LADIES’ GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3112, 5 November 1913, Page 65

LADIES’ GOSSIP.

Mrs. Winston Churchill is Scotch, a daughter of Lady Blanche Hozier, a cousin of Lord Airlie, and niece and namesake to Lady Redesdale. Tall, dark, and slender, with fine dark eyes, and a superb figure, Mrs Churchill makes a first-rate foil to her fair, round-faced, blue-eyed statesman-husband. As a girl, she was known to be clever and well read, and is now an excellent platform speaker. Soon after her engagement she joined a debating society, and was much assisted by her future mother-in-law (again “Lady Randolph”) in the gentle art of captivating audiences. Like most Scots, she likes the sea and yachting, and is a good golfplayer. Her baby boy has the historic name of Randolph, and her small daughter the smart one of Diana.

The Popular Visitor. To be really popular you must help in any way you can to make things go. If you possess a talent, hide not your light Under a bushel. In other words, if you can play, play when you are wanted to; if you can sing, sing to order. ‘‘Oh! I can’t,” with a dozen excuses, will never make you popular if your hostess knows you can. When you oblige with a little dance music for the young people, or break the monotony ot a party with a few songs, you are a boon to your hostess, and no one is going to be critical when you cheerfully acquiesce in her demands. It yon have no “parlour tricks” you can talk and make yourself pleasant. That is within the reach of all. Look out for little things to do to help your hostess. If she doesn’t need any assistance don’t follow her about pressing your services upon her; that is going to the other extreme. Most hostesses prefer guests to make themselves at home, but that does not include playing the piano when the children are dozing in the nursery above, or staying on longer than was expected. Education and Marriage. Dr Jacques Bertillon, the famous Parisian journalist, has contributed to the Matin a remarkable article in which he sets out to prove that the better educated a woman is the less likely is she to marry. “It is probable,” writes f)r Bertillon, “that a woman with a 'university degree finds men so much her inferior that she cannot deign to stoop to their level.” In support of his contention, says the Daily Citizen Paris correspondent. Dr Bertillon quotes from a census taken by the authorities of the Mount Holyook College for Women in the United States of all the surviving graduates of the university. This college VTtiiS students graduated between that year and 1910. To each of these a list of questions was recently sent, and no fewer than 2827 replies had been received. In view of the fact that many of the earlier graduates must now be dead, the census can fairly be regarded as thoroughly representative. Tne figures show that, as each decade passes, the university girl

becomes increasingly averse to marriage. The figures are: Period when degree Wives or widows was conferred. per cent. 1843-49 85 1850-59 .., .. 75 1860-69 ... 61 1670-79 59 1880-89 58 1890-99 42 1900-00 24 A Koyal Aim The Grand Duchess Elizabeth of Russia, a sister of Princess Louise of Batten berg, is certainly one of the most remarkable princesses in Europe (remarks a writer in the Manchester Guardian). Her husband, the Grand Duke Serge, it will be remembered, was killed by a bomb while driving to the Kremlin at Moscow. The Grand Duchess Elizabeth was very deeply attached to him, and since his death she has lived in retirement. She did not finally leave her palace in the Kremlin until her motherless niece, the Grand Duchess Marie Pavlovna, to whom she was a second mother, married; then she retired to a house in a quiet street of Moscow, and, in company with several ladies, began to live the life of a Sister of Charity.

The Grand Duchess is one of the most beautiful women in Europe, but her face bears now the signs of the ascetic life she leads. She has introduced a new form of convent life into Russia, modelled on that of the various orders of Sisters of Mercy working in Britain. The Rus-

sian nun is supposed to devote herself entirely to prayer! she does not, as a rule, undertake charitable work. The Sisters of the new order founded by the Grand Duchess have under their care a number of disabled soldiers, a home for consumptives, an orphanage, a dispensary, and a free library. The sisters, who nearly all belong to great Russian families, do most of their own housework, and Moscow was astonished to hear that Princess Obolensky had to scrub the convent floors. The Grand Duchess, of course, keeps the severe rule of the order as scrupulously as the other sisters. CHICAGO POLICEWOMEN. Chicago's women constables, of whom a dozen have been sworn, donned their blue tailor-made uniforms, with brass buttons, and plain serge skirts, and commenced their official duties as “police des moeurs” in “America’s wickedest city,” writes a New York correspondent. It is a big experiment which Chicago is trying for 60 days only; but if it is successful the women constables will be permanent, and other cities will follow Chicago’s example. Half the member's of the new squad are married and half single. They are all strong, healthy women, and were selected as the most suitable from the ranks of hundreds of applicants. On reporting for duty at 5 p.m., two exercised the women’s privilege' of being late, and the next day four were late. They excused themselves on the ground that they had been studying the printed rules ofthe force. Each woman was provided with a silver badge bearing her number as constable, also a police whistle and keys for fire alarm boxes. These they etow'ed away in their reticule bags, together with a liiirroi’, &iiu xiadiuijLerclij.br. Chief M'Weeny, In addressing the women as they stood smartly at attention in the police station, said that the eyes of the civilised world were upon Chicago, and it was for the women constables to prove that they couM “make good.” He gave them the following list of don’ts: — Don’t stretch, the truth. Don't bo too stern; have compassion. Present all cases

