WOMAN’S WORLD.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1922, Page 10

WOMAN’S WORLD.

PRINCESS MARY. HER PERSONALITY. " , The following intimate study of the Princess appeared in a recent number of The Queen: — Even in appearance Princess Mary is not known very well—or perhaps, it would be better to say, very accurately—to many people. Much as she has been about, and hard as she has worked since her emancipation from the schoolroom, it stands to reason that for every one who has seen her “in the flesh,” many thousands can recognise her only from photographs. And these are, at their best, but- poor things where the Princess is concerned. They cannot show the gleaming, glinting gold of her hair, nor the feathery softness of it; they can bear no trace of the wild rose fairness of her face, in which’the warm fed flush comes and goes, emphasising the delicacy of the coloring as it passes; they fail, except just once now and. then, to give a hint of the swift, sweet smile which irradiates and transforms her countenance so noticeably. Only a small minority, too, can have heard the Princess speak. If they had, they would fall victim to that rarest of charms —a really beautiful speaking voice, low pitched and roundly sweet, breaking, perhaps, into the dearest little chuckling laugh in the world. Smije and voice (“her lovely English voice,” as an enthusiastic American described it) and. coloring (though hardly, perhaps, in such perfection) are the Princess’s heritage from the Queen, and as inevitably lost by the camera as is her Majesty’s exquisite poise at rest or in motion. A French diplomat declared that to see the Queen walk through the Royal Gallery to the House of Lords and stand by the side of the Throne was un poeme, a spectacle of grace transcending words, and roundly abused her countryfolk’s indifference in that he had never heard of it. He forgot, however, that it is but a handful of people who can see the Queen, and that a handful which doesn’t talk!

Something of this rare charm the Princess has inherited, though she is still too young, too unconscious, too girlish (to use the term in its true significance, if one rather lost sight of amongst the sophisticated young things of to-day), for it to have fully emerged. One of the general comments made when her Royal Highness visited her sister V.A.D.’s in France was, “How beautifully the Princess walks!” and one has only to see her standing on a platform where everyone else seems fidgeting and shuffling to notice the unconscious self-mastery which is the foundation of grace, even though the tell-tale flush proclaims that she is feeling very shy indeed! THOSE EARLY DAYS.

This, no doubt is in part the result of training. You cannot divide cause and effect, nor diagnose the difference which influence has made. But y*ou can see in Princess Mary the fruit of careful guidance and cultivation —that is, if you have eyes to see and haw been in such privileged circumstance that you could use them. Something has been told of those youthful days when the education and guidance of her little daughter proved such an unfailing care to her Majesty; of the course of instruction, frequently on original lines, carried out under Mdle. Dussau, into whose charge the Princess’s education was entrusted; of certain lessons shared with a company of young girls round about her own age, so that companionship and healthy competition were not wanting; of quite unusual historical knowledge, imbibed as much unconsciously by intercourse with the Queen as consciously by study. The result of all education 'worthy of the hame, however, is seen when schooldays are past, with the emergence, gradually and perhaps slowly, of all those diverse qualities which go to make up character —the exact opposite, indeed, to the slavish “making to pattern” and lack of initiative sometimes casually considered as synonymous with any careful training at all. This is very clearly seen in Princess Mary by those who are near enough to see. ’ Gradually, and in some ways slowly, she has developed a very distinct personality of her own: none the less decided because it is very sweet and un-selfconscious —quite extraordinarily so in a girl who has lived the life of the Court, no matter with what strict simplicity. It is seen with regard to music, for instance. Until she was eighteen the Princess gave but small attention to this. Gradually, however, her taste developed; she found herself possessed of a pleasing voice which cultivation has rendered very charming, and, by dint of making up for lost time, she has achieved proficiency as a pianist, sufficient, with the cultivation of her taste, fostered by hearing good music at concerts and recitals, at any rate, to give her considerable pleasure.

Tn the same way the Princess has, long since schoolroom domination, given considerable study to various scientific subjects, notably to botany in general and arboriculture in particular. Almost by chance, her interest was aroused ink conifers, for instance, and she will spend absorbed hours at Sandringham, notebook in hand, riddling out their various intricacies, until she has become, in a modest way, quite an authority on their growth and again a fact showing an innate independence and individuality of mind.

