A LETTER FROM HOME.

Otago Witness, Issue 3972, 29 April 1930, Page 60

A LETTER FROM HOME.

By

A Wanderer.

(Special foe the Otago Witness.) Vanity Street. LONDON, March G. We have Madeleine in a very useful

mood this week, for she offers ns a most excellent suggestion for utilising a cardigan that has been placed on the retired list. It is particularly interesting to the sports girl who has need for any amount of these things. All you have to do is to remove the sleeves and slit the coat down the front as illustrated. Buy some contrasting wool (the gayer the better!) and work blanketstitch all round the edges. The flowers are not nearly so elaborate as they.seem, for they are purposely executed in what might be called a crude style, in keeping " 'th the thick wool and material, and they merely consist of long single stitches and a cluster of French knots in the middle—the kind of thing that can be undertaken with impunity bv anybody who can use a needle. Quite apart from the sports side, a little coat like this would be excellent to slip on in the house, both for warmth and for the purpose of livening up a dark dress. And then we come to something much more elaborate—a lace and georgette dress with a crinoline suggestion. 0 As you will see, it consists of live flounces of lace which are sewn on a georgette foundation, and the lower part of the

bodice reveals the georgette, which is also combined with the lace in the flowing collar. * This design was sketched from a beige lace model, but naturally any colour could be employed with equal effect. Although it looks soihewhat luxurious, a frock such as this need not really be frightfully expensive if copied with care by oiie of those useful “little” dressmakers—and it is well within the scope of the most accomplished of that fraternity. Reflections.

Having missed the first night of Noel Coward’s “ operetta ” (as he likes to call it), “Bitter Sweet,” it was only natural that in the way of these things I did not see it until last week. I should imagine that this astoundingly beautiful production has done much to counterbalance, the Albert Memorial, in that it emphasises the attractive side of the

Victorian era! If anybody had told me that I should have set entranced while about two dozen couples consisting of ladies in bustles and little satin boots and men with the appearance of beiii" slightly stuffed, as was the mode in the last century, danced the polka in a highspirited jigging manner, I should have strongly denied the possibility of such a thing; but I did—and, like the rest of the audience, demanded more! Everything in “Bitter Sweet,” with its two outstanding songs which must have reached you by this time—l’ll See You Again ” and the intriguing “ I Believe—” —everything is so absolutely effective that one doesn’t really get a chance for sane reflection until a few days after. Now I am at that point, somethin" has struck me and shed a light upon why, although the Victorian frocks were obviously accurate and made no attempt to compromise with modern fashions, the wearers looked so mucji prettier than photographs of their contemporaries would indicate. It is because, however much they may have stuck to the correct frocks, they did not rigidly adopt the dreadful modes of hair-dressing patronised by the Late Victorians and Early Edwardians. The general outline was theie, it is true; but there was an absence of that “onion net” appearance in the coiffures which just made all the difference. Very justifiable artistic licence! Is That So?

I was not surprised to see it recorded that so far this year there have been no less than six fashionable engagements cancelled after announcement.” I mean that I was not surprised to see the grand total to date, because in the two months of this year broken romances seem to have been mounting up steadily, and one hardly picks up a paper without readin" that dry but dramatic little announcement, so vital to the destinies of at least two—if not four—people, to the effect that the marriage arranged will not take place. The few old ladies in our midst may waggle their heads wisely and say that these broken romances are due to the precipitancy with which the modern couple cuter into a state of betrothal, but I am sure this is not so, if only for the reason that nobody will deny the modern youn" man’s pronounced reluctance to phnme into the sea of matrimony! No - I belon" to that faction which applauds those who have the sense to see that they have made a mistake, and the strength of mind to backpedal before it is too late. On tne psychological side, I remember reading only a few weeks ago the report of a 1 egistrar who said that any amount of ordinary people decide not to get married after they have taken out the licence and seen their names thereon, and I am wondering whether, in somewhat more exalted social spheres, the reaction to seeing themselves coupled in cold print may not be the same in the case of let iis say a guardee and a Bright Youn" Hung! “ ' °

The Street of Adventure. riting of modern matrimonial conditions, I am reminded of the latest novel by Cosmo Hamilton, whose picture

you have herewith. Mr Hamilton is, as perhaps you know, brother of another t-imous writer in a different vein, Sir 1 lnhp Gibbs, and every novel that comes from his pen I decide I like better than the last. This, however, may be due to the fact that he has an intriguin" way of touching upon recent events and introducing personalities of the moment in the course of his little chats round ns characters—a method which invests Ins stories with additional interest. In ■’ lhe Pleasure House,” just relinquished by me with a sigh, we have this little ironic ( commentary on modern journa- •. • • tllc inevitable publicity—-1-ifty-eight Marries Seventeen,’ • Veteran anber Weds Colonels Schoolgirl .Daughter, the opinions of bishops, deans women - writers, dramatists, bi"-"aine nnnteis, tennis champions, the leader of the Bright Young People, and Jix ” I have no space to tell you the plot of Hie Pleasure House,” nor would I, for it is the kind of book 5-011 must read for yourselves. Suflice it to sav that theie is an adorable dog character who 01 which keeps up a running comn'entary on his young mistress's actions; that there is the usual Hamilton insi"ht and sentiment entirely devoid of mawkishness, and that you must put it on the list. And for those who. like a nice murder, or who possess husbands who enjoy a little sleuthing from a comfortable chair, let me recommend “Murder on the Marsh, ’ by John Ferguson. Try Thia.

If you are what is known as “ partial ” to mayonnaise, you should try this one for fish or veal. In the case of fish a piece .of cold boiled salmon is excellent. Boil two or three fresh eggs for a quarter of an hour; when cold, pound the yolks smooth with one teaspoonful of flour of mustard, one saltspoonful of salt; then add the beaten yolks of two fresh e""s and go on pounding until a pasters achieved. By degrees—and this is essential!—drop in six tablespoonsful of salad oil, also three teaspoonsful of

tarragon and four of ordinary vinegar. Stir all this until the mixture leaches the constistency of cream, after which you should put it in a very cool place —preferably on ice—for an hour at least. You do not need me to emphasise the point that to make mayonnaise successfully one must not be in a hurry; but it is worth the time and trouble, for no bottled brand—however good—is quite the same as the “ home-made ” variety. The recipe I have given you is equally suitable for fowl or game; and von always require, if possible, a garnish of lettuce.