LADIES' GOSSIP

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1523, 28 February 1901, Page 23

LADIES' GOSSIP

Tike Queen always' wore two bracelets. Oil© contained the portrait of the late Prince Albert, and the other the photo ■ graph of her latest grandchild. Her Majesty took a truly grand-motherly interest in all her numerous little grand-chil-dren, and was alvritys very much interested in the arrival'of the latest baov. * * *- * *• *

There is no such thing as disguising one's age in Japan. We women, who are the chief culprits in this matter, would fare badly in the Mikado’s land if we endeavoured to pass off for a certain .number of'years younger than we actually are. For when, the Japanese woman goes to biiy a new frock she has to tell the shopkeeper exactly how old she is, as there are special designs for all. ages, as well as for married and single ladies. .Therefore to those versed in the dress lore of the country a Japanese woman’s age is told at a glance by the costume she wears. *- * * -*■

It may not be generally known that bonnets were first introduced into- England? rom Italy in, th. days of.good Queen Bess. Then the shape wasi something between the round hat worn at the present time by Italian peasants* and "the French hood, and was made of the most elaborate materials. Cloth of gold, gorgeously embroidered satins, and priceless brocades were among the fabrics used in their manufacture. After this shape went out of fashion Leghorn hats came in vogue, such as are seen in. pictures of a much later period than that of the great Tudor Queen. Hoods, coifs, and wimples were the feminine headgear in vogue before that period.

A pretty story is told of the young Czarina of Russia’s kindness to her hum- ’ bier subjects'. At ©, recent fete held at the Winter palace ail the school children admitted were- presented with lottery tickets of the beautiful presents : that were'to be raffled for their benefit. On© of the little, girls won a- valuable eld French clock that had 'belonged to- the French Emperor, an interesting -possession. to anyone who would appreciate its history, but of no us© to a poor family. ; 'The Czarina thereupon bought it of the .Child, fixing her own price, which rerip resented.’ £SO in English money. It may welt be imagined how delighted the child’s parents were with this munificent gift.

Betrothals in Germany are of a much more binding nature than they are in f England. ' Here, as is, unfortunately, the case, engagements are frequently very lightly entered into, and as lightly broken off. In Germany the plighting ■ ' of troths is considered nearly as serious , .a matter as the marriage, and thus the young men and maidens are- mere certain of. a happy married future, because they need to well consider before they make the serious preliminary step . or their after life. *■* * * « Sarah Bernhardt, according to the San Francisco “Chronicle,” has effected >■ .«k marvellous change in the fashion of the figure.in United States fashionable > circles. Gradually the waist-fine has been getting larger and less wasp-like, till now we are threatened with a figure as devoid of waist as that of the notorious Venus de Milo. In' “1/Aiglon.” Sarah Bernhardt appeared as a boy, slender and- undeveloped, without even the fashionable incurve at the hips, but instead, with the beautiful incurve at the middle of the bank which is so noticeable in the statues of Greek hunting boys. ‘ ' .

The Queen of Rcumama sleeps always «*a a scented pillow, and is awakened each morning by the songs of her pet birds, .the doors leading to the bird room being thrown open afc a stated hour. * * *• * , *■

Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein is not by any means the only Royal lady who is devoted to the- study of astronomy. Princess Charles' of Denmark is said to be enthusiastic on the subject, and the Princess' of Wales reads a great number of books about the wonders of the heavens.

In admiring the enterprise of a young woman in Philadelphia who drives an ice waggon, one cannot help w ondering why she should be an exceptional case. Whether attractive young women can apply for the billets of butcher and baker boys, to be met with refusals, is a point on which it is impossible to glean much practical information, but that many expert whips of the female persuasion -would very admirably fill such billets is a factthere is no denying. Not only are many girls specially adept in handling ponies —-to say nothing of keeping carts trim—but many bakeries, laundries and drapery establishments are conducted solely by women,- and, judging by the way these same women biame all deficiencies 1 in the way of delayed and missing goods to “them blessed boys/' it seems nearly time that their sisters were given a chance. Messenger girls have lon«* been a feature in certain American towns, and the sight of them in their neat uniforms’ darting hither and' thither on their bicycles might well induce their encouragement locally. *■*■** *

