LADIES’ ITEMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2431, 29 November 1892, Page 4

LADIES’ ITEMS.

It used to be said, writes “ A M;ile Observer” to Woman, that there were two things which a woman could not do. One was to run; the other was to throw a stone. Up to now she has not learned to do the latter feat, but at the former she is—provided she can run at all—an adept. The last generation of girls could not run. They were told it was hoydendiah and tomboyish and everything else to do so. They wore forbidden by all the canons of good behavior and propriety to go no faster than a walk—like a team crossing a country bridge. If by any mischance it became absolutely necessary for them to run, the way they went at it was calculated to make a man weep. They wriggled, they waddled, they stepped on the sidis of their feet, then they field their heads down to hide their blushes. The “ running girl ” now can catcli a ’bus, and subside into a seat breathing as gently as an infant. Unless (Borne special poet arises we need not hope to see justice done them by words of description. Until then we lay this tribute at the feet—the very pretty feet—-

of the girl who runs to catch a passing ’bus or to escape from a sudden shower. I am inclined to think, says Lady Violet Greville in the Graphic, lhat women, as a rule, are what men make them, and a husband of 22 or 23 lacks experience in wife-training. If only marriages were like a civil service examination ! So many questions to answer, so many qualifications to fulfil, how easy it would be to prepare for two modern languages, or one, music or drawing, algebra or cooking, as the case might bo ! A man in the colonies knows what ho wants a wife for —to cook, to sew, to scrub, to wash ; in short, a respectable, unpaid general servant, ordinary female labour being unattainable. But what does a man in London know of his requirements ? The wife he married when he was a struggling junior at the bar, or a tradesman in a small way, is out of touch and out of harmony with his surroxxnding now that he is Lord Chancellor or the head of a firm, and a rising M.P. qualifying for a baronetcy. The small clerk needs a cook ; the artist or literary man an intelligent companion; the brilliant statesman a woman who will exert a soothing influence over him, see that he has soup and wine when he returns from his work, and keep away from him all disagreeable and tedious admirers. Every great man requires and finds such a one—generally, unfortunately, however, in someone else’s wife.

The Japanese girl, like her English sister, is reported to be in a bad way. The native papers are lamenting that the Tokio high school girl is a very badly behaved young person. She lives alone in lodgings, walks by herself in the streets after dark, and plays cards with her friends in tea houses. All these things, or their equivalents, are done by a goodly number of young women in England, and no particular harm results, although nobody pretends that these customs are the perfection of manners. The Japanese girl, perhaps, goes a good deal farther than all this, since it is complained that in her efforts to imitate foreign manners she has “ almost transformed herself into a man.” It is grievous to think that the dainty, soft-eyed Japanese girl of romance is becoming masculine; and all this begins fo look like the death of another illusion. Happily all Japanese girls do not live in Tokio and do not go to high schools. Mrs Abner Taylor, the beautiful wife of the millionaire Chicago Congressman, has initiated a startingly unique fad. It has been customary in Washington for ladies to secure the autographs of Senators, Representatives, and high public dignitaries in albums. Mrs Taylor’s ambition lias outgrown the album stage. There is passing through the House of Representatives one of Mrs Taylor’s under garments, known to the fair sex as a petticoat. A neat little note form is appended, addressed to the representatives, requesting each to write his autograph upon the garment. She explains in her note that it is her purpose to embroider the names in silk, with a view to possessing, when the ornament is completed, an autograph petticoat of the present Congress. A flask of marking ink and a pen is enclosed in the lady’s parcel. She intimates that the linen is prepared to take writing without running. The passage of this linen affair from desk to desk through the House has caused no end of amusement among the Congressmen. Many of the more modest of the representatives are anxiously inquiring where this autograph fad of the ladies is going to