WOMAN’S WORLD.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1922, Page 10

WOMAN’S WORLD.

PRINCESS MARY’S WORK

DURING THE WAR.

The news of Princess Mary’s engagement to Viscount Lascelles will be hailed with general satisfaction, says the Times. The Princess is very popular, and the public will rejoice that she has not chosen a consort of foreign birth. There is ample precedent for such a marriage in the Royal Family. Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Louise, was married to the Marquess of Lome (afterwards Duke of Argyll). At a later date the eldest daughter of the Prince of Wales (afterwards King Edward VII.) married Earl Fife, a Scottish noble who was elevated to a dukedom at the wedding breakfast. Since the war the Duke of Connaught’s second daughter (Princess Patricia) married Commander the Hon. Alexander Ramsay, D. 5.0., R.N., who is a distant kinsman of Lord Lascelles.

Princess Victoria Alexandra Alice Mary, third child aAd only daughter of the King and Queen, was born at Sandringham on April 25, 1897 Her sponsors, in addition to her parents, were Queen Victoria, the late Duchess of Teck, the Empress Alexander of Russia, Princess Victoria, the late King of the Hellenes, and the Earl of Athlone. She was carefully educated at home, and is known to possess many accomplishments. As a child and young girl she was allowed to choose some girl friend with whom she shared her games and lessons, and ®he was practically grown up before she took a part in public engagements.

The Princess celebrated her seventeenth birthday in April, 1914. During the war she organised a Voluntary Aid Detachment, to which Colonel Sir James Cantlie gave a course of lectures on first aid. The members, about thirty in number, were all personal friends, and the meetings were held at Buckingham Palace. Later on, Princess Mary took up regular duty as a V.A.D. nurse at the Children’s Hospital, Great Ormond Street, and worked with equal devotion and skill. She was the first member of the Royal Family to visit France after the Armistice.

Princess Mary was active in many other ways during and after the war, distributing honors to. women land workers, visiting girls’ hostels, opening women’s clubs, and in - every possible way showing her keen interest in the social welfare of her sex and of little children. She was at the farewell gathering of the Land Girls in the city, she went to a United Camps Rally of the Y.W.C.A., she opened the City Women’s Club in Oliver Goldsmith’s old home off Fleet Street, she presented badges to child welfare workers, she attended a garden Party at Bedford College, and she was with the London school children on their great “sunshine” day in the parks. On one occasion she danced merrily at an East End men’s club during a tour of the institutions known as “Highway Clubs,” her partner being an ex-machine gunner. in August, 191 S, Princess Mary was appointed colonel-in-chief of the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), and ever since she has taken the keenest interest in its doings. She met the first reurned prisoners on their arrival in England, and in .1919 she inspected the Ist battalion of the regiment at Edinburgh before its departure for India, and distributed decorations and medals. On this occasion she made two charming little speeches.

NEW TYPE OF WOMEN’S HOTEL. During a recent tour of the U.S.A. Mrs. Todd Smith was particularly interested in a new type of women’s hotel which is making its appearance in large Ameriacn cities. These hotels are maintained for the exclusive use of women, and are a boon to those who find themselves strangers in a strange city. They are built on most modern and comfortable lines, possess laundering conveniences on every floor, the first floor being reserved for the use tof mothers travelling with thir children, with a cot or bassinet in every bedroom.

FARMERS’ WIVES.

ASSERT THEIR RIGHTS. In many parts of America —as, perhaps, in' other countries also —farmers’ wives have rather a hard time (states the Aremican correspondent of an English exchange). In Nebraska this longsuffering class has raised the standard of revolt. They have issued a declaration of independence, in which they claim for the home a consideration equal to that given to the farm itself. Among their demands are a power washingmachine for the house for every traetqr bought for the farm; a bath-tub in the house for every binder on the farm; running water in the kitchen for every riding plough for the fields; a kerosene cooking stove for every automobile truck; a fireless cooker for every new mowing machine; and “our share of the farm income.” This declaration has npt been drawn up as a joke, but has been definitely presented as a practical policy by an organisation of farmers’ wives’ One of them, recounting her own experiences, says:—“Here I’ve had thirteen to feed for the last, month, counting extra farm hands, and no help, only what I could get out of the men — carrying water and such. The heaviest kind of work and the worst tools to do it with; no running water short of the creek, a coal stove, everything unhandy and poor and scarce. Not everybody likes housework, anyhow, but nobody likes it with things fixed up this way.”

