WOMAN’S WORLD

Evening Star, Issue 20132, 23 March 1929, Page 18

WOMAN’S WORLD

Reports of social functions will be welcomed for this column. “Diana" will also answer all reasonable questions relating to the home, cookery, domestic science, and any topic of interest to her sex. But each .etter or report niust bear the writer’s name and address as a guarantee of genuineness, and questions that do not permit •f a public reply cannot be answered. Questions should be concisely put and the writer’s nom da plume clearly written.

IN LONDON

THE DUCHESS OF NORFOLK'S BALL [Written by Cynthia, for the ‘ Evening Star,’] J am sure many New Zealand -fighting men have memories of Arundel Castle, great stronghold homo of the Duke of Norfolk, in Sussex, when so many of them stayed in that county during their convalesencc. The late Duke, who -was generosity itself, was always arranging visits to his old feudal home, for the men, who went in parties in specially-chartered charabancs, so a little description of the wonderful ball held there last week, as part of the festivities connected with the coming of ago in May of the young Duke, who is known everywhere where English-speaking races congregate as the Premier Duke of England, and holding any amount of important positions such as lleriditary Earl Marshall and Chief Butler of England, will be of interest. 1-1© is the'" sixteenth Duke, and now lie is attaining his majority will take a leading position -at Court, and at all great functions, such as the State Opening of Parliament, the _ Courts, Court halls, etc. So the festivities at the wonderful old home of his forefathers, Arundel Castle would bo very brilliant. The guests at the ball included some of the most exalted members of the peerage, London, and county society, and being only some forty miles from London guests came by motor for the event, or stayed at the quaint hotels which make the old. world Sussex town so interesting. The castle is a landmark for miles, and lifts its frowning head on the banks of the Arun, and at its feet lays the wonderful weald of Sussex. Prom a strategical point of view for which it was originally built, its position must have been of the strongest, am! Die romances of the castle are many in days past: now of course it is a, glorious English residence of enormous size, standing in superb grounds, but its antiquity has never been spoilt by the many additions and alterations, and the entrance into the great quadrangle is through the narrow old keep and drawbridge. LTGHTMEN. The long entrance in was lit at points with lightmen, with flaming lights, playing on to white signposts with arrows, to guide in the motor cars, and as there Avas a brilliant moon sailing in the heavens Die scone without was most striking. No one can adequately describe Dio wonders of the castle Avithin. If a fairy ball had been arranged and a glittering silver-Avinged fairy hovered over the mansion Avith a magic Avand to touch everything into a palace of enchantment, it could hardly have been more beautifully done. The hugeness of the carpeted •stone passages, whore at every turn stood a footman aa ith powdered hair, crimson plush breeches, and pale fawn coats, the livery of the I Towards, to shoAv the way, and then one passed on to a magnificent vestibule, hung Avith lovely tapestries and family portraits, and there- the Duchess of Norfolk and her son stood to Avetcomo the guests. I have been to many balls huh never to one out of London Avhere such superb jewels wero worn. The Duchess fairly blazed Avith diamonds from her all-round tiara to her corsage. Avhic-h Avas a river of light, wonderful necklaces reaching to the Avaist of a very beautiful silver-brocaded goAvu on a, black background. She Avas indeed a stately and charming figure, and, like all the UnAvards, made a charming hostess, 1 Avith a smile and courteous Avord for everyone. The young Duke, dressed in an ordinary evening suit, shook hands most heartily, and the guests who passed on through the famous grand corridor to the celebrated Barons Hall, Avhere dancing took place. , It would he impossible to describe Die Aronderful and lovely, priceless heirlooms and treasures, leunwned throughout the Avorld, Avith Avhieh the

castle abounds, and visitors come from all parts of the Empire to sec them. THE SCENE IN THE BARONS HALL. The famous Barons "I la II made a magnificent ballroom, it is a Avondcrful apartment, hung with tajiestry, beautiful paintings, family portraits, and a high, lofty roof of carved oak, with a minstrels gallery at one end and a raised end at the other, rich AA-ith carved oak, and here a multitude of seats and lounges to Avateli the dancing Avere placed, to the splendid music by the well-known Vassie’s Band from London. Masses of spring floAvers and arum lilies surrounded the dais where it Avas stationed, and to watch the moving throng was a sight not easily to bo forgotten. Men in hunting pink, Indies in the brilliance of every known colour for their frocks, sparkling and radiating with innumerable Avouderful jOAvols and diamonds, it avms indeed a fairy picture. The Ladies Rachel Katherine and Winefrede Ho-.vard, the Duchess’s daughters, Avere present and did their utmost to make their friends enjoy themselves. Thou supper in the great dining hall was a lovely feast, and brilliantly Jit Avith lights and lloaa--ors, and the gay chatter, laughter, and merriment of the guests, split up into parties. Avas really a scene of delightful fascination, and diamonds blazed again on Dio distinguished company present. The early hours of the morning were reached ere this famous ball ended.

