AT HOME WITH THE LADY EDITOR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 48, 28 November 1891, Page 639

AT HOME WITH THE LADY EDITOR.

1 have so many nice letters before me that I must answer some of them forthwith. Any fresh correspondents are gladly welcomed, anil whenever the query does not apply to cookery, it will be answered as far as possible in this column. And here I wish to express my hearty thanks to those kind ladies who assist nre by their recipes and hints. TO clean kid gloves. ‘ln reply to “ Economy’s ” query in GRAPHIC of October 21st, the way I clean my kid gloves is in the following manner :—Choose a bright sunny day, put the glove on the hand, and rub the dirty part with a soft flannel dipped in milK, with a little Windsor soap. Be sure and stand in the sun, as the kid will turn yellow if not dried quickly. Can you give me any ideas for bazaars’ The little Merrythought slaves in Graphic of October 17th is a very good one. We do so enjoy your paper. The number we get is passed round to three families after we have finished with it.’— Amy.

‘Amy, No. 2.’ —Will you be good enough to choose an other nom-de plume, as one of my correspondents has taken this? Many thanks for your encouraging letter and answer. 1 do not greatly dote on bazaars, but I fear they are a necessary evil in the present state of civilisation. In the Marlborough letter of October 29th (I think) ‘ Jean ’ gives an excellent suggestion about basket teas. Did you see it’ I think that would be splendid for a bazaar, say for five o’clock tea. Or you might suggest to the gentlemen that they would get a nice picnic meal at six o'clock by buying a basket and enjoying a tete a tete feast with the lady whose name appeared inside it. I rather fancy it would be difficult to procure baskets of a similar pattern, and I would suggest pretty card-board boxes made of a uniform size, but covered with any silk, plush, or cretonne or painted, as individual taste might dictate. Perhaps ‘Jean' would kindly say in her next letter whether this would answer the purpose. A pretty idea for the general appearance of a bazaar is to have each stall represent a particular country and to have the goods as far as possible in keeping with the nationality represented. Of course, the ladies’ dresses must correspond. For instance, take France. You might have one half of the stall quite Parisian ; the daintiest of millinery, children’s pinafores, aprons, etc., with a very ‘ Worth ’ costumed young lady in attendance. The other half might be more bourgeois, the young lady being dressed as a Bretagne peasant, or French fish wife, which is such a very becoming style. The Japanese stall needs no description, and the costumes are easily made, and very effective. Those funny Japanese dolls, fans, etc., will at once rise before your mind. An Indian stall, with pretty bamboo hangings and furniture ; a Swiss stall with lots of carved animals, book cases, paper-knives, which will employ all your uncles’, cousins’, ami brothers’ spare carving moments for some time, and will make a fretsaw a coveted object, will be very useful as well as pretty. A New Zealand stall might be made very effective, especially if yon can find a dark girl who is willing to allow her face to be tattooed in Indian ink. It won’t hurt, and will easily wash off. Another bazaar idea is to have each of the stalls to represent a special Hower, and have all the articles, knitted socks, jackets, pincushions, etc., etc , of the same shade of colour. ' The lights at night must be covered with shades —which can be sold—to harmonise or match. That is all I can think of at present. Perhaps some reader will be able to give us a few more new ideas. ear-rings. ‘Mina.’—l have made various inquiries about these ornaments, and find that the latest fashion is to wear them very small, and in gold. They fit so close to the ear that any

hole would be quite hidden. I am sorry your ears have been badly pierced, but if you do not strain them by a heavy ear-ring, I fancy the holes will grow less. I saw one pair for 7s 6d which would, 1 should think, just suit your case. Do you know thelittlered field pimpernel’ at least you know the garden forget-me-not. Well, they are just that shape and size in plain gold. More expensive ones had a pearl in the centre; others, still more e >stly, a diamond. One pair, just the same size, was round like a shoe-button ; another was shaped like a Maltese cross. One pretty pair, but largei, though still fitting tlaton to the ear, represented a Japanese fan, al*out half an inch in length of chased gold. Silver is not worn now, though no doubt it will come in again. Your friends will now be able to m ike you a pretty Christmas present of dainty ear-rings. If lean help you again I shall he very pleased to do so. SILK GLOVES. ‘ Alice' sends the following excellent hint :—After slight wear, silk gloves stretch, look baggy, and slovenly. An easy remedy is to turn them inside out and resew each seam very carefully, taking in a little. ANSWERS TO LITERARY CORRESPONDENTS. ‘ Maude.’—l have read your poetry, ami consulted two authorities before answering you. I am sorry that we all agree that at present you have not caught the spirit of true poetry. I own that some of the original poems we publish are not quite a la Tennyson, but they generally contain a promise of future improvement, or are the work of little tots under twelve. I think you had better study some of our good poets before attempting more. I hope you will not think me cruel.