fairly and squarely. Don’t be nosey. Don’t complain about long hours. Don’t use too much force in making arrests. Don’t talk more than is necessary; let your commanding officers do most of the talking.

One of the youngest recruits explained with a burst of enthusiasm, “This is all just lovely. I’m simply dying to pinch someone.”

“ That’s just the sort of trouble I expected with some of you new cops.,” said M‘Weeny. “ Don’t be too eager to pinch anybody in the park, but use your woman’s intelligence. That’s what you are here for.”

i Neither yesterday nor to-day r , according to the despatches from Chicago, did the new constables pinch anybody. In Chicago police promotion is largely in the hands of the city alderman. Two new constables met their aldermen to-day on their beat, and told them how lovely it would be “to be promoted to sergeant soon.” The women have been assigned to various stations, and in each- case the superintendent detailed his handsomest detective to show them round. The details of the duties, apparel, and powers of the policewomen have been worked out by a committee of woman social workers ; and the chief of police of Chicago. The i chief decided that they would be of great service in the public parks and other places of recreation. They will visit public dance halls, excursion boats, the beaches, and the railroad stations, and try to keep young folks off the streets late at night. [ At the big balls, for which Chicago is

famous, such us the charity ball, when the value of the diamonds worn is estimated at many millions of dollars, policewomen in civilian attire will mingle with the guests. Whether the “policewomen ” shall carry revolvers and clubs, like the ordinary policemen of America, will be decided after the civic service examinations which they will shortly undergo. Hints and Suffjrostions. Don’t heat milk a second time before giving it to a- baby. Don’t drink milk rapidly—it cannot be digested quickly. Milk which has slightly turned may be sweetened and rendered fit for use again by stirring in a little soda.

Dish mops may be kept odourless by having a solution of soda in a jar beside the sink and placing the mops in this when they are not in use. When cleanin'? a grate, sprinkle the ashes with damp leaves before sweeping them out. It prevents the dust from flying about. For removing peach stains from table linen and clothing try pure glycerine. Apply it to the stain and let it remain for a short time; then wash the article in clear water. To remove scorch marks from linen rub the places well with half a raw onion, then wash in the usual way, and unless the scorch Is a very bad one the linen will be quite white again. Don’t he narrow-minded about your garden. Give your neighbours a bit of that rare plant he covets, even if there lurks a tiny hope that It won’t flourish quite as well as it has done with you! Save old kid gloves; they make splendid iron-holders. If sewn between two

• t > -.1 r V iVe->r .111 ept r " L/U.WO OX UUvU fcaav/j »'iAi biovtl/O CaIO AiUuuo from heat far better than any woollen or cotton material will do. Discoloured Linen. —If the linen on. which coloured embroidery has been worked becomes yellow it can be bleached in tbs following manner without Injury to the fabric or fading the embroidery. TPut the piece to be bleached in an earthenware bowl, &c dish, cover the art id a with

butter-milk, and let it soak for three days, stirring each day. Then take out and wash in. the usual way. To keep milk fresh for 24 hours in hot weather, use an enamel basin or jug for carrying, and the same for keeping the milk in. Always scald them thoroughly, then rinse well with cold water, and turn upside down till required again: do not wipe them. Never use a tin or cracked jug As milk is a noted disease-carrier, the danger in an'ancient crack cannot be over-estimated.

Never starch linen that is to be stored for a long time; it is apt to crack, and if left for many years will rot. Rinse the articles quite free from starch, dry, and fold away, if possible, in blue paper. The blue paper keeps them from turning yellow. Cooking Asparagus.—The best utensil is a large tin coffee pot. Its height admits of the asparagus standing on end. Its narrowness prevents the tips from toppling over. The spout gives an outlet in case of the water boiling over; and the closed lid allows the tips to steam delicately while the stalks are cooked thoroughly in the deep, rapidly-boiling water.

When making cakes, have you ever tried using vinegar instead of eggs ? Use one teaspoonful of vinegar to one pound of flour, and mix in the usual way, adding a little extra milk to make up for the liquid you would otherwise "et from the eggs. The cake should be as light as if eggs had been used.

| If you want your linen to wear well, try j this plan: Instead of folding tablecloths and sheets lengthways, as is usually done.

fold them the other way occasionally, as they last far longer if the folds are sometimes changed in this way than if always folded in the same place.

