MEN AND WOMEN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XV, 15 April 1899, Page 484

MEN AND WOMEN.

Artists tell us that the pose of the head and the line of the neek have been very much altered for the worse by women wearing high, stiff collars. A comparison of the paintings of the female figure by the old masters with those of very modern painters will show some surprising differences in important details. The presence of a stiff, high band worn about the neck, as all the world knows, changes the pose of the head to a marked degree, ami this practice, continued for generations, causes some important changes in t he form of the muscles of the neck, which soon become permanent. An artist of repute says that the human form has not only suffered by the use of unnatural collars, but that many ot the most beautiful lines have actually been lost through their influence. He points out that the pose of the head in the old paintings is perfectly simple and natural. The lines of the neck are round and flow easily in graceful curves. These lines contrast so sharply with those of modern pictures that the difference, he says, must be instantly noticeable to everyone, whether he be an artist or not. The influence of the high collar is often to give the head a strained pose.

The language of the Royal family at the present day is English, though when the Prince Consort was alive it was German. French is spoken at the reception of ambassadors and at official entertainments. It is said that the two Englishmen who speak French best, and with a faultless accent, are the Prince of Wales and Sir Charles Dilke. Quite a commotion has been caused in France, where everything just now is more or less in a ferment of excitement. by the statement of M. le Vicomte A. de Royer, the well known French authority on heraldry, that a French aristocracy does not exist. He estimates that out of the 45,000 socalled nobles families in France some 25.000 have not the least claim to bear the title, and of 30,000 having such a claim there are only some 450 existing Imuses that are sang pur and sang d’nzur.

This is a young woman's description of the man she would like to have as a husband: I don't care whether he is good-looking— not a bit! —though I should like him to be, because I want everyone to admire him ns much ns I do. But he must be strong, you know

strong, so lie makes me feel I must do what he tells me, just because he

says I must. Of course, I want to get my own way sometimes; but, then, it wouldn’t be any fun unless 1 had to coax for it. And oh! 1 want to be quite sure that he gives way in trifles to please me. I should like to marry a man who does not think women are just pretty playthings, to be pleased with sugar plums, and played with and petted in odd half-hours. I want to be friends with my husband, and treated like a rational being. I don’t want him to ‘talk down’ to my level—even an ordinary girl is moderately intelligent—and I want him to take it for granted that I am interested in the things which interest him. That need not prevent him petting me, though! 1 should like to be taken care of, and

petted, and permitted to order him about and dictate about his ties and buttonholes, and yet know all the while that I’m only being allowed to have my own way, and that in anything of real importance my will must give way to his.

Not content with ultra-English butlers and footmen, New York women must go further abroad for their men servants. The East now supplies a large quota of serving men for the fashionable mansions of New York. Japanese footmen, with profound salaams, now receive the incoming guests. Turks of imposing mien and gorgeous garb preside over the butler’s pantry. One of the leaders has

gone so far as to provide herself with an immense Ethiopian, garbed in barbaric splendour, to guard her boudoir. He it is who figures conspicuously at his mistress’ famous afternoon teas. The ebony giant seems scarce in keeping with the fragile china. However, he is a novelty, and therefore is interesting to society folks.

MEMBERS OE THE LOCAL BODIES AND MINERS’ UNION CONSTITUTING THE COMMITTEE WHO RECEIVED HIS EXCELLENCY.