The Princess dances well, too, and has made much progress in the fashionable art recently, aided thereto, no doubt, by her brothers, especially the Prince of Wales, who is a keen dancer. In the same way the Princess has all the love of outdoor games and proficiency in them of the typical British girl, and is especially good at tennis. A LOVER OF HORSES. But far and away her greatest delight is in horses. Pocsessed of a beautiful seat sn<l the lightest of hands, the Princess is never happier nor rfiore attractive than when in the saddle, unless it may be as a whip, driving her own pair of spirited greys at Windsor or scouring the country about Sandringham. She has even driven a four-in-hand with conspicuous success, and brought her seventeen-hand team triumphantly up the steep slope and around the awkward corner into the Castle yard with an evenness described by en enthusiastic “passenger” as “like a bath-chair.” No small achievement for slight, girlish wrists. The Princess, indeed, leads in horsemanship, with the possible exception of Prince Henry, amongst the children of the King and Queen. Recently, as is well known, Her Royal Highness has hunted two or three times with the West Norfolks, and on one occasion had some good runs under the aegis of Lord Lonsdale. Conceivably in the future opening so auspici-

ously before her, she will be able to indulge this taste considerably, for Lord Lascelles is a keen sportsman and amongst other things, is joint M.F.H. of the Bramham Moor Foxhounds.

And the Princess loves her horses, as what true horsewoman does not? They take, to her, the place often occupied by pets. These, as a matter of fact, do not appeal greatly to her, beyond the care of a remarkably tender heart for all small and defenceless things. Queen Alexandra’s love for the companionship of her dogs has not descended upon her granddaughter—yet, at any rate. THE FUTURE. To those who have been privileged to come into personal contact with the Princess, her Royal Highness’s development in the future is full of interest. She is pronounced by those well able to judge as both young and old for her twenty-four years. The circumstances of her life have had their natural effect here. Princess Mary grew up under the shadow of war, and nowhere did that -shadow loom more continuously than over the Royal Household. “Leave” brought occasions for dancing, for theatres, and all forms of gaiety to others, even though at rather hectic intervals. But not so to Princess Mary. The years which saw her pass from child to woman brought no amusement, little relaxation save that which a singularly happy disposition enabled her to find in everyday things. This, in one way, added to the restrictions inseparable from her great position, kept her very young; but in another it has made her old, for of young companionship she has had very little, while of work and responsibility she has had a’ great deal. It has been noticed on several occasions of entertaining at the Palace since the armistice that her Royal Highness has naturally turned i for companionship from the contempor- ‘ aries of her brothers to older men who ’ might be present; and here the years by which Lord Lascelles exceeds the age of his Royal fiancee are undoubtedly to her taste. Moreover, they will give her in him the assurance and support which, no doubt, will be welcome in the big stride from the sheltered life of girlhood at Court to womanhood in the ordinary world, no matter how exclusive. Not to everyone, in any rank of life, do wish and fulfilment go so kindly together! And the Princess has deserved her happiness. Very few people ! have any conception of how hard she i has worked since she grew up—with ; Lady Ampthill at the V.A.D. headquar- : ters, as commandant of her own detachi ment, in the children’s hospital, strenuous hours filled day in’, day out. Later, endless public engagements have made a demand which the very thoroughness of the Princess’s nature has rendered no light matter, for she studies every “movement” she supports, and follows its progress with unfailing zeal, doing her utmost and giving always of her best, even in the seemingly most trivial occasion. Certainly her Royal Highness has earned a long honeymoon holiday, in which, for once, to please helself, instead of others, as the prelude to the life of unclouded happiness which is everyone’s prayer for their pretty Princess.

