NOTES FOR WOMEN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7355, 6 February 1911, Page 9

NOTES FOR WOMEN.

THE FINE ART OF LYING In tho midst of a firm determination to consider—so far as in me lies—a few vital questions on inflated values of land, the abominable deterioration of the c limp to of Xew Zealand, and the wholly pernicious effects of deforestation, my brain pho'.s truant and takes refuge instead in a delighted appreciation of “ the fine art of lying.” In a flash I noticed how absolutely human and pardonable it is to lie, and how dull u business even the daily programme of life

would bo without the perpetual salt of the fine art of lying! There are recognised fields of just as there are recognised holds of humour. For instance, when the State has finally taken over our every expression of life, and decreed that not only may we not get drunk, but wo must not laugh at the stories of Brown, Jones or Hobinson when they wore drunk, what a held of humour will be closed! Nothing is more shameful, detestable, and low than the helpless " strayed reveller” when he belongs to us. But the veriest purist

among us. can laugh at the excellent joko of tho other man, tho unknown, -typical reveller as he la pictured in the pages of " Xhmch.” Crawling upstairs, holding up the lamp-post surpassingly interested in the phenomenon of two moons, and eo on. The tippler, both on the stage and as the stock-in-trade of the comic illustrator, is a recognised- feature in the motiern neid of humour. When a virtuous State has withdrawn him from our legitimate laughter. an<J of all our old-time facetiousness only the mother-in-law and the .policeman remain, there will bo a void. But this by way of digression, and perliaps as an example of the fluidity of will born of a monstrous and windless heat. For, sotting out on such eminently respectable topics as I at first indicated, and inclined to pose as a finger-post of information, I have not only declined upon, tho debatable topic of lying, hut now find myself adrift on the sources of conventional comedy. Let us blame the hot weather and a warm bath, no less. As a matter of face the warm bath was a distinctly unmoral proceeding and X knew. it. For the tanhs were low, there had not been enough wind to turn tho windmill for a week, and the stream had shrunk down to mere dark, brown pools linked together by little wastes of hot shingle, from whence both eels and had wriggled away. But the temptation to turn these gleaming brazen taps and purge myself of the dust of the road and the fancied reek of arsenical sheep-dip overcame me, and 1 fell! JNot too basely—there were palliations, Tho water from the hot-water tap was so deliriously hot, ft just occurred to mo too Jato that certain mysterious grumblings and mutterings constituting an undercurrent to the household sounds, meant tho boiling of the high pressure tank. But the conviction came rather late, and tho amount ot cold water which was requisite to cool that steaming preliminary was amazing, i felt like a criminal, and in my abasement realised one at least of the recognised everyuay forms of lying, tiie Uo which affects “the order of che bath/'

In iuu ordinary household when once tho h,eats of summer and the vogue of the daiiv dip are over, the perennial grumble about not enough hot water liegins. Every woman knows it, every maid turns vicious over it. Yet no one, even on tho coldest morning, has had a warm bath! Least of all father. He may have “run on tho hot water a bit for his shaving water, sooner than give trouble/' etc., but a hot bath? Perish ' tho thought! The bathrooin window may be “all burrio," as (the children say, and Jane in tho kitchen, intent on Idling her kettle (against oldens) at the hot-water tap, may encounter stone-cold water; these are only items in the perpetual mystery which, surrounds the exuestion of “who uses the hot water.-’' The master of the houso wishes it to ho oistinctly understood that he always takes a cold bath! Hut -even as to tho traditional cold bath of the typical Englishman, doubts have arisen, doubts which are amusingly set forth in a recent magazine article on '‘The Gentle Art of British Hospitality," in the course of which tho writer lightly sketches in a successful formula by which the appearance ot tho cold bath, without its depressing reality, may bo achieved. Anyway the cold bath is a recognised. topic for the fine art of lying blameless lies. Tho most perfect imitators of the George Washington code of morals drift into blameless fiction on tho subject of the warm bath, just as thoroughly respected ciiurch members have been known to lie shamelessly on the subject of fishing exploits. Fishing is a most fascinating sport. There was a time when I thought it also singularly simple and innocent. Tho fascination remains; the simplicity has vanished over that detestable horizon of “knowledge of good and evil" which has been our bane ever since that nasty little espisodo of Eve, the apple, and the serpent. For a closer acquaintance of (ho habits of fishers reveals the unploasing fact that the fish is often not tho sole objective of the outing. Many fishermen require an enormous amount of “keeping up": chills are especially to he guarded against, and tho most perfect equipment of waders, warm underclothing and general “outfit" avails nothing unices backed up by the inspiriting contents of tho inevitable flask. It has sometimes occurred to me that there may ho some subtle connection—hardly “spiritual,” but certainly “spirituous”— between the fisherman's flask and tho fish tale.

