LADIES’ GOSSIP

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4407, 13 July 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

LADIES’ GOSSIP

A story is told of an English schoolmaster who offered a prise to the boy who should write the best composition in five minutes on “How to Overcome Habit.” At the expiration of hvo minutes the compositions were read, the prize wont tc a lad of nine years. * ollowing u> ills essay: “Vveil, sir, hubu is hard to overcome, it you take 0.. the first tetter let it does not change ‘ ’abit.’ If you take oft another you sill have a ‘hit’ lofl. if .you take olr still another, the whole cf ’if remains. It you lake off another, it is not wholly Used up all ot which goes to show that if you want to get rid of you must throw it oh altogether.”

Miss Alice French (Octave Thanet.;, at a recent meeting of chib women at Lincoln, Noli., sounded the praises of the ‘'moderate man,” claiming that ho is generally unappreciated. “I ho nm* derate man is doing his unobtrusive best in every walk of life,” she said, _“The moderate woman is doing hers. Sim is a good wife, a good mother, a good friend and neighbour. The moderate man is under fir e from his own familiar friends; h» is attacked by extremists eu hoUi sides, and yet, harassed, wca* ried, goaded, he doggedly fights on with a Jest instead of a jfroan, and never suspects that ho is either a hero or a martyr.”

A very vivid and charming picture of Queen Alexiimlia among her Sundring" ham people is presented by Miss Mary Spencer Warren in the current number of ‘‘Tim Lady’s Magazine.” “It is somewhat unique for Royalty to bo kept waiting,” says Miss Spencer Warren, in tl)o course of the article, “but it cer* tninly happened on one occasion, and tho laggard was not the bride, but the bridegroom, ‘How bad for Mary,’ remarked Her Royal Highness, ns Mary —the bride —stood pplo and anxious, the observed of all observers. And it was bad, bijt Lukin appeared at last, truth to te|l in a bad temper. The graceless follow had actually been sulking at bogie and would not start to tjie church for the simpl o reason that a carriage had been sent for the bride, but not for himNo reasoning: would move him, and one of his friends was obliged to go off, post haste, for the conveyance, the entire company meanwhile waiting in the church with what patience they could.”

One more little anecdote of Sandringham. life. It occurred some short time after tlm death of the Dulio of Clarence. As all Jjnow, the Princess tried to hide her grief, which was showp only m her fading health and tender consideration for others. One day, while walking with on 0 pf her ladies in the janes, she met an old woman weeping bitterly and tottering under a load of packages. On inquiry it appeared she was a oar" rior, and made hor living by shopping and doing errands in the market town for the country people. ■ • » ' . • • •

“But the weight is too heavy, at your age,” said the Princess. “Yes, you're right, ma’amJ’ll have to give it up. and if I give it up, I’ll starve. Jack carried them for me —my boy, ma’am.” “And -where is he now?” “Jack? he’s dead- Oh, he’s dead,” the old woman cried wildly. The Princess, without p, word, hurried on, drawing her veil over her face to hide her tears. A few days later a neat little cart and stout donkey wore brought to the old carrier’s door. She now travels with them to and fro, making a comfortable living, and has never been, told the rank pf the friend who. has tried to mnk e her life easier for the sake of her dead bey. •♦■ * t *

Certain capricious rules of etiquette are in force at the Opera, and are re" ligiously observed by women in smart society! One of these ordains that a lady must not leave her place, but rer main quietly ip her hex throughout the performance, or until she leaves the theatre. Ther e must be po passing from box to box, and never a, refreshing stroll in the corridor, even if the thermometer mount to the nineties. A smart woman may never eat. Coffee and ices may restore the lady cf no importance, but the fair patrician or portly plutocrat must practise a sejfdenying ordinance of temporary starvation. \ • • • • »

There is a small Catholic church in one of the streets off the Strand, London, where many notabilities—political and social— may he seen from time to time at the Sunday devotions. -A fw weeks ago a collection for the church was held at the door, after the midday \mass. A very unpretentiousdooking gentlemen passed out, dropping some coins in the plate as he went. To the astonishment of the plate-holder, they were sovereigns, A look at the quiet, plainly-dressed donor convinced the collector that there was' a mistake; so ho hurried rapidly after the gentleman to explain, The gentleman spoiled courteously as he replied, “We’ll let the mis’ take pass this time." The astonishment of the platerholder was greater than ever when, on relating his “wonderful experience,” he was told that the quietlooking gentleman was the Duke of Norfolk. * * » *

In “M.-4.P.” »n interesting list of nicknames is given. Lord Raglan is known to his intimates as “Chalks," Lord William Cecil, Lord Salisbury’s clergyman son, is called “Fish," Lord Edward Cecil is "Niggs," < and Lord Hugh is known as “Linky." Lord Ches’ ham, before he succeeded to the title, was called “Fatty Cavendish. Mr Schomberg McDonnell, brother to Lord Antrim, is known as “Porn," and Mr Alexander McDonnell as “the Fox." Sir Charles Hartopp is “Tops.” Major Alfred Duncopabe, husband pf Lady Florence puncopibe, and owner of Oalwmh Abbey, is known to his friends as “the Dodger.” Captain Stewart is always cal)ed “Bjmbash,” and Mr Algernon Turner, late Financial Secretary to the Post Office, is called by hjs intimate friends, “Wi'ggy” Turner. *■»t ■ * »

The late Duke of Wellington was known as “Spurgeon,’’ his likeness to the famous preacher having been a remarkable one. The late Duke of Man* Chester was called “Kim” by all and sundry, “Kim” being an abbreviation of Kinibolton. The late Lord Galloway was for years known and liked by the nickname el “Joe,” and the late Lqrd FUzharding was styled “The Giant.As someone truly said, lf To gain a nickname is to win popularity,” •»‘ • » *

Lord Lovat went home frpra South Africa in the Carisbrooke Castle, _ with orders to raise two more companies of the Highland Scouts which have done such good service in the war. Lady Lovat has been busy at Beaufort Castle with preparations for the muster and entertainment of the new levies. Un* fortunately she has been hastily summoned to town, to bo with her eldest daughter, yiscountess Enopmbe, who has been seriously ill with diphtheria. Her friends have been very anxious about her, but happily the latest news of her condition is reassuring. Her two tittle boys. Lord Encombe and the Hon.

Michael Scott, have been staying at St. John’s Lodge, Lord Bute’s house,, in Regent’s Park, to be well out of the reach of infection.

Queen Alexandra is greatly interested in Iter now little electric carriage, and bus been driving abent daily in the grounds of Sandringham. Princess Victoria, who is never very strong, has had a slight attack of influenza, but she is much better, and abl e to be out again.