WOMAN'S WORLD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15999, 18 August 1915, Page 10

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MISUNDERSTOOD WOMEN. It is the constant cry of women that they arc .misunderstood by their, menfolk/ Fathers are frequently very trying to their grown-up daughters, and brother? are not always as sympathetic and attentive as they should* be; but husbands are tho worst 'offenders. It is it-agio to think of the number of misunderstood wives. in the world, for of course there are no misunderstood husbands I Most of us have met with tho woman-oftcn very charming alio 'is, too-who.; with 'head on one side and tragic mien, declares, " Ah, my husband does not understand mo!" Personally, says an English writer, I am very suspicious of the misunderstood-woman. In most cases I am inclined to believe that she has been understood too well. She has, in fact, been found out! Of course, there are ways in which it is very desirable that woman should be misunderstood by man. One of woman's great powers ' and charms is elusiveness. Throughout the ages she has endeavoured to shroud herself in mystery that should baffle tho understanding of man. When she has succeeded she has been happy. When she lias failed misery is her lot. There is very little that her husband does not understand about tho "misunderstood" wife, and that is generally the cause of tho whole trouble No happy wife is ever understood, and the truest basis for holy matrimony is a mutual misunderstanding. ' —-— LANGUAGE OF STAMPS. If a postage stamp be placed upside down on the top left-hand corner of:the envelope, it means that tho writer loves you. ' u • If cross-wise on the same corner, " My heart belongs to another, and can never belong to you." Placed in the proper way on the same corner, "Good-bye for 'aw present; dearest." . - ' If at right angle on the left-hand top corner, "1 hate you." The left-hand corner at tho bottom placed the same way, " I wish or desire your freindship, but nothing more. " Left-hand bottom cornel, upside down, "Write 60011." If put on a line with the surname on tho left-hand side it means, ." Accept my love." . . . If upside down in the same position, "I am alreadv engaged." - • If placed upYidc down in the right-hand comer, "My heart is another's, you must write no more-" If .put crosfi-wise on the right-hand comer, it asks the delicate question, " Do you love me, dearest?" If on the right-hand side of the surname, proper way. it says, "I long to see you; write immediately." ' At the bottom right-hand corner, crosswise, '" No." ' i( „ At the same place upside down, Yes. SHELVING RESPONSIBILITY. "HI ask my husband." " I don't think my husband would allow me to do that." ~ „. ' "I'm sure Jack would say No. • Do you know the wife who, whenever she does not want to do anything, always places the responsibility on. to her husband's shoulders? ~ She knows quite well that film can do almost anything she likes with her husband, and"that' there are really few precious things that he would say "No to her doing, but she finds that to say her husband would never allow her to do this, or that, is a very easy way of saying '{ No" to people without offending them. But it's not quite fair on the; husband really, because, after a time, people begin to think that he really must bo rather a

bear to be so strict with bus wife. , .; ' And lie gets disliked, very often; accordingly. .. If'you don't want to do a thing, say so; don't make your husband the scapegoat. ; Of course the wife who docs this,kind of thing never dreams that people will' blame her husband, it's just a convenient fiction to her. ■••,.., . '.;"'' But people are apt to think less of tier husband because of it. ' ,'. ' you'll be wise to find some other excuse, when excuses are necessary. STYLES OF '70. .V~, : It is a curious coincidence that the same materials that were in style" just before the war in Franco 'in 1870 are also the style now, according to a'fashion letter published in 1870 in-Godey's Lady's Book. The writer ( =ays:—" We also saw brocaded silks; these are the .first fruits of the pro* mise made by the Empress Eugenie as she • passed through Lyons, that the brocades should be .restored• to favour if it lav in her power. Plain fabrics and grosgraiu silk nave for some years been exclusively fashionable, much to the prejudice of the Lyons manufacturers, whose, special glory lay in the fabrication of the 'handsome 'fcc-ies des comiees.' Twelve beautiful dresses were presented bv these manufacturers to the Empress. The most magnificent of these dresses,- that destined to clothe the Empress in circumstances. of great ceremony; is poult de soie with a white ground, brocaded with bouquets of varied flowers in' pompadour style..' These bouquets are of an exquisite aerial lightness and seem to tremble m the air at every , 'movement or 'rustle, of ' the rich' folds of the material. - There are no fewer than '.sixty different shades in tho bouquets, but so softly blended are these shades of colour that there .is nothing glaring in tho 'tout •ensemble.' The second dress is a damasked satin, cerise coloured," with' brocaded' bouquets of white silk- shaded with cerise. Then comes a white grosgrain with white.brocaded pattern, extremely dintinguee; ' This'excellent reception toilette seemed to please Her Majesty particul.ivly." '• A BLACK FROCK. Says i smart girl to whom economy is a necessity' :~-T ''have if black evening frock that,*! wanted to bring up .to date. 1 made wide bretelles of chiffon, edged with tln'ce-iuch-wido frills, and put these, over the kimono bodice. Then. I made some pale pink satin flowers—from narrow strips of material cut on. the cross— each one the' size of ,'a shilling, and sewed them lightly up and down one side of the right-hand breteße", one inch in from the edge."' I 'eft an inch and a-half of space showing between each. The effect' is perfectly charming. " ' •: ' .••,'- Then I added one of the new brocaded sashes, in pink- to match the roses, and li double tunic of chiffon"cut rather longer behind than in front. ' My'old black satin is rejuvenated beyond all recognition, and at very small expense. .If the satin skirt bad been long enough I should have "draped it up a little one side, over an nnder-skirt of accordeon-pleated black net, over black chiffon '

