the frill off into three equal parts, one for each part, of the trefoil, then sew it lightly in place from the wrong side, not taking any stitches through to the right side. When all is done lino the table centre with soft silk and take out the tacking threads. A little careful pressing with an iron from the back before the lining is put in will throw up the work wonderfully, but the utmost care as to the heat of the iron is necessary, as if is liable to take out the colour if too hot.