A good way to use old muslin or lawn blouses which are out of date is to make them into slip bodices for wearing under new transparent blouses. The cuttings can be used for repairing any worn places.

Before \s earing boots which are new or have just been soled, cover the sole with a coating of ordinary copal varnish, and when dry repeat the process. The life of the sole will be doubled, and, what is even more important in this treacherous of ours, it will be rendered quite impervious to damp. This is of special value in the case of thin summer footgear, often responsible for the many evils following wet feet.

When a meat pie becomes scorched on the top the cook is usually filled with dismay; but here is a happy wav out of the difficulty: Carefully scrape off as much of the charred surface as possible, keeping it as level as you can. Now cover the top of the pie with the beaten whites of two eggs. Brown slightly in the oven. And when the pie is placed on the ■->b]e no one will have any idea that the top has been burnt.

To properly adjust a door which rattles on windy nights, all that is needed are two or three small corks, chemist’s size, a penknife, and a tube of seccotine. Examine the door outside when it is fastened, and see what space there is between, it and the beading. Select a place, cut a piece off a cork rather thicker than space available, seccotine one face of it, stick it on the beading, shut the door on it, and leave to dry. There will b© no more rattling, and the cork keeps its VUy indefinitely. Windows can be treated in the same way.

How to Wash Kid Gloves.—Have ready a little new milk in a saucer and a piece of brown soap in another, and a clean cloth or towel folded three or four times. On the cloth spread out the glove smoothly. Take a piece of flannel, dip it in the milk, then rub off a good quantity of soap on the wetted flannel and

begin to rub the glove downwards towards the fingers, holding it firmly with the left hand. Continue this process until the glove, if white, looks a dingy yellow, but clean; if coloured, till it looks dark and soiled. Lav it out to dry.

Descriptions of bails, etc., must be endorsed by either the Witness correspondent lor the district or by the secretary of the ball committee. The US. of any correspondents who do not comply with this rule will be sent to the secretary for endorsement prior to appearing.—ELlZAßETH. 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 OF INTEREST TO OWAKA RESIDENTS. A very pretty wedding took place at the residence of the bride’s brother, Mr H. Gosden, foreman of Government works. Ardglen, New South Wales, when Richard, youngest son of Mr J. Webeck, Ardglen, was married to Alice, eldest daughter of Mr George Gosden, Owaka. New Zealand. The Rev. Mr Hicks, Quirindi, performed the ceremony. Mr H. Gosden acted as best man. The bride was attired in white silk trimmed with lace and brilliants, and a lovely wreath and veil, the gift of Mrs G.. Dalton, Dunedin. She wore a gold and ruby b r °och, the gift of the bridegroopj. The bridesmaids—Miss E. Webeck, sister of the bridegroom, and Miss Dolly Gosden, niece of the bride—wore white embroidered muslins, with black hats trimmed with a wreath of roses and pink satin libbons. The wedding breakfast over the happy couple, left for Sydney and the Blue Mountains, the bride wearing a navy blue costume, and black hat trimmed with white ostrich plumes. On tne eve of their marriage Mr R. Webeck’s fellow employees entertained him at a social evening, presenting him with a costly marble clock, and Miss Alice Gosden with a gold brooch, inscribed “Best wishes.” The wedding presents were numerous and useful. WEDDING AT CLARENDON. On the 21st October, at Horseshoe Bush Estate. Clarendon, the home of Mr and Mrs H. Driver and family was roused out of ite normal and orderly routine, the occasion being the marriage of Mrs Driver’s second daughter. Ellen Dobbic, to Mr Wilson, of Wellington. The Rev. Mr Small conducted the ceremony. The weather during the early part c,‘ the day was not promising, but II brightened up somewhat later. Miss Dolly Dobbie. the youngest s.ister 'of the bride, acted as bridesmaid, and Mr Stevenson, or Dunedin, was best man. The bride looked charming, wearing a tailor-made costume ol white; and the bridesmaid, also in looked delightfully fresh. About 30 surrounded the table for the breakfast, the guests being limited to relations and a few friends. The Rev. Mr Small proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom in his usual jolly and friendly way. The bridegroom replied in a few appropriate remarks. Tho toast of Mr and ’Mrs Driver was proposed by Mr Manson, who, in the course of his remarks, commented on the good qualities of Mrs Driver, of whom he could not say anything too good. Mr Driver responded. About 5 o’clock the happy couple left by motor for the south. The bride's presents were numerous and good. Happy may they be; so say all of us.— A Bachelor.