Before the Mirror.

Otago Witness, Issue 3348, 15 May 1918, Page 50

Before the Mirror.

By "JEANNETTE."

i These are, undoubtedly, days of exceptional nervous strain for one and all of us. Anxiety, with its beauty-destroying influence | is casting its shadow over the lives of many of us women, and while perhaps a few —the more stoical among us—can avoid worrying over past and prospective events, we may all, with a little care and forethought, succeed in preventing the results of worry from being noticeable in our appearance. To these fortunate few, this little chat will, however, be as interesting and instructive as to those who stand in real need of help in toilet matters, and may be the means of bringing to their notice some hitherto unknown method of retaining or regaining that beauty of face and figure which is the birthright of every woman. Some of the ingredients mentioned below are, at present, not generally known to the public, but any good chemist will usually be found to have a small quantity j in stock.

FrecM«s and How to Cure Them.—lt is always those easily, but this knowledge is poor comfort when the face is disfigured with these ugly little blemishes. To prevent the formation of freckles, a wash should be applied to the face. which will form a shield from the rays of the sun. A simple and inexpensive one can be made up at home by dissolving an ounce of cleminite in four table epooaaml of hot water. Shake the bottle, and when cold apply to the face and allow to dry on the skin. If this is done every day, renewing the amplication whenever the face is washed, and a little mercoiised wax rubbed into the skin every flight, freckles will not make their appearance, no matter how hot the sun. To remove freckles which have already formed, apply the wax every night, rub it well into the skin oi the face and neck, and leave on till the morning. Than wash olf, using Pilentai ooap and warm water. Te Reduce a Double Chin.—To reduce a double chin,- give hard, linn massage every night with mercoiised wax, stroking the flesh firmly backwards from the chin towards the lower portion of the neck. l)o this every night, and in the morning bath with cold water, and rub into the skin a little parsidium jelly. This treatment wit! strengthen the flabbly tissues and restore the contour of the face. Occasionally a double chin is duo to stooping over books dr work, but generally it is the result of putting on weight. When the latter is the case, a few olynol berries, eaten regularly every day, will greatly assist in reducing ANSWERS TO <t TO DARKEN THE EYEBROWS (L.ll.).—There is no dye which I could recommend as "safe,” but if you rub a little mennaline into the eyebrows end at the roots of the eyelashes, regularly every ,light, it will darken them naturally and will also increase the growth of the eyelashes.

the superfluous flesh. A glass of hot water should •>a sipped after each meal. Tha Hair—To Increase tho Growth.—To arrest an undue falling of ihe hair and increase the growth, soalp massage and the application of a good tonio is absolutely necessay. Part the hair in the centre, and, starting at the forehead, massage for it least ten minutes. Then apply a tonic. A .imple and inexpensive one can be made up at )ome by mixing one ounce of boranium (which can be bought at tho chemist's) with a quarter of a pint of bay rum. Add the boranium to the rum, allow to stand for half an hour, then -train, and add sufficient water to make half a pint. Dab amongst the roots of the hair with a soft sponge.

juperf'uous «Kair.—Dark-complexioned women are far more frequently, troubled with a growth of ;upcrfluous hair than those with fair skins, and it the first sign of these objectionable hairs steps should be taken to remove them, or they will develop into a strong growth which will take a /cry long time to destroy. A little powdered pheminol applied to this growth will remove thd 'msightly blemish, destroying it permanently if the hairs be but few. Two or more applications may be necessary, if the growth be unusually strong; but about ono ounce of pheminol should oe sufficient for the most stubborn case. Pheminol can be obtained at the chemist's, and a little powdered alum should be obtained at the same time for dusting the skin before applying the pheminol.

IORRESPONDENTS. looking because it needs thorough cleansing and renewing of the outer cuticle. To do this, get a tin of mercolised wax, and with the tips of the fingers rub a little gently into the skin, going over the entire face and neck. Leave the wax on all night, and in the morning wash it off with a good soap (you will find Pilenta excellent). In a month's time you will notice a most surp-rising improvement. (2) Liquid pergol will prevent the excessive perspiration of which you complain. (3) Nothing can be done.

