WOMAN'S WORLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 258, 24 October 1908, Page 4

WOMAN'S WORLD.

THE .JUGtiLItXAUT OF FASHION. , Dr. Iruby King, in his recent lecturis 1 dealt mercilessly with the Vagaries of fashion, which., he said, were responsible T o r much i)t the ills that female tlesh was heir to. There was, he declared, a great diirereiiee between the penect lype of womanhood, illustrated by the statue of the Venus of Jlilo and the being who figured in the fashion pla cs of to-day. "It is a reflection on all of us that no stand is taken against .hat which is not only decidedly harmful to the women of to-day but is absolutely ruinous to the race. What artist would think of depicting the human form in tihe distorted shape we give it?" A series of current fashion plate photographs was shown, to indicate that even the model had been unable to make her figure conform to the demands or fashion, and that the photographs had been afterwards " faked'' in order to show fashionable women what to aspire to in order to become thin enough to get into a Directoire dress, for instance. " It is decreed," the doctor said, " that woman is to have the form her Maker gave her." The fashions this year demanded pressure and constriction upon I other parts of the figure than were constricted last veal', Nothing would be more idiotic than the constant effort to follow tire kaleidoscopic changes. It was not only foolish—it was criminal, entailing great misery on those who foibwed the craze, and upon those who came after them. The woman who did it was not only vicious, but criminal. Why should they be ashamed of the image of their Creator? The doctor also dealt with the distortion of feet by fashionable bootg and shoes, citing a caw iu wjiich a "woman had been crippled from this cause. She was unable to take exercise, and developed dyspepsia and an exceedingly pessimistic disposition—so much so, indeed, that ber husband left her. " I am persuaded." Dr. King added, " that if that woman had not distorted her feet ber husband would have been with her to-day." The lefcturer concluded with an emphatic appeal in favour of common-sense clothing, prudent feeding, exercise, and an abundance of fresh air and eflicieat ventilation.

THE DAILY TUB. " Daily tubbing," says one of London's t best-known physicians, "is the mark of a well-bred woman. I am almost justified in saying that it is one of the distinguishing habits between a tkorough- ■ bred and a middle-class woman, and the effect oi it is apparent from the very look .of a woman's face. She who gets into a tub even' day, washing the body thoroughly, and having a brisk xubhiug afterwards, has a certain clearness and freshness of complexion that a woman who tuba only occasionally never has. A sponge bath is not a substitute, for it is necessary to get into the water, covering the whole body. I can tell the instant I look at a woman whether or not she belongs to the daily tubbing class, and when she does she invariably looks better-bred. It is a curious fact that well-bred l men tub more frequently than women. I have heard various explanations of thiv but none that has ever been satisfactory. In truth, though, water lias the same effect upon the system that it has on a plant. A root that is kept in proper condition of moisture is healthy, erect, and of goal colour. A good liath affects the skin ill precisely the same manner. It is not water alone that accomplishes this, but what goes with it—the removal of dust and dried skin, the rubbing that stimulateg circulation. IN'one of this is had without bathing, and with it the skin is toned and kept in healthy condition."

AMERICAN WOMEN. Newspaper discussion, contributed by indignant women, is growing round s-ome biting criticisms made by Professor .Herrick, of Chicago University, upon the lives of American women of the wealthy classes. He lias published a novel called " Together." This is a passage from it, and one of the mildest of several quoted by the Press: —

The Hower of successful womanhood -—those who have bargained shrew lly —are to be found over-fed, over-dress-ed. seusualised, in great hotels, mammoth steamers, and luxurious trains, rushing hither and thither on idle travels, iuey have lost their prime function—they do not bear children. They are free, as never women weie before. And these women are custodians of men—not inerelv of their

■purses, but of their souls. In another pass-age Proiessor Herrick is quoted a„ saying that the wives of Americans will sell themselves body and soul for money, tlreed is their principal characteristic. One of his characters speaks of egotism as the pestilence of the day, which has corrupted tlic wom.'n in whom should be the nation's greatest conservative element. Other passages from the book as quoted are of a blnntness bordering on license. The newspapers reproduce them with .enjoyment as a Irait to the libelled ladies to retort upon l'rofesxir Herrick, which they do in the strongest terms. —"Times" correspondent.

cexerai, NOTES. lii Nandringham House, tlio roytl residence iil Norfolk, the clocks are all kept half an hour faster than in other places. Hie object of this is liot at all vicar, anil it tends certainly to confuse the unaccustomed visitor sadly. In sonic dilatory households it might lie an excellent iilea—until the members got used to it.

A perfect feminine face should measure exactly live times the width of ai. eye aeros s the cheek bones. The eye should be exactly two-thirds the width of the mouth, and the length of the car exactly twice that of the eye. The space between the eyes should be exactly the length of one eye.

Tlii> many wearers of rose-wreatlied hats should follow the examples of some of 'their English- sisters, and let a drop of r<we perfume fall into the heart of each blossom. It- might serve t.> counteract a little the appalling odour of the motor-car and motor-cycle, a smell. 1 am told, more agreeable to the owners of the machines than to the passers-by.