GENERAL. There is much women’s suffrage activity in Spain, and recently all the suffrage societies met tin conference in Valencia. . Many prominent men are making public declarations of their belief in the wisdom and necessity of women’s suffrage. These include P. M. Ramonores, chief of the Liberal Party.

The masculine interrupter at English political meetings who loves to suggest that a woman speaker should stay at home and nurse “the baby” has had a facer dealt him in the (late) Mrs. Haverfield’s answer. “Well,” said this most adorable of women, “you see, my baby i is six feet tall, and he wouldn’t stay at home to be nursed if I wanted him to ever so much.” And the interrupter collapsed. The Australian policewoman is proving her worth, and showing those who are interested that she can deal with a ease as well as her male colleague. Policewoman Armfield, of the Sydney police. has succeeded in tracing and locating two girls who escaped from Ormond 1 House some weeks ago. On# of these

was located early in the search, but the second girl was more elusive, and Policewoman Armfield had to lay a trap with detective-like ingenuity to find the girl. She was at last found off Coif's Harbor, and brought back to Sydney. FOOTBALL FOR WOMEN. BANNED IN ENGLAND. NO MORE CHARITY MATCHES. London, Dec. 13. Should women play football? The Football Association has settled the question by deciding to request the clubs under its control not to allow the use Of grounds for women’s matches because it considers the game unsuitable for them. The unanimous resolution by the association rtins: Complaints having been made as to football being played by women, the council feel impelled to express their strong opinion that the game of football is quite unsuitable for females, and ought not to be encouraged. Complaints have also been made as to the conditions under which some of these matches have been arranged and played, and the appropriation of the receipts to other than charitable objects. The council are further of opinion that an excessive proportion of the receipts are absorbed in expenses, and an inadequate percentage devoted to charitable objects. For these reasons the councils request clubs belonging to the association to refuse the use of their grounds for such matclfes.”

A request from the association amounts almost to an order.

In a letter addressed to the secretary of the Football Association, Major Cecil Kent, of Liverpool, formerly sec: -tary of. the Old Westminsters’ Football Club, protests against a ban on women’s football. He has seen about 30 matches between women, and observes: “On all hands I have heard nothing but praise fof the good work that the girls are doing and the high standard €>f their play. The only thing I now hear from the man in the street .is: ‘Why have the .Football Association got their knife into girls’ football? What have the girls done except to raise large sums for charity and to play the game?’ I know that no unnecessary expenses are ever charged by the reputable girls’ football clubs, and that the charities alone benefit from the matches. Hitherto the Football Association has made no attempt to control girls’ football, but if they only legislate the girls’ clubs will accept their regulations cheerfully and abide by them faithfully.” Major Kent adds that if the Football Association’s ban is carried out, “every Lord Mayor, Mayor, unemployed fund, ex-servicemen’s fund, hospital, and other charity in 'England would be deliberately deprived of what is now a little gold mine to them. I am quite aware that the Football Association charity matches annually raise about £20.000, but the girls’ supplement to this of £lOO,OOO in two years can hardly be ignored.”