TO REDUCE WEIGHT (SADIE).—Yes, your weight and measurements are certainly more than they should be >or your height, and I quite agreo that being so stout makes you look old. I am pleased to be able to tell you of a quick, easy, and pteasant way to reduce both. Get a small quantity ci olynol berries from the chemist's and take one after each meal, "three times a day. Weigh yourself after one month's? treatment, and you will be delighted with the result. TO KEEP THE HAIR FAIR (DORIS).—If you shampoo your hair regularly with etallax granules It will pi-event,, it from turning dark. One *easpoon of stallax is sufficient for a shampoo, and aa original packet will make from twenty-five to thirtr shampoos. Stallax keeps indefinitely. TO IMPROVE A DULL, MUDDY, COMPLEXION fD.jl.).—Your complexion is dull and muddy-

TO ARREST GREYNESS (FLO).—You are indeed far too young to go grey yet. Get about two ounces of concentrate of tammalite and mix it with three ounces of bay rum. Dab this on the •hair and amongst the roots. It will soon make matters all right.'

TO WHITEN A BROWN NECK (W. K.).—To whiten your neck use jettaline. Get a tube of this' from the chemist's, and rub a little well into the skin of the 4ieck; leave it on till next morning. Do this regularly every night for three or four weeks, and you will find that the ekin will become beautifully clear and white.

" Oft in the stilly night, Ere slumber's chain hath bound me, Fond memory brings the light Of other days around me." Another song that revives the past and makes it live again is the song written by Payuo:

" 'Mid pleasures and palaces Though we may roam, Be it ever so humble, There is »o place like home." These lines of the song must have a very marked feeling on the boys of the Empire who are fighting and have been away from the dent old home for such a length of time. I think the thought of hearing that songi sung must bring back many memories of the past. " The songs wo sing cheat the wilderness of its weariness, and make the daily burden easier to bear. They pour oil upon life's troubled waters, and set rainbows in the sky." The relief which music gives in certain forms of excitement, is wonderful. Elijah, disturbed by the presence of Ahab, called for the minstrel. He needed music, with its melting whispers and its dying falls, to calm his spirit before he _ could deliver his message; and when the blind Milton fell on evil days and evil tongues ho sought companionship and solace in his organ. Nay, even in hell itself the great Puritan poet gives to music a definite ministry, as:

" Not wanting power to mitigate or suage, With solemn touches, troubled thought and chase Anguish, and doubt, and fear, and sorrow, and pain, From mortal or immortal minds."

Musio is one "of the best and noblest arts, The notes give life to the text. It expels melancholy, as we see in King Saul. Kings and princes ought to maintain music, for great potentates should protect good and

liberal arts and laws. Though private people have desire thereunto, and love it, yet their ability is not adequate. We read in the Bible that the good and godly kings maintained and paid singers. Music is the best solace for a sad and sorrowful mind; by it the heart is refreshed and settled again in peace; hence the deep truth of Faber's lines: "Thou, Lord,. art the Father of music; Sweet' sounds are a whisper from Thee. Thou hast made_ Thy creation all anthems, Though it singeth them silently." LEX. I have enjoyed your collection of thoughts on music extremely, Lex, and am interested to hear that it is such a hobby of yours. The power of making and appreciating music is certainly one of the finest gifts that has been bestowed on mankind. I am glad to learn that you have forwarded copies of the syllabus to Cosmopolitan and Pink Hawthorn, and hope we shall hear often from both of them. Dear Elizabeth, —The subject on which I intend writing is, or should be, of the greatest interest to everyone who has the welfare of our country at heart. In these troublous times the best, the brightest, the most vigorous of our manhood are willingly, even cheerfully, sacrificing themselves. Few of those who return will be thorotighly sound still in body. Many will return to us nerveracked; many, alas! with their minds sadly disordered. Our country will feel severely the loss of those who have gone, will not be able to replace them, and many who aiw giving so much and serving so well now will find later that they can no longer give country, for their youthful strength will be sadly lessened. It behoves us, therefore, to train cur young xaeople well, to develop their

