WOMAN'S WORLD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7417, 31 May 1902, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD.

The Countess Eiaz was /a tegular Bonanza while she stayed an New Zealand. She spent no less than £3000 daring £he three month's she wss in the colony, and left an order with the Maori carvers at Rotorua to make her a carved Maori house. It is to cost between £300 and £400, and when finished is to be seni to her London address. Lady Butler ia probably the only English artist for whose sole benefit a cavalry charge was ordered. When she was painting her stirring picture " Scotland for Ever," she one day expressed a regret that' she had never seen 'a body of cavalry in the act of charging, : with the result that x a general in whose hearing she had spoken ) arranged that a charge should take place for her special benefit. Miss Stella Henderson, M.A., of Canterbury College (now Mrs Allan), who took the degree of LL.B, some two or three years ago, was the first lady in Australasia to* take a law degree and qualify as a lady lawyer. Sydney now boasts a lady LL.B. in Miss Evans, who took that degree this year. Miss Evans comes of a family of lawyers for generations on her mother's side. Among the lucky English youngsters who will inherit vast wealth is the three-year-old Marquis of Blandford, eldest son of the Duke of Marlborough. Some day this little boy will be twice a prinoe, a duke, a marquis, twice an earl and twice a baron. He. will also rule over 20,300 acres of land, ba lord of Blenheim Palace, and will inherit a good share of the Vanderbilt millions. When staying at Brighton the Duchess of Fife lives the life of any private lady, and the pomps and ceremonies of her father' t Court in no way affect her liberty and enjoyment. She walks daily with her children, usually preferring the sands, and these strolls are shaxed by three dogs. It is a well-known ■fact that the Duchess is the most shy and retiring member of the Royal family, and the playful epithet bestowed upon her by Princess Charles of Denmark many years ago of "Her Royal Shyness" ia still a fitting one. As a rule) the Royalties of Europe are very badiy dressed. They have fine clothes and plenty of them; but they generally lack that cachet which is enjoyed by the reahy wellgarbed woman. The Queen of Holland forms an example . of one who has a particular fondness for adopting the unsuitable. She loves rich and coßvly fabrics, brilliant colourings, and many jewels — ail of which would be infinitely becoming to her in twenty years' time isays " Woman's Life"), 'ihe Queen Mother tried to exert her influence as much as possible "in persuading her daugmer to wear white on every occasion. But what is the use of being a Queen if one cannot do as one ukes? On a recent occasion the Church of Plougastel, in Brittany, was the scene of a marriage on a large scaie. No fewer than sixty-six couples were married by the Bishop of Quimper. According to the Breton custom the Bixty-six couples, dressed in picturesque national costume, went in procession to ihe church, which was reached! at nine o'clock, and after mass had been said the coupies were one after I another blessed by the , Bishop, the church meanwhile being thronged with visitor*, who came from all parts of the country to see the ceremony.*' Subsequently came the secular functions, when M. Nicolle, the Mayor, had to repeat sixty-six times the articles of the civic code. Lady Gwendolen Cecil, since the death of her mother, the late Lady Salisbury, has become a oentre of the universe to her distinguished and now aged and world-weary father. She is his constant and. sympathetic companion, and whether in town, or country seems rarely absent from his side. When Lord Salisbury does his due of daily exercise on a tricycle, the devoted daughter is always in attendance, riding by her father's side on a smart new-looking bicycle. The couple may be sometimes seen in the' Green Park during the hours before luncheon. Lady Gwendolen Cecil is no longer in her first youth, but she retains a siehderneas of figure and brightness of manner that will always do much to cheat the advance of time. The latest reoiuit to the ranks of the motor enthusiasts is a representative of European royalty. The Queen Regent of Spain has an automobile. She is fond of athletics, and a certain portion of her time each day is given up 10 recreation. Not very long ago Bomeone who. knew her Majesty's love for sport called her attention to the new vehicle. At first s .c was little interested, but when she was ii . „y induced to purchase an " auto " for .jc.-iv i she became devoted 10 it. Now she v continually in place of her carriage and jjiur. Recently, however, the Queen discovered that her favourite conveyance has tw Um.tationa. While riding in the hiliy part of France one day her "auto" came to grief. The motive power gave out and the journey had to be concluded in a waggon, the only other conveyance available.