LADIES' GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3415, 29 August 1919, Page 57

LADIES' GOSSIP.

Miss Edith Lillian Murray, who is to marry Major Harold Senhouse Finder, M.C., Leicestershire Regiment and King's African Rifles, is the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles Archibald Murray, of Tavmount. on the Tay. Her mother is one of the beautiful Moncreiffe sisters, who were all noted for their extraordinarily good looks. They had lovely Titian bronze hair, for which, and their splendid colouring and tall, graceful figures they were specially remarkable. TV Misses Moncreiffe were daughters of Sir Thomas, the seventh baronet of Moncreiffe. Perthshirs, and Lady Louisa Moncreiffe. Sir Thomas was probably the handsomest man of his dav in Scotland, nnd Lady Louisa, a Kinnoull Hay. had much personal charm. The lady clerk is gradually and surely conquering the city, says' the London Evening News. She has not onlv invaded the big banks and insurance offices, but is now forcing her w'av into the haunts of the broker and the iobber. She is also rapidly assimilating all the habits of the male clerk. She must have her corning coffee, her slab of sweet cake, and occasionally her cigarette. One lea-shop' in Lombard "street is appropriately named, the "Flappers' Cafe." Every morning between 10.30 and 11.30 von find the ground floor filler! with hatless and vivacious maidens. The poor*male clerk who used to frequent this part of the cafe is now relegated to f.he basement. Dr Helen M'Douoall, on the occasion of her leaving for Peru, to undertake medical mission work in connection with the Erce Church of Scotland Mission at Lima, was presented by the Coinmba Free Church congregation. Edinburgh, with a gold watch and n sum of monev. Dr M'Dougall. who is a distinguished graduate and gold medallist of Edinburgh University, was for some time assistant to Pr Elsie Inglis, in the Edinburgh Women's Hospital. She was a- member of the fnmons unit of the Scottish Women's Hospitals that underwent such stirring experiences during the terrible retreat, when

