‘’ALIEN’S” LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 55

‘’ALIEN’S” LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

{Specially Written for the Ladies’ Page.) LONDON, May 30. It is still raining. It must have been a summer like this when Dickens wrote “Bleak House,” for when he follows the Deadlocks t-o their country' house he begins his chapter with, “It is still raining down in Lincolnshire.” ffince the summer of the drought it appears to have done little else but rain not only in Lincolnshire, but all England over. Sure, the Irishman is getting his wish that we might have winter in summer. Every night now there are three or four dances, both private and subscription, and the vogue for all seems t-o be white dresses white diamonds or pearls. Many women are having their jewels reset in the new style of a long diamond chain of the length of a rope of pearls, and pearls are frequently worn in three-stranded necklaces. Bo silver dresses are among the smartest for evening year, and set off the blonde type of woman particularly. The Duchess of Northumberland, who is tall and fair, looked charming at her ball in aid of the Invalid Children’s Association, where she helped Lady Titchfield to receive, wearing a gown of silver lace over white perfectly simple and straight in line. It cannot be said that the English woman of to-day is a dowdy in dress. A glance round any of the big functions of the season will contradict adverse criticism. And the smart tailored coats and skirts for morning with bright turban hats are as picturesque in their way as evening gowns. Tea-time to-day usually means dancing and an occasion for pretty frocks—deep red is a shade often chosen for tea dances. Among interesting debutantes who will make their first curtsey to the King and Queen, will be Lady Rachel Howard, the eldest daughter of the Duchess of Norfolk, and her cousin, Miss Margaret Drummond, daughter of Sir Eric and Ladv Drummond. Another to be presented is the Hon. Mrs Arthur Howard, daughter of Mr Stanley Baldwin, the new Prime Minister. The retirement of Mr Bonar Law front the Premiership, quite apart from the political aspect, has made a swift change iu who’s who in society. The new hostess at 10 Downing street- and at Chequers—the official country residence of the Prime Minister —Mrs Stanley Baldwin, has been described as “a very average, sensible, capable Englishwoman. A handsome, middle-aged woman with married daughters, and already a grandmother. “She is one to whom you instinctively turn when you want sound, honest advice . . . of remarkable personality. . . a woman you would turn to look twice at- withoutquite knowing why you did so.” She will not hold the brilliant court of Mrs Asquith, nor yet the “homely” 10 Downing street of Mrs Lloyd George, hut her history as wife of the Prime Minister will probably be distinctive. She is the daughter of the late Mr E. S. J. Reds dale, of Rotliiigdean, near Brighton, and during the war was the chief of a hospital for soldiers near Stonrport. Sir Baldwin, the now welcomed Prime Minister, has famous relatives. His uncle and grandfather and great-grandfather were famous Wesleyan ministers, from whom are descended Sir Philip Burne-Jones, Riudvard Kipling (a cousin of Mr Baldwin)’, and Sir Edward Poynter, all men of note. The King and Queen are to be present at. the marriage of the Marquis of Worcester, son and heir of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, and la-dv Mary Cambridge, elder daughter of the Marquis and Marchioness of Cambridge and niece of the Queen. The Duke' and Duchess of York were to have been present, but owing to the whooping cough of the Duchess their presence is now uncertain.

New Zealand’s Victoria Cross winners receive among them an annual grant of £7O. Dunedin grocers report- big business at the “NO-RUBBING” Laundry Help counters (shilling a time) —Advt.