ENGAGEMENT PRESENTS. THE CUSTOM IN AMERICA. In America they have a very good custom of giving engagement presents, says the Daily Mail. As soon as a girl announces her engagement all her girl and women friends make her some small gift, either for her personal use or for her future home. In the first category numerous ideas suggest themselves. These are all the Qiings she needs for travelling, and very often two or three people will arrange that they give her everything needed to complete her suitcase. Glove, handkerchief, and nightdress cases are necessities, and bags for her shoes are useful either at home or for travelling. A silk wrapper which takes up very little room is a joy, and no woman should travel without a small but well-stocked ‘housewife,” and a cover of silk or muslin to throw over her clothes at night. Of course, lingerie offers a very wide field, and the engagement present often takes the form of'a daintily embroidered nightdress or camisole. For the house there are innumerable articles to choose. Doilys are one of them, and a woman who hopes to have a home of her own is always delighted with a number of tray cloths or tea cloths. Then there are guest tow-els—-small linen towels trimmed with

lace or embroidered, of infinite variety —delightful to make and equally delightful to possess. Sometimes what, is known as a “shower” is given for the bride-elect. Usually her greatest girl friend arranges a tea party at her house and invites all the friends of the engaged girl to come to the “shower.” And they come—each bearing a present; kettles and tea-cups, handkerchiefs and saucepans—it matters not what it is, whether big or little, so long as it is ; fmething that will be useful in the days to come. Occasionally one particular kind of present is suggested. For instance, handkerchief “showers” are quite popular, or it might be china or ironmongery, but whether specialised or miscellaneous, they are very gay functions.

WEDDING DRESS. AMERICAN EPISCOPAL RULES. Chattanooga, Tenn., Dec. 5. The Rev. W. C. Robertson, of Christ Episcopal Church, here yesterday issued rules governing the attire of brides and wedding attendants, which, among other things, says: Skirts must not be higher than where the spring of the calf of the leg begins, and be wide enough to allow of genufleeting before the Blessed Sacrament without exposing the calf, much less the. knee.” The pastor intimated that anyone.violating the rules would not be allowed to take part in a wedding ceremony in the church. Other regulations are: “No dress, called technically an ‘evening dress,’ will be allowed—that is, no extra lowness in the neck; but generally what women wear upon the street a modern ‘V,’ round, or square neck, with a complete back and front. “Sleeves must not be shorter than the elbows. “A real covering hat or veil must be used. “If transparent or semi-transparent material is used, sufficient lining must be used. LIFE IN CONSTANTINOPLE. PLIGHT OF THE RUSSIANS. Writing from Constantinople, Madame Omer Pasha mentions that in a recent fire in a suburb of the city about 1300 houses were burned, “some good private houses, others being old buildings, dating from Methusaleh! . • • Spite nil inconveniences, amusements are ‘ga'**' Theatres, concerts, teas, thes danl*’ receptions, weddings, etc., are dar events. Folks seem to be impregnated with a mad fluid. On the other side, the misery is Very great indeed, and many of our Russian refugees are to be

greatly pitied. Curious things have to be '’one. Just over the road is a Russian princess of very ancient family, older than the Romanoffs, who is housekeeper to some bachelors, the cook being the widow of a colonel. The baroness paints exquisitely, and is a perfect French and English scholar, but, among other things she has had to learn is how to make shoes.”

Madame Omer also tells of a Russian officer who had been given shelter by some kind people as long as they remained in Constantinople. When they left he sought far and wide for a place, but unsuccessfully. Finally the British police housed him in • some stables, which were part of a beautiful old building formerly belonging to an Aremenian sect, but which had been fired by the Turks.

“I fear the Russian element will suffer greatly this winter,” adds the writer. “I hope not, as I find them very brave —the few I know are splendid. All the Russian women think a great deal about dress. They have exquisite taste, and you rarely see one, even if ever so poor, who does not appear well-dressed, painted, or powdered. I know of one young married woman who went without her dinner to save the money requisite for a bottle of scent! The Turkish women show more self-restraint in that respect; and give away much. Most Turkish officials are paid monthly, so the first** fortnight is brilliant, the third week has a decline, and the last week is penniless, with probably debts. No Turkish child respects a Christian, although they associate with them, but there is never a true, warm-hearted feeling. Turks as a rule are warm-hearted, generous, and very hospitable. They don’t recognise the same hours as we do. Breakfast is unknown. The women get up at a late hour and take a small cup, about ‘egg’ size, of Turkish coffee, and sometimes a litre bread and cheese. Then a sponge of the face, a little freshening, prayers, and then they are ready to receive visitors.’/

Madame Omer gives other amusing details of the Turkish home life, all of which read strangely to the practical New Zealander, whose life is a workaday one, while theirs is almost entirely idle pleasure-seeking.

