AS SEEN THROUGH WOMAN’S EYES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XVI, 19 April 1902, Page 761

AS SEEN THROUGH WOMAN’S EYES.

How to be Poor. What a queer title, I fancy I hear my readers say. “How to be poor.*' 1 should have thought that was easy enough. Do you? Well, then, just try the experiment. Knock oft your little luxuries, give up a few of what you think necessaries, and let m know the result in a few weeks- No, my friends, it is not so easy to be poor —respectably poor. It is easy enough to be a tramp or a pauper; you have only to let everything go—respectability, self-respect, etc.—and there you are, but that is not being

poor. One of the very hardest lessons a man or woman has to learn is how to be poor after having been rich—to have to economise in the little things which seem to be absolutely necessary. The bigger things, such as carriages, bouquets, men-ser-vants, silk dresses, etc., are obviously unnecessary, and they are the first to go. But there are countless smaller things with which it is not easj to part; the summer holiday, whicn is supposed to be absolutely necessary for health, a pew at church, which made us appear so eminently respectable and differing from out

poorer neighbours, the fresh-cut Howers, that made our tables look so pretty, the dainty lingerie and fresh ribbons and sashes, even the uneonsidered postage stamps. All these have to be carefully adjusted to one's new position. You must make your own beds, dust your own china, mend all your household linen as well as your personal apparel, and not mind opening your own hall-door when occasion requires. Moreover, you must buy one dress where you bought three or four, one bonnet or hat of serviceable material, and alter the trim-

mings instead of buying new ones. Never allow yourself to buy rubbishy material because it is cheap (it is very dear in the end); and you must put out of your head once and for ever the idea that you can be in the latest fashion at any time. You need not necessarily be quite out of the fashion; a little commnnsense and taste will make it possible to pass muster even at garden and evening parties with old dresses; but then you must adapt and make the best of what you have got. Cotton dresses must be banished, and blouses and skirts take their

place, and every bit of drees and underdo*, hesmaking, and of course all millinery, must be done at home if possible. The economy in men’s clothes is not so easy. They must have the stereotyped black coat and tall hat and other clothing, none of which can be made at home; so, as usual, the self-denial presses most upon the women of the family. But the men can do something; they can travel third-class instead of first or secondclass as formerly, they can smoke fewer pipes or cigars, and knock off their club subscriptions and help a little more in the household, and not mind little necessary economies. Much more they cannot do, but they should do that cheerfully. Yon will soon find, if taken up in the right spirit, that the riches of : man or woman do not consist in the abundance of their possessions, and that the comfort of knowing that you owe no man anything but to love one another is a state lof things worth striving after; that your fires are not less bright because you use cinders where formerly you used recklessly all live coal, that your dinner-tables are not less attractive because arranged with intelligence by yourself instead of your parlourmaid. and that your bonnet pleases your husband’s or brother’s eye none the less because you are your own milliner.

It is worth while to be “brought low” and made poor to learn this priceless lesson —a lesson that nothing but adversity c :n teach. And I am tempted to add that no one can really enjoy the good gifts of God who has not had to earn them, and above all. who has not learnt how to sympathise with the friend and neighbour who is po<w in this world’s goods yet rich above all telling in the good opinion and affection of theii family and friends—a state of poverty which kings and princes may envy and millionaires may strive after. King Edwards’ Bogus Ruby. The King s Coronation crown is to be adorned with what is termed “the Black I’rince ruby.” It is not generally known that this stone, which now forms the centre of the Maltese cross on the late Queen Victoria’s crown, is not a ruby at all, but simply a red spinel. It is of large size, aiid if it were a true ruby would far surpass in value the Koh-i-noor itself, for rubies never run to the same size as diamonds, and being also far rarer are considerably more valuable in price per carat. A four-carat ruby, for instance, would be worth about .£2OOO, probably even more if it were a flawless stone; a four-earat diamond would not be worth half of that sum. The so-called “Black I’rince ruby” derived its name from the fact that it was given to Edward, the Black Prine?, by Don Pedro of Castile in gratitude for the victory of Logrono