I OLD LETTERS. Old Idlers! It is so strange, so very Htram'O, to draw them from their dark hiding-place in the dusty cabinet, and tenderly untie the knot's of faded ribbon; it is so sweet to bend lovingly over the vellow, timer-stained, ink-dimmed "pages; and. oh,' it is sad to think that tho dear hands which traced the friendly words are folded in death oyer the still hearts that prompted them! ' Old letters! The red fire gleams fitfully and'brightly, as though it would' claim them for its lawful prey; but, ah, he merciful; do not burn, do not destroy ' them vet, the old—old letters! She is only an elderly < spiusLer, I hear j you say— woman- with show-touched hair and furrowed cheeks; but, friend, you are mistaken. She is reading a nbto ! written to her in years that are past, by one who was'once her lovcr- j \vho is now no more. 1 ' And I think that there must be magic it) old letters, because, for a single instant," sho is 'not sixty, "but sixteen 1 , t

THE INFLUENCE OP FICTION. ? . Poetry may bo more elevating, r jjjs£j may be wiser, and philosophy .may evoke ? deeper, spirit, but none (ire & : fen„: none reach so many homes, or enga?* many readers, as the romances of raliZ times. Those who read lotssS read. exciting tale.-!. Those whom sennet never reach, whom liifilory fails to ££f art reached by fietioh~by m $»fK successful. ..novelists. It. is.. this' trfiw makes. a tnie,,noyel,.noble arid clgyateTi!! mimm, one of the foremost attract', l ' of homo. ..Wo tan thtfl » powerful /!" ment,.. mighty, .for., advancement for df veiopWcnt. Mighty it is liecausS' Of ( J" interest .jfo invites, .mighty or and . purification, for giving wholeto'i thoughts', for aspirations, and reflections. .. v -- DONT'S FOR MOTHERS. Don't be too severe" With yotir clhliiretf Don't break your promises. Don't ileglcct your husband .f or ti, baby. "_ ia^ Don't spoil the children by over iiidul gence. .?,.... t • Don't talk about the children in tbeir hearing. •; ..*. Don't forget that your friends «„ hardly bo expected to ehuro your own' absorbing interest in your infant*, _ Don't forget that every child sheaM L entitled to a happy 'childhood, and fly ~. later life" you may not have the potfWf privilege of making it happy or ga»./'= it from unhappiness. * . .-,• * POLITENESS AS AN ASSKT. .- ■ 'Are lady assistants more polite t',.... male assistants? A corresponds' ;#!',,• trade journal affirms they are, and •/,.<, cognising that politeness is a Suable asset in business, advocates the' f employ, ment of Women behind the counter Shis trade in place of men. He declares that customers are attracted to the shop I the assistants aro notably polite, and rebelled from the establishment where brusqueness ? if not positive rudenejj ii shown to customers. ' fie wntraiH 'tfy " oft'-handishnciis" .of .bis mate assistants with the .quiet, . gracious., manner of m women Behind Jus counters, andJnYjud-.. merit is invariably in ' fatter" et S tji» : latter. ; ' • '* :