LADIES' GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3444, 16 March 1920, Page 57

LADIES' GOSSIP.

The first seven women Justices of the | Peace to be appointed represent the j various facets of feminine activities and 1 opinions.,-They are the Countess of Crewe, the Marchioness of Londonderry, Mrs Sidney Webb, Mrs Lloyd George, Mrs Humphry Ward, Miss Gertrude Tuckwell," and 'Miss Elizabeth Haldane. Mrs Sidney Webb is, of course, a well-known social worker-and prominent Fabian. A few years ago a fashionable draw-ing-room looked as crowded as an art dealer's shop, but now the other extreme has been reached, and the less you have in a room, the more up-to-date ''you are, says a woman writer in the Star. Mantelpieces are often perfectly bare. A few priceless ornaments or pieces of china may be displayed, but nick-nacks , are tabooed. Suburban servantless housewives would, do , well to copy this new fashion. I counted 36 ornaments on one mantelpiece last-week which the new wave had not yet reached. - And they are so trying to the nerves. The success of a good colour scheme is to emphasise some trait or _ physical feature of the wearer. People with white or grey hair are an instance of this. Sometimes it is the eyes which should rule the colour scheme, particularly if they are at . all unusual in colour. Tob'acco-brown eyes, golden eyes, light-blue eyes, as a rule, make an excellent foundation for a colour scheme, and as far as possible they should be matched. People with clear complexions can wear most things, but the dead-white skin looks best with creamcolour or black, though it must be a very deep, bright black. The Hon. Lady Seely. will probably be the first lady to have the use of a private aeroplane, for her husband, General Seely, has purchased one. His wife, being one of that plucky family, the Murrays of Elibank,, will probably fly with him when he makes his journeys by air. Sir Philip Sassoon has a private 'plane, too, and/regularly flies to and fro between ' London and Folkestone. He, however, is a bachelor, and a particularly eligible one, and will have to be careful about an invitation to "fly with me," lest it should be interpreted more than temporarily. Women who are of the most importance, and of the very highest rank; those who <are doing the most for the world—making discoveries, achieving things, directing the biggest enterprises, making an impression for good on their generation; people whose names are sufficient to open any doors they may wish to enter —these are the women whose names are never associated with cheap publicity. They don't need it (says j a writer in the "Women's Magazine"). Neither are they forever wandering round from one social function to another. Their time is far too valuable, and they are accustomed to more interesting occupation. The announcement of the engagement of Lady Dorothy Cavendish, third daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, to Captain Harold Macmillan, Grenadier Guards, one of the A.D.C.'s' to the Duke, youngest son of Mr Maurice Crawford Macmillan, a director of the wellknown publishing firm, has iust been made, and is the second romance in the Duke's familv since he became Governor-General"^*

Canada, ft will be remembered that Lady Maud Cavendish, the eldest of the Duke of Devonshire's five girls, married Captain Angus Mackintosh, Assistant Military Attache to her father, in 1917, but Captain Mackintosh died after a short illness m 1918. Last year, Lady Blanche Cavendish, the second daughter, married Captain Ivan Cobbold; and this year, Lady Dorothy, who is still in her '"teens," has become engaged to Captain Macmillan. Lady Eachel and Lady Anne, the two youngest sisters, are 17 and 10. LEAP YEAR. For- one whole year ladies have the privilege of proposing to bashful bachelors. Most people affect to look upon thite as a joke. But our ancestors took it quite seriously. Walsh, in his "Courtship, Love, and Marriage," published in 1606, lays it down quite clearly that the right of the young woman to propose to the man of her during Leap Year "is part of the commonlaw of the land," and adds that "no unbetrothed bachelor will be entitled to the benefit of clergy who doth in anywise presume to treat such a proposal with slight or contumely." The Scots went even further than this by making the custom the subject of a specific legal enactment, a law being passed many years ago which expressly conferred upon any unmarried girl over the age of 18 the privilege of proposing, or, as the statute quaintly" puts it, "shall hae libertie to bespoke ye man she likes." If the swain so "bespoke" consented to "taik the mayden to be his lawful wyfe, ' well and good. But if not, he could be haled before the nearest magistrate and fined or imprisoned, unless he could "make it appear that he is betrothit to ane ither mayden." A WOMAN WHO PREFERS A PIPE. A woman who prefers a pipe or a cigar to chocolates, and who finds tobacco as great an aid to health and work as any man, is still unusual in British home-life. Such is Mrs Mabel Walenn, of Willesden Green, who confesses to being an inveterate smoker. She described to a Daily Express representative how she acquired the habit and taste: "My first smoke was, at the age of 14," said Mrs Walenn. "I then'finished a halfsmoked cigar of my father's. It had no ill-effects upon me, and I have been smoking ever since. Ido not limit myself, and I smoke most of the day. I much prefer a cigar or a pipe to chocolates, and find smoking agrees with my health much better than sweets. i "My husband gives me at Christmas, not presents of chocolates and other dainties, but a box of cigars and a nice. pipe. It is impossible, I think, to beat the cool, sweet fragrance of a pipe, and my present favourite is a fine curved briar. I smoke the ordinary medium mixtures, and with a pipe in my mouth find I can do my household work much better. "I always light, up my pipe and read v.bed before going to sleep. It does. nomatter how much I smoke, it never affects my health." ... Mrs Walenn "certainly looks the pictiue of health and is of splendid physique, she takes a great pride in her briars and calabashes, which she colours and keeps highly polished.

