Our Ladies’ Letter

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 30, 2 June 1923, Page 2

Our Ladies’ Letter

I)e.ir Toma ; — Ugh! how very cold it is, and what rain. If we arc nob careful the Patca; will overflow. Wo shall have to get out our gondolas. Cold wind makes one think of H. O. Wells’ book, “Hji story of Mr Polly.” Poor Mr Polly, the east wind always made Iris tefctii seem loose in his head, and his skin feel like a misfit, and Ids hair a ury, stingy exasperation! Hava you road Mr Polly? It is most quaint. It is a mystery how Wells can .persuade you to lie, and, in fact, make vou interested for the nonce in

much a man as Mr Polly. You hate him all tho time, but must go on reading about all his Agarics. He is great on a. wet day. Have you over oomc across a publication called tho “Yellow Book?” It was an illustrated quarterly, purporting to be ultra-smart and up-to-date, indeed rather before tho date than up lo it. It only appeared seven times. Whether it was too good to bo true or bust, L don’t know. It was published by HI kin Mathews and John Lane. That fact, of course, gives it a, certain cashet, and all tho wollkuown authors contributed. But I like tho “Yellow Book” nob.

I read Barrow’s “Lavengro” onao more, recently. How graphically lie describes different scenes and characters. it is a most extraordinary book, don’t you think so? I Hike ix better titan his “Romany Rye.” Collier was right wjien ho wrote that “Books are a guide in youth (.given good ones) and an ontenainment for agfe. They support us under solitude and keep us from becoming a burden to ourselves. They li|.Tp us to forget tho crossness of mien (says nothing about women) and tilings, compose our cares and lay our disappouitments asleep. When wo are weary of the living wo may repair to the dead, who have nothing of peevishness, pride, or design in their conversation.”

Poor old Charles Lamb, tired of Iloml.ng Ids books, threatened to chain Wordsworth’s poems to his shelves, adding-—“ For of those who borrow some road slow; some mean to.road; and some neither i(ead or moan to read, but borrow to leave you an opinion of their sagacity.” No wonder ho was worried, as borrowed books are so rarely returned, anyhow; never returned as they wont forth in all their pristine beauty. Butler says: “There is a kind of physiognomy in the title of books, no loss than in the faces of men, by which a skilful observer will as well know what to expect from the one as the other.” I am not so suit of that after -U, Often the titles on books are very misleading, what sounds iiione sillier than “Lalage’s Lovers,” yet it is one of that delightful Birmingham's best. J also love “Minnie’s Bishop" by the same author. Yon remtomber Minnie, what a delicious minx she was. MU this talk about books, the reading, and lending, not to mention the borrowing thereof, shows the weather has bcfeii none too propitious for golf. By tho way, the last ladies’ match (’bogey) Mrs* Glasgow 'tied with Mrs Lyons.

Mrs D. J. Malone went to ’Wellington on Monday. One almost hoars tho distant echo of wedding bells. Mrs L. Webster has returned from New Plymouth for the opening of S. Mary’s School,

. Mrs Avery is expected at the end of tlijo week.

Mr.'s S. Macalister lias returned after a gay jaunt to the metropolis. Mrs Carey has left us for Hawcra not half such a gay spot as our ohvn httlo village. According ‘to tin’s monf h-s “Triad” it is a doleful imhotwaterbd city.

Not so many little flutters round the baize. The flutters this week ueio fluttered at Mrs Spence’s, Mrs Lyons’, Mrs King’s, and on Tuesday "jo ■ S: '‘'d ad eu to Mrs Carey at Mrs Glasgow’s. Those present were Mrs H. Abraham, Mrs Caity, Mrs A. W. Budge, Mrs Uni a. ke, Mrs Buthertu"d, Mrs S. Pitt, Mrs L. Curtis. The '■osult was: Mrs Uniacko Ist, Mrs. Glasgow 2nd, Mrs Carey 3rd. A most enjoyable evening was spent. Tim N. 55. Academy of Art had a vory fine collection to hang Ibis year. T believe hundreds were turned down the standard of the work exhibited '"fas vory high, so you tell me. A saunter through the exhibition would do us all good, that is, if wo like painting.

Buff pudding is very nice. Mix one pint milk, 1 saltspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoonfuls of flour, t : il smooth. Stir over the fire until thick ronrovo from the fire and stir in two tabiospoonfuls of sugar, a little grated lemon i>cel and throe ozs. of butter Mhjeu the mixture is quite cold, stir iin three eggs well beaten. Line a. pie dish with puff paste, turn in the mixture and bake in a quick oven for Monty minutes. Put in a few •spoonfuls of marmalade or other jam on itlio top of the pudding and serve either hot or cold.