RANDOM READINGS.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 66, 24 January 1918, Page 4

RANDOM READINGS.

TRUFFLE HUNTING. Truffles belong pre-eminently fo tho central and southern parts of Europ®, although they occur occasionally in the East and in some parts of America. Of European countries Italy has them in the greatest profusion, and bo dearly are they valued there that the same precautions are taken against truffle poaching as against game poaching in England. The truffles of France, however, are the largest and most delicate flavoured in the world. In England, and also on tho Continent, in localities in which they are known to grow, trained dogs are employed to discover their whereabouts- In France and Italy pigs are employed for the same purpose. From youth upwards these animals are fed on the daintiest morsels, and nothing is given that might (spoil their carefully fostered taste. The honors as regards delicacy of scent seem pretty equally divided between the truffle dog and the truffle pig, though many experts prefer the former as being more amenable to reason. CUSTOMS OF CUBAN WOMEN. Gradually Cuban women are breaking away from customs which have surrounded them for centuries; gradually they are becoming more independent. There are many, however who spend much time in the United States, and while there adopt American ways, yet immediately upon their return fall into the habits of their countrymen. Now and then Cuban girls are seen in. the streets without chaperons. Invariably they explain that they have been s* much in the States that they have become accustomed to going about alone. On the other hand, some that go about alone in large cities never do so in Havana. They take someone with' them, even if it is only a child. A Cuban lady does not go shopping, and the presence of an America% lady in a store is noted with surprise. Until Americans went to Havana there was no calling in the daytime. That was all done in the evening. Some of are now adopting the way of making the first call on the newcomer. But many wait until the stranger call? on them. A young woman never receives a male visitor, as the idea of chaperonage is as strict as ever. It 'does not seem to occur to most families that young people would enjoy talking to each other without including all of the members of the family in the conversation. Young Cubans become bet- 1 ter acquainted at dances than anywhere else. A girl does not even receive her fiancee alone. The whole World knows that the couple are engaged, for the windows are thrown open so that all passers-by may see the lovers sitting side by side, with the dozing chaperon near by. Marriage does not bring much more freedom t© a woman than she had before. A young married woman does not walk alone. She does not dance with any other man than her husband or a near relative, nor does her husband dance with other women. Should she chance to meet a male acquaintance in the street, he would not turn and walk with her. It would embarrass her if he did. Nor would a Cuban woman walk in the street with a man other than her husband or a relative, even were he a guest in her home.