A New York policeman was recently sued for wife desertion, and! the wife being a very attractive young person judicial sympathy was on all on her side till it transpired that during the few years she and the “limb of the law” had lived together she had spent no less than the third of his income in clothing herself. Then, of course, everyone wanted to.rise in his or her respective wrath and denounce the poor woman, not, of course, for a crime, but for not having known by instinct how far money would go. Coupled with the results of investigations made within the last few months by a certain temperance organisation, this incident sheds' light on the necessity of educating girls in the use of money. Tire investigations in question were with regard to the factor that most commonly impels men to crime. “Drink,” groaned the temperance advocates, and “Drink' reluctantly suggested opponents. It proved not to be drink at all, however, but the* ignorant extravagance of their wives that had sent them to prison.

. * * * ■* American women axe beginning to ere joy a reputation for the lack of wrinkles. As American men, especially in the Eastern States, have faces more than usually marked with “Time’s finger mark,” this lack can hardly be due to climate. ‘‘Face doctor’s maintain that their teaching is bearing fruit, and the gospel they have preached is being given at least an intelligent hearing. In other words, women, instead of trying to obliterate the marks that Time has made, now confine their energies to preventing Time from making any perceptible impression on their ‘ countenances. They practise the art of smiling with their mouth, and so avoid those mirthful puckers round the eyes, commonly called crows’ feet, quite as often due to laughter as to care. It is small use for the careless to argue that the aDsence of Hues makes a face look characterless. Any woman who could continually bear in mind the. necessity of laughing -with her mouth, and simultaneous!v keeping her eyes from twinkling must be a person of such force of character that it could never fail to come out somewhere.

It has been matter for universal remark: how exceedingly well the Duchess of York has been locking of late, and what charming gowns she has appeared in. In this case, remarks the “Lady's Pictorial/' patriotism has proved its own reward, for her Royal Higness has practically forsworn. Paris, and has been having her dresses made by an English dressmaker, Avith whom she has, it is whispered, placed a large order for costumes to wear on her approaching New Zealand tour. .*** * . *

General Buller has only one daughter. Miss Buller is just 17. Had it not been for Sir Redevers's absence, she would most probably have been presented last season, but as yet she is not “out,” though 3he has often, as the only child of a great soldier, accompanied her parents, “by command,” on a Royal visit. Miss Buller is tall and dark, and bears an almost startling resemblance to the General—a resemblance not of face alone, for she has also inherited much of his temperament and character is tics. She has already shown, strong signs of an intellectual bent, and nob long ago acted in a. dramatic sketch Avhich she had herself adapted for private theatricals. With her step-sisters, Miss Howard and Miss Joyce Howard, she undertakes! much charitable work in connection with Lady Audrey's philanthropic schemes.

Mrs Langtry is very busy just now. She is touring with “The Degenerates,” and making plans for reopening the Westminister Impeidal Theatre early this year. Her idea is to convert it into a West End comedy theatre, and she Avill probably open it With a five-act play in which she Avill fill the role of Marie Antoinette. The celebrated necklace episode may give Mrs Langtry the chance of a dual part. Mrs

Langtry is a princely manageress, and those who are associated with, her in her theatrical work are alike loud in. their praise of the kindness and consideration of their beautiful manageress.

The Countess of Whrwick is indefatigable in seeking out fresh fields for the skilled agricultural women. She is now making close inquiry as to the prospects of women dairy farmers in South Africa. Already the Hon Mrs Evelyn Cecil has given it as her opinion that fruit-farming in England's lately-acquired colony will afford profitable- employment to trained women, and suitable also, because Kaffir labour can be utilised. Lady Warwick has already been instrumental in turning out women and girls who are happily earning good salaries as gardeners and dairymanagers.

Mr Austen Chamberlain has a strong resemblance to his father, and it is a resemblance which is increased by certain characteristics common to both. For instance, Both wear a single eyeglass; both are remarkably well dressed, even in an. assembly where there are some of the bestdressed men in the world; and their voices are also singularly alike in. tone. Mr Austen Chamberlain has been prevented by many circumstances from speaking often in the House, but he certainly lias also some of his father’s great debating powers. In some respects he has the advantage of his parent. The face is more refined, the features more regular. The "tremendous hardness of tlie father falls into softer lines in the face of the son, into lines that bear the impress of a mother's gentler character.