natural goodness and strength; to develop tho best that is in them. Then our countrywill not feel so keenly the loss of so many who would have proved useful citizens. It is our young people on whom we must rely, for tho children of to-day are the nationbuilders of to-morrow. To train the children properly an efficient scheme of education is necessary, and when I use that word I use it in ite proper sense—the training toward a perfect development of mind and body. We must teach the children that they are not living for thomselvcs alone. We must make them feel that they are trusted citizens of an honoured country. We must teach them that liberty is tho best of possessions, and that we must allow other people the same privileges we demand for ourselves. We must show our children that there is no beauty unless it is hand in hand with truth; and, above all, we must teach them to reason for themselves. They must be taught that there is no cause without an effect ; that every effect has a cause. We must develop the reasoning faculty; we must give individual attention. How can this be done in the average State school? The classes are too large, the rooms often too sniall, and more often badly ventilated. The syllabus is far too cramped, and allows too little freedom to the teacher and too little originality in the children. Wo must arrange for a Dominion scheme of training for teachers, better-equipped schools, smaller classes, a simplified syllabus. Until a teacher is able to give a large amount of individual attention to pupils the best results will never be obtained. Then we must certainly increase the number of medical inspectors, nurses, and physical instructors. Wo need many more to do thoroughly the work that a few are doing well. Ifl everyone knew the need for this work, and understood how enthusiastic tho doctors and instructors are, as those " behind the scenes " know, we would hear little talk about the expenditure the work demands. We cannot expect good results unless we work persistently for them. Therefore we must b© continually urging the authorities to grant our requests. There should be nothing halfhearted about the way in which we inake them. Our children are the greatest possessions of the rotaitry. Its success or failure, it 3 honour, its wealth, rest on the growing children. It is .an urgent matter that we begin to do our best for them. Let us strive for the following:—(1) A Dominion scheme for the training of teachers. (2) Better ventilated schools (open-air where possible). (3) Classes of in no circumstances more than 35—if possible, SO. (4) Increased medical inspection. (5) Increase in number of technical schools and institutes, where children may specialise. (6) A simplified syllabus, in which history and civics will be compulsory for older people, and such necessary subjects—e.g., first aid, physiology, hygiene will receive the attention they undoubtedly should have. Let us do all in our power to bring this state into existence. LADY ARBUTHNOT.

You have touched on a very vital question, Lady Arbuthnot, and written of it in a manner that speaks of personal experience of the educational system of this country. I agree with you entirely in the aims, you set forth. Unfortunately, smaller classes mean many more teachers, and these will not bo obtainable unless the conditions of the service are such as to attract to it the very best brains among the men and women of this country. I will print the dates you ask for next week.

a. lesson; OF CHEER FROM OUR WO.K.-UD WAR OF A CENTURY AGO.

Dear Elizabeth, —In these dark days when the fate of our Empire seems trembling in the balance we need all the cheer we can find. And we may be3t find it in conviction of the righteousness and grandeur of our cause," and in remembrance of the victory of our people in struggles as terrible and doubtful as this. A little over 300 years ago England successfully defied the greatest military and naval Power of the world— Spain, whose Empire included some of the fairest and richest lands of Europe and the richest half of the New World. England and* freedom were preserved when Spain menaced the world, as Germany menaces it to-day. Again, just over a century ago we emerged triumphant from our long struggle against the world despotism of Napoleon—a struggle carried on through long years in the face of terrible odds, and burdened with mistakes and disasters that might well have caused all but the strongest hearts to despair. It is this last great struggle that has most points of similarity with that in which we are now engaged, and I am prompted to qviote some passages from Wordsworth breathing the undaunted spirit that made England strong to endure and strive through those dark years. Some of us are, perhaps,* too apt to regard this conflict as the most difficult and terrible our peopl} has ever fought. It is in many ways the most terrible. War has gained new terrors since the days of Nelson and Napoleon. Then, out of the fighting zone, people might live, knowing as little of. tho dread realities of war as we do here in Dunedin today. And it was + he Napoleonic wars that introduced the system of drawing on the whole manhood of nations for fighting power. Great Britain fought through tier'nearly 20 years' conflict on the old system, and thus the war was not carried into every household as it is to-day. The armies with which our forefathers fought Napoleon in Spain and the Low countries were small indeed compared with the hosts of to-day. Still, relatively to the state of the world, our part in that war was as great as in this. Indeed, we must count our task of 100 years ago more formidable than our task of to-day, since we then faced it well-nigh alone. Napoleon had conquered most of the . fighting Powers of Europe, or intimidated them into joining in alliance with him. Now, besides our weaker Allies, we are supported by all the great freedom-loving Powers of the world. .One after another has joined our cause, givingnot only, material aid, but triumphant testi-

mony of its world-righteousness. Several times during this 20-year war period the peril of a great invasion of Britain loomed very near, and several of Wordsworth's sonnets are written in anticipation of this, always in serene confidence, that—

" A people on their own beloved land, Risen like one man to combat in the sight Of a just God for liberty and right,"

will repel the invader, however superior his forces. The following sonnet was written in 1806, a dark year for Britain. The "mighty Empire overthrown" is Prussia, which had been crushed by Napoleon at Jena:—

"Another year! another deadly blow, Another mighty Empire overthrown! And we are left, or shall be left, alone, The last that dare to struggle with the foe. 'Tis well! from this day forward we shall know That in ourselves our safety must be sought; That by our own right hands it must be wrought; That we must stand unpropped, or be laid

low. O dastard! whom such foretaste doth not

cheer! We shall exulfc if they who ride the land

Be men who hold its many blessings dear, Wise, upright, valiant; not a servile band, Who are to judge of danger which they fear And honour which they do not understand."

