LADIES’ GOSSIP

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

LADIES’ GOSSIP

Tho King himself drives from Marlborough House to Windsor in his automobile, and takes no longer over it than one often takes in tho country in driving to sco a friend.

For a second time since his accession the King has stood sponsor in person for a non-royal infant. The lucky baby so honoured was the son of Sir Archibald and Lady Edmonstoue. As Prince of Wales, tho King was always w-illing to stand as godfather to tho children of old friends. Among the peers who have the right to call their sovereign godfather arc Lord Castlemaiue and the Dukes of Marlborough and St. Albans. Elder sons of peers similarly privileged are more numerous. They include Lord Fincastle, Lord Dalmeny, tho little Marquis of Blaadford, and Lord Wendover. Another godson is Sir Albert Naylor Leyland. All are frequently reminded of the fact that his Majesty is a judicious and generous giver.

Several prominent French dressmakers will shortly open premises in London, with a ’dew to taking advantage of tho brilliant season this year. Tho coming coronation will certainly be good for trade, and though in many cases there may be some doubt about the origin of the materials, all the peeresses’ robes will be made by home establishments, the average cost ranging from £SO to £BO. The jewellers also expect to reap a harvest, especially now that society is taking to wearing borate jewellery’ by day as well as by night. The furnishing and redecorating trades will also greatly benefit by tho revival of a brilliant season at Court, and the many and costly entertainments which this also means in society circles.

A number of smart American agents are already on the lookout for West Eud windows from which a good view of tho Coronation procession may bo seen. A well-known tourist expert expressed tho opinion tho other day that tho number of American visitors in London next summer will bo altogether beyond precedent. In 1887, and again in 1897, tho American invasion was enormous, in consequence of tho Jubilee attractions. But those who ought to be able to judge declare that the rush our American cousins will make to this side of the Atlantic, after tho turn of tho year, will far exceed all previous records. Queen Alexandra, we are told, is the heroine of the American woman. More photogranhs of her are sold in the great American cities than of any other single personage, and the desire to see her in her Coronation robes is a positive fever with many American women of tho wealthier class. The Atlantic steamship companies and the proprietors of London hotels are going to have a good time.

December 14th is a day fraught with various and momentous memories to the Royal- Family. It is the fortieth anniversary of the death of the King’s father, and the twenty-third of that of his sister, the beloved Princess Alice. It is, too, happily, the sixth birthday of his second-horn grandson, Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George of Wales, and—most personal of all to the Xing him Self—it is the thirtieth anniversary of that memorable day when, after hanging, for so long at the very !-rink of death, he began to emerge slowly back from the Shadow into life. * * * * *

According .to the “Detroit Tribune,” tho record of divorces in Michigan for tho last year shows one divorce for every tec marriages. The acute divorce period seems to he between the date of marriage and che completion of the fifth year of wedded bliss. Of the 2418 divorces in 1900, 685 of the applications came within tho five years’ division. One couple were divorced after fifty-six years. Another point of interest is that in 1091 of the divorce cases—nearly half of the total—there were no children. • • * • •

Tho latest development in surgery is the moulding of noses in paraffin, which is now being practised in Vienna. In tho deformity known as saddle-nose the most remarkable results are said to be obtained. The process consists in the injection of paraffin under the skin, which, before it completely sets, is moulded into the desired shape. A warmed syringe is charged with the melted compound, and the needle is inserted between the eyebrows just above tho root of tho nose. Then the compound is injected into (he subcutaneous tissue as the needle is slowly withdrawn. **-*•»*

As soon as a maiden is betrothed in Germany she is called “bride” by her sweetheart, who addresses her thus until it becomes time to call her wife. Immediately upon betrothal the lovers exchange rings, which, if the course of true love runs smooth, are to be worn ever afterwards till death parts them. Tho woman wears her betrothed ring on the third finger of her left hand until she is married, _ and then it is transferred to tho third finger of the right hand. The husband continues to wear the ring just as tho wife wore hors when sho was bride; so that one can tell easily at a glance if a man be or be not free to marry. « • * o *

The court levees, like the evening receptions at Buckingham Palace, impose much stricter formalities than prevailed during tho last , reign. The Lord Chamberlain has severely curtailed the levee lists, and one of several now regulations enacted is that private individuals will not bo permitted to court more than once in three years. The attendance of officers of various services is also being restricted.

Hero is a cynical matrimonial offer. A London firm of solicitors state that they have received a letter in which the writer, described as “an English peer of very old title”—his name is, of course, not for publication—expresses his readiness to marry a very wealthy lady, “age and looks immaterial, bub character irreproachable, and in exchange for the rank he is to be paid £25.000 in cash.”