OUR WORKING 'ARISTOCRACY. '[’he modern theory that all play and no Avork makes Jack and Jill a_ dull boy and a bored girl is fast gaining ground in Mayfair. The daughters of one famous Duchess, for example, as Avell as those of the Duchess of Abercoru, arc notable social Avorkers, and Avhon they are in town they devote a certain amount of time each week to helping in some hospital or mothercraft centre in Last London. Lady Londonderry herself is a keen and energetic worker and organiser, has hi ought up her daughters to undertake practical Avork, and each has a daily “ job,” Avhile the beautiful Miss Ponsonby, daughter of Sir Frederick Ponsonby, Keeper of His Majesty’s Privy Purse, is the secretary and moving spirit of a working girls’ club in a poor district in London. Miss Leigh, niece of Lord Leigh, regularly attends a clinic for babies each morning, winter and summer, and is devoted to belli ttlo patients. The most exacting form of social service is that of reading to and Avalking Avitii the blind. Many young titled women avlio regularly undertake this Avork for the members of the blind institutes, and do it under assumed names, and prefer to keep their good deeds unadvertised. _ Young men do not lag behind their sisters in their zeal for social service. Viscount Knebworth, Lord Lytton’s son and heir, and a first-class boxer, instructs the lads of u Avorking hoys' institute regularly in North London. The Avork of the "Earl of Eavershaiu in darker London is knoAvn only to his most Ultimate friends. These are a. feAv of the many avlio Avould gladly earn honest money to-day if it Avere necessary. Now I am going to tell you about the regulations for the coming courts. Of course, the Prince of Wales will deputise for the King, and the latest from the Lord Chamberlain’s office is: “ No lady avlio has attended a court Avi thin the last three years can have her name submitted except under very exceptional circumstances.” I understand the reason for this is the desire of the Court officials to keep the number of presentations as low as possible. The Lord Chamberlain’s department has been simply deluged Avith applications in recent years, and the utmost difficulty has been found in reducing the numbers to reasonable limits. Then, again, Die strain on the King and Queen of standing for two and a-half hours is great. Queen Victoria in her later years Avas accustomed to sit during a Court, and it is possible that this precedent may be revived to lessen the .strain, on their Majesties. The question of the number of courts to ho held this year has not been decided. It may be three or four, according to the. number of applications for presentation. OAving to Dio King s illne-s the lists have been opened nearly a, month later than last year. The only reference to second attendances in last year’s regulations Avas the following“ Any lady avlio has attended Court Avithiu the last three years should state Avhen applying the year last attended, and Avhother she Avas presented on that occasion or attended to make a presentation.”

