NOT SO VERY MODERN

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

NOT SO VERY MODERN

/.COCKTAILS OF LONG AGO. The modem girl fondly imagines that smoking is a newish pleasure as far as women are concerned (states a writer in the Manchester Guardian). But in the cotton-manufacturing districts Of England the old ladies of the nineties liked a whiff l of a clay pipe, and did not shirk acquaintance with the blackest of thick twist. They sat on their doorsteps and cut and rolled the tobacco in their palms like experts, which indeed they were. One pre-War lady in better circumstances than most of these old ladies smoked strong cigars. If the old women could not afford tobacco they made the best Of aromatic herbs, such as camomile and dried coltsfoot leaves. many men mixed herbs with their tobacco for the sake of economy. Snuff-taking was also a common habit among some of the older operatives. They knew nothing of cocktails, but they perhaps found the equivalent in “fettled stout,” which was merely porter with the hot poker stuck into it to give it a tang, and, it was supposed to impart some of the tonic virtues of iron. A standard remedy for a bad cold was a jug of ale warmed and spiced with nutmeg, and a spoonful of-butter added to “gr’ase t’ throttle.” This must not be Confused with “mulled ale,” which was purely a convivial luxury, and was a mixture of all sorts of things, including eggs. It could be best made in a conical vessel, which was poked point downward in the fire.

Cosmetics were taboo, and their presence Was held to denote unquestionable virtue. Macassar oil could be allowed to strengthen and give brilliance to the hair, but lipstick and powder were unknown. Beads were prized, not so much fdr their decorative value, but because they were supposed to prevent sore throats—especially coral beads. Many ladies Wore tiny lockets containing a piece of camphor to ward away fevers and contagious diseases. * It is imagined that young moderns have discovered a disturbing frankness of ex-

pression, but the working-class women of the 90’s were not reticent in discussing their own peculiar problems. It never occurred to them that there was any reason for anything else.