THE WOMAN OF '02

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4646, 26 April 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE WOMAN OF 'O2

"Souvent fomme varie” is a French pro- . verb, but equally a chip from the crystallised wisdom of tho whole world. And the ways of woman—even her daily round and common task—differ in a marked manner with each succeeding decade. Our twentieth century "smart woman” is made on another model from the "sreat lady" of the slothful sixties—sho goes the pace, lives her life, and amuses herself for all she is worth. Hor day is mapped ont as follows:—At 8 in the morning her maid appears with tea or cocoa and letters —her "first post," ns sho calls it. And what a budget it is! Notes, letters, bills and circulars. These aro glanced over and put aside, and tho business of the day begins. The scented bath is cnimed, the toilet proceeded with, and a dainty’ wrapper thrown over tho Incetnmmed cache-corset and petticoat. Neither friendship nor love can stand tho breakfast test, so tho Duchess does not breakfast with her Duke, but eats the early meal in her dressing-room, while she studies her letters and reads the morning papers. After Ibis she gives herself over to hair dressers, manicures, face n asseurs, etc. Then tradesmen begin to arrive—dress makers, milliners, corsoticrcs jewellers, fournisseurs of every description—brin"’— . their newest and choicest goods for hor inspection and approval. After these have been dealt with and dismissed, onr Duchess leaves the diessing-room for her bourdoir, where she interviews the head servants, such as thf chef, housekeeper, otc., and senes her orders for tho day to the stable depart- ' meut. Thus the household programme for another 24 hours is satisfactorily arranged. . ~ . She goes off for her morning walk to shop, or across tho park with her dogs. Or sho may go for a drive in her motor car oar to take a lesson in fencing or in San clow exorcises. The Duchess writes for the press, and is a business woman, so her early outing often takes tho form

of a call at an editor's office, or a visit to her broker in Throgmorton street. Charity has its claims, and the modern "committee woman” must sometimes attend a meeting, or arrange a corning bazaar. Two o’clock brings luncheon, and ere this the morning frock must bo changed for a smart driving costume. The afternoon drive follows, with calls, cards, a visit to a skating rink, or a gnno of bridge at a friend’s house. Health is a modern cult, and the Duchess is one of its disciples. Sho believes in r est, and tak»s a srosta either before her drive or between tea and dinner. Her maid comes to her at seven, and claims attention for the evening's elaborate toilette. Dressing for dinner takes an hour, and then the business of tho night begins—a dinner party, either at home or ahresd. In the winter this is followed up by bridge, played till the small hours of the morning, or in summer by the opera, concerts and balls. A hard life and a merry one. and what our social Pharisees call a wasted existence. — “M.A.P."