LONDON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 34, 22 August 1891, Page 302

LONDON.

Dear Bee, July 10. I am sorry to notice that Lady Violet Greville says that * the womanliness of woman is on the decline.’ The modern society woman smokes and gambles, and speculates quietly in stocks and shares, even ‘ betting unobtrusively ’ by telegram and telephone. This revelation of the pastimes of les grandes dames has been made in consequence of the celebrated baccarat case, in which, as you have doubtless heard, two ladies were, most unfortunately, mixed up. But lam thankful to say there are still many womanly women even amongst those who have to mingle with all sorts of men in earning their daily bread, and who are, invariably, treated with respect. Did you know that again the highest place in the Moral Science Tripos at Cambridge is held by a woman ’ Miss A. H. Blomefield, of Newnham College, stands alone in the second division of the first class, no mule candidate at all being placed in the first class. The Royal Red Cross, so deservedly won by Mrs Grimwood, consists of a crimson cross, gold edged, and bearing the words, ‘ Faith, Hope, and Charity.’ It is attached to a bow of dark blue ribbon edged with red, worn on the left shoulder. I must say I think that for once the Victoria Cross should have been given to a lady. No man ever earned it more signally than has this brave lady. Present-giving to Royalty is a heavy tax on the ladies of England. Not only have handsome gifts to be offered on the occasion of a wedding, but now that a second celebration of the tying of the nuptial knot, in the shape of silver weddings, has been inaugurated, a fresh demand for subscriptions for a present is made. Two silver weddings in the Royal family are very close together—those of the Duke and Duchess of Teck, and of Prince and Princess Christian. One gift for the former consists of jewellery and a grand piano for the Duchess, a horse and trappings for the Duke, while for the latter the ladies of England are giving a diamond and pearl ornament, suitable for either a necklet or a tiara. A City Mouse.