WOMAN'S WORLD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16850, 15 May 1918, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD.

THE OHARM OF PROPORTION, v StritELT, one wouldv imagine,. even the" most' unobservant .man ; "or woman can " ' scarcely evade the chana of a sense of ' proportion! To a thinner, it seems to " embrace everything animate and inani- . mate—in Art no less than in Nature.- It is very hard to find a disproportioued flower, or even to suggest an improvement in .the .way the leaves are disposed on a 1 twig from' the commonest tree. Yet a careful study of poor humanity proves that a sense of proportion is too often as - rare as so-called " common" sense. The ■ two attributes, by the way, are very near akin. For a keen sense of proportion means a realisation of .the triviality of the little "huffs;" the absurdity of defensive self-importance, and, above all, Vhe futility of-as the Irish have it ' borrowing trouble," are surely all part of the well-balanced mind and happy temperament which mean so much to their possessor through all the changes and chances of this mortal life. One of th* less important, but very common, ways in which negation of the charm of proportion is shown is in furnishing. Broadly speaking, proportion—in the furniture sense as well as many othersis but another word for suitability. Memory here records a'most amusing discussion as to whether a "bold, bad" taste was preferable to timid indecision in choosing for one's home. Much was said on both sides, and, at last, it all simmered down to the need of a sense of proportion before anything could be successfully carried through, even in matters far more important than the furnishing of a drawingroom! To me, even that sure shield in the hurly-burly of life yclept philosophy, seems largely formed on the sense of proportion which proves the futility of vexing one's soul over trivial matters of daily life; matters which, at any rate in pre-war days, really absorbed the faculties of many a woman who could, ? *." selfsdiscipline, have risen to the higher ground of philosophy, whence one can take a broader outlook. But here the mischievous "other self"— frequently possessed by those of Celtic descent, reminds me of the old saying, "But never yet was found philosopher who could endure the toothache patiently." VARIOUS TOPICS. Woman, after all, is a rational animal, and whether she always likes it or rot 13 therefore compelled to think about tilings at large. The little party which with this writer, a meek, silent member, sought, for the best topics, was early inclined to come to; the conclusion that there is no best and no rale and nothing certain. Some women will talk children ' all the ' afternoon and love it, some, church, some frocks, some.even strategy, and the poor creatures mis very badly. To some, the manners and customs of their neighbours, and the graces and disgraces of the society wherein they move, furnish all they - want .to; think about. Some will debate good "works and some the play. And aa all managing hostesses know, a common measure is hard 'to findBut do not be censorious. Of course such talk can be merely nasty. ; Of courseit. can be dangerous, " How many' people have been made wretched by - the idle babble of a drawingroom? "Oh» of course, ; she means no harm, my dear. Not. really'' r any harm. Quite'a- nice woman I'm sura But, well, you know, people can't help : noticing.'* Put most of ;that in italics, and though it has no..'more relation to. -■ fact it can.do a deal of poisoning-: " Well> ' I'm sure ■ nobody ■ can : : wonder. She's a * dear good * soul, ; of coursed :Such; a kind -.;. woman. Bat, really, she ought to have > known. She wasn't? at all the sort of wife for him. Of course, if he'd married a clever girl he might have been so fond' - of her. I But doesn't know what - to aay." And then .''she'' hears all that " .at second;, or third hand, and the bottom falls out of heir-world. , - ..." ' : - ' "- ; 'lamp se-abi:s. -■:' '•' "-'-■"J The simplest way ,of -making a lamp shade is to make a, cover for aiiorainary . glass shade, which only requires. ;*bcut 2yds of wide lace; and three of narrow ribbon. Run the ribbon with a hedkic through" the lace, about an inch from the top edge >r join "the ends; neatly.' together, draw up and