THE VALUE OF RHUBARB. Rhubarb is with us again, and, if one wished to paraphrase an old truth, it might be said that more desserts may be achieved with rhubarb than the world ever dreamed of (says a writer in an exchange). Too often the housewife has welcomed rhubarb at the beginning of the season, but, after serving rhubarb and apple pie once or twice, her enthusiasm has waned, and it has been allowed to drop into oblivion for the remainder of this season. Now, rhubarb is not only delicious, but it is most nutritious, as it is rich in mineral salts, and acts as a mild laxative. In cooking rhubarb the thin, red skin should not be removed if one is to secure an attractive and beautifully coloured product; also rhubarb is much more delicious baked than stewed. To bake rhubarb place in a pie dish alternative layers of rhubarb and a generous sprinkling of sugar; when the dish is full add a few small pieces of butter and a little grated lemon rind or cinnamon. The following is a recipe for a most attractive dessert: —Rhubarb puffs: Sift 1 cup of flour, 1 teaspoonful of baking powder; quarter teaspoonful of salt. and quarter cup of sugar together, add half cup of milk, one tablespoonful of melted butter, and one well-beaten egg, beat the mixture until smooth. Grease individual moulds or cups, and into each place three tablespoonsful of rhubarb cooked according to the previous recipe, and one tablespoonful of batter. Steam the puffs for 20 minutes, and serve hot. with cream, or a good boiled custard.

SUMMER HINTS. Various little summer hints are given in an exchange as follow: —Nettlerash, a summer affliction, can be eased, and in many cases quite cured, by rubbing the affected part with parsley. Sea-water stains on brown boots can be removed by rubbing the marks with a raw potato. Suede shoes, worn shiny on the beach, or by walking, can be renovated by rubbing them with fine sandpaper. Insects will give a wide berth to ankles or wrists which have been dabbed with pennyroyal essence mixed with a little eau de Cologne. A yellowed white straw hat can be made as new if it is brushed with powdered sulphur and lemon juice mixed to a paste. Rinse off with cold water, wipe, and dry in the shade. Grass stains on white dresses, cricketing flannels, and the like can be removed by wetting the places with cold water, covering with cream of tartar, and then placing in the sun. to dry.

FUTURE NAME AND TITLE. OF PRINCESS MARY. The betrothal of Princess Mary naturally awakened interest in the question of the name and title she will bear during her married life (writes a London correspondent). Her cousin, Princess Patricia of Connaught, dropped her Royal designation upon her marriage, but although Lady Patricia Ramsay’s democratic action won general admiration, a parallel procedure on the part of Princess Mary would be neither desirable nor in accordance with precedents associated with our Royal House. For one thing, Princess Mary is a direct, scion of the reigning House of Windsor. Again, there has always been a strong tendency —Indeed, an almost unbroken practice —for English ladies of high rank not to change their name when marrying into a lower social order, and so cause the extinction of the glorious names of English history. The almost-, regal Alice de Montacute, Countess of Salisbury, retained hei\ name on .marriage to"a knight. So did a later bearer of that title, Margaret, the mother of Henry 111., and widow of Sir Richard Pole. Going back further still, Queen Maud, the doughty opponent of Stephen, appears to have held her titles of Empress so tenaciously that not only was she never called Countess of Anjou, after her second marriage to the then count, hut her son by that count styled himself “Henry 11. Fitzempress” in all State documents. The Princess’ grandmother’s precedent —Princess Mary of Cambridge, Duchess of Teck —is a recent example.