AS SEEN THROUGH WOMAN’S EYES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue XXIII, 9 June 1900, Page 1097

AS SEEN THROUGH WOMAN’S EYES.

Muffs promise to be much worn, and will be large, more particularly those that are entirely of fur. Other muffs will be made to match accompanying toques, and fur and velvet, with sometimes a little laee. I have drawn you four little examples of muffs that can be made out of odds and ends of fur and velvet, and yet which will be pretty and comfortable to wear. These are not very difficult to make; it is easy to taek up a roll of cotton wool into the required size and shape and cover it as fancy dictates. Number one is of black velvet, bound with chinchilla, a bunch of violets at either corner, and a little purse of velvet stitched on outside. It is lined with violet satin. Number two is of sealskin with silver initials, the frills of brown satin. Number three is of mink, with brown velvet shaped frills and a knot of lace behind the bunch of violets, whilst the remaining muff bears only one side of fur, the other being velvet, therefore a very small piece would come in useful with satin or velvet frills, and a large velvet bow clasped by a steel buckle. Very pretty are the crepe-de-chine scarves with fringed ends upon which Fashion has lately smiled. These are tied round the neck and allowed to fall in long “pans” or ends to the waist, where they are sometimes caught again. These soft silken scarves are especially useful to wear with coats that show a little opening at the neck, as a bow can be tied there, whilst the ends form.a wistcoat, and a boa can be worn over all.

Very few people know what pretty things can be made out of weaving in ribbons. It is very inexpensive work and does not give a great deal of trouble, yet the result is often quite charming. The best ribbon for the purpose is the plain narrow satin ribbon which can be procured for something less than a penny a yard, and is sold in all colours. It is by no means 'necessary to have a wooden framework made expressly for the purpose, though something of the kind is needed for straining the work. An ordinary slate frame, with the slate taken out, will do very well, or if a large piece of work has been undertaken, such as a cover for a cushion, a frame can be

knocked together out of strips of paste board. Nails must be inserted at the top and bottom of the frame, at equal distances apart, the space being guided by the width of the ribbon. Each nail should be two widths of the ribbon distant from the next nail. Tie the ribbon round the first peg or nail, ami carry it across the slate frame to the opposite unit. Puss

across and round the next and so continue until the frame is filled. See that the ribbon lies flat and vertical. Finish oft by tying’ the ribbon securely round the last nail. The work should now represent a tight mat of ribbon placed in one direction. The cross weaving is usually done in another colour and the ribbon is cut into lengths and drawn in and out with an ordinary plaiting needle, alternating the rows as in darning. Of course, the simplest way in which this work can be used is as a cushion cover, whether a sofa cushion or the smallest of pin cushions. But another very pretty way in which it may be utilised is as a kind of dado round a bag intended to hold work or any odds and ends which are always requiring to be gathered together in some tidy way or other. The ribbon weaving for this is done on an oblong framework as describee! above, but each strip is fixed on diagonally, the ends of the strips being neatly folded to fit diagonally, one colour from right to left, the other from left to right. To anyone who can do the vertical and horizontal weaving neatly this presents no difficulty. The bag itself is of black satin. On this the ribbon weaving is mounted, the frill concealing the joining of the upper edge of the weaving being of silk to match the lining of the bag, but the draw strings are of black satin ribbon. ® <s> to Few people know how effective quite coarse common lace may be made if it is carefully painted with gilding and then placed against a dark background. The little letter rack which I have drawn here has been treated in this fashion. It is covered with a very inexpensive bit of dark russetcoloured art serge, tied up with old gold ribbons. The lace in a Cluny pattern, was gilded, and when quite dry was applied in the manner shown best by my illustration.

The following instructions will be found useful to those who wish to make a baby’s glove that has not the common fault of being too short in the wrist. All babies’ gloves ought to be long, or else the nurse after the little wearer has pulled them off for the hundreth time is tempted to fasten them with a bit of elastic round the wrist, thereby doing away with half the good of the glove by impeding the circulation. For this glove one skein of white merino wool will be required, and a pair of bone needles No. 14. Cast on 48 stitches. Ist row

