“ALIEN’S” LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3019, 24 January 1912, Page 75

“ALIEN’S” LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

THE WORK OF LADIES

December 8, ROSEMARY for remembrance. Lady, on curtsied knee, I humbly offer thee Three sprigs of rosemary. One for thy matchless face. Which ever smiled its grace In Beauty’s witchery. One for the gracious heart That ever took its part In woman’s sympathy. The third is for thy tears. The me which sorrow wears In queenly dignity.

—Alien. (To Qn-osn Alexandra on Her Birthday.) this December in the retirement of Sandringham. From many parts of the world congratulations and presents reached her, and from King George and Queen Mary, then approaching India, came affectionate greetings. The King and Queen of Norway and Princess Victoria were among the Royal party at Sandringham, and from York Cottage the Prince of Wales, Princess Mary, and the other grandsons —among them Prince Olaf of Norway—personally offered their presents. From the citizens of London, through the Lord Mayor, affectionate and respectful greetings went to Sandringham, for which Queen Alexandra thanked the Lord May or and the people. Princess Patricia of Connaught is on her way to Canada to join her parents. On the R.M.S. Fmpress of Ireland she occupies the same suite of rooms as did her father and mother, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, when they went out to Canada six years ago. Societv in London will miss Princess “Pat,” as' her friends know her. She was horn on St. Patrick’s Day, and is an Irish Princess by title: hence her name. Before leaving, in the presence of a distinguished company, she opened a military bazaar in the Council Chamber. Salisbury, in aid of the Tidworth Garrison Church. For the time being the women of England are more interested in preparations for Christmas than in politics. Socially there is little of interest afoot beyond bazaars and sales of work, doll shows, etc. I

The toy show organised by Truth, ■which for many years past has' provided toys for thousands of children, was this veai a record show. It was held in the Albert Hall, nnd there were 31.000 toys, 460 C of which are dolls beautifully dressed b\ ladies { at their own expense. The proceeds from the sale of the dolls bring? in hundreds of pounds to the toy fund for poor children, for some of the dolls are gorgeous. Among the chief groups was one presented by the Queen. There was a large and fashionable audience at the Shaftesbury Theatre for the matinee in aid of the Evening News doll’s fund, at which the Lord Mayor and the Ladv Mayoress were present in state. Many ladies of the social world were present in the boxes and stalls, and many of the best-known actors and actresses took part in the long programme. Among these were Sir John Hare and Miss Lilian Braithwaite, Thelma, Adowska (a famous singer from Prague), Mr Dawson Mihvard, Mile. Lvdia Kvasht. Mr Maurice Farkoa, Mr Robert Hale, M iss Phyllis Dare, Miss Daisy Irving, Miss Mabel Bnmege. Miss tl'cely Courtneidge, and many others. Many of the prettiest actresses in London were present selling programmes and souvenirs in the form of buttonholes and chocolates. Mr Robert Courtneidge generously placed the Shaftesbury Theatre at the disposal of the Evening News for the occasion so that the proceeds might he handed over to the fund without deduction. The -dolls, which will make a great display, are to be exhibited at Whitely’s, which firm is giving the whole of the great second floor of their new shop to the exhibition. This new shop is “the. largest shop in the world,” so there will he ample room on the great second floor for the toy exhibition. Over and above the 26,000 dolls there will be 15,G00 toys for boys. Some very handsomely-dressed dolls have been sent by ladies to the exhibition, which, being unsuitable to the class of children among whom the toys are to be distributed, will be sold or raffled, and the proceeds added to the general fund. Another lovely display of beautifullydressed dolls was at Lady Wernher’s Bath House, in connection with the Children's Happy Evenings Association, of which Lady Jersey is the president, and in which Lady Longford (her daughter) als> takes, keen interest. The dolls were displayed in two large drawing rooms, and made a-charming exhibition. One group of dolls supposed to be playing lawn tennis was sent bv the Queen, and numerous people well known in society followed her Majesty’s kindly example. Much regret was felt that, owing to the illness of Sir Julius Wernhor. Lady Wernhcr was prevented from acting as hostess at this “At home.” Her daughter received the throng of visitors. Mrs Bland-Sutton, the hon. secretary of the association, was also present, and among others were Lady Newhorongh. wearing Black velvet and ermine; Ladv Alexandra, in a magnificent coat of chinchilla and velvet; Lady Drogheda, in black and cherrv satin : Lady Dalla, Lady Winifred Renshaw; Mrs Lewis Harcourt. in black velvet and furs, with her two girls. Lord Justice Moulton had his little daughter with him. and there were other j notable fathers and mothers purchasing ; to the delight ef their little daughters. I These drawing room receptions in the I cause of chuliiy become more frequent ' each winter. A reception in her own house draws tin- friends of the hostess ' Into closer touch and sympathy with (

(Specially Written for the Witness Ladies’ Page.)

