WOWAN'S WORLD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 323, 24 February 1910, Page 6

WOWAN'S WORLD

MRS. LAXGTIvY'S AUDACIOUS WIT

The wit of Lady de Bailie (Mrs. Langtry) was being disous'sed recently apropos of her recent book, and of its frequent audacity one of the company gave ti)is specimen: "Lady de Bathe during dinner said to a woman seated near her, 'Who is that: fat sian over there with the curious blue faOe?' 'That is my husband,' the woman answered, her voice troiuuious with rage. 'Oh, how fortunate!' said Lady de Bathe. 'You're the verv person I wanted to meet. Now, tell me, is' he blue ail over?'

WOMAN'S KINGDOM. A recent speech by Mr. Henry Arthur Jones laid stress 011 the way in which women are now the intellectual comrades of men —indeed, even their rivals —in art, on the stage, in business, and as writers and journalists; and lie struck the right note, as', although she J)as not yet got the vote (says a London paper), yet woman has at last come into iier kingdom. No one can deny that she ft in many ways the equal, and in some respects superior, of man. Her brain powers are as good as his', she lia* more method, more industry, and far more tact, temper, and endurance. Also in nine cases out of ten she has a better head for business and a far keener insight into character. But one must hold the s'cales of justice even. She is less generous and—this sounds like rank treason—is often less kind and tender-hearted; her code of honor seems less high, and s>he has a far poorer sense of proportion. Then she is often more 'petty than men in her aims and objects. Women rather than men are found among our social "climbers," and are apt to spend far more freely than men on dress and personal decoration. However, many of these faults are due to the restricted lives that women have led in the past, and to their comparative want of education. But now as a sex they are on the up grade, and, like the rest of nature, they will evolve, and come slowly but surely out of darkness into the marvellous light.

JAPAN AND WOMEN'S WORK.

One of the most instructive sections at the Japan-British Exhibition next year will be that devoted to women's work. Japan has' no woman's suffrage, but the position of honor which woman occupies there in literature, hospital work, education, music, art, and home work is already well known, and wi'l be brought to the notice of British women when the Exhibition opens. Here will be shown what the greatest ladies in the land, following the example of their Imperial mistress, are doing for the comfort and welfare of the poor, thus demonstrating, as in th* cas'e of our good Queen, how truly near the Throne is to the People. Exhibits there will be by which visitors may be made to understand something of the work of the daughters of Nippon as regards the household, hygiene, and the practical organisation of charity. So far as the arts and crafts are con-' cerned, there are to be very fine samples of lace work, drawn work, gold and s'ilver work, embroideries, and brocades. | Musical instruments used by the women j in that far-away country will he ex- ' hibited in this section. There are to be demonstrations in the art of floral decoration, and something will be show 1 ; of those famous teta ceremonies which •for long have formed a by no means unimportant part of feminine instruction. Magnificent modern richly-em-broidered costumes' made by Japanese women will also be shown. Throughout the history of Japan women have had great influence upon its affairs, and some of the finest Japanese political works have been planned by those of the gentler sex. The Exhibition promises to be one of great interest, and instruction.

FEMININE MASCULINITY. The Suffragette mind, it is said by a leading doctor, is developing a suffragette figure. "There is undoubtedly a considerable change coming over the figure of the average woman that cannot be attributed wholly to the arts and commands of the fashionable dressmaker. In many cases I find the figure running to flatness and angularity, though the body I may be strong and well nourished. There is a certain masculine tendency in form which is noticeable also in the face. Such women I have nearly always found to be of the 'advanced' type—so 'advanced' as to leave careful physical culture, either in the form of regular exercise or of games, out of their daily lives. They have developed the masculine mind. And, later, mentally these women are leading a man's life; physically they are showing its' effects. Flat-chested, awkward in gq,it, more sinewy than muscular, harsh-voicad and less careful of 'personal appearance, they aim merely at being clean and comparatively tidy, and have lost the truly feminine desire to look pretty and behave charmingly." That women are growing more and more masculine in face and manners no one who knows or sees' much of suffragettes can doubt (says a lady correspondent), and it is interesting to read the opinion of an expert as to the effect the present mode of living and ideas is having on women iphysically. "Ift dress they are certainly masculine. I was 1 at a performance of 'Don Pasquale'

not long ago, and, Inuring round tho 1 Wi.ll-divaood audience, l was surprised to see an individual, no: in evening I dress, but, instead, in a brown velvet j smokiiig-jacket, white waistcoat, a'ld ] light-brown tie; great white cull's pro- J trmled at the wrists, and the still' collar : J reached the ears. 1 quickly glanced at. the face, and still no due was given : that this was a woman—.for such it j was. The thick hair was short, cropped ■ like a man's, no gloves were worn, and when this neuter-sexed person spoke it - was in the broadest of broad slang. Yet j ■beneath the coat was a short skirt!" | A. WOMAN OF MANY PARTS. j Miss Balfour, sister of Mr. Arthur : Balfour, who, as is generally known, keeps house for that eminent statesman, is (according to the "Queen") a woman of many parts. Says that paper: '"Miss 1 Alice Balfour brings' brains, common- 1 sense, and strong vitality to bear on the situation. In common with many ; philosophers, Mr. Balfour is somewhat I absent-minded, and his (political duties j leave him little leisure for the cares ! of domestic life or the claims of society. 1 But Mivs Balfour's eye is on everything, j She sees that her much-loved brother j is careful as to matters of diet and rest, and she looks after the estate and tenantry, engages and dismisses the ser- : vasts. choos'es horses, buys motors, and helps to do the honors at Whittinghame. And she is sympathetic in matters of 1 amusement, as she golfs and cycles, has ' 'learnt the mysteries of motors, and can drive a car with nerve and dexterity. Then s'he has many gifts, writes well, • and her book, 'Twelve Hundred Miles in a Waggon,' gives a graphic account of her journeyihgs in South Africa. Also she is no mean artist, and, like • many Scotchwomen, is a clever gardener. In a word, Miss Alice Balfour repre- j sents the type so aptly described by.l Mrs. Humphrey Ward as 'one of thoSte' single women, travelled, cultivated, and j good, which England produces in such abundance.'"