LADIES' GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2921, 9 March 1910, Page 73

LADIES' GOSSIP.

Men. buy diamonds because women, like them, and women like them because they are expensive, and diamonds are expensive because women • like them.— "Vanity .Fair." Three lady inspectors have been apr pointed, by the British Local Government Board to inspect maternity wards, nurseries, infirmaries, andnursery arrangements in Poor Law anstitutions.

Lady Constance. Stewart-Richardson is one of the most interesting personalities in English society; An indefatigable and intrepid traveller, she is also an expert at (.almost every form of sport. As a rider, a shot, an angler, a whip, or a polo player she has few rivals among women, and can hold her own with most men. As an amateur .swimmer she holds many awards, and she is the skipper of her own yacht Her fame has spread over two l continents, and last year she created a furore in New- York by her dances at the Hotel Plasa given hi aid of charity. Lady Constance was to appear on January 17 at the Palace. Theatre, where, she has been booked I for a month as a professional dancer.

Most people who have seen her-have remarked on Queen. Wilhelmina's wonderful complexion, but few know that she has a special recipe for keeping the skin in perfect condition. Some time ago she adopted the practice from the Dutch Indies of taking lemon baths. Five or six lemons are squeezed into the bath, and various scents are then added. This bath is said to be a great invigorator, and, thanks to the. Queen, has become very popular among Dutch society beauties.

The New Yeair's honours list. contained no name of greater romantic interest than that of the Begum of Bhopal, who received the Order of the Grand Commander if the" Star of India. The Order itself hap never before been conferred upon any living woman, but the Begum has * many claims to being a unique specimen of her sex. She is the only living lady ruler who has, with her own trooras, been in action. H.H. made a pilgrimage to Mecca some little time ago. She and her bodyguard, being attacked by Arabs, repulsed the enemy after a. sharp encounter, which resulted in some loss of life to the Arabsl No doubt, the affair was rather enjoyed by the Begum, who has inherited the martial spirit of her great ancestor, Dost Mohammed, to a marked degree. An amusing confession was made some time ago by the Baroness Von Hutten, the famous authoress of "Pam." The baroness does most of her writing at her home in Germany, a stronghold with the romantic name of Schloss Steinbach, and thinks nothing of working eight or ten hours without a break. "After a really ha:rd day's work," she said, "I am almost unrecognisable, for I always succeed in some unaccountable way in covering myself with ink. My appearance on these occasions is a standing joke, and children have nicknamed me 'Mrs Jellyby.' " The baroness has always been devoted to music. She has studied under the best masters in Florence, and finds great enjoyment in singing Italian opera. Miss Ina G. Richmond, who has just been appointed manager of the gas works at the old-Avorld town of Magherafelt, County Londonderry, is said to be the first of her sex to hold such a position. Miss Richmond, who is the daughter of of a gasworks managef, was born in Lanarkshire. She entered the post office service, and reached a high position before she resigned in 1895 to go to Ireland and keep house for her brother, also a gasworks manager. This was in Kilkenny, where for thirteen years she took so much interest in her brother's work that she came to know almost as much about it a® himself, and when he went abroad Miss Richmond accepted the post of manager at the works at Magherafelt. Miss Richmond was not long at her new and novel poßt before the wit of her sex came to the rescue at the critical moment. She wanted to test the gas at the purifier with the usual lead paner, but found the test-valve chocked. One of the stokers