These lines convey a timely rebuke for those who sec in America's entry into the war justification for slackening our own efforts. The multitude of our helpers should be rather an incentive to do nationally and individually, our very utmost to hasten complete victory. Wordsworth egain and again reiterates the lesson that the true strength of a nation is in its people, in their patriotism and endurance:

" O'erweening statesmen have full long relied On fleets and armies, and external wealth; But from within proceeds a nation's health, Which shall not fail." " The power of armies is a visible thing, Formal, and circumscribed in time and space; But who the limits of that power shall traco Which a brave people into light can bring?" In Wordsworth's days, as in ours, good and evil, weakness and strength, were blended .n our national life. MaDy of his sonnets show him oppressed by perception of the evil, as the fine sonnet invoking Milton, written in 1802: "Milton! thou should'st be living at this hour; England hath need of thee; she is a fen Of stagnant waters; altar, sword, and pen, Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower, Have forfeited their ancient English dower Qf inward happiness. We are selfish men." But as the danger increases he sees courage and patriotism conquering selfishness: " When I have borne in memory what has tamed Great nations, how ennobling thoughts depart When men change swords for ledgers and desert? The student's bower'for gold, some fears unnamed I had, my country! am I to be blamed? Now, when I think of thee, and what thou art, Verily, in the bottom of my heart, Of those unfllial fears I am ashamed. For dearly must w© prize thee, we Who find In thee a bulwark for the cause of men."

We, like "Wordsworth, should reject final defeat as unthinkable: *%

It is not to be thought of that trje flood Of British freedom, which to the open sea

' Of the world's praise, from dark iniquity Hath flowed, with pomp of waters unwithi stood, Eouoed though it be full often to a mood "Which spurns the check of salutary bands, That this most famous stream in bogs and sands Should perish; and to evil and to good Be lost forever. 11l our halls is hung Armoury of tlv* invincible knights of old. We must be fre® or die who speak the ! tongue That Shakespeare spake; the faith and morals hold "Which Milton held. In every thing we are sprang Of earth's first blood, have titles manifold." Let the feeling that our nation is "a bulwark for the cause of men " still sustain us; and let us follow the example of Wordsworth, who did not "cease from Hope in the worst moment of those evil days. Prom hope, the paramount duty that heaven lays, For its own honour, on man's suffering i heart." I I am, —Yours truly, ALPHA. i You gave me permission to shorten your paper if necessary, Alpha, and I have done so, but only a very little, as your words and the thoughts from Wordsworth that you give us are very timely ones just now. It is very curious how the history of 100 years ago is so closely paralleled by # that of to-day. j Dear Elizabeth,— I KOBEADDIS. Do you know the brown korraddis That on the flaxbush grow, With hidden store of honey sweet To which bees come and go? / Do you know the fisher-fairy folk, Whene'er their nets they cast, Used them as barques to take them clear The shallow waters past? CHOKUS. Swing high, swing low, 9 Brown korraddis w> sweet and slow, Marking time as the breezes blow.

Of tho tiny blades of soft green flax Was made each dainty oar, And many a load of fish was brought Back to the moonlit shore. Oh, the fairies danced upoi* the beach, The ocean sang in tune. And comrades helped unload the fish Beneath the silv'ry moon.

I know not why, but I am sure That time and place, In some great fabric to endure

VAL.

Past time and race My threads -will have; so, from the first, Though blind, I never felt accursed.

I think, perhaps, this trust has sprung

From one short word Said over me when I was young—■

So young I heard It, knowing not that God's name signed My brow, and sealed me His, though blind. But whether this be seal or sign, Within, without, It matters not. The bond divine I never doubt. I know He set me here, and still,

And glad, and blind, I wait His will, But listen, listen, day by day,

To hear their tread, Who bear the finished web away, And cut the thread— And bring God's message in the sun, " Thou poor, blind spinner, work is done." EVE.