that country was overrun by the enemy. She was subsequently engaged in hospital work in France. —Miss Ann ("Nancie") Thorne, of Highfield Park, Heckfield, Hants, is engaged to be married to the grandson of one of the most remarkable women of her time — Sophie Lady Dalrymple. She was one of seven beautiful sisters, daughters of the late Mr James Pattle, ' and figured in several drawings and paintings by G. F. Watts. She married the late Sir John Warrender Dalrymple, Bart., and retained to old age her beauty and charm. She died *in 1911, leaving one son Sir .Walter Hamilton-Dalrymple, whose son and heir, Hew Clifford, is Miss Thome's fiance. —Lady Muir-MacKenzie's promised book on lady doctors will probably be delayed for a time. She is a poetess, and some of her -tterse appeared in the Lyceum Club Book. There are many other literary "titles" among the ladies of the realm. There is the Countess of Cromartie, the playwright, and the Dowager Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava who hab written her memoirs. The Marchioness of Townshend is a poetess, the Countess of Carrick writes delightfully on Irish poetry, Lady Sybil Grant has written verses and last but not least, there is Lady Margaret Sackville, whose fine Greek imageries won her the laurels of fame. One London West End firm was recently showing race wraps at five hundred guineas. True, they were of exquisite creamy lace and ornamented with collarettes of delicately shaded ostrich feathers,, but when one thinks that that daintv trifle was only a wrap to coyer the real picture below, one's imagination staggers at the thought of the cost of the sum total. For, with .a wrap of siuch elegance, one wants a hat and gown of the same social standing, while the be-frilled and be-sashed chiffon sunshade needed to complete the picture is not by any means a trifle to be sneezed at. Then, of course, there are the silk stockings, the diamond buckled "shoon," the Shoulder length glove, and the hundred id one. items which make up the list ' ; idame's requisites. A SOCIETY WEDDING DISAPPOINTMENT. There was a dramatic disappointment for one of the season's prettiest brides the other day. Miss Dorothy Walpole, daughter of the late Colonel Horace Walpole, was to have married Major Austin Scott-Murray, at St. James', Spanish place, London. The church was filled with distinguished people. The Duchess of Norfolk, the Earl of Eltham, Baroness Beaumont, Ethel Lady Beaumont, Lady Mowbray and Stourton, with many more wellknown men and women came to wish the couple God-speed. The bride "arrived, wearing an exquisite gown of silver lace. The bridesmaids arrived wearing mauve chiffon, with grey feathered hats. . The bridegroom was there. The priests who were to officiate were ready. . But there was no wedding. At the very last moment it was discovered that, owing to an oversight, notification of the marriage had not been sent to the registrar, as required for marriages solemnised in the Roman Catholic Church, and the necessary* documents Were missing. There was not sufficient time, of course, to get a special license or notify the authorities. So the marriage could not take place. FASHIONS IN PARIS. A fashion-writer writes, from Paris that "wherever one goes—the Bois, the theatre, the races, the restaurant, or private parties—dress is in the height of fashion, and Fashion is losing her head. No extravagance is too great for her, no indiscretion too daring. She flaunts her short skirts, her sleeveless dresses, her decollete bodices, with a smile that has something reckless in it. She even bares her legs, and scarcely covers her toes in shoes that look utterly absurd with toe-caps, anklestraps, and heels that are three and four inches high... Dresses are worn in the daytime and at public functions that would have been censured by Queen Victoria at Court, and the apparel of a ballet dancer is modest,in comparison with fcLj chemise dresses that depend for their fastening upon one button on the shoulder, or on one hook at the waist, or a skirt* that is Jilit up from ankle to hip on both sides, or has a,, cross-over open front." The description makes one almost blush for these naughty, abandoned Parisennes—but they haven't got a sensible and strongminded Queen to show them "a good example of how to dress with dignity as well os rich effect, as we have! HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS. To polish oilcloth, add a tablespoonful of paraffin to the water used for washing it. A handful of soda placed over the sink overnight will clean and purify a badsmelling drain. An old saucer placed in the bottom of the saucepan will prevent puddings from burning and sticking to the bottom. When a large white basin is cracked, paint over the crack with a little white enamel; then lay on a piece of white tape and give another coat of enamel. This will prevent th e basin from breaking. The backs of pictures should be carefully inspect'ed at spring-cleaning time, and if there are any holes in the paper fresh pieces should 'be pasted over them or dust may get in and ruin the picture or print. To clean patent leather boots, first remove all dirt from them with a flannel, then rub over each boot with a paste consisting of two spoonfuls of cream and one of linseed oil, both of which should be warmed before they are mixed. Polish with a soft rag. How to Wash Flannels. — 1. Make a lather of soap. To do this collect all odds and ends of soap, shred them with a knife, just cover with water, and put in a jar or saucepan in the oven

or.on the stove until the soap has melted. Use ilb of the melted soap to one gallon of water. Add ammonia in the proportion of one tablespoonful of ammonia to two gallons of water. The ammonia prevents shrinking and absorbs grease and perspiration. 2. Shake the flannels well and place them in the lather. Cover the tub with a tray or board and leave the flannels to soak for one hour. The water must cover the flannels completely and must be hot enough to remain warm at the end of the hour. 3. Knead the flannels, or use a. vacuum washer to them. 4. Squeeze out the water, and rinse in two or three waters of the same temperature as the first water in which the flanne|§ have been kneaded. 5. Squeeze very dry, or better still, put the flannels through a wringer. 6. Shake well and hang out to dry. If the weather is too wet for them to dry out of doors, put the flannels on a clotheshorse in a warm place, but not too near a fire. 7. When nearly dry, iron with a warm iron on the wrong side; fold and hang over the clothes-horse to air. Remember 1. To use warm water. 2. Not to rub the flannels —only squeeze and knead them. 3. To dry in a wind, if possible, not in a hot sun or too near the fire. 4. Not to iron until nearly dry, or the heat of the iron causes the flannels to shrink. 5. Not to use too hot an iron. Some Extra Hints.— Coloui'ed flannels are not soaked, but washed in the lather at once. A tablespoonful, of vingear is added »to the last rinsing water to brighten the colour. Knitted or crochet wool shawls, etc., should be well shaken, stretched on 'a clean sheet on the floor, pinned round the edges, and left until dry. Sports coats are wased in the same manner as flannels, but coloured ones must not. be soaked, and a handful of salt should be added to the water. To dry, hang them on coat hangers on the line in a good wind, and shake often.