Not that a flash or indeed any material sustenance is necessary to the gracious development of the fine art of lying. "It comes natural, my dear," as ray old nurse has often tol’d me. "Springs from a good 'cart, I'avo 'card, for what rho eyo don t seo the '’earfc don't grievo for, and you bo suro there's many a lie told everyday for nothing worse than to save a 'eart ache.'' And this I have seen to bo true. There are lies and lies, and there airo beautiful lies as well as villainous ones, so that it was not altogether such a blighting condemnation as appears on the surface when one said of old "All mem are liars!'' —ZEALAND lA. SAVE YOUE HAIE. Miss Miisom is qualified to diagnose, treat, and tcacii each patient them homo treatment. Beware of the advertisements ot companies who do nothing else but advertise. There never could bo a universal Hair or Face preparation, because WUA SHITS ONE PERSON WILL BE EUIVATION TO ANOTHER. Call or write for M’.ss Milsom’s common-sense hygienic treatment. Shampooing. Manicuring, Hairdressing done ana taught. Hair-work of every description. Only best English hair used, and finest of work. Seek advice re grey hair. Miss MUsom, Telephone ait King's Chambers. Willis street, Wellington. • AIRS ROX.LESTON Has returned from abroad. Latest improved methods of Hair Treatment. Face Massage. Shampooing, Hairdressing, etc. Highest diploma U.S.A. for Electro;y-is. 1, Willis street (over Carroll'si. Tel, 1598. •

(EDITED BY "ZEALAND! A.’”

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL NOTES Mrs Bussell, of Christchurch, is visiting Mrg Parsons, of the Hutt

Miss Johnston (Hutt) has returned from her visit to Marlborough.

Miss B. Stuart-Forbes left for ISelson on Saturday, and will bo away tor some mouths.

Dr and Mrs Fitchctt, who have been visiting Christchurch and Dunedin, returned yesterday, and have gone to Day s Bay.

Sir James and Lady Mills, accompanied by their suest, Miss Chcrnsi.de. who arrived on Saturday, are staying at the Grand He tel.

Miss Gleghorn, who has been the truest of Mrs Beirt at Pahautanui, has returned.

Mrs and Miss Elworthy. of Christchurch, aro staying at the Grand Hotel.

Mrs Frederick B. Sharp, recently of i airfield." Northland, is staying at the Royal Oak Hotel.

Mrs Fletcher (Christchurch) is staying at tho Hotel Windsor.

"Miss Amv Spencer, who has been the guest of Mrs Cleghorn, has returned to Wanganui.

Mrs Gifford (Westport) .and her son who have been visiting Wanganui and Bangin'koi. left on Saturday for their home at West-port.

Mass McLean, principal of the Girls College. has returned from her vacation spent down south.

Mrs T. E. Gear, To IToro, who is In Wellington, is staying at the Grand.

Mr J Mill* and Dr Platts-Mills have moved from Karori. and are staying at Sayes Court, Aurora terrace.

Mr and Miss C. E. Russell, of New York, are staying at tho Grand

Mrs Harry Rose and her sister. Miss Greenfield, are leaving for a visit to England some time next month.

Mrs S. Izard, who has been staying at Day's Bay House, is now in town, and is staying at Miss Malcolm’s.

Mrs London arrived from Christchurch yesterday, and is tno guest of her daughter, Mrs H. Nathan.

Miss Bold. Tolago Bay., arrived on Saturday night for a short visit to Wellington.

Mr and Mrs Molineaux have taken Mr Watson’s'house on the Terrace.