A BREEZE IN THE COMMONS. The lady YLP.s had a nice little bi eeze in the Commons the other night aa'hen Yliss Wilkinson and Viscountess Astor exchanged snappy sneers with each other. The Countess of Iveagh Avas tho innocent cause of the trouble, ft, nos infant Avelfarc and maternity services which interested all tho Avomen. and Lady Iveagh defended the proposals of the Local Government Bill, Avhieh alters tho method of Exchequer payments to these local services froni percentage grants to annual lump sums. “ Bargains appeal more particularly to the feminine mind,” Lady Iveagh said, “ but there is no question of a bargain Avhere there is no ability to pay anything. Richer areas benefit at present by receiving a percentage grant on their larger expenditure, but by the payment of block grants the poorer areas avill have more money at their disposal.” This av.is the gist of the, trouble. Then up rose Yliss Wilkinson in all her wrath- “It is difficult to listen with patience,” she cried Avith an excited wa at; toAvards Lady l.veagh’s seat, “ avlicu a lady avlio L herself a millionairess, and has never had a need she could not should oppose our vieAV in this way.” Lady Iveagh had gone out, and Miss Wilkinson went on; “IF she Avere here I Avon Id tell her pat! It is regrettable that a millionairess avlio had every care for her children that money could provide should oppose, the extension of Avelfare work.” Lady Astor had run out to bring in Lady Jveagli ; but returned alone. She took Miss Wilkinson on single-handed. “ Would it not be just as well to say,” Lady Astor cried to her, “ that because you are not a mother yon have no right to talk about children?” This, caused a great outcry from the Socialists, in th'c midst of Avhieh Yliss Wilkinson, ready for the fray, could be heard crying: “ One expects that type of sneer.” It Avas getting “ very hot,” a man Yt.P. told me, Then Lady Astor landed a very neat bIoAV: “ Ylight I assure you,” she said, caustically, with the air of levelling her eyes over a cup of lemon juice, “ that you don’t have to be poor, to have a heart, and moneyed Avomen are just as interested in infant Avelfare as you are? ” There Avas aduiblo murmurs at this, and .while Yliss Wilkinson

eyed her opponent scornfully, at a loss for a word, Air I'alin, ft Socialist member, shouted: “ All yon care about is keeping your money.” Lad.v Astor, at whom the words were directed, glared, and snapped out: “Oh rats! I simply loved this end up, and the House rocked with laughter. Oh I these women! But aren’t they really amusing? BOG NOR FOR THE KING. Naturally Bognor is immensely delighted with tho honour paid thy town by the decision of tho King’s doctors | to send him to Bognor and that lovely house (Craigweil House), belonging to Sir Arthur du Cros, is just the most lovely ideal spot on the South Coast for such a convalescence required by the King. It was originally a convalescent home, and has a wonderful light and sunray apartment, which is exactly what the King’s doctors recommend, and more than that, has had £IOO,UIJO spent on it hy Sir Arthur du Cros to bring the house up to a, wonderful state of perfection. Then its very secluded and away from roads, and has its own private entrance to the beach and bathing establishment. Nob that His Majesty would use that, but it is one of the details, showing what a very beautiful perfect residence it is. SCOTTISH REELS. I was at a real Scottish party la_st week when tho haggis was piped in with full ceremonial. This 1 have seen at Loudon hotels on SI. Andrew’s night, but not at private parties. Anyway, it was ever so fascinating. We found our dining partners in quite a novel way. When we arrived we were given a. card with tho name of some celebrated person who had been in love with some one equally celebrated, so wo hud to cast about till we found them. If you didn’t happen to know who the man or the lady was they were respectively enamoured of, well, the job wasn’t easy. Of course wo all knew Romeo was after Juliet, Darby after Joan, and so on, but when it came to Henry Vfll. it was a bit awkward, as lie had six ladies who he was attracted by. We all settled down after a bit. After dinner wo bad reels, flngs, etc., hut sad to relate, wo were not all born north of the Tweed, so the Lancers filled the gap, and wo all thoroughly enjoyed the inn and tho old-fashioned dances one night a week, now Lancers, quadrilles, polkas, barn dances, and tho rest, and people Jove them.

.AN ALL-RUSSIAN TEA. A friend of mine tells me at the Lady Mayoress's tea party at the Mansion House we had a distinct novelty in the way of an All-Russian tea. The tea itself was quite different from the weak Indian brew with a slice of lemon, which often passes as Russian tea over here. Our cups on this occasion contained a liquor of peculiar aroma and subtlety of taste, while the sandwiches which accompanied them were a revelation in new fillings. Of course, if anyone should know how to do such things properly it is Lady Studd. She is a, Russian Princess by birth, and lived nearly all her early life in that troublous country. GRETNA GREEN* AGAIN. The amount; of weddings which June taken place lately at Gretna, Green •shows that romance still flourishes amongst some people. The blacksmith at this famous place is Richard Rennison, and-.,he stdl carries on tins business, though lie can’t find it very lucrative these days, as there must be very tew horses to shoo now motor cars are so general. Anyway, a relative of mine was up in Scotland this autumn, and paid the famous smithy a visit, hie was immensely interested to hear all the blacksmith told him of all the collides he had recently married. One couple arrived early and got married, and perhaps did not know you .must reside in Scotland for twenty-one days: anyway they declared they had. the marriage took place, and they departed. In a weelc or two they returned, and owned up they had come straight from Scotland, and asked to he remarried, as they had lived in Scotland the required time. They told him how they escaped from their parents, who would not give any consent, and had to smuggle out their clothes hit hv hit. “ I fixed them up all right,’’ said the smithy, and the marriage is valid enough now! Isn’t it strange how different laws are in different lands. Recently I’ve heard of .several “ unusual ” marriages of people belonging to sects of their own, and getting married without license of any sort, or form, or permit, to make them valid according to British -law. Really they could walk away from one another if they chose, and no law or power could stop them. The “ Lour Square Gospellers ” is one lot of people who marry amongst themselves without a clergyman or anyone in authority like registrars. It’s very strange how people can be satisfied with such seifi n ado a rra ngeme n ts.

