AT HOME WITH THE LADY EDITOR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue XIX, 12 May 1894, Page 454

AT HOME WITH THE LADY EDITOR.

Under this heading I am very pleased to reply to all queries that are genuine and helpful to the querist and others. Kindly write on one side of the paper only, and address to the Lady Editor. ' Sweet Nancy.—Yes, you are quite right; I am very much interested in all that concerns woman’s work, and would certainly like to help you if possible. As you object to your husband’s lady typewriter, I should advise you to learn typewriting yourself. When you are thoroughly proficient—that is, can write quickly, clearly, and well—tell your husband, and offer him your services. Do not insult and vex him by inferior work, for no one nowadays cares for anything but the very best. And you have no right to expect your husband to put up with bad work and the bother of it merely because the worker is his wife. On the other hand, any decent husband will appreciate bis wife’s efforts to assist him and will try to second her good intentions by every means consistent with getting his important work done properly. • Miss B ’ —You hardly tell me enough about your troubles. Have you tried systematic gymnastic exercise? There were some directions (illustrated) given in the early numbers of this year’s Graphic, which should prove of use to you, They would certainly benefit your figure. In London there is a college for teaching ladies gymnastics, also for instructing them in massage, the two being combined. The lady principal bslisves in no stays, divided undergarments, over which an ordinary dress is worn, plenty of fresh air, cricket, regular figure-developing exercises, plain, good food—plenty of it—and turns out in two years girls who are physically fit for anything. They usually become teachers of gymnastics or masseuses themselves, and the lady principal will not allow them to accept less than £lOO a year to begin with. That, in England, is a good deal, you know. Far more attention ought to be paid to the physical development of our girls. The mind is now cultivated at the expense of the body, and the next generation must deteriorate. Look at the immense number of young married ladies who have to place themselves in the doctor’s hands for reasons which should not exist were they properly looked after and taught. I was quite astonished the other day to discover the extent of women’s ignorance about themselves in New Zealand. Their mothers are much to be blamed. ‘ A Housekeeper.’—lf you live near scoria, you will find a small handful will clean your water bottles better than anything else. Put inside with a little water, shake, and rinse well. ‘ May H.’—l do not think you have any right at all to open your husband’s letters without his permission. Nor, on the other hand, should he open yours. It is better to come to a definite understanding on this point at once, otherwise it will always be a source of annoyance. Family letters are frequently read aloud, but the one to whom they are addressed has certainly the right to open them and read them first. I cannot give you the name of my correspondent ; it would not be fair. A good cuie for sunburn is two parts of sweet oil and one of limewater.