DRESS AND PERSONALITY. A great many girls do not always wear the colours that suit*"them, the colours that seem to tone with their personality, says-"A City Girl" writing in the Star. A woman -needs to study herself, as well as the shades of her .hair, and eyes, in order to know the : right Colours to wear! ,'" " ' Bright or light colours are so much more noticeable than dark ones, and for that reason alone are more expensive. A girl cannot continue wearing, say, a red coat so long as she can a dark blue one, for in the case of the former her friends would easily remember the length of its term of service. .... . ' .'•• Among the great army of working girls who throng to the city every morning—a dark, sad-looking army because of their clothes—there are many doubtless who realise that neutral colours do not become them, but for reasons of economy they have to wear therhi'l:With some an irrepressible love of colour isJ;shown in vivid jumpers or. blouses,' and soopntetimes the colour chosen is the right one; for the wearer. Not always, unhappily. All of us, at this season especially, delight in manifesting our after-war feelings in gorgeous colours, but not every f woman has learnt in con-, nection with. dreES exactly the colours that blend with, or/ rather, help to express, her personality. This knowledge usually only comes through experience and by careful study of the effect that various colours have upon her; feelings, and also of the effect they, when worn by her, have on people with whom she is friendly. THE USE OF A LITTLE PAINT. By the expenditure of a little money, any woman can transform her shabby rooms into almost unbelievable daintiness and beauty by treating some of the least attractive pieces of furniture to a new coat of paint and adding accessories of bright chintz, states the Ladies' Home Journal. It is nbt necessary to remove the varnish unless it is very glossy. In this event, a varnish remover must be employed. Before painting, furniture should be stripped of all ornate carving or applied decorations. Many of these ornaments are merely glued to the surface. When they are part of the wood they can often be obliterated by a jack plane. The awkward side arms that hold the mirrors should always be removed. The mirrors, after the frames are painted to match the furniture, can be suspended from the picture moulding. Frequently the head and foot boards of beds can be lowered to more graceful height. The drawer pulls are easily taken off and can be replaced by glass or wooden knobs. Unfortunately, the holes left after the drawer pulls have been removed cannot

