WOMAN'S WORLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 134, 28 November 1911, Page 6

WOMAN'S WORLD.

(Contributed by "Eileen.") BOGUS DUCHESS AN* AMAZING CAREER. London, October 13. Adelaide de Villano, known also as the Duchess de Villano, a white-haired old lady, was indicted at the London Sessions this week, together with Gordon Rossell, aged 25, for having conspired to obtain sums of money from various persons. In opening the ease for the prosecution, Mr. (J. W. H. .lones said that it was alleged that Villano filled in postdated cheques on a West End branch of Parr's Bank, and induced Rossell, her secretary, to get tradesmen to cash them. A series of five worthless cheques was cashed, the female prisoner knowing perfectly well that her account at the 'bunk had been closed ten months previously. Tho account had been opened in the name of the Duchess de Villano, a title to which she had no right. She had also assumed a title which was a second title of the real Duchess de Villano. Detective-Sergeant Birnie gave evidence that when he arrested the female prisoner she handed hini a certificate which she declared showed she was the Duchess de Villano. It purported to be a certificate of marriage between William Formes Leslie and Adelaide Ivy Elizabeth Williams. "It had been altered since it was originally copied," said the sergeant. The witness said that he further discovered in the female prisoner's possession an Italian Peerage book, with the page turned down at an entry relating to a Neapolitan noble family called Villano.

Mr. Huntly Jenkins called evidence in defence to prove that two firm's of solicitors were paying the female prisoner annuities of £"250 and, £350 respectively. The jury ultimately found the woman guilty of obtaining money by false pretences, but acquitted the man.

Detective Birnie said that in June, 1906, the "Duchess" was convicted in France for fraud, and for many years she had shown herself to be an accomplished swindler. In early life, it appears, the woman married an officer of an Indian regiment, 'but soon eloped with a subaltern of the same regiment, who was probably richer than her husband. A divorce followed, and she became Mrs Stanley Williams. Her husband lavished his wealth upon her and she was received in the best society. She went to Monte Carlo, where she so misbehaved herself that her second husband had to divorce her. After this she came into an income of about £7OO. In 1897 she married Dr. Forbes Leslie, who posed as the Due de Villano, and she exploited the title on every possible occasion, l'rom that time she appeared to have begun her swindling practices.

The detective said he must state that a bad feature of the woman's case was that she was a member of a group of manage .brokers. As the Duchess of Villano, or as a lady of title, she advertised for young American ladies who wished to be introduced into English society and wanted "chaperoning." Once they got hold of a young lady the members of the gang, the detective added, took care to surround her with impecunious foreign gentlemen—"well, \jiot always gentlemen" —and sometimes a marriage resulted. It was suggested that the prisoner should pay the costs of the case, which were heavy, and in postponing sentence until next sessions the Judge said no one must assume that the usual course was going to be taken.

THE VAGARIES OF FASHION Here is an interesting sidelight on the manner in which fashion affects the workers : Covernmnet action to bring pressure to bear on the great French dressmakers who prescribe the fashion of tight skirts is demanded by the Chamber of Commerce of Parare, a silk and cotton manufacturing town in the department of Rhone. This body pointed out that a modern dress requires only about five to seven yards of material, as compared with the 12yds to 14yds required two years ago, and added that petticoats, after ha/ving been similarly reduced in volume, a.re now no longer worn. Thus the sale of thousands of yards of material has been prevented. The situation of the industry is declared to he critical, for unemployment, following a period of •ver-production. is general. The chamber expressed the hope that Government intirvention, wliicli was asked for, would lead the great dressmakers of Paris to direct their activities towards evolving new models which, while becoming, will ntfed more material.

A more pertinent inquiry would be how it come about that ladies are charged the same price by dressmakers, though only half the material is needed nowaday*. Perhaps Sir Joseph Ward may indicate to the proposed ltoyal Commission oil the Cost of Living why materfaipilias is penalised after that fashion.

ROBBING THE DEAD FOR MILLINERY. Xow what can you make of a case like the following? Wliat can be done with girls who lack such a primary quality as regard for the dead. What is there to appeal to in such girls? ''Prosecuting a number of girls at Crewe for stealing ribbons from graves in the cemetery, the Town Clerk said the depredation of flowers and ribbon* was appal ing. Young girls had within half an hour of interments stripped tire wreaths of ribbons, which they used for millinery purposes. It was a scandalous and despicable shame that the graves of these people could not be left in peace. It ought to be the pride and pleasure of everybody to protect the. dead from such sacrilege. A cemetery was Cod's- acre, he said, and he could not think of anything more despicable than to commit robberies from it. The chairman of the bench, who said it was a crying shame, severely reprimanded the accused, and discharged them." Fancy robbing the dead to trim a hat!

ELECTRICAL DEVICES Xew York ami Chicago seem to hold the paim for the newest devices to provide luxury for ladies in hotel life. The more palatial establishments have equipped every sleeping room with numerous electrical attachments for toilet purposes. If a woman wishes to curl her hair she presses a button, and her curling tongs are heated in a few seconds. There is also a small (latiron for smoothing out delicate laces, which can be heated with equal facility. Even electric, bed warmers are provided for those who wish for them.

NOTES. Government clerkships in France are closed to women bv a decree by the Minister of Public Instruction, who has just refused the appeal of two French girls to enter the competitive Civil Service examinations on the grounds that Covermnenl clerkships are only open to persons who have performed their military service. Mrs. Therese 11. Elmendorf, of tha

Buffalo Public Library, has been elected to the presidency of the American Library Association. This is the first time that siuch an honor has been conferred on a woman in the United tSates.

The Senate of Illinois (U.S.A.) has passed a Suffrage Bill which provides that any town or city may. bv referendum, allow women to vote*for'all offices save those of police magistrates and justices of the pence.

The first woman in history to join the diplomatic corps of any nation is Miss Clothilde Luisi, a native of Uruguay, who has just been chosen by the Government of that Republic to act as attache to the Belgian Legation. Miss Luisi, who belongs to one of the oldest families in Uruguay, is a Doctor of Laws of the University of her native country.