tie around., the shade;-the ; rest of the ribbon can be rhsde into tiny rosettes, and dotted, here and there upon-' the lower edge. ..If lined,with silk, of a bright, cheerful hue, this looks very pretty,. V : and it has- the great advantage ."'being's. ■ easily adjusted,' and can ■ be' taken off 'and, '■ ■washed. ". . To make a lamp shade in . a frame is I.;.; more troublesome; > but with a "yard or'-, two of silk, according to the size "or your v > frame, the ■'. same ' quantity of ' lace ■•- and •' , ■ ribbon, and a little-patience,- wonder can ■ be achieved. ••" pleasure - the" larger,rim of your, , frame, , . allow half as much again of silk; now run" your lace on straight, either by hand or machine, taking ■ care to hold the silk ; tight and the lace loosely; now run two small tucks about.an inch from the fees with strong; cotton or twist, and draw, up to the size of the wire frame, join the ends ■ together and the worst of the "work is - over. There remains, however, one rather i fidgety thingr sfiH to, do before adjusting' \-\ the shade, and that -is to cover all the '. wires with the same coloured sSSL Some '' people sew this on, but I- hare found it answer every purpose; if a long, thin strip - of silk is just, /around, and tacked --"'■■ here and there to keep :It in its> place. •.■ The Wire looks most' unsightly if left bare, and looks stiH better if a ruching of; silk Is also used to cover them ~ vtp. - Now fix';«;' your shade to the frame, being careful to get the fulness evenly; distributed. This, need not be sewn on all round, but'firmly here and there. Now draw the.silk up to the top, cut off arty ■ that. lamain '■'-'' above the wire, gather around, * and? sew to the -top:|rf;;;th'eifra^e r and finish off With a full ruche of laciei and ribbon bows.' Some 'of the dainty coloured crinkled -,- paper shades" are very pretty, and ' are' » simplicity itself to build. Get two contrasting ' colours, and lay m& oyer the other, the outer being an inch or so narrower -than the "under, which should be at least four inches deeper than the frame, at the lower edge, and two or three at the top; pleat into: large box-pleats and tie on to the frame with ribbon, either tacking or pinning the ends of the, paper I together. Of course, the same care must be taken to. coyer up the wires as with ~ silk. This looks; wonderfully graceful if .r used on a large three-cornered frame, and requires little arrangement, except at trTe" top, where the paper should be .pulled down to show the two colours, r ■ , CHARACSTEB READING. An open mouth is a sure sign of an empty head. An inagnifieant hose meana an insignificant mart A projecting upper lip shows malignity avarice. Pointed noses generally, belong to* meddlesome people. Large 'eyes in a Bmall' face betoken maliciousness.' A retreating chin is always bad, it shows lack of resolution.. A projecting under- lip indicates ostentation, self-conceit, and folly. Fine hair generally betokens native good taste and intelligence. A dimple in the chin is - pretty, but indicates weak mental organisation. High cheek bones always indicate great force of character in some direction. Fullness of the temples is supposed to show powers -,of^, matiiematical calculation.A small mouth, with nose and nostrils also small, shows; indecision and cowardice. -shut eyes show natural shrewdness, together with lack of sincerity.... Slowmoving eyes ate .always found in toe heads of persons of prudence and ability. • Grey is said to be the Colour of talent and shrewdness. Great thinkers have grey eyes. In women ;'they indicate a better head than heart, < C •WEEE:YO"C^;BP^-*D»-liA^O^ ; * Persons born in this month have a dual;-, nature... Their destiny depends on which ' is allowed the asceudancy—the higher 055 lower, the right or . the wrong. The y women of this month are -clever with their; ■ hands; they have'the gift of application ■ and concentration. They are ambitious,- \ but are somewhat giveh to despondency. ■■■:■■. Set a high stand air. and live up to it. ; , ; Do not lose heart and time in vain regrets. ' "Make „the best of life, remembering-that ">;;; , what is, is best. ■-" ;... : >■ % '-' > ■-.-■"■ ..- - " ; --'-..-; : c ■■-"■■-' :: ; -"% -':■'■. ■■-:.■ .-■- .■.- ■_ ~ - --.-■• . - .-7 ■•-:■: ■ ,-- ■ ; : jfr^a,.-.■.:.--:■■>. 3ft