LADIES’ GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 50

LADIES’ GOSSIP.

THE WORK OF A LADY MAYORESS. Lady Cooper, late Lady Mayoress of London, has contributed to a Home journal an interesting account of her official Experiences. The average day of a Lady Mayoress, as of a Lord Mayor, is, she says, chock full of activity. Not a minute is wasted. “The main object of a Lady Mayoress is to do useful work. Gone is a good deal of the pomp and circumstance of former days. Her duty is now not to be so much an ornament as a worker. Just as her husband labours untiringly in the performance of never-ending mayoral tasks, so his wife has a sphere hardly less wide and important. She has to fulfil a woman's part, and that is what I have consistently tried to do. It is strange how frequently people approach the Lady Mayoress with requests for favours which ought really to be addressed to her husband. I suppose the impression is that she is easier to manage. If the matter lay in my department I gave what help I could ; but I have never interfered in matters that did not concern me. Men hate women to mix themselves up in their affairs, and nothing is gained by forwardness. Besides, I had always plenty to do without undertaking work and decisions that pro perly belonged to the Lord Mayor. The management of the household was itself no light task. Entertaining, of course, ip on a fairly considerable scale at the MXnsion House. Luncheon parties there are attended by some of the most

notable people in the world. Not the least, pleasant part of my duties was tile arrangement oi these parties, and conversing with the exceedingly interesting people present. I gave up onice with the pleasantest memories of my year’s service, it has been strenuous to a degree, but in many respects it lias been a glorious privilege.” THE ROYAL KITCHEN AT WINDSOR CASTLE. This ancient kitchen still retains much of the equipment of long by-gone days. Jj’or seven centuries and more it has ministered right royally to the board of every Sovereign of England, and in spite of renewals and modern plumbing and lighting, King George sees his kitchen much as Plantagenet kings saw it. As the ancient door opens ponderously the eye is dazzled by tne glitter of the enormous copper pans and pans which Hash their ruddy fires around the walls. It is only when our eyes become accustomed to the glitter that we realise the vast proportions and the vaulted dignity of the room we have entered. At each end is an enormous range in which many a joint was cooked for the Mery Monarch and his fellow-revellers, each having a screen of oak fashioned in Stuart days. There are also, of course, modern stoves, miracles of scientific perfection, adapted to the most delicate cooking. The royal chef is a king of his craft, and directs the labours of a small army of cooks, assistant cooks, and other workers, each of whom, clad in spotless linen, discharges his or her duty with the precision of a highly-trained soldier. BRIGHTER DAYS FOR PARISIAN HOUSEWIVES. The scarcity of domestic servants is lessening in Paris; a Press correspondent notes that servants are now actually locking for employment. A new development, however, is that most of them want to sleep out. The idea is not popular with Parisian mistresses, but as the girls are prepared to accept much less than the fantastic prices which have been demanded recently, they will probably concede the request. Apparently many of the applicants think their return to domestic service will be only temporary, and that in better days to come they will be able to earn salaries as manual workers once more. WOMEN M.P.’S Great Britain has but one woman M.P., Australia and New Zealand none. Canada has three women members of State Parliaments. The United States has one woman member of Congress. Germany has elected ~30 women to the Reichstag, Austria has eight women in Parliament, and a very large number holding municipal offices. Denmark has four women in each House. Hungary has elected one woman at a by-election. Of the States which have been constituted since the war, Lithuania, Lettonia, and Esthonia have each five women in Parliament; Czecho-Slovakia has 13 women in the Lower House and three in the Upper Ukrania has nine women members, and Crimea five, one of whom is Vice-president of the Diet. Luxemburg has one woman in Parliament, Holland two, one in each chamber. A WOMAN CONSUL. Probably the first lady consul in the world is Mrs Diana Agabeg Apcar, appointed to represent the Republic of Armenia at Yokohama, Japan. She is a widow of 60, and has worked hard for her unfortunate country. RECORD YEAR FOR MARRIAGES IN SCOTLAND. During 1919 there were more marriages in Scotland than in any previous year. The total number was 44,137 —11,470 more than the average for the 10 preceding years. Three thousand of the brides and 1200 of the bridegrooms were under 20 years of age. COPPER FASHIONABLE. Copper is being much used for the adornment of dress in the form of beads and other trimmings. One evening dress was practically made of copper beads; it hung straight from the shoulders, being only slightly gathered in at a very low waist. Copper wool embroidery is much used on loose satin tunics; the contrasting materials show each other off, and it is possible to get deeper, softer tones in wool than in satin. Copper colour is also being carried into dress, accessories, such as bags, scarves, and umbrellas. The copper-coloured umbrella is very enlivening on a rainy day instead of the depressing black one. COTTON LEADS FOR CLOTHING. Experts reckon that 90 per cent, of the world’s clothing is made of cotton. In Oriental and tropical countries wool is little used for clothing. Silk, of course, is little used in comparison to other materials. HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS. Enamelled pans soon crack if they are washed in soda-water. To remove fat from hot soup, pour the soup through a clo4h that has been saturated with cold water. A fork should never be stuck into a steak or chop when frying or grilling, as it lets the juice out. When atoning raisins it ia a good plan to pour boiling water over them first, drain off quickly, and stone at once. A basin of water should be at hand to dip the fingers in. Never wash knives in very hot water. It is a good plan to have a large jar to stand them in, the water to be deep enough to wet the blades, but not the handles. Out up some cold potatoes in rather thick slices, and brush them over with milk. Dip them in a mixture of fine breadcrumbs, ourry powder, and chopped

parsley. Fried in hot fat, these are a I welcome addition to the breakfast bacon. If a small clock is beyond repair, do not throw it away, but set i-t aside for use in a sick roam.. After giving a patient medicine, turn the hands to the hour when next- the dose will be due. This is better than trusting to your memory. When making sponge cakes or sandwich cakes do not melt the butter, or the cakes will be “sad.” Mix the butter and sugar together until they are like cream. Cake mixture cannot be beaten too much. Pastry, on the other hand, should be touched as little as possible, and should always be mixed with a knife, not with the hands. When the pipe from the washing-up sink becomes clogged, mix a handful of e-oda and common salt together, force it the pipe, and leave for an hour or so - P 0 ™ - down slowly, a kethleful of boiling water. This will usually clear even the greasiest pipe.