Make 1, slip 1, putting the needle in as if about to purl, knit 1. and repeat to the end of the needle. 2nd row—Make 1. slip 1, knit the next stitch and the thread that lies over it together; repeat to the end of the needle. Work in brioche stitch the same as on 2nd row until you have done 36 rows from the commencement. 37th row —Knit 1, knit 2 together and repeat to the end of the needle. 38th row—Purl. 39th row— Knit 1, purl 1, and repent. 40th row—Purl. 41st row—Plain. 42nd row—knit 1. purl 1. and repent. 4.3 rd row—Plain. 44th row Purl. Now rejreat from the Ist row to the end of the 37th row. Then for the wrist: Knit 12 rows of ribbon. 1 stitch plain ami 1 stitch purl alter-

nately. For the hand: Begin again at the Ist row and knit on till you have done 30 rows of brioche knitting. 31st row—For the thumb: Make 1. slip 1, knit 2 together eight times and, leaving the other stitches on the left hand needle, turn and knit back and continue thus for 24 rows. Then knit a row of knit I. knit 2 together. Then 4 rows of knit 1, purl 1; break off the wool and with a rug needle draw the end through the stitches and sew them up. Recommence where

you divided for the thumb and knit 28 rows of brioche knitting, then a row of knit 1. knit 2 together and 4 rows of knit 1, purl 1, and sew the fingei- bag up in the same way as the thumb, also sew the sides of the glove together neatly. Knit the other glove in the same way only working rhe thumb at the end of the needle in the 31st row instead of at the beginning.

A WORD TO MOTHERS ABOUT " OUR BOY,”

Not one boy in a hundred is taugh at home how to e.loose his comp.in ions among his school and play-fel-lows, and there are too many mothers who regret, as their sons begin to “grow away from them," that thej did not begin very early in the life of the little lads, wnen first o-d enough to “go out and play,” to find out the kind of boys chosen to share in his games and confidences.

We can scarcely understand the character of our boy’s companions by his own description of them; since boys regard their favourites with eyes that see only their good qualities, forgetting the coarse language, the vulgar jest, the cruel trick, the truant playing -he is "such u joLy teliow, plays jsuch a good game. ' Altnough we may notice occasionally that our boy is coarse in speech, or manifests an unusual spirit ol rebellion ut school regulations, slid we do not often associate these nets with “such a good fellow, always ready for fun!" But if we occasionally saw this "good fellow," then, indeed, the cause would not be far to seek. Our boy himself would feel ashamed of his acquaintance, if he saw him in the home circle; he would suddenly discover that his friend was not ashamed that he “talked to mother" with his hat on. These boys of ours are apt to be very chivalrous about “mother"; and, besides, they do not o.ten care for companions of whom they are ashamed. 1 once heard a mother say to her son: "Harry, I wonder at you, to be seen on the street with that Brown boy. Why. he is dressed like a beggar!” Now, I, too, had seen Harry and the “Brown boy,” and while the boy’s clothes were worn and old, they were

whole and clean; he was clean, too, and I knew him to be an upright, iiianlv Ind. more so. indeed, than Harry was, or was ever like y .o b.*. with such training. Provided a boy is truthful, dean, and careful in his language, we should not let the pecuniary circumstances of his condition enter into consideration, for our desire is to build up a noble nianh tod in our boy; and how despicab e a creature is that tntin who esteens his friends according to -ie length ot their purses. There is only one way of jit Iging our boy's companions. anil that is by knowing them ourselves. This we can do by encouraging’ him to invito bis friends to visit him, not always formally, but now and then, as it may Imppen. We can pleasantly welcome them; but let us be careful not to entertain them too much, for there is nothing a boy hates more than io have a "fuss" imide over him. Let us tell our boy to invite some of his friends to spend the evening; and it should be our part to see that the boys have :i good time. Do not say, "it's only . those boys!” Let him feel that hit guests are well treated, ami he wi 1 be the more anxious to look to it that his guests are worthy of the treatment they receive at his hands. I think that much of the edownish behaviour of boys arises from the onlv-a-boy treatment they experience. Our boy should always tell his mo her when he wishes to invite a friend, or if he knows it, when his friends are coming. No matter wh-th *r the home consists of one room or twenty, the mother is always the b s'ess. and •be can make her son a well-trained ■>OV. and not allow him. under any circumstances. to grow up a boor. Mtin.v men owe their . access in life to their Illis, rvance of the minor courtesies in which they were trained bv a good mother. The e htibi s and those of correct spe eh. should tie insisted upon by every mother, lie cause it is so very difficult to aequ'r.’ • iher after manhood is reached, and <he boy that realises that "mo her is so awfully particular” only for h’s good, will make an effort to follow her instructions.

THE .QUEEN'S LITTLE VISITORS. Our Queen, as everyone knows, is very fond of children. One day she was out driving in Scotland when she saw three little girls who lived at the Manse thoroughly enjoying themselves at a good game. She sent a messenger to make inquiries about them, and desired that they might come and visit her at the Castle. It so happened that their parents were not at home at the time, and allbough they were in high glee, they did not quite know what to do. One point which troubled them very much w;is. how should they address the Qtiivn? However, -after a little talk, they decided they could not do better than address the Queen as the kings of old were addressed in Bible history. When they were taken into the Queen’s presence. io Her Majesty's great amusement they immediately fell down before her. and very solemnly exclaimed: "<> Queen. live for They spent a delightful time, find all 100 soon the time arrived for them to go home. Imagine the Queen's surprise and amusement when, on leaving. they again fell down together, ami said this time: “() Queen, live for ever! And please mav we come again another day?”