the charity in hand than would probably e the case by a sale in a public room. And the cost of the hire of a hall is also saved when a large house is lent for tne purpose. Here, too, a fashionable woman meets her own set in her own atmosphere. The royal ladies are having a busy time just now presiding over charities or patronising those presided over bv their friends. I ( or the last two weeks every afternoon , almost has been occupied in this fashion. The Princess Henry of Lattenberg presided over the sale of the VV or King Ladies’ Guild, which w£i held at .P Grosvenar square, lent bv Lord isath. Ihe guild was founded by Ladv Mary Fielding, and in its 34 years of association has done much good work in the interest of poor gentlewomen. Dur- - ear ulone the guild and its branches have found employment for numerous ladies, and in manv and varied ways has honoured its motto, “Bear v© one another’s burdens.” Manv roval lames irom the inception of the guild until n-CMv have taken an active and generous pai u in its work. The Queen of Spain, who although no longer in England, still shares her mother’s interest in the guild, and on the occasion of her last visit pin chased a splendid screen, which is now at the Spanish Court. Queen Amelia of Portugal, who since her residence in England lias identified with its charitable ■work, especially in connection with Catholic missions, motored from her home in Richmond to open a sale of work organised bv the Duchess of Norfolk in aid of the funds of the Sisters of Charity of London, who all the year round worked unremittingly and unobtrusively among the poor and the outcast. ibis is the first occasion on which Queen Amelia has appeared in England ' l S reat charity function, although at , chmond, where sh© now lives, and " here she spent her girlhood before she , was called from simple life to a throne, ! her name has always been connected with deeds of kindness. Her Majesty, wdio was dressed is black velvet, was received by the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk at Norfolk House, where the sale was held.

■ and > speaking in English, she declared the sale open. The sale -was held in the large drawing room, which was crowded with distinguished people ini vited for the occasion. The picturesque stalls were presided over by distinguished ladies, including the mother of the Duchess, Mary, Lady Herries and her sister, and members of the Howard family. The buying was brisk, and among the purchasers were many of the : nobility and some distinguished in the artistic world. I Another of Princess Henry of Battenberg’s good deeds was her presence at a cafe chantant at the Savoy Hotel, organised by the Ladies’ Association in aid of the West London Hospital. The entertainment was held in the large ballrom of the hotel, which was crowded with ! distinguished people. Some of the costumes worn by the ladies were very handsome. Princess Henry was in amethyst cloth and sables, with' a hat covered with 1 lace. Miss Marion Terry presided over the flower stall, and found trade very good. The music was supplied by Mr Alfred de Rothschild’s private band, lent . for the occasion. Among those who contributed items were Miss Phvllis Dare, Miss Lena Ashwell, Mine. Theresa del lliego, and a number of others. | Princess Louisa, Duchess of Argyll. opened a bazaar in aid of the Church' of : England waifs and strays, and Princess Marie Louise presided over a meeting held at Berkeley square in support of , Friends of the Poor, and gave a. long and • interesting address on the work done by the society, which includes assistance to deserving families in times of distress, and placing hoys and girls in situations when they leave school. Mrs George I (.’(Kites was. the hostess on this occasion, I the Princess being entertained by her to tea after the meeting, i Other drawing room meetings have been held in connection with the Friends of the Poor. The Bishop of Willesden pre- ; sided at an “At home” at Cadogan Gardens, where Mrs Ruthven 'Smith' was hostess, and Miss Seaton Karr and Mr W. F. Hamilton, K.C. gave a most interesting account of the work of the Boys’ Aid Department. Lady Mary Trefusis, Lady Eva Dugdale, Lady Mildred All- ; sopp, Lady Bertha Dawkins, and Lady i Zetland were among the workers present. | The Duchess of Marlborough, who is honorary treasurer of the Bedford College for Women, worked indefatigable to make the dinner in connection with the institution a success. The special purpose of the dinner was to raise £10.000.. and her Grace, who was chief hostess, was one of the speakers. The dinner was given at the Savoy Hotel, and the 15 table*, which were presided over by different ladies, were decorated with the colours of the college—red, white, and black. Among the Indies who were hostesses or guests were Princess ITatzfelt, Lady Crewe, Lady St. Holier, Mrs J. J. Astor. Lady St. Davids, Lady Ancaster, Lady Evelyn Baring, ] Lady Gwendelin Churchill,' Lady Selins- ■ ter. In all there were 300 present, among them the Prime Minister and Mrs Asquith. Sir Edgar Vincent, Sir Felix Schuster, and a number of M.P.’s. Mr Haldane pre- : sided, and Lord Howard do Warden returned thanks. Mr Birrell and Mr Owen ’ Seaman were among the speakers. The ' result of the evening was very satisfactory. | Should £IO.OOO be raised for the college | within 12 months, another £IO.OOO lias 1 been promised. The Duchess of Marl- 1 borough gave £IOO. and another £IOO, the proceeds of a meeting held at Sunder- ' land House. She has further promised .

£IOO each vear for five years. Mr and Mrs James bryce and Lord Haldane have each given £IOO, and Sir Edgar Speyer £250. I have by no means exhausted the list of charitable labours in which “the idle rich” are actively engaged, using their position and wealth and influence, education and talent to further the ambitions and alleviate the sufferings of the poor and unfortunate and afflicted and diseased. Adeline, Duchess of Bedford, and Lady Henry Somerset are interestedin the farm colony at Duxhurst for inebriate women, where the inmates engage in outdoor work in the gardens. They are also taught weaving, embroidery, and domestic employments. Lady Henry Somerset, who is the founder and superintendent of the colony, or farm village, has done a wonderful work which has extended over years.

Many thousands of homes will be brightened this Christmas-tide by the charity, kindness, and work of ladies for which they too frequently have scant appreciation from those who are benefited.