HOW THE PARISIENNE MAKES A “ TISANE.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20707, 3 May 1929, Page 15

HOW THE PARISIENNE MAKES A “ TISANE.”

To make sure of her beauty sleep, the 1 ansienne takes a soothing fragrant nightcap. This is what the French call a J lß !™' a drink made from dried aromatic leaves or flowers which have medicinal properties. Unlike drugs, which may induce sleep, but which may fce harmful in some way or other to the general health, tisanes are health conservers, and therefore beauty and youth preservers. There are many varieties of these. Tilleul is one of the most favoured. It is made from the dried leaves and flowers of the lime tree, picked when the tree is in blossom—the sprigs with the flowers and young leaves. These are carefully dried in the sun and kept all the year round. The tisane is made like tea; a handful of sprays are placed in a pot, and boiling water is poured over them and left to infuse for three or four minutes. After it has been poured into the cup it is sweetened to taste and a 1 spoonful df orange flower water is added. Variety is always charming, so madame varies her nightcap and sometimes takes “ Verveiue,” which is made from dried verbena leaves, in the same way as “ tilleul,” and sweetened and served with orange flower water. But when feeling liverish or suffering from indigestion she takes camomile. This is a good digestive, and excellent for the liver. It is not an infusion, but a decoction. Two or three “ fleurs de camomilles ” are boiled in a small saucepan of water for about two minutes, just long enough to colour the water; then it is poured through a strainer and sweetened. It is not so pleasant in taste, but very good for biliousness, and consequently it improves a bilious complexion. The dried leaves and flowers for making these tisanes can be procured at any chemist’s and can be made just as well in England as in France. WOMAN AGENT-GENERAL. The first woman to hold the appointment of Agent-general for a dominion is Miss Iris Howard, who until a permanent appointment is made will act in her late father’s place as Agent-general for Nova Scotia (says a London correspondent). She was educated at University College. London, at Montpelier, and in Germany. In 1915, having passed the civil service examination, she was admitted among the first four in the Pensions Department, then in St. James’s Park, where she took over the correspondence for the men. “ 1 was trained by my father,” she said, “ and -worked for five years under him. I know his ideas, and I think that is why they have asked me to carry on. I feel it is an immense compliment to my father. He and I loved the province, and we would do anything to further its importance in the Empire.” Miss Howard is doubtful if it would be quite fair to the dominion to appoint a woman to the position. “ I have experienced the disadvantages of being a woman in this position,” she stated. “ I have found Government departments most sympathetic and ready to discuss matters with me, but trade delegations have been rather different. And at public banquests it is expected that the dominion should be represented by a man. Trade, emigration, financial matters, confidential inquiries, passports, and looking after visitors who come here from the dominion have been part of my work.” Speaking of the place of the, woman in business to-day, Miss Howard said: “ I think that as long as she doesn’t forget she is a woman, and doesn’t try to compete too much with men. she can make a success. She must not try to become masculine. So long as women are excluded from the conferences of trade corporations and chambers of commerce they have not a fair chance of competing on equal terms with men. I have had experience of that.”