WHO IS MRS WETTIX? The oft-raised question as to Queen Victoria's surname is thus answered by a recent writer: “She is, of course, a Guelph by ancestral lineage, which is traced by the genealogists from Empnss st. Cunegoixla. consort to Emperor St. Henry ?!., A.I). 1024. Both are canonised saints, ami both were solemnly crowned at Rome by Pope Benedict V 111. “Bitt all this relates merely to the pedigree of Princess Alexamlrina \ ietoria prio • to her marriage in ISIO to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. I bis Prince was of the ancient House of Saxony, whose family name is, and has during more than four centuiies been. Wettin. Obviously, therefore, the Guelph Princess became upon her marriage Mrs Wettill.”

A WIFE’S INFLUENCE. Lookers-on often see the wonderful influence a wife can exert for the good or failure of her husband. By a gracious, genial maner she may win hosts of friends for him. In nearly every walk of life, where he has to look io the generous public for a livelihood, she can help him: make the yoke easier, and the burden lighter. A powerful factor in the world of business to-day is found in the influence of woman. She it is who stands by her husband w hen the darkness and gloom of troub e and depression have settled about him, and infuses hope into him. and points the way to a new beginning, no matter how small. She is willing to retrench in any way to relieve the sadness and despondency that are wrecking his life.

This is sure to be so where love has entered into the sacrament ol a union of two hearts. With the knowledge, the help, and the strength that come from a husband and wife thoroughly understanding one another, and working in co-operation, marriage becomes a veritable heaven on earth. One of the greatest mistakes is that of forming a union upon a money basis. Of course, there are many mercenary women who can and do marry for a home and for rich raiment. but the kind of feminine heart a man desires to beat beside his own is one that cares more for the little attentions in which sentiment is involved. than for great offerings representing only a sum of money. Before marriage there Snould be practical talks which will result in a thorough understanding of the financial basis upon which the future household is to be run. A wife to have influence must never deceive her husband in rtg rd to the use of moneys he intrusts to her. A man always likes to know that in his wife he has a real helpmate—a partner who takes care of his interests in the home when he is absent. Before everything else a wife has a right to expect from her husband tenderness, sympathy. and faith. Sympathy and tact are the qualities husband and wife should cultivate. It is after- marriage that the depth and fullness of love is tasted and tried to the utmost.

HOW THEY KISS IN RUSSIA. A VERY FUNNY SIGHT. Probably Russians do more kissing than any other people in the world. From time immemorial kissing has been their national form of salute, and it is more a greeting than a. caress. In public affairs, as well as in the home, the kissing custom prevails. Fathers and sons kiss, old generals kiss and whole regiments kiss. On a review day kissing enters largely into the business. If a corps of cadets have earned the approval of the Emperor, he salutes the head boy, who passes on the kiss to his neighbour, who hands it on again, and so on through tin* whole of the juvenile body. On a holiday or fete day the mistress of a household not only kisses all her maids, but all her men servants too, ami if a man does not venture to do more than kiss her hand she will stoop and kiss his cheek. To judge from the amount of kissing between husbands and wives in aristocratic circles one would imagine the matrimonial state to be one of unbounded happiness. A gentleman hardly enters or leaves the room without kissing his wife's forehead, cheek or hand.

CHILDREN’S HEADACHES. Headaches in childhood should always be looked upon as worthy of consideration. for they may be excited by a variety of preventable causes, and they occasion a great deal of suffering. Not unfrequently headache with children of school age is the result of defective sight, and the trouble is entirely overcome by the use of spectacles. Headache is often caused by Indigestion. anaemia, constipation, or over-work at school. Then there is the headache from want of fresh air and exercise, and also tie hysterical, nervous headache, accompanied' by depression, and generally intensified or induced by distasteful occupations. Besides all these varieties of headache, there is also that which is often the first symptom of various fevers, and of brain disease. If one ean only make sure of the cause of headache one is already well on the way to remedy the evil, in ail cases, except when the pain is the direct precurser ot active disease, much may be done by attention to diet, and by taking sufficient outdoor exercise.

If dyspepsia be at the root of the trouble, the child must eat only stub food as he can digest, and does not overload his tomach. He should also have his teeth examined by a dentist, for decayed teeth often prevent the proper chewing of food, with the invariable result, indigestion. Headache powders should never be given to chi'idren; they are by no means safe for adults, and to a child they might prove most dangerous. NATURAL MEDICINES ARE THE BEST.