BETROTHAL A SURPRISE. LOVE STORY A WELL-KEPT SECRET. Princess Mary has already captured the hearts of the people, for she shares with the Prince of Wales the knack of winning something far better and deeper than popularity. It is only natural, therefore, that her engagement to Viscount Lascelles should have been made the occasion of popular rejoicing. The desire on the part of the people to know as much as possible of the romance that has been kept so quiet, of the private life of the fortunate man, and the arrangements for their future, was only natural. The love story of Princess Mary was a well-kept secret. Not even the most intimate friends of the Royal fiancee guessed it. Afterwards, of course, they were dwelling with interest on little incident's of the past, realising how closely they are associated with the announcement of the betrothal; but, still with wonder, the many people who might have been expected to know, asked themselves why they never suspected the romance that was taking place before their eyes. One who by reason of an honorable-position is an intimate friend, of Princess Mary has substantiated this fact. “Not for an instant did we suspect it,” she said. “The betrothal came to me as great a surprise as it must have been to the general public; but we are all unaffectedly glad that Princess Mary is so happy.” THE BRIDESMAIDS.

Princess Mary’s bridesmaids were Princess Maud of Fife, Lady Rachel Cavendish, Lady Mary Thynne, Lady Victoria Mary Cambridge, Lady Doris Gordon-Lehnox, Lady Elizabeth BowesLyon, Lady Helen Diana Bridgeman, Lady Mary Cambridge.

Princess Maud of Fife is a. sister of the Duchess of Fife (H.R.H. Princess Arthur of Connaught). Her mother, the Princess Royal, Dowager Duchess of Fife, is a sister of the King-

Lady Rachel Cavendish is the fourth daughter of the Duke of Devonshire. She was born in 1902. Lady Mary Beatrice Thynne, who was born in 1903, is the third daughter of the Marquess of Bath. Her sister recently married the Marquess of Northampton. Lady Victoria Constance Mary •Cambridge, born in 1897, is the elder dauglfter of the Marquess of Cambridge and a cousin of the Princess Mary, her father being the elder brother of Queen Mary. Lady Doris Hilda Gordon-Lennox, born in 1896, is the second daughter of the Earl of March and granddaughter of the Duke of Richmond and Gordon. Lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, born in 1900, is the youngest e daughter of the Earl of Strathmore. Lady Helen Diana Bridgeman, born in 1907, is the eldest daughter of the Earl of Bradford. Lady Mary Cambridge, born in 1906, is the only surviving daughter of the Earl of Athlone. She is also a cousin of the Princess Mary, her father being the youngest brother of Queen Mq,ry.

To make an effective but inexpensive face cream, take of white beeswax- one drachm, and of spermaceti and almond oil drachms each. Melt them together, and while they are cooling add, to perfume the cream, very slowly, six drachms o-f rose-water. When after patient heating, the mixture isa creamy and thick, add a drop or two of oil of roses. Almond oil alone is an excellent I emollient, and a few drops go a long way in massaging the face and hands.

ABBEY WEDDINGS. PEOPLE WHO HAVE A RIGHT TO THE PRIVILEGE. It has been stated that the wedding of Princess Mary was the third Royal wedding in Westminster Abbey that of Princess Patricia having been the second. The statement is true (says the London Observer) if it is intended to refer only to modern times; but it is open to challenge if it is meant to apply to the whole of medieval history as well.

It is difficult to speak precisely of the past, because the ancient chroniclers wrote of marriages taking place “apud Westmonasterium,” a description which might have meant either in the Chapel of St. Stephen in the Palace of Westminster or at the Abbey. The first recorded marriage in the Abbey Church was of Edmund Crouchback (second son of Henry III.) and Aveline of Lancaster; and it is commonly supposed, though in this case there is no mention of it in the Abbey records, that Richard 11. was married there to Anne of Bohemia. This is one of the marriages which the old chronicler, Thomas Walsingham, speaks of as having taken place “apud Westmonasterium.” There have been many other weddings in the Abbey, the ceremony, as in the case of burials and christenings, being entirely within the discretion of the Dean. A request from the Royal Family or from the Government would naturally be granted. In the case of others persons some claim to connection with the Abbey would have to be established. Naturally the clergy of the Abbey "possess such a claim. The i present Bishop of Durham, when a canon of Westminster, was married at the high altar, and the Rev. Canon Westlake was married in the Chapel of Henry VII., where marriages usually take place and christenings invariably. A marriage of considerable interest that took, place at the high altar eight or nine years ago was that of Lady Beatrice Ormsby-Gore. Lady Beatrice is a daughter of Lord Salisbury, and here the claim to connection with the Abbey was established by the fact that Lord Salisbury is High Steward of Westminster, and, as the holder of that office, has a stall in the Abbey. MOTHER AND HOME. Enamel Ware.—All enamel saucepans and culinary articles, whether white or blue, are easily cleansed from stains if washed when quite warm in hot water in which a little soft soap has been dissolved. Always rinse enamel ware in cold water before putting away, as by this means a much better polish is given to it.