Well-dressed women in gala attire are not complete nowadays without a breast-knot of (lowers, aud this offers boundless opportunities for masculine admirers. There is 110 need to spend fifteen guineas on a bouquet of orchids. —as may be done in London. A few carnations or one rose, with its own lovely foliage, is <piite as effective.; There are still -vnne men who cling to the boutonniere, but even these, belonging, as a rule, to the last generation, are growing fewer. The day when the young wife pinned the daiiy buttonhole into her Ihisleuiu's coat before lie started for his office. i> past. Let us hope it may recur in the ever-whirling cycle- or time and fashion*.

A newspaper correspondent has just succeeded in interviewing Miss Hetty Vireen at her rn.stie lrome uj) in Vermont < report* the -Now York correspondent of tlh» Jjondon Telegraph). The •'world's richest woman"' is generally most taciturn in the presence of reporter*, but this time she -was apparently captured entirel\- off her guard. Mere are some of her characteristic rellec-tion-s: —"They lutve -all come to nit*, even President Roosevelt.'' "t hear folks *ay that the hard times will bo over as ?oon as the Presidential election is settled. 'That is not true. We will not see good times, easy times, until 1 lie spring. There is> going to !>e a hard winter. Americans* have been to'i extravagant, and they have got to pay the 'pi-ce." "The women in America have helped to make the hard times. All they live for. ail they care for. is clothes, the latest shape in hats, the, ne\vesl-fan<rled skirts, and they are none j too particular how they pet what they want., or who pays for it. Oh, I'm not saying American women arc not moral, but I do say that they do not cure what their husband*. fathers, and brothe r < pay tor the iuxnry and finery they demand.'' " More men are driven to dishonesty by the white hand of a woman, stuck all uvtr with jewels than by their own imv of horses, rich food, or gay times.-' "American children are not. taught how to >ave jfi-iney. but how to spend il. Kveryt they want—give it tlieni -*> long a* you h'*Ti- the price r»r credit. Tlra.t is the p<dley or the .modern mother, and -die is raising a nation of spendthrifts, whose one thought i s lo ffe-i what, they want when they want it. That i» whv those men and women, the few, who know how to save, will in lime be the masters of those who only) know h"u* to spend.'' j

The C'- >wn worn by Queen TTilhelminfi on Stat'j occasion* co-st about £120.U00.

licl'mc 11 o'clock im ;i recent Saturday liijjit in Sydney people began to gather about a large motor-.ear by the side exit of Hit .Majesty's (reports the Sydney .Morning Herald). "Hey. is that Carrie Moore's cur?" demanded a big countryman in the crowd. It was Hie Covornor-tJeneral's. But directly the Viceregal party had gone ol!\ the crowd, instead of scattering, doubled, trebled, and formed up in two lines in l'ront of the stage exit, leaving a narrow space to pass across the footpath. They waited. It was exceedingly cold. More than half the crowd were women, and the women hail secured front places. A lady 'and gentleman appeared in the doorway. "That's her," cried one, but it wasn't. A car drove up, and the low .murmur buzzed up into a small excitement. But nothing happened. People kept passing out of the stage door I continually: none made for the ear.

" You'd think she was a c|ueen, with all this crowd to see her," said one lady, whb held to her place with greater determination than ever. A couple walked round from another exit, entered th > car, aJid drove oil', all in a moment. The crowd bent forward, and drew bad; again. Home looked puzzled, some disappointed; all waited. It was the wrong car. The air grew colder. "Here." said one young lady. " I'm olf. Let's have sonic supper." But now there were fifty or sixty people gathered, most of them women whispering, but the atmosphere was rather oi easy curiosity than real excitement, Now a dark green motor with a light Wrojvn 1 hood drove up. and the crowd pressed a little closer. At 11.13 sharp the motor engine started, anil at that moment the electric lights above went suddenly out. "Oh, oh, wli.it a dirty trick,•' a large lady cried from the front rank. " Who's got a match ? Strike a match and we'll see her!" and she tapped a total stronger in. the w'aisteoat. "Yes, light a match!" cried the other voices. Then a man appeared with a bag, which he placed in front of the car. Curiosity deepened. The stage door opened again, and a lady and gentleman passed out to the motor, so quickly. in the semidarkness, that lhardly it glimpse of them was visible. The crowd swelled forward, peering right hito the car. The ear door slammed, there was a Hash of face under the hood, and it slid oil' noiselessly up Market-street. The crowd melted at once and silently. Carrie Moore and Mr. Bigwood were gone.