An cnjovahlo afternoon was spent at Government House on Saturday, the occasion being a garden uartv eiven by their Excellencies Lord and Lady Islington to the members and committee of the Y.W.C.A. The grounds lent themselves admirably for such an occasion, and the gardens were , a blaze of colour, while from the lawn and terraces snlendid views of the harbour ana surrounding country were obtained. Onjfe a Inrwe number of members of Y.W.C.A. attended, and were received in tho garden Hv Lord and Ladv Islington, who did their utmost to make everything enjoyable. Vuncus games were indulged in, their Excellencies taking part in. some of them. A hat-trimming competition was nrodnctive of really clover results. After the presentation of tho prizes by Ladv Islington the guests adjoirnod to tho ballroom, where a dainty tea was served. The tables were decked with a -profusion of flowers. The guests were at liberty to wander through tho rooms, which were beautifully decorated each room having a different scheme of colour. Mise McLean, president of the VW-0.A.. proposed a hear tv vote of thanks to their Excellencies, which was cordially endorsed bv three cheers from the gir’-s. During tho afterlnoon a string hand in t-ho garden nlaved very agreeably. Ln.dy. Islington wore a black velvet gown with a largo block; hat. with o«prevp. Amongst those present were Miss Staplcton-Cotton. the non. Joan Dsckson-Povn der, M rc| Rhodes, Mrs Do Castro, Mrs Bniklcy, Mrs Hohv, Mi«g McLean, Mm C. Wilson, Miss MasonMiss Lawson. Mrs Reich. Mrs McLav. and '•.bout three hundred members of. the a««o----'•int-ion. including a number of the guild of helpers. s

The Wellington. Coloration Tramways Baud will hold a. garden un.rtv at the Gardens of Mr B Keane, L-land Bav on the of Saturday February I.lth. Tho nrocoeds are in aid of tho contest funds.

THE RESTLESSNESS OP WOMEN

Youth is naturally restless, but women of ovary age now seem to be' unable to keep quiet for any length of time. King Solomon onoe remarked: "Her strength is to sit still.” Hence bon- weakness lies in being incapable of repose. There is no exaggeration when we say their days are filled with movement, their evenings with excitement. Homo to the average woman nowadays is humdrum, dull, and uninteresting. It is a place in which to breakfast, to drees, and to sleep. For ever careering after some fresh amuse mont, women lead a teetotum life, and after a fow years of it they cannot stop, oven when tired of the incessant round of what was once pleasure, but is now merely force of habit. A decade since tho “rest cure” was almost unknown. Now it seems ope of tho necessities of ilife. With, women, quietness is out of date. A low voice is but seldom beard. Women and girls are accustomed to shout wlmt they have to say, and very frequently, too, their laugh is loud and strident. It all comes of the excitability that rages among them, the feverish anxiety to bo hunting after amusement. Such quiet occupations as reading, singing, and playing are regarded ns dull aud uninviting. One of the great aids to this restlessness is the telephone. Tho influence is -in the direction of what tho Yankees call “husfcla.” Small wonder is it indeed that nervous ailments are increasing among, women, and maladies of the heart are i'ncrcnsing -with each year that passes. Excitement must tell injuriously, upon the nervous system, and constant movement must agitate the heart. Vitality is wasted in alb this useless exertion, and discontent comes through being exhausted without. any accruing benefit. In the days before Society became the craze there was lass excitement for girls and women to be perpetually, in evidence. They not only kept at home, but were hotter housekeepers. It is impossible for restless women to give time and attention to domestic matters. They i must dross and be in the public eye, seeing aud ' being seen.

After the rush and bustle of a wedding spend a few days at Mahara House Private Hotel, Waikanae.. Good accommodation, quiet, clean and comfortable. Private rooms available. Telegraph or write Len Freeman, Proprietor. *

Ladies should call and see the lovely underclothing and blouses made to order, trimmed with real Ceylon band-made laoe: also a variety of dainty things suitable for gifts; prices moderate. The Indian Art Depot, 39. Panama street (opp. D.1.C.). *

Messrs H. C. Gibbons’ Floral Studio. Larabton quay. Shower posies and baskets. Designs for presentation, theatre, birthday and for invalids. Table, church, houso and ballroom decorations artistically designed and undertaken by Miss Prebblo, in town or country. Fresh flowers daily. Telephone 195. - .*

You will find such a nice selection of ready-to-wear Hats, marked at very low prices, at Mrs Mathewson's, Lambton quay. We still bare two months of 'summer weather, and yon will need another to finish the season. These you can now see at 4s lid, 5s 6d, 7s fid and 10s, real bargains. •