Don't dose your -little ones with senna tea and castor oil on the smallest pretext, but give them each a baked apple or a few stewed prunes on going to bed, and an orange on waking in the morning: then you will find aperient drugs are very rarely wanted.

ONLY ONE RIGHT REASON EOR MARRIAGE.

Let not even one thought of narrying for gain or worldly ease enter your mind. Not for a home, not for money, not for relief from work, but to help some member of your family, not even to add to your mother’s comfort, is it right to marry. \V9rk your finger-ends off for those dependent .on you, trust in God and do your best, but never marry for any reason tut the only sufficient one, the certainty that you love a man better than any one else in the world, better than you love yourself, and believe him to be worthy of your whole trust. One of the most, pitiful mistakes young girls make in regard to tliei' marriages is the not infrequent sacrifice of themselves in the belief that they will be able to reform dissipated lives. How many broken hearts have followed mistaken efforts of this sort to save a man from drunkenness or other debasing follies none of us can ever reckon; God alone keeps the sad record! Tf unhappily you learn to love a man who has fallen into sins which mar his life, let him prove himself able to walk uprightly before his marriage and not imagine that your presence will save him. Give him no pledge or promise until long and patient probation has shown that he is conqueror over his evil inclinations. Some such faults are linked with most generous traits, and are the weaknesses of natures originally lovable to a degree; but it is worse than folly to marry such a man believing that you can ward off his enemies. God and his own courage must win the battle. 1 do not mean that you may not have wonderful influence for good: that precious gift is yours without stint. Youth, and sweetness, and the longing a man has for wife and home will do infinite service to a soul struggling to free himself from sin: but let your love be a guerdon faithfully

striven for, and let his self-conquest be long assured before you risk that most sorrowful existence the wife of a drinking man.

BEATTIES AND THEIK DIET. The second issue of the penny monthly “Life and Beauty,” continues its series of letters from famous beauties and artistes on the diet they find most favourable to good work and good “looks.” Madame Sarah Grand cannot drink milk “I never forget the horrible cow,” she sympathetically remarks. “John Oliver Hobbes” tried vegetarianism for two years, but now finds “on the whole, that the ordinary diet of the country is the best.” Mrs Kendal votes for a bath once, if not twice, a day. Miss Marie Corelli spikes the editor's guns with the very pertinent quotation from Hamlet, “I eat the air, promise-crammed, you cannot feed capons so.” Miss Liiy 1 lanbury confesses that she flourishes best on the “plainest food and a good salary.” Miss Winifred Emery says “My principal food all my life has been meal, and 1 find that sustains me better than anv other thing when I am working hard.”

© © © THE LATEST EADS. It is smart to carry a square-shaped eon I-of-mail purse, made of gold with fastenings of precious stones, and this may dangle from the wrist, seemed by a very reliable snap bangle, or. again, it may be fastened to the waist with a jewelled safety pin. The main point about the newest purse is that it must be square, the bag shaped one is just a little older than it. ami therefore not quite so much in the moment us the latest development. A'il lingerie should be marked with a Moral device now instead of with the name of the wearer. This is a very pretty idea, but not one that the lattn-

dress will approve. Probably she will retaliate by stitching in the hieroglyphic signs she atTects in led and blue cotton, a very utilitarian touch in the midst of sheer romance. Names such as Hose. Lily and Violet art. of course, reproduced on the lingerie in floral embroidery. One of the most fashionable brides of the past few weeks, Mlle, de Fongeres. had all her linen marked with a fern, fougere being the French for fern. Those whose parents have not given their children flower or foliage names, should choose an emblem for themselvcs, and use it not only in the way just indicated, but as their favourite colour, their favourite seem, and their favourite cipher for note paper.

FIRST SILVER WEDDING. The first silver wedding dates back Io the time of llagues Capet. Two seivants belonging to him had grown grey in his service, a man and a woman, and what could he do as a reward? Calling the woman, he said: “Your service is great, greater than this man's, whose service is great enough, for the woman always finds work harder than a man, and. therefore. I will give you a reward. At your age I know of none better than a dowry and a husband. The dowry is here —this farm from this time forth belongs to you. If this man who his worked with you five and twenty years is willing to marry you. then the husband is ready.** “Your Majesty,” said the old peasant. “how is it possible that we should marry, having already silver hairs?” “ I hen it shall be a silver wedding,” and the King gave the couple silver enough to keep them in plenty. This soon became known all over France, and raised such enthusiasm that it became a fashion after twentylive years of married life to celebrate a silver wedding.