THE PASSING SHOW

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7452, 29 May 1911, Page 11

THE PASSING SHOW

"Somo !itf.7-o Talk awhile of Mo and Theo There was—--ami then no more of Thee ami Me.” —Rubaiyat. The vital “to be, or not to bo?’'' of tho kilt comM to take tho place of tho “much ado about nothin#/* -which jnarked Uio hrief problem of the harem skirt. At firat .sight tho question of the kilts- appear.-* so intimately masculine that one might apologise for introducing it to an acknowledged “hen com option/* but— —, one enthusiast tor the retention of tho kilt (the tartan is, if X remember flight, one of the gayest) has dramatically .asked, it tho military vrero in unsightly khaki, would tho women and children rush to see them?’’ And furthermore suggested the defence movement was doomed without doubt unless the spirit pt the women of tho Dominion was behind it. (This cast quite a new light on tho question, and show's how little, how -sadly little, wo women know of tho real unselfishness of nion! All this complicated and expensive bravery to please us ana :vo never knew it 1 Never knew* that, with unfailing masculine wisdom, men felt tho only aspect of military lit© which appealed tu women was the decorative aspect; or guessed that when mud, clean-shaven, white-kneed city gentlemen disguised themselves in towering busbies, scarlet coats, sporrans, and fluttering kilts, it was all done to keep alive the spirit of defence in the weaker vessel. True or not. let that pass, but not the kilts. IVo need all the colour and picturesque element we can preserve from that constantly encroaching conventionality which threatens to render life so drab . . . or khokiooloured. « »

Lord Rosebery, speaking at the Exhibition of Scotch Industries in London the other day, had something rather amusing to say about kilts. It was to tho effect that whereas hundreds ot Englishmen took train for Scotland, on the dav preceding tho opening ot the Scotch 'shooting season, clad in the cus, ternary tweeds of the ordinary citizen, they, most of them, disembarked in Scotland clad in kilts! Thetrausfoimation was carried out in xhe tram* and the every-day Englishman emerged as a temporary Scotchman, betrayed however, despite tho correctness of hm dress, hy his white knees, “except, said tho speaker, "tho few who had thoughtfully provided themselves with some walnut juice to remedy, this drawback/* The hint is an excellent one, let mo commend it to the wives and sweethearts of our own gallant Highlanders. By all means provide them with walnut j uic©! *#_* - # '

It is interesting to see how seriously the world in general ds taking itself on the subject of dress just now. From the fictitious femizre revolt against skirts an favour of something a little freer, w© como to the patriotism, flavoured very charmingly with emotion, which inspires the Scotchman when there is any threat of tearing from him his kilte, with all their picturesque accessories. 'Dress has become a serious, matter .the world over, and individual taste apparently is no longer to be depended on. In Massachusetts an eager reformer has introduced a Bill to prohibit any woman, from appearing in public in ja gown, which has not pronounced shoulder-straps. And further, tho Senator’ Idesires to ban any skirt that does not come "six indies below tho knee-cap/' No exemption is mad© for bathing dresses, nor i© any ago limit fixed; ’from which it would appear first that the topic is too intricate for the mole mind to grasp; second, that short dresses must Kavo run to extremes in Massachusetts! «.«•* ♦ , » ,

'We of tho Dominion aro by.no means behind in the matter of clubs, guilds, societies, and associations. Indeed sometimes it. seems as though in our practically 'care-free land wo _ had. inaugurated all the social and charitable machinery ; which necessity has evolved in older lands. Yet there is a hint of just the quiet "union of those who dove, in the service of those who suffer/* which would I think bo acceptable to many women, in a Personal Service Association. I know no more of the London "Personal Service Association** than is gained from a notice in the '‘’Westminster Gazette,** which inns as follows:—'‘The Personal Service Association does not ask you to give money, but a little time and heart to help those in trouble.** Then follow a couple Of requests, one, to visit a "delicate friendless woman, very much alone in the world,** to whom "a friendly visitor would be a great comfort**; another, the case of a woman whoso husband is in the infirmary, and who, striving to keep fivo children on a small wage, would much appreciate for their sake -a kindly visitor. It is neither money nor gifts that is asked for, but "personal service/* tho highest service of all, the* giving of .oneself. Material want is rare in our own fortunate part of the world, hut wherever there aro people there is trouble, trouble tliat has no need of a charitable association or an organising secretary* and yet longs for the assurance of personal sympathy and fellowship. I admit that to mo the idea seems a beautiful one, tho working out of which might supply new interest and distraction to many women who, _ from one reason ior another, find life a little empty and lacking in savour. ’

* ' * * * Wo have recently beard a great deal about tlie Bible, ita translations and the books that hare been -written about it; one more development remains to note. ‘‘The Bible in Modern English." This is indeed a carious work, and comes from the hand of Mr Terror Benton. Already it ’has run into four editions, which to many hearing extracts even—will' seem a very lamentable piece of business. “Solomon's Song," says Mr Fenton/'scems to myself and many competent critics to be a wedding day drama." Xtis version, therefore, begins as follows: PRELUDE. (In a Village.) ■ Shepherdess; Lot him kiss me with his kissing month; For your love is sweeter than wine! Shepherd ; Tour breath is a charming perfume! Shepherdess: Tour fame is abroad—that all tho girls love you! Shepherd: Entice mo! PH run after you! (She runs off in sport); . . In the seventh chapter, “a Mahanami

dancing girl of tho Court pertly demands ot Solomon”; Why should von look at that sulker. More than at a .Mahanami dancer? (Solomon, in irritation, replies to her with satirical insult}:— How fmo vour steps are in your slippers’. Smart girl! Tho edge of your skirts is like lace, ~ , .... ~ And made by tho hand of the skilful. Is it necessary to quote furtner? An interesting question naturally •prings from this: Will tins . Modern ** version prove sufficiently attractive to American college students to prevent such ignorance of the Bible as X mentioned last week? It* so, X pity their taste. Perfection in household service, management and economics is what all sensible women, I suppose, are looking ior. Thus the Industrial Exhibition now running in Wellington claims a vested right in every woman's support, even it on Iv in tho ‘matter of cookery and all that pertains to it. Rival firms conduct demonstrations of tho merits of their own especial stoves, ranges, cookers and fitments with oil, gas or electricity, as the motive power.' These demonstrations aio most interesting, and tho results, in tho shape of all kinds of savoury delicatessen/* so tempting that even the most obstinate economist among, husbands may bo lured into the purebaso of this or ’that amazing cooking apparatus X am not sure that I did not even catch, a glimpse of tho now famous paper bag cookery" in prpecss! A cake-making competition is to bo held on W ednesday in tho Homo Industries section, I sec, and all exhibits arc to be in by 3 p.m. on that- day. Indeed one might call this Wednesday at least “Cooking Day, for a cookery demonstration by the pupils from the Technical School and their instructors will also ho held that day. Tho latter feature commends itself to the practical minded among us, tor wo all know many : pretty girls who can make delicious cakes, hut could not cook a decent dinner to save their reputation! —ZEALANDIA.