WORK COLUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XXIV, 10 December 1898, Page 770

WORK COLUMN.

Personally, I never keep anything locked; I found the possession of keys added so much to the wear and tear of my existence, or rather their nonpossession at the time when they were needed, that I eame to the conclusion that it was better not to have a key at all than always to have it lost. Nevertheless, there are people who cling to these implements of defence. and they probably know how very easily these tiresome little articles can be mislaid. One has seen keyboards without number, but they always have such a resemblance to the build of the numbered plaque beside the desk of an hotel clerk that they are somewhat too official for ordinary

private use. The little design I give here for nailing up in one’s bedroom may be liked both for its utility and pretty form. It is made in the shape of a large key of bamboo, and can be either enamelled or covered with velveteen, the cieft of the key is represented by a dainty bit of painting on parchment, while little hooks are put all along the handle made to hold these restless keys, that apparently have an irrepressible desire to wander where they cannot be seized upon and applied to their proper use. Much old world superstition attaches itself to keys and nails, and many of the old superstitions in which our grandmothers and mothers placed their faith many years ago are still in existence. and there are few women who do not cherish some, if not all, of them. There is an old belief that it is most unlucky to see one’s reflection in a cracked mirror, as wrinkles will inevitably appear; also that the wearing of the topaz prevents the appearance of a rival; to walk under a ladder signifies misfortune; and the girl who stumbles upstairs will have a chance of being married within a twelvemonth. To lay an unbrella across a bed or divan is the forerunner of dire misfortune; to go back on one’s footsteps for anything forgotten is unlucky; and it is a grave mistake to cut the ends of one’s hair during the month of May, or in the dark. But to counterbalance these signs of misfortune there are certain lucky superstitions to be observed. If the palm of your right hand itches, you will be the recipient of money shortly; it is good luck to pick up a pin on getting out of bed; the sight of a shooting star means a happy day within the following week; and should a garment be put on inside out by mistake something agreeable will occur during the next twelve hours. As is well known, a horse-shoe is a most fortunate discovery, and no woman, or man either, for the matter of that, would dream of passing one by. Nailed on the outside of the front door, it is said to be a talisman against the entrance of evil and misfortune. A number of people place much faith in persons with grey or blue eyes, and will not confide in dark-eyed persons, and a superstition prevails that no woman will ever become grey or bald who uses her hair-combings for stuffing pin-cushions. These are but a few of the many superstitions in vogue, for their name is legion in every part of the world, and no doubt will continue so, handed faithfully down from generation to generation.

People who have gardens are pretty busy in them just now. and a design for a new garden apron will not be out of place. As a rule they are such hideous garments that many prefer to spoil their frocks rather than wear them—that is to say. if they are gardening in company—but my design claims to be highly decorative as well as a most useful receptacle for all kinds of odd and ends of gardening tools. It is made of white linen with an insertion of cream-coloured yak lace, backed, so as to give it sufficient strength, with pale blue ribbon; on either side of these are daisies worked in their natural colours, pink-tipped, and green-leaved, while in the centre

strips of single buttercup blossoms and their leaves are embroidered. It is slightly' fulled into a Swiss shaped belt with white washing ribbons attached.