be hidden by the knobs. To remedy this, stuff in damp newspaper as a foundation for putty, which should be smoothed flush with the face of the drawer and allowed to dry before the first coat of paint is applied. The choice of colour is important. The various shades of ivory and French gray, both of which vary in depth and colour, 'are safest for the amateur, who,; in choosing, should remember that often those shades that appear best on the colour cards would be too dominant for the furniture of an entire room. Then, too, not all shades can be matched m enamel. At least three coats of paint and one of enamel are necessary to cover dark furniture. For light woods and white-enamelled beds two of paint and one of enamel are usually sufficient. Painting an iron bed to match the other furniture in the room is an excelent way to make it harmonize Avith its surroundings. After the paint is thoroughly dry, apply one coat of enamel, and, since this must be done quickly and accurately, attempt it only in bright daylight. Use a soft, rather large brush and let the enamel flow from Ht across the surface. Do not use a paint stroke. The enamel dries quickly, so it is best to apply it first to the top of surfaces like the sides of dressers, going all the way across with one sweep of the brush, and then down in the same way, flowing each application on so that it will blend into the last. During this process stand all drawors on end and lay mirror frames flat. On flat surfaces the enamel has no chance to run downwards and dry in festoons. If this happens, remove the festoons after they are thoroughly dry by rubbing gcmtly with fine sandpaper. Then re-enamel the entire surface. " » QUESTION OF AGE. Women themselves probably are under the delusion that their best ag-e is something under twenty-five and something over eighteen. At any rate, they are supposed to resent al] birthdays after th irty, and aire occasionally charged with working backwards and growing older in looks and younger in years. But no woman who knows how to put on her clothes, who reads and thinks/ who develops all her best qualities, need worry at passing into the thirties, for at forty a woman is at her very best, physically and mentally. She is at the zenith of her beauty, and if she has cultivated her intelligence, she is at the zenith of her mentality also. Very few men of any note find the same pleasure in the society of a young, undeveloped girl which they find in a mature woman of forty. At that age such a woman is an ideal companion, and her preference for the society of a man is a real compliment to his mental and moral qualities. No, there is "no reason why a woman, unless she be merely a coquette, and has nothing to recommend her but a pretty face, should dread advancing years. There is a charm about all ages, indeed, and many a woman is more beautiful and attractive when her hair is streaked with grey than ever she was when "her golden hair was hanging down her back." WOMEN PATENTEES, The first patent taken out by a woman was for a process of weaving straw with silk by a Mrs Mary Kiesr, of Connecticut, in 1809, and she has, as time went on, had many followers in ingenuity, so that at Washington there is a woman's department, with the specifications of the patents arranged in chronological order. ' It was not until 1894 that the British Comptroller-General of Patents thought it worth while.to ascertain the number of women inventors, andthe war has naturally decreased their numbers, but whereas there were nearly 400 applications for patents from women in 1913, in 1914 there were 350,' and in 1917 253, and in 1918 286, so that the total is rising again. - / ;«'-'• "During the war the outstanding invention was Mrs Bertha Ayrton's fan for sending back gas and smoke fumes. Other inventions of national importance of late years were Mrs Ernest Hart's for waterproofing fabrics, a discovery of which use Vas made by the Admiralty, War Office, railway companies, etc., and Mrs Cayley-Bobinson's patent for a semigas furnace, which, was intended to revolutionise heating, as it is said to reduce expenditure by one-sixth on 1 fuel, consuming all waste nro^uct 3 , such as cinder, soot, smoke, and ashes. RECENT SECRET WEDDINGS. For the fourth time in a few months (writes the London correspondent of the Age) a matrimonial surprise in the form of the secret Wedding of a widow of mature years has been sprung on society ; The first of these weddings was that of Lord Bibblesdale to Mrs J. J. Astor, the first wife of Mr J.J. Astor, the American millionaire, who was drowned when the Titanic went down in 1912 on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic. Lord Bibblesdale, who is 65 years of age, was a personal friend of the late King Edward. Mrs Astor had been living in Grosvenor Square, which is the quarter of more peers than any other square in Mayfair, and the wedding was kept such a close secret that when she drove from her house to the church, even her servants did not know that she was about to change her name. The next surprise of the kind was the marriage of Lord Ludlow to Lady Wernher, the widow of Sir Julius Werriher, a South African millionaire, who died in 1912. Lord Ludlow is 54 years of age, and his bride is the mother of three growup sons, the eldest of whom was disinherited by his father. By a coincidence, the dismissal of this son from the British army by sentence of a general courtmartial was announced in the London "Gazette" on the day of his mother's second marriage. The third wedding to startle society was the third matrimonial venture of Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland, the. bridegroom being Colonel George