After an eighteen months trial, l'atia cab-women have not increased greatly in numbers, but those who took to tihe whip a year aaid a half ago have prospered. One of them, when asked, aaid that it was a royal calling foi women. She takes snuff to pass the time on the box, wears wooden shoes in winter, and says the cold does not bother her much, and money comes in more ■plentifully than if she stitehed away at shirts. Ten shillings a day are her average earning? during the busy season, and from (is to 7s during the slack months. She is up early, starting at 6 in the morning, and finishes about 8 in the eveningAll day long she geta plenty of motion and fresh air, and the talmien no longer insult her. At first, she said, many persons were afraid to hire cabs driven by women, imagining that t'hev did not know how to drive. Now ail that prejudice has died out. and women are, in fact, preferred. "There is no other tailing in which a women can earn her living so well,'' said the -one who was questioned, and she was delighted at liaving embraced it. It is her linn V"{solutioa to drive a cab as long as she lives, which, judging from her healthy complexion, will lie for many a year to come. Two of the original cab ladies have taken to driving taxi-motors, and find their calling thus even more profitable than before.

MARRIAGE DOES NOT WORK 'Marriage does not make a man temperate, industrious, or economical. It does not work miracles. Love sometimes does transform the characters of both men and women, but people as a rule, love before they marry, and t'ie miracle, if worked at all, i s wrought before marriage, not afterwards. The first step towards being a success as a husband is taken by being a success as go to constitute, a good husband. Young people sometimes imagine that the mere act of going through the marriage ceremony will give them domestic felicity, but no sort of happiness is to be had upon any such easy terms. Those who would be happy in married life must acquire and practise the art of patient continuance in well-doing, of bearing and forbearing, giving and taking. Xewly-married couples owe it to themselves and to each other to burn up in the ardent fire of their affection all little ways which may be unpleasant to each other.

TOKIO MARRIAGE BUREAU It is computed that at the present time there are no fewer than 100,00') Japanese in the United States, and of tlie-se it is said that more than 80 per cent, ale condemned to a life of bachelorhood. Owing to the difficulty of lining able to return to the United Stales under the present immigration laws, the Jap is afraid to leave that country. The question to be solved is: How to get a wife. Xot being able, .to go home tor one, the only feasible alternative was to have her sent to him.

To facilitate this proposal, a clever immigration agent in Tokio, named Shiinanukr, has hit upon a plan that .will go far toward a solution of the dillicultv. Tliis mail lias an institutim called the "Ryokokai," in which he receives all the girls who are desiroas of being mated with husbands in Ame'ica. Most of tile candidates for matrimony are from the girls' schools of the capital, and they are daily instructed ;in all subjects most likely to be of practical utility as wive* of Japanese settlers in America. When a Japanese abroad wants a wife lie sends his photograph, duly certified, to the agency in Tokio. This is submitted to the school for inspection. In return, the owner of the photograph receives the portrait of all the girls who have been favourably impressed, with a biographical record of the Stness and general attainment of each; ami from these data lie makes a selection. The authorities in Tokio are reported to regard the project as practical anil useful: ami are doing what they can to lend it encouragement.—livening Standard.

AN OLD MANS LOVE A remarkable story was told at the Aston I'oliee Court recently in connection with a charge against Theodore .lames aged 87 years, described as a'l architect, of stealing belonging to Miss Clara Fanny .Fletcher. " The prosecutrix, who is twenty-live years old. said the prisoner was a customer at a tobacconist's shop she kept at Aston. In -I tine fie commenced to confide in her, telling her he was a widower aud that he was lonelv. tie ■wound up by saying that he had' property in Essex and Devon worth about .CI,"),I«IU, but it was in Chancery. He had, he added, other property bviii"Ue>in t.ViO a year, but he would'lose it"m" 1 less he was married shortly. J[,. her to marry him to prevent the estate going into Chancery, stating that his solicitors would find iiim a lady if he was unable to do so himself. She thri.-e. refused him. but eventually consented. She subsequently purporting to come from Canon Sutton, vicar ol Aston, congratulating, her on the coming wedding.' " I have known the family to which he belongs." the letter continued, "and know him to be a w<-11-c'dueatecl gentleman*. As soon as the license is signed you will become legally married." The prisoner called with the licens

which they both signed. She seviou-.lv believed him to be her hn.-band. and they lived together. He occasionally prayed aloud for "his dear wife" and read pa-sages of Scripture to Iter. On his pervasion she withdrew cioS from' the bank, which sin* handed to him 011 his plea that he would invest it. Allien they arrived in iioudon subsequently a question arose as to the legal'ity of the marriage, and the prisoner left the house aud did not return. The prosecutrix found that other money which she kept in a bag was missing, and she reported the matter to the police.

In cross-examiuatiou the prosecutrix said she married the prisoner out of pity for him more than anything else. The prisoner was committed to the (Quarter Sessions.

The maintenance of children is "Klitf-li-h anil Welsh reformatory and industrial M'lioids last yeUr cost just £lO under t; 180.000.

One pound of pure saccharine has the sweeUess of a quarter of a ton of sugar. I King hdward and Queen Alexandra, have been married longer than any other pair or crowned heads in Europe, A diamond can now lie distinguished from every other mineral by means ot* the polariscope, * j