THO USE FIS EO.R LAWN* TEN NTS. Eve soon lots of trouser suits worn for tennis on the Riviera. I wonder if it will catch on. Tito stylo certainly appears attractive, and I feel sure it will be adopted over here. Skirts, no matter how fall, do not appear satisfactory, and trousers -would obviously mean freer movement with greater speed. Perhaps the Lime is not lar distant when men and women players dicss alike. T hate to think of woman’s femininity disappearing, but it seems inevitable. “.Beauty unadorned” is apparently the slogan of the education authorities in Jngo-Slavia, and I hear that the use of cosmetics and other modern feminine aids to beauty, is _forbidden in the schools. The Minister of Education has designed a sober black uniform for high school girls, and the wearing of elaborate drosses is strictly taboo. A novel “ dress parade ” is held in the schools every morning, and the teachers carefully examine the girl pupils for traces of lip stick or rouged cheeks. I wonder how these stringent ideas would be received in England. Not very favourably, Em quite sure.

SLEEVES FOR EVENING GOWNS. The charm of lace of all shades tor evening gowns, with coatees and lung transparent sleeves, are immensely/ fashionable just now, and I hear, what I. take to be- good news, that the modes of 1929 will give greater freedom tor women to indulge their personal tastes and fancies. Individuality in dress will replace the somewhat standardised lines of the past seasons. The woman who dresses to suit her own particular type, and personality, can erally be glassed amongst the “ best dressed.” Considerable controversy still continues concerning the waist line, hut, argument aside, the fixing of this very important boundary at the normal and natural position, has

a decided tendency to make a slim person actually look more slim, and it is also of advantage to those who possess “ heavier ” (igiires. Tiny jackets, hotli with and without sleeves, will he continued as features of evening modes. Sometimes these interesting and practical dress accessories will match the gown, ainj .sometimes both the material and the colour will be jn harmonious contrast. Many 'will' ho cut on severe manisli lines. Detachable capes and cape, cHeels attached to day gowns will be scon. UNTIDY HANDS. I think no woman looks well if she nogleets her hands, and as every part of our persons must be perfect these days, in my opinion the hands conic jn toe a great deal of notice, and must necessarily be .perfect as well. Is there anything worse, I ask yon, than illkept nails? Consider tor a moment the hand of a child, immature, hut in its tiny formation tenderly shaped, ■soft, dimpled, and with nails oft-times grubby, but as yet innocent of artificiality. When this little hand is fullgrown what, may wc see? hinlarged knuckles, torn cuticles, or finger tips roi ght and hard, skinned from excessive pumice stoning, and other evidences of neglect. Or perhaps overenamelled, inch-long pointed talons, which shriek of stupid vanity! In any case, the hands will follow the development of character. Then what can you say to bitten nails. In my opinion, they are too awful, and I've no words in which to express my utter disgust of a hand, with bitten linger nails. Now, if you have to do a lot of bouse work, here’s a tip. I really do think Iho slipshod do-it-a n y bow-a nd-get-it-over housewife who lets her hands go Irom had to worse is to he pitied, for she spoils her hands. The houscwilc who is thorough wears gloves, ami when she cannot .fills the tips of her nails with soap before starting work, creams them thoroughly alter putting them in soda water, removes all stains with a lemon, which she keeps handy fo- that purpose, and, in fact, has well-kept hands through sheer .persistence of thoroughness at the cost of a little thought and a few minutes per day She is to lie commended, in my opinion, for I know of more than one man who was put olf proposing to girls because of their unattractive, illkept hands!