LADIES' GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 51

LADIES' GOSSIP.

The Empress of Japan possesses a unique collection of thumb-nail pen-and-ink sketches. Every distinguished visitor to the magnificent Royal palace at Tokio is asked to inscribe a small drawing in the Imperial sketch-book. It is quite superfluous whether his or her talents in that direction are enviable or otherwise. The late Lady Ripon was as beauteous in mind as in form. One of her friends, writing in The Times, says : "Life was to her an endless adventure, and the freshness of her curiosity never abated; it was, perhaps, this quality of eagerness which made her so exhilarating a companion and added delight to even very ordinary undertakings when they were shared by her. . . She was one of those who, at whatever ag? they leiva the earth, die young. Time was powerless to rob her, and only added to her beauty, her grace, her gentleness, and her charm." The first electric beds used in the war zono for the desperately wounded were at La Panne, in the hospital of the Queen of the Belgians. Since then their use has been increased, and really up-to date field hospitals are furnished with a few of these wonderful inventions. Extreme cases brought straight in from the battlefield to the field hospital might sometimes be saved, could they only live to endure the necessary operation. Too, often, however, the action of the heart is eo weak as to be imperceptible, and in that case little can be done to save tho man's life. Now, however, the man is placed .first and foremost on the electric bed, which benignly warms him through and through.' No pulse in a number of cases becomes some pulse.

Little Superstitions

If you drop your umbrella, get someono else to pick it up, or you will have a disappointment. Never change any garment which you have put on inside out. It is very lucky to put on a garment inside out. If washing in water with someone else, cross the water with your forefinger, or you will be sure to quarrel. Never buy or use a green purse. You will lose it if you do. When removing to another house, be sure you take a lump of coal with you from the old house and burn it in the first fire you light in your new. one. It will ensure you prosperity. If a black cat crosses your path, there is some good luck in store for you. Black cats are always lucky, and you must never, on any account, turn one away from your house. If a' hairpin falls from your head, it is a sure sign that your lover is thinking of you. A piebald horse is lucky. If you can wish before you see its tail, your wish will come true. Never look at the now moon through glass or through trees. It means an unlucky month.

Persuasion.

Your mothers may depend upon a consistent scheme of conduct and the child's realisation of their love making it fairly easy to maintain discipline. Very soon a little one learns to appreciate approbation, and to be acutely uncomfortable when mother or father is displeased, and if parents are watchful to improve these occasions there need be little friction and few combats. But perfection must not bo expected, and they must continually realise that even the best child is an individual with a distinct character to be studied, respected, t developed. - Dr W. B. Drummond has recorded a common phase neatly and helpfully—the condition in which "everything which is proposed meets with opposition from the child.' If you wish to shake hands with him he puts his hand behind his back. He objects to being taken out and resents being brought in. In the morning there is a struggle before his clothes can be put on, and at night a storm before he goes to bed. Disobedience of this sort," says Dr Drummond, "is not to be taken too seriously. The child is learning that he can obey and disobey. He is discovering his personality. He is learning that he is an agent. The treatment should not be coercion. Disapprobation, uniform and not too strongly expressed, patience, and if possible the example of older children will usually soon lead the child to recognise that voluntary obedience is the price of happiness. Occasionally this form of contrariness becomes really troublesome, especially in children who have Jaeen spoilt. In such cases the most effective plan is simply to make the child -have his own way. If he won't get ready to go out, let him understand that if he is not ready in time he will be left behind. If he won't let himself be dressed in the morning, insist on. his staying in bed for another hour. If he won't take his breakfast, send it away. The child readily understands the justice of retributive punishment of this kind, and is even helped by it to a judgment of the nature of his own acts.

Hints and

Don't let the children bolt their food. Make them well bite every mouthful. A child w r ho habitually "gobbles" is sure,sooner or later, to suffer from stomachache. After washing linoleum, wipe it over with water to which a little thin glue has been added. This gives it a polish, but doesn't make it slippery. And it certainly prolongs the tidy life of the linoleum. When potatoes are inclined to turn black in cooking, add a few drops of vinegar to the water in which they are boiled. This makes them beautifully white and mealy. Brushes and brooms should be washed periodically, and tho handles thoroughly scrubbed, if unpolished. Dirty brushes and handles give a slovenly appearance to any house. Gas Mantles.—When an inverted mantle gets black, remove it carefully and rub all the black off the ring with a spent match. Wipe all the black from the burner and replace the mantle. Reduce the gas slightly at the regulator; you will get a better light and save your mantle. To clean scratched silver put a small quantity of putty powder (which can be bought at a chemist's) into a saucer and mix it with sufficient olive oil to form a paste. R,ub on the silver with a piece of flannel, and. polish with a chamois leather. The scratches will then be quite invisible. Eeather beds should be shaken every day and turned. Let the bedroom window be open while the operation is being performed. Before cleaning the knives, warm the knifeboard in front of the fire. The knives will polish more quickly and easily. During the summer * hang a piece of butter-muslin inside the larder window, letting the lower end .just dip * into a bowl of cold water. The muslin draws up the water, and so it is always damp, and this keeps the air beautifully cool and fresh. To make a dustbin sanitary.—Burn a coupio of newspapers, or two or three handful;, of straw in it each time it is emptied. Let the flame rush out, and it will remove every trace of grease or damp from the iron and render the dustbin as clean as a new one, and quite frc> from any unpleasant smell.

There are always a few bits of trimmings left over when a pie has been made. If these arc gathered up. rolled out, and thinly spread with minced nuts or date;.!, etc., and a very little sugar sprinkled over, quite nice little sandwiches are made if another piece of pastry is placed

on the top. They- are then, cut in small squares and baked in a quick oven. Very nice for tea. There is such a thing as insanitary neatness. Windows and doors kept shut, to prevent the dust; presses, drawers, and wardrobes never allowed to remain, open, with the result that no pure air can find its way into them. Clothing, too, when taken off at night need not bo folded up and placed neatly on a chair. Spread them out, or hang 'them up, and in the morning each garment will bo in a much fresher condition. Whenever it can be done, and the weather is fine, all bedding should have a good airing.