went to look for a piece of wire to clean out the valve, but Miss Richmond took out one of her hairpins, straightened it out, removed the obstruction, and tested the gas just as the stoker returned with a piece of wire, which was too thick for the purpose for which it was wanted. Paying' Guests in Society. The guest who pays her own way, or .rather the host or hostess who is paid, was never more flourishing than at the present day. ' At Christmas, it is said, there are numbers of amusing house parties meeting together on one common basis. At the end of their stay every one left a cheque behind, or, what is still more probable, had already settled the delicate matter of payment before arrival. The mere fact that money passes between host and guest does not prevent discrimination on either side. References, however delicate the question may be, have to be exchanged with the finesse of a diplomat before a business and social agreement of this kind can be reached. Interior Decoration. There is much that is hopeful and encouraging in the activity which is being displayed at the present time in all branches of domestic decoration. It implies (says the Art Journal) the development of a well-defined aesthetic inclination in many directions, and the growth in many sections of the community of a desire for surroundings which will add to the pleasure of existence and satisfy an educated taste. It shows, too, by its variety and by its energetic seeking for fresh modes of expression that the demand which exists is not merely conventional or simply created, by a fashion of uncertain permanence; the popular taste is evidently guided by a healthy craving for every form of decorative individuality and ornamentation of the modern house. Choosing: a Husband. That two heads are better than one is truer about the choice of a husband than about most things. A girl, then, would do well to weigh her mother's opinion heavily when it is given in .regard to the man she has clothed with the trappings of the ideal. This opinion will rarely be the biassed, unfeeling, unromatic worldly prejudice it is generally voted by the young—it will be the cream of commonsense and experience, and* its addition to the sweets of romantic selection will help to neutralise the acids. 'Except in rare cases a mother's objections to -her daughter's choice of a husband are reasonable. She is not the cold, sordid creature who wants to prevent two young people from being .happy. She just knows that real love is the scarcest thing in life: that it is not often discovered Jay youth, and that the eubstitute—attraction—which takes its place will not bear the strain of noverty or misfortune. It is very probable that there would be far fewer unhappy marriages if mothers chose their daughters' husbands:

Ail Empress at the Gaining* Table.

M. Xavier Paoli, a member of the French detective service, who had charge for considerable periods of the late Empress of Austria, contributes some very interesting reminiscences of that lady to the January number of M'Clure's Magazine. Among other incidents, he relates a visit paid in her company to the gaming tables at Monte CaTlo. "One day on her return from her morning walk, she sent for me and said, *M. Paoli, you are to be my cavalier to-day. You are to take me where I have never been —to the Casino at Monte Carlo. For once in my life I must see the inside of a gambling-room.' "We therefore set out, the Emprpss, Countess Sztaray, her lady of honour, and myself. When we arrived at Monte Carlo, she desired to go at once to the Casino, and we entered the roulette hall. She watched the strokes, as full of wonder and delight as a child with a new toy. "Suddenly she drew a five-franc piece from her recticule. 'Let's see if I have any luck,' she said to us. 'I believe in No 33.'

"She laid the silver piece upon No 33. At the first turn she lost. She tried,again, and agajn lost. At the third turn No 33 fell, and the croupier with his rake shoved

over to her one Hundred and seventy-five francs, which she gathered up. "Then turning joyfully to us, 'Let's go away quick,' she exclaimed. 'I never earned so much money in my life !'" Hints and Suggestions. Roast veal is the most indigestible of butcher's meat. It takes 5£ hours to digest. Boast goose takes hours. Fuller's earth made to paste with rain water spread on grease stains or carpets, and brushed off when dry, removes stains.

If a knitting needle is dropped into pure milk a drop will hang to the end when it is withdrawn, but not if milk is watered.

Damp shoes are very difficult to polish. Try putting a drop or two of paraffin into the blacking, and you will polish them up at once.

Finger nails are whitened by being washed, then dipped into a mixture of two drachms diluted sulphuric acid, one tincture of myrrh, and 4oz water. Jewels are cleaned by being dipped into a solution of fine toilet soap, rolled in boxwood dust, brushed with soft brush, and lastly with chamois leather. For lime in the eye, a strong solution of sugar is to be inserted drop by drop under the eyelids. This application can usually be immediately obtained, and it is said to completely destroy the caustic action of the lime.

A bed of shingle, or rough gravel, from six to ten inches in depth, beneath the floor of an aviary, a barn, or any place infested with rats, will effectually keep the vermin out. They cannot or will not burrow in shingle. Before making Irish stew, rub the inside of the saucepan with a little beef dripping, and it will prevent it from burning. To prevent clothes from freezing in cold weather, put one or two handfuls of salt in the blue rinsing water. Art muslin curtains should never be washed in warm water. Put them into a lather of nearly cold water. If the curtains are green, add a little vinegar; if lilac or pink, a little ammonia. Salt will set the colours of black-and-white muslins. To make japanned trays look like new, wash well in warm soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly. Sprinkle a little dry flour on the tray, rub well over, shake it off on to a piece of paper. Polish tray with a warm, soft cloth, and the -enamel will look like new.