in April, 1367, which restored the throne of Spain to Don Pedro. Henry V. wore it in his helmet at the battle of Agincourt, and it has ever since formed part of the crown jewels of England. In spite of its having been proved to be nothing but a spine), it still figures in the description of the regalia as a “ruby,” and as such was shown at the famous exhibition of 1862, when the royal jewels were one of the most interesting exhibits. Stomach-Ache. Immediately the pain comes on take a simple gastric stimulant such as cherry brandy, tincture of gentian, tincture of rhubarb, or essence of ginger. The burning in the throat, called, popularly, “heartburn,” shows that acid fermentation is taking place. A good palliative is bicarbonate of soda. Of this one teaspoonful may be taken in a tumblerful of water. Repeat, if the burning does not pass away. But blessed are they who can vomit, for this is the only scientific and natural means of cure.

Indigestion always means that chemical changes have occurred, by which products have been formed hurtful to the system. Vomiting may be assisted by copious draughts of warm water, and these will wash out the stomach. The chemical results of gastric fermentation cause faintness, giddiness and impaired vision. They are true poisons. Hence the desirability of expelling them from the system. A remedy that merely relieves pain does not effect this.

Abdominal pain (colic) mistakenly termed “stomach-ache,” cannot be relieved • by vomiting, because the mischief is in the intestine. A strongly aperient pill should be swallowed. Thirty minutes later an attempt may be made to relieve the pain by taking a wineglassful of brandy, and from ten to twenty drops of laudanum. It is not wise to take laudanum at the outset, as it tends to constipate. In strict therapeutic science, whieh I am discounting for convenience’ sake, laudanum ought not to be taken until the aperient has acted thoroughly. The Queen’s Youngest Maid-of-Honour. Miss Sylvia Edwardes, Her Majesty’s youngest Maid-of-Honour, was given the same post in the Househpld of the late Sovereign when she was only seventeen. As a rule. Queen Victoria did not care to appoint as a Maid-of-Honour any younglady who had not already seen something of the world. Miss Edwardes. who was a cousin of the Lord Kensington who died some two years ago of wounds received in South Africa, is highly accomplished; she spent a portion of her early girlhood in France, and speaks French remarkably well. She is also very musical, a taste which must commend her to her present Royal mistress, and which she shares with Her Majesty’s other three Maids-of-Hon-our. the. twin Miss Vivians and Miss Mary Dyke. In one matter these four young ladies are singularly fortunate. It will fall to their lot to take a prominent part in the great historic pageant of the Coronation, where they will present a most charming appearance, their white gown? showing to great advantage against all the brilliant-eoloured uniforms and the gorgeous robes worn by both peers and peeresses. How to Select a Wedding Present. In selecting a small wedding present. or any, indeed, it is always wise to put the money to be invested into an article which is the best of its kind. Better this than an attempt to buy something more pretentious in kind, but necessarily of cheap quality for the money to be expended. Ten shillings, for example, will buy a heavy silver hatpin, but only a thin gold one; a sovereign secures a pretty bon-bon spoon, or sugar tongs, or plain tea-strainer, but if put in a bon-bon dish will buy one of only medium weight and small size. One small choice china plate that will be a joy and pride to its

possessor is better than half a dozen less exquisite, but costing the same money. The casual friend will do well to select a gift that duplication does not spoil. The many lovely bits of glass and china offer unlimited choice in this respect, as do squares of rich tapestry and old brocade, fans, choice photograph frames, bits of lace, or fine embroidery, and the like. Three things are to be borne in mind in choosing a wedding present: First, your friend’s taste and future environment, if these are known; second, durability; the gift should carry its message far down the years —and third, artistic excellence of the thing chosen, be it small or great.