RANDOM READINGS.

Waikato Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 2608, 10 April 1926, Page 3

RANDOM READINGS.

TRUFFLE HUNTING, Truffles belong pre-eminently to the central and southern parts of Europe, although they occur occasionally in the East and in some parts of America. Of European countries Italy lias them in the greatest profusion, and so dearly are they valued there that tho same precautions are taken against truffle poaching as against game poaching in England. The truffles of France, however, are the largest and most delicate flavoured in the world. In England, and also on the Continent, in local)’ • ties in which they are known to grow, trained dogs are employed to discover their whereabouts In France and Italy pigs are employed for the same purpose. From youth upwards these animals are fed on the daintiest morsels, and nothing is given that might spoil their carefully fostered taste. The honors as regards delicacy of scent seem pretty equally divided between the truffle dog and the truffle pig, though many experts prefer the former as being more amenable to reason. • CUSTOMS OF CUBAN WOMENGradually Cuban women are breaking away from customs which have surrounded them for centuries; gradually they are becoming more independent. There are many, however who spend much time in the United States, and while there adopt American ways, vet immediately upon their return fall into the habits of their countrymen. Now a,nd then Cuban girls,, are seen in the streets without chaperons. Invariably . 'they explain that they have been so much’in the States that they have become accustomed to going about alone. On the other hand, some that go about alone in large cities never do so in Havana'. They take someone with them, even 1 if it is only a child. A Cuban lady does not go shopping, and the presence of an America 1i lady in a store is noted with surprise. Until Americans went to Havana, there was no calling in the daytime. That was all clone in the evening. Some, of them arc now adopting the way -of making the first call on the newcomer; But many wait until the stranger calls on them. A young woman never receives a male visitor,,as the idea of chaperonage is .as strict as ever. It docs not seem, to qccur to most families that young -peopld would enjoy talking to .each other without including all of the members of the family in the conversation. Young Cubans become better acquainted at chances than anywhere else. A girl does not even receive her-fiancee alone. The whole world knows. that the couple are engaged, for the windows., are thrown'open so that all passers-by may see the lovers sitting side by side, with the dozing chaperon near by. Marriage does not bring much more freedom to a woman than she had befoqe. A young married woman does not walk alone. She does nqt dance with any other man titan her husband, or a near relative, nor does her husband dance with other women. Should she chance to meet a male acquaintance in the street, he would not turn and walk with her. It would embarrass her if tie did. Nor would a Cuban woman walk in the street with a man .other than her husband or a relative, even were he a guest in her home. WIVES AND HOUSEWIVES. A goad wife should be a good, housewife, but a good housewife is not necessarily a good wife. We know, according - to the cynics at least, that the best way to a man’s love is through his digestive organs; and, be this true or not, it must be confessed that a bad dinner is a trial to a man’s affections, especially if often repeated. But no one with any idea about his own comfort likes the wife to be entirely merged in the housewife, the woman he has chosen as companion and friend to be wholly given over to the work of the. house without any time or thought for anything- else. The happy medium is what is . wanted —the wife that is a sufficiently good housewife to make the daily wheels nan well and smoothly, "and yet one that has time to spare, at least for her. husband, fijom her housekeeping cares. No inau likes to be set aside even for the things which make for hi's own comfort, and the woman who is always busy when her husband wants her, too busy to heed him, who is always occupied and must not be, disturbed when hq.w'buld take her for a walk, is running a great xisk of alienating' his affections, and of making him seen his pleasure elsewhere than in hei society. Just give a little heed tc the matter we hint at here, and it may be for the good of many estimable women, who yet are not quite living the best of life possible for them because they are too wrapped up in “the trivial round the common task.” TEfACH HOSPITALITY. ! Encourage your children to be hospitable from early childhood as far as, you can. Let them have little,teas and birthday parties and invite their; playfellows. It will help them to learn the- charming grace of hospitality, and to develop and practise the social manners which will .stand them in good stead iater iii life. Childhood is th« ■boat time to acquire the spirit of hosfor the chicks are naturally inaßaerans-iuMwrtcd and unseif-conscu>u>