Jam which has been laid aside long, and has got hard and sugary and unfit for use? can be made quite as good as when newly made if the jam is put into the oven for a little while until the sugar melts, and then left to cool.

JtS~ Descriptions of balls, &c, must be *ndorsed by either the Witness correspondent for th« district or by the secretary of the ball committee. The MS. of any correspondents who do not pomply with this rn!e will be sent to the .secretary for endorsement prior to appearing.—EMMELlNß. To ensure publication in the forthcoming issue letters should reach the Witness office if possible on Saturday night, but on no account later than Monday night. A WEDDING AT SUTTON. A very pretty wedding took place at the home of Mr and Mrs W. Kennedy on January 18, when their daughter Hannah was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Percy Graham, youngest son of the late Mr G. King, of South Dunedln. The Rev. Mr Todd (of Midd'lemarch) was the officiating clergyman. The bride, who was given away by her father, looked charming in a gown of cream silk. She wort the usual veil and wreath, and carried a lovely bouquet of white flowers. The bridesmaids were sisters of the bride—Miss Helen Kennedy, who wore pink muslin do soie, and Miss Elizabeth Kennedy, who wore pretty blue eau de nil. They also can-ied bouquets of white flowers. Mr S. Kennedy acted as bsst man. The bridegroom's gift to the bride was a gold bangle, while the bridesmaids were the recipients of' beautiful gold brooches. After the ceremony the usual toasts were honoured. The guests then repaired to the capacious barn, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion, where a sumptuous breakfast was partaken of, after which the happy couple left amidst showers of rice and confetti to catch the afternoon train for Dunedin, en route for Wellington, where the honeymoon was spe*t. Despite the inclemency Of the weather the guests spent > very enjoyable, afternoon, playing various outdoor games In the evening dancing was indulged in, and, kept going with spirit until near daybreak The presents were numerous and costly. Mr and Mrs Kennedy and family are to be cmgratulated on the manner m which they entertained their many guests, who all appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves.GUEST. , WEDDITNG AT CAMBRIANS. There was a happy fathering on the 16th ult at the quaint little township 01 tne' onetime important geld digging settlement, Cambrians, on the .occasion of the marriage of Miss Sarah A. MacGregor, only daughter of Mr a»d Mis D. MacGresrox. of Vinegar Hill to Mr John Harley. eldest son of the late' Mr A. Harley. Cambrians. The Rev. Thos Knight, of Lauder, officiated. lhe bride, who wee given away by her brother, Mr E. MacGregor,. looked very; pretty dres°ed in cream delaine, trimmed with silk, and wearing the usual bridal veil and orange blossom. She carried a daintily arranged bouquet of flowers. The bridesmaid, Miss Swinney, was very neatly dressed in cream silk, and carried a handsome bouquet of chryisanthemums. The mother of the bride wore a rich black cashmere dress, and Mrs D. MacGregor. sister-in-law. wore a dress of blue cloth with cream trimmings. Mr J. MacGregor acted as best man. After the ceremony and the hearty congratulations to the young couple of the many friends present from near and far. an adjournment was made for afternoon t°a. which was served in front of the residence of tne bride's parents. An abundance of gocd things was provided and much appreciated. The Rev. Mr Knight, in proposing the health of the happy couple, referred to the pleasure felt by one and_all at seeine Mrs MacGregor so much in health, an improvement which they trusted would continue* The bridegroom' responded, and in turn proposed the toast of I The Bridesmaid "—replied to bv Messrs J. MacGregor and Jos. Morgan. " The Parents of the Bride" was proposed by Mr Andrew Haig, jun., who referred to the respect and esteem in which the family were held. Mr E. Morgan responded in the unavoidable absence of Mr MacGregor. The to*»t of

* " The Bachelors" via,- proposed, and responded to in humorous speeches by Messi Tho 3. Morgan, sen., and M'Gannon, the latter paying a tribute to the bride's devotion to her family and her kind and <inI selfish nature. In proposing the toast of I the officiating clergyman, Mr E l . Morgan I paid a high -compliment to the Rev. Mi 1 night's, work in the district. After the speech-making the young people engaged in various amusements, and were, with a sxill larger, gathering of friends, entertained in the evening in the Victoria Hall. The wedding presents were numerous, and of both | a useful and ornamental order.