CHOBUS. Swing high, swing low, Brown korraddis eo sweet and slow, Marking time as the night winds blow. ~They wove their nets, these fairy-folk, Within the forest-shade, And as they spun, a Maori chief Watched how the knots were made, And, going home, he taught hi 3 tribe To make a fishing not, And that is why our fishers brown Have scarce been equalled yet. CHORUS. Swing high, swing low, Brown korraddis so sweet and slow, Marking time to the long ago. VAL. Very many thanks indeed for the daintysong lor children, Val. It seems to me one of the prettiest that you have written, and I was interested in the legend that you tell, as it was new to rne. Dear Elizabeth, —Once at a meeting of a former session of our club you asked us all to send three quotations that had in the pest been sources of hope or inspiration to us. One of my extracts came from tho page of -a little autograph album, where a friend wrote for me:—"Remember that, though we cannot see the pattern which our lives are weaving, we can go on bit by bit, remembering that there is a pattern, and that one day we shall understand why the dark shades, and the long plain pieces, and the bright glad colours were sent us." Something of the same thought, strong with the confidence, of a faith that trusts even iSfcen it cannot understand, is expressed in the little poem by Helen Hunt Jackson which I have selected as my contribution to tho members' meeting of to-day, and I feel euro that my club comrades will agree that it is specially applicable to the present time. It is faith such as this that we need nowadays, when war and death and sadness indescribable are about us on oil sides —a faith that holds unfalteringly to the goodness of God in all things. Here in this world we may weave the pattern of our lives in blinrness; but beyond, the stars we shall one day receive our sight, and shall then_ see the finished work, marred, maybe, in many places by errors of our own making, but bearing ever through it the golden thread of God's purpose for us. SPINNING. Like a blind spinner in the sun I tread my days; I know that all the threads will run Appointed ways ; I know each day will bring its task, And, being blind, no more I ask. I do not know the use or name Of what I spin; I only know that someone came And laid within My hand the thread and said, "' Sine* Aro blind, but one thing you can do." Sometimes the threads so rough and fast And tangled fly, I know wild storms are sweeping past, And fear that I Shall fall, but dare not try to find A safer place, since I am blind.

The poem that you send, Eve, is a real inspiration for these dark days. It is "only by keeping some such idea as this firmly in mind that one is able to "carry on" at "all, and even then it is difficult. I am very sorry indeed to hear of the loss that you and Gabrielle have had, and you have.my very deepest sympathy.

Dear Elizabeth, —In this our own day of battle, when countless hearts keep vijril through the hours of the night, waiting for the dawn and what it holds, I send you as my contribution to our club meeting that beautiful poem by Alfred Nbyes, " The Old Knight's Vigil." Written several years ago in a world of peace, with thoughts thrown backward to a dim past, the supplication still echoes its deep note to-day. Nor doe« it rise from battlefield alone: Once in this chapel, Lord, Young and undaunted, Over my virgin sword, Lightly I chairated, " Dawn ends my watch. I go, i Shining to meet the foe." " Swift with Thy dawn," I said, " Set the lists ringing! ~ Soon shall Thy foe be sped And the world singing! Bless my bright plume for me, - Christ, King of Chivalry."

"War-worn I kneel to-night, Lord, by Thine altar! Oh, in to-morrow’s fight Let mo not falter! Bless my dark arras for me, Christ, King of Chivalry. Keep Thou my broken sword All the long night through, While I keep watch and ward! Then —the red fight through, Bless the wrenched haft for me, Christ, King of Chivalry. Take in Thy pierced hands Still the bruised heltnet; Let not their hostile bands Wholly o’erwhelm it I Bless my poor shield for me, Christ, King of Chivalry. Keep Thou the sullied mail, Lord, that I tender Hero at Thine altar-rail; Then —let Thy splendour Touch it once . . . and X go Stainless to meet the foe. The vigil is drawing to a close: the dawn approaches. Though the haft fce wrenched and the helmet bruised we doubt not the answer. GFABRIELLB. Many thanks for your contribution of Noyes’s beautiful poem, Cabrielle. I feel grateful to you and Eve for sending in papers at all at this time,_ when your thoughts are so fully occupied in other ways. 'memories. Morning by morning, hardly moved, wc read The close, long list, and idly set it by, Knowing that each name.., signifies the deed A man can do but once—fighting to die, Yet see no strangeness in the daily toll Of sorrow proudly borne, of youth cut down. No mystery in the sacrificial Roll Of Honour:—Britain’s honour and renown. And then . . . one name re'fuses to be passed ... 'Wo pause, while memory’s lamps light one by one . . . So he is gone. Ah! now come crowding fast The little things—his smile, his frown, his fun; And as hia very self comes back to view Wo find wo love him better than we knew. MERIX. You add another to the fine litfle collection of poems that we have at this meeting, Merix. I feel sure that C.C.O. members and many others also will bo glad not only to read them, but to keep them for future study. , X have received a little book of verses and an accompanying letter from Native Fern, one of Emmeline’s “ Guild of Unknown Friends,” but I shall hold her communication over till next week, 'as I shall then be able to give her more space. June 12: ‘‘Some Suggestions for a Children’s Library.” —Papers to be in by June 1. Supposing you were going to build up a email library for a family of children, what books or what kind of books would you like to include in the collection?