HOME TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15197, 10 January 1913, Page 4

HOME TOPICS.

OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.

The woman who has formed the habit of saying pleasant things and letting everything that is unpleasant pass without comment is in a position to pour oil on the troubled waters of both social and' business life. She is the type that gets the; most out of life because everyone instinctively turns the best side to her.' ■•,■■■■■■ V''.-' "•"•-. ' ,/ r ■ SAID ABOUT US. How many ways to a heart has a woman ...-■-..• To form devices quick is woman's wit. Let a man pray that none of his womankind should form a just estimation of him. Woman's power is over the affection. 1 ). A beautiful dominion is hers, but she risks its forfeiture when she seeks to extend it. The friendship of a man is often a support; that of a woman is always a con-, solution. Woman is the royal blood of life; iet there be slight decrees of precedence among them, outlet them all be sacred. I have seen faces of women that were fair to look upon, yet one could see that the icicles were forming round these women's hearts. A woman either loves or hates; she knows no medium. , ' THE MATRON'S HAIR. Tho golden-haired beauty of to-day is reallv -haired. She does not _ dye her tresses, though she may enhance their brilliance by skilful manipulation .with the unguents provided for her by her hairdresser, and by massage, which keeps the golden strands lustrous. ■ ' ' , And her grey-haired mother? Is she not proud her crown of glory also? • Sho would not change it for any colour, for the neutral tint is the most fashionable there is now. She, too, enhances its character of grande dame by powdering it, but not with white powder. Sho uses grey instead, in accordance with ' Fashion's latest whim. ..**' ■ The Parisienne powders her hair grey because the day of the dowager has arrived, and all. the handsome fabrics that are worn, the brocaded velvets and shaggy woollens, demand the middle-aged air. The very way in which the rich fabrics are made up suggests a -dignified demeanour, crowned with the grey hair of tho woman of sixty. .

FASHIONS IN FOOTGEAR. A critic of women's dress was asked what fust struck him about French women, and his reply was, " The smartness of their footgear." For they are said to be the best shod women in th© world. Everywhere in Paris he bad noted the exquisite, shapely, gay little shoes of the Parisienne tripping through boulevard and avenue, square and street. There is a good deal in this opinion, for the French boot and shoe ia invariably elegant even in its most, utilitarian form, and its practical purpose is considered next to its charm. English women are mors concerned with comfort as a general rule, and the conception of a comfortable shoe Tins not always been attractive. To the French woman the French-made shoe is eminently suitable the long-shaped narrow form being made to fit the lines of the foot, and the mistake we axe often inclined to make in this country is the selection of French or American .shoes, which are, not adapted for the shape of the British foot. Fashions in footgear are changing somewhat this season. Black and grey suede tops will continue to bo worn for smart occasions.

GRASSES FOR TABLE DECORATIONS. One can, with a little forethought, get a useful collection by gathering some of the lovely hedgerow or garden grasses and dyeing them. " When this is well done .the grasses will last for a very long time, and they form a charming and graceful addition to the vates of flowers about the rooms. ■ ,

Gather the grasses on a dry day and hang them up in a sunny window for a few days to thoroughly dry them. Put some red ink into a" vessel ; a jam jar is useful for the purpose. To every tablespoonful of ink put a pinch of saffron ; this will give a clear orange tint, like ripe corn. Dip the grass sprays in the mixture and hang them up to dry, heads downwards, not in close bunches, but as loosely as possible. > If some grasses are gathered when somewhat yellow they can be dyed a > pretty silvery grey with Maypole soap in pale blue. A small piece of the soap dissolved in boiling water will be quite sufficient. _ A little permanganate of potassium dissolved in water will give a good red-brown colour to grasses, and these show up particularly well with white chrysanthemums. A solution of copying ink and water, about one part of the ink to six of water/ will give a lovely purple tint, through which the original green shows glints. -, Quaking grass dyed bright red has a very decorative effect with white flowers and red berries, especially .where the colour scheme is confined to red and white. Dilute with water some green art stain; add a pinch of saffron to get a fresh spring green. If using dark green stain add a little walnjt stain also to take off the crude colour. A good pale brown can be obtained by a mixture of brown and yellow stains. ';.-'• ' ; These'grasses will last for some time if occasionally shaken well to free them from' dust, and can be used with advantage until the time comes for- fresh foliage to be once more abundant. "

COMPULSORY CHARACTERS FOR SERVANT'S. Commenting on the proposal to pass a Compulsory Character Bill, which shall force employers when they dismiss servants, to give them a. good character, the Paris correspondent of the Referee tells how a similar law works in France. Tho servant has, let us say, proved a liar, a thief, and a positive Baggessen in her talent, for crockery smashing. The mistress of the house is only sure of one thingher morals. She knows she hasn't got any. Therefore she gives the girl a week's wages and a character. She writes that "Madeleine entered her service on tho n—th of Umph, left it on the umpth of n, and gave every satisfaction." The law compels her to. do this. Madeleine finds another victim, and the victim calls on victim No. 1. The law forbids Madame to warn her visitor of Madeleine's little failings. There is no nonsense about this. There have been cases in the French Courts lately in which Maledeines have recovered damages against former . employers, who told the truth about them. And the obvious result is, of course, criminality. Ladies of the criminal classes have discovered what a help to them the law can be, and acted on their information. I don't know (adds the writer), whether it is too late to save you from the horror, but if so you might try it on the father of the Bill, for a year or two first. Let him be prevented from knowing the truth about everybody he employs."