Hawes, D. 5.0./ of the Boya!; Fusiliers:. She was the widow of the fourth Duke of Sutherland, whom she married ,35.. years ago, and the mother of the present duke. Her second husband was .Colonel Fitzgerald, from whom she obtained a divorcein the French courts. The latest marriage between an elderly peer and a mature widow is that of Earl, Howe to Flora, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava. The bridegroom is 58 years of age, and the bride, whose first marriage took place 25 years ago, is the mother of three grown-up daughters, who are nieces of Lady Helen Ferguson. She is the daughter of Mr John H. Davis, an American banker. Lord Howe has had a long connection with the English court., He was a Lord in Waiting to Queen Victoria, and filled the same position at King Edward's court. His present position, which he has held for some years, is that of Lord Chamberlain to Queen Alexandra. There was no public announcement of his engagement to Flora, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava, but the fact was known to a small circle of friends, and there was a small but distinguished company at the church where the wedding was celebrated. The bride was given away by her brother-in-law, the present Marquis'of Dufferin and Ava. KBNTS ANQ SU C CESTS ONS. Hot water taken before breakfast Avill prevent a bilious attack. "'.».■' Plants watered with cold tea will seldom be infested with worms. A quick and easy way to clean .paint is to use borax and warm water. Put a tablespoonful of borax to a pint of warm water and apply the flannel, well damped, but not wringing wet in the mixture. To prevent the smoking of a lamp soak the wick in strong vinegar, and dry it well before using it. The flame will then burn bright and clear. A little dissolved borax added to the water in which crochet d'oyleys are soaked previous to washing will help to whiten the work. If the colour is very bad, a little chloride of. lime or bleaching liquor can be used; but the solution must be weak and the work washed in cold water after treating, and previous to ordinary washing. . - If linoleum, when new, is varnished on the back and allowed to thoroughly dry before laying, it will Jast much longer. If when you are baking anything the oven gets too hot, .put in a basin of cold water instead of leaving the dcor open. This cools the oven and the steam. rising from the water prevents the contents burning. - .'"'.•. Stained floors need hardly ever be touched with a wet cloth if they are rubbed over every day with a brush over which a paraffin rag has been used. An apron of white marble oilcloth worn while washing clothes or dishes saves the wear of dresses and the laundry bill. Home-made jams do not become candied at the top if the pots are covered while the jam is still hot. Two easy ways of keeping preserves air-tight are by painting both sides of. parchment paper with boiled starch or with a thin flour paste. The covers should be large enough to come well down round the sides of the jars ; also, the storage place should be quite free from damp. A few drops of glycerine in the proportion of a teaspoonrul to a pound of flour makes a cake light and feathery. A good cream for furniture is made as follows: —Take one ounce of bees* wax, one ounce of white wax, one-ounce of Castille soap, half a pint of turpentine, and the same' quantity of water. Shred the solid ingredients finely into a Jar and add the boiling water. Stir till melted, then while still warm, but not hot, add the turpentine and mix well together. The effect on furniture polished with this preparation is excellent.

—To Wash Woollen Jerseys and Chamois '■■• ; Gloves.— :.. For woollen jerseys have ready a good warm soap lather. Douse the jersey very thoroughly in x it. Rinse it well twice in warm water. Wring as dry as possible, being careful not to drag any part. Shako it out thoroughly far two or three minutes, holding it by the- shoulders. Then place it on a coat-hanger, being careful not to pull the- collar out-of shape.- (Be sure to choose a good drying day for the process.) For chamois gioves nave ready a good, warm soap lather. Place the gloves onf the hands,and clean them as if washing the hands. Take them off, turn them inside out, put them on again go, and repeat the process,.... Re-turn and "rinse" in a fresh bowl .of lather. Do not wash the scap out, as this keeps them soft and' pliable. Hang them out to dry in the open, and pull them carefully into shape when still half dry. They will then appear like new!' —To Bottle FruitHave the fruit clean and dry. It should not be picked after rain, and it must be fresh and quite sound. To each quart of water allow from half a pound to one pound of sugar," according to the acidity of the fruit,to be bottled, "fioil the sugar and'water together for 20 minutes. Put the fruit into screw-top jars, packing it as closely as possible without bruising it. "Fill the bottle with the syrup, which, should have been allowed to. get nearly cold,: Fill the bottles: quite. full, put on the rubber ring, and screw down the lide about half tight. Stand the bottles in a boiler or deep fish kettle,_ raising them by means of -a wire rack or frame of some kind off the bottom of the kettle. Pour, hot water round them until it comes about three-auarters up the side of the bottle. Bring the water to the boil gradually, and continue boiling until the fruit looks soft but not broken. Screw bottles down tight, and leave till nearly cold; then, if possible, screw them tighter. Again; when cold try to screw theni tighter still. Stand all the bottles upside down for a couple of ' hours. If any. leak, the fruit in : -them should be used ouickly, as it willnot keep.' The others should be stored in a cool, dry airy place. Fruit may also be bottled in the ordinary way by using plain boiling water instead of syrup, without in any way affecting the keeping quality of the" fruit, though, the syrup is preferable. When using bottled fruits which have been put up in water, open the jar and drain off the * liquid into a saucepan. Add the desired quantity of sugar, bring to simmering heat, let the sugar thoroughly dissolve, then pour the syrup over the fruit, which should have been carefully turned into a bowl, and let it stand for two or three hours before serving.