OVER THE TEACUPS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2506, 2 April 1902, Page 62

OVER THE TEACUPS.

My dear Reader.-, — Already, alas! d.iyare shortening and evenings lengthening. Sorely ;<g;urist our will we begin to think of and plan the little hobbies which in quiet lives must take the place of those delightful evening i ambles that boating and tennis, cycling or peifect "loafing," -which render summer evenings a golden memory, whose soft radiance lights winter's glooms

A cushion which I saw described lately in the Lady's Realm struck me as being so lovely that I must describe it to you . "Of white ribbed silk, long and l.ither narrow in shape, being intended for the back of a email Sheiatqu settee. It i& lmtd

finished off with double fri'ls of the same lemon-green colour." Does not that stimulate one to fresh endeavours and higher ideals in our silken toil? I think so, but then I may as well frankly confess that needlecraft has almost as great a fascination for me as painting. They are kindred temptations that trip me up many a time and find me repenting late at night in "sackcloth and allies" for the little half-hours which beguiled me through the day — first to finish that bit of foreground, or to try the effect of those few stitches on that leaf or bud.

But this is simple egotism ! I fancy I see some kind eye, looking reproachfully at me and ha«teu on to wider topics. For instance, I should like to add a few words in conclusion to our leview of women' <• clubs in London. It was the clubs, of ths wealthy and the intellectual women which we glanced at befoie. Now for a word as to the c:ubs for poorer women and harder workers, and it i-, here peihaps that the pleaMiies and advantages of club life are most needed.

The Reheaisal Club, in Leicester squ.-ue. is of immense benefit to Hied theatneal girls for whom it piovides pleasant lestrooms and inexpensive meals, neatly and nicely served. Then theie are Jewish Clubs for Jewish working girls- — notably one in Soho. Here all sorts of induction, as well as quiet amusement, is successfully earned on, und it says much for the en erg y of these guls that after their day of haul work they are delighted tn join the dull in the big diilhoom, leain kce-making, or take cooking lessons. A pretty little hbiary leads out of the classroom at the top of th<* house, where all sorts of clashes go on — millinery, dressmaking, reading, \witing, singing.' There is even a Hebrew cla^s, and f<n "accomplishments from which hobbies to iill leisuie evenings hereafter may be cieated — chip-carving and basket-making.

S.ituiday or Sunday evening at 'he Jewish Gills' Club means a little dance, or a debate, or a little concert -which sony; UAsl Juai.JCMie.ft3 vs&h ii» witk ihe aid of he*

different plane of education und tastes from the poor East-Enders. The Honor Club has the whole house to itse l^ The members range from 14 years old upwards, and their club "subs." vary accordingly from sixpence a month upwards. They have a gymnasium, a refreshment bar (under their own management), and a circulating library ; a lady doctor to attend them, and a fresh lady visitor every night to superintend matters. On Monday night member* pay their "subs.,"' consult the doctor when needful, take out books from the library, and dance. Tuesday is gymnasium night, Wednesday they amuse themselves with games, Satuiday they sing ; but Thuisday — most popular night of the week — is devoted to einbioideiy, poetry, and the mandoline !

I hope you have not found this talk about London women's clubs wearisome. It is, I know, an open question with many people whether dubs oi any kind, as offering one moie excuse and inducement for deserting the horne — that for happiness or misery was once a woman's only refuge — are an unmixed good, or a good at all. I think, however, that we must all admit that in tLe condition under which so many of my sister women work in great ciiies, and the innumerable temptations which suiround them, these clubs cannot fail to be v, good influence. Where poverty and bad management conspire to make home and home life a failure, the club, w ith its patronesses of good and gentle women, goes far to counteract the inducement to street' loitenngs, music halls, and their attendant temptations-.

The -woik of women, wherever and however it is carried on all over the world, cannot fail, my sisters, to instruct us. Thus, m an article on " The Men of New Japan," which recently appeared in the Centuiy, lies a paragraph which you will be thoroughly interested in reading. It occuis in speaking of the life and work of Baron Iwa^uki, distincfuished by the maiveUous manner in vhich, among other things, he developed tlie mercantile inaxine. - i<ulv>ay3,