LADY JEUNE ON ENGLISH SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 45

LADY JEUNE ON ENGLISH SOCIETY.

Lady Jeune, who has occupied a most notable position in English society, has been telling an interviewer that society has changed a great deal. " Thirty years ago. to mention one point, people with small incomes did not keep a carnage. The women did not dress so elaborately as they

do now; but, on tho other hand, each costume was then much more expensne. In fact, the cheapening of food and clothes, and the other necessaries of life, is the cutstanding feature of the last 30 years, and although this explains much, yet life was very much simpler in the seventies. Li the arrangements for dinner, for example, there were fewer flowers, less decoration gc-rer-

ally, and not the present custom of placing a superabundance of silver upon the table. Everything was much more homely. One must remember that the time of which I am speaking was 10 years after the late Queen Victoria became a widow. Her retirement made a great difference, for the present King and Queen had not taken up their position as the head of society as they

did later on. Queen Victoria was a com- i paratively young woman, and it was ex- ! pected that she might take her place again ! at the head of society, which she never did. The Prince of Wales afterwards ocouried a great position in society, but it was ' not until 10 years later, when it was i realised that the Queen had become practically a recluse, that tihe present King took

up the position which to all intents and purposes his mother had vacated. " I must admit that the tendency of today is for most people to try and live up to the standard set by those better off than themselves. This applies to all ranks in life, and as the standard of expenditure has become so high, this tendency has a very bad effect on people with small in-

comes. The rich Americans and those who have made money in South Africa spend a very great deal, and everywhere there appears to be a desire to emulate those who are wealthy. Many of these rich people have come into English society, and I do not see that there is any reason why they should not. In so many instances they have paid handsomely for thpir footing

"Then, again, invitations to-day are sent out m a different way from that of 20 years ago. Miss is a good-looking girl, and a hostess will say, 'If she comes to my ball its eclat will be increased. Consequently Miss is invited in a roundabout way, alt lough she may not be acquainted with her hostess. Money seems to be the one thing that everyone wants, and people

will go anywhere to be amused, and the richest people are those who give the finest entertainments.

" The actress is received in English society in a way which I bel'eve is not the case in New York. I remember many Americans, when they first came to England, expressed their surprise at meeting actreses at dinner in fashionable circles.

The prejudice against the actress took some time to die in this country, and for a long time tho late Queen was very strict about receiving them, but adopted a different view a few years before she died, as she always invited the leaders of the theatrical world to her garden parties at Buckingham Palace. Prince-s Henry of Battenberg wes fond of the theatre, and encouraged

theatricals in the royal household, and thus it happened that the Queen used to receive the players after the performance was over, giving them presents, shaking hands and chatting pleasantly with them, so that no one could protest "after that. Personally, I believe that the English actress is usually the most exemplary woman, and that the tone of private life of mo t actresses is very high indeed."

A favourite "Witness contubutor painted by a fellow Witness contributor of many years' standing. Miss Constance MAdam, whose pen name is Constance Clyde, began her literary career as a contributor of short stories and sketches to the Little Folk's page of the Witness. On out-growing t-hat stage, she became a regular contributor, and also established a connection with the Sydney Bulletin. This latter led to her accepting a permanent position on the staff of the Bulletin, and her consequent removal to Sydney. She recently removed to London, as providing a wider scope for her literary abilities, and there she has just issued her first book — "A Pagan's Love " — which ha= attracted considerable attention. Thouglh so far removed from the colony, she continues her connection with the Witness. In recent years Mrs Duret is better known for her artist's than her literaiy work. She has resided in Sydney for some years, but continnes an intermittent connection with the Witness literary columns.

The large anchor seen in the photograph is a relic of the early dredging days, and was lifted by the buckets of the Hartley and Riley dredge from the bottom of the Molyneux. Being too big for the well the anchor jammed betwpen the pontoons, and nearly resulted in the sinking of the dredge. A diver was immediately despatched from. Dunedin and succeeded, after many hours of arduous and dangerous work under the swift-flowing and icy waters of the Molyneux, in sawing through the stock of the anchor, wearing out several saws in the t t-, -rr->L - operation. — J. F. Kitto, photo.

THE RECENT MUNICIPAL BAN]) FAIR AT I XVERCARGILL : GROUPS OF DANCERS AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE STAFF

The St. Andrew Harriers are a Wedne-dsiy afternoon club the above giou'i being taken prior to the opening run from St. Clair. Mr E. Rosevear (pies. dent) is seated in tlu cert^e, Mr G. M. Burlmson (vice-president) on the left, Mr M'Kechnie (vice-president) on the righl and Mr Chu=+ie (h irdicapper) in the centre front row. — Esquilant, photo.