SOCIAL NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20217, 19 September 1935, Page 12

SOCIAL NOTES

Mr and Mrs S. Morrison, Wellington, are staying at the Grosvenor. Mr and Mrs C. G. Forbes, Hakataramea, are staying at the Dominion. Mrs R. L. Wigley, Highfield, is spending a few days in Christchurch. Miss B. Thompson and Miss E. D. Bannerman, Christchurch, are staying at the Empire. Mr and Mrs T. Hislop, Wellington, who were staying at the Grosvenor. left for the north yesterday. Miss O’Brien and Miss Loo Cartwright, Orbell Street, have returned from a visit to Christchurch. Miss Hunter-Weston who has bedh staying at “Highthorne,” will return to Dunedin to-day. Mr and Mrs S. R. Stedman and Miss Stedman, Levin, are staying at the Grand. Captain arid Mrs Neill Rattray, who have been on a trip to England, returned yesterday to Waimate. Lieutenant V. F. Boyle and Mrs Boyle, Wai-iti Road, are staying with Mrs George Dennistoun, Peel Forest. Mrs James Grant, “Gray’s Hills,” Mackenzie Country, who has been staying with Mrs A. Grant, “Aigantighe,” Wai-iti Road, returned home yesterday. Convent embroideries worked by Continental nuns used to be regarded as the finest and most beautiful in the world (says a London writer). Trousseaux and bridal linen for which exquisite stitchery was required were, until comparatively recently, sent across to Belgium and France to oe worked, and only a very few Englisn embroidresses were entrusted with what were regarded as special orders. Now, since the revival of needlework in this country, led by the Queen and other members of the Royal family, beautiful stitchery is being done by members of various guilds which exist, for the encouragement of hand embroidery and fine sewing in this country. There is on exhibtion in London a wonderful altar frontal for Durham Cathedral, which has been worked in crimson and golden threads by a band of English needlewomen. It is intended for the Bede altar, and is worked with Spanish floral designs and golden braids. Dominion visitors to London frequently comment on the fact that the Ipuchess of York is so often accompanied by her two children without a nurse, and also on the utter simplicity of the clothes worn by the little Princesses. In the Dominions children figure very largely in the social lives of their mothers. Nannies are an almost unheard of luxury, and it is the firm opinion of overseas people that a better understanding between the generations is thus reached. The old fashion of leaving children entirely in the hands of nurses, save for a daily formal glimpse, is a thing of the past, and both the Princess Royal and the Duchess of York are leaders in this respect. In dress they have made simplicity the keynote. People who catch sight of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose playing in the Park in plain cotton frocks and sun hats must compare them very favourably with some of the unfortunate, over-dressed little people who make a daily pilgrimage to the Round Pond. Dame Madge Kendal, whose death was announced this week was not only one of the most versatile and accomplished actresses of her generation, but a woman of very fine character and charming personality. She strongly opposed anything she considered likely to lower the dignity of the theatrical profession, the status of which she and her husband had done so much to improve. In July, 1926, the award to her of the title of Dame of the British Empire was the most popular feature of the birthday honours. She gave a fine portrait of Kemble, by Sir Thomas Lawrence, to the Savage Club in 1926, and was elected an honorary member. She had met many famous people. As a child she was introduced to Grisi and Mario, and Henry Russell wrote a song for her. Later she sang a duet with Sims Reeves in “Guy Mannering.” Among her friends in her early days were Jenny Lind, Macready, Mrs Kemble, Charles Dickens, and George Eliot. As an octog marian she complained of the sheep-like way in which modern women followed fashions. They all dressed alike, she said, and she could not recognise any of her friends at a glance. In 1933, at the age of 84, she spoke the part of Rosalind in “As You Like It” (in which she first appeared 65 years before) to make a record for broadcasting. She also appeared in person sometimes before the microphone, as vivacious as ever.