Giving Medicine to a Baby.—Mothers are frequently puzzled as to how they shall administer medicine to quite young children. The spoon containing the medicine should be placed against the roof of the mouth, as this prevents the child from choking or ejecting the medicine, which is thus swallowed quite easily. Indigestion -with Children.—lf a child is continually suffering from excessive thirst, this may be considered a sign that he is suffering from indigestion, and a change of diet is advisable. Milk cannot be digested by all children, so that it is not always wise to rely on this alone, and careful examination should be made so that the mother may be sure the food which is given is properly assimilated.

Bad Appetite.—A child should never be tempted with improper food, no matter how flagging the appetite may be. It is true a healthy child will eat whatever is given to it, but if a child leaves some, or dawdles over its eating, it is better by far not to press it to eat, and unless the appetite recovers by mealtime the mother may be sure that something is ailing the child. Regularity in Mealtimes.—Regularity with the child’s meals is very important. Indeed, it may be said to be the most important thing. At ten o’clock at night the child should be lifted and given a little warm milk to drink, and should require nothing more until morning. If the child wakes very early, a cup of warm milk at five or six o’clock will, as a rule, be the means of sending him to sleep again. A tiny spirit lamp or stove is all that the mother or nurse needs to prepare this quickly. If the cup of milk is taken up overnight, it should be covered with a piece of thin white muslin.

Economy in Towels.—Dish towels should not be used for removing dishes from the oven, lifting articles from the stove, etc. Cloths for this purpose 'should be made of old towels and washed often. Hang one on a hook behind the stove. Darn at once every small break in dish, hand, or bathroom towels with suitable threads, remembering that such darning should lie done quickly with coarse threads on the common towels. Make the best parts of worn bath towels into wash cloths by cutting into correct shapes and buttonholing, machine stitching or crocheting edges around them. Wrinkled Hands. —Those people whose hands get very harsh and dry and wrinkled should dip them every night into a little vinegar. Dry and thoroughly rub with cold cream. Wear gloves at night. Perseverance in this treatment will render the skin of the hands soft and smooth.

Chaps and Chilblains. —Washing in hard water* and neglecting to thoroughly dry the hands after washing are frequent causes of chaps and chilblains on the hands. Glycerine and rosewater mixed in equal proportions is the best cure for chapped hands. Of course, the glycerine smarts when first applied if the hands are very much cut, but this must be endured. After applying the glycerine, put on chamois leather gloveone or two sizes too large. Out of doors woollen gloves or fur-lined gloves shouM be worn. Don’t grudge time in drying your hands. Dry them first with an ordinary linen towel, and then thoroughly rub them with a soft Turkish one. Afterwards dust them over with a good toilet powder or a little fuller’s earth.

For Tired. Feet. —Hard-worked mothers who are on their feet most o-f the day will be glad to have this '•emedy for swollen, inflamed feet. It will help the treatment of corns, besides relieving inflammation. Fold over the toes a wet bandage of several thicknesses, and cover the whole with a piece of waterproof jackonet, keeping it in place with a bandage. Keep this on all night. The tired, swollen feeling will be gone, the feet will be fresher, and troublesome corns or callosities can not infrequently be entirely removed. If you do not possess any jackonet or oilskin, a spongebag slipped over the foot and tied about the ankle will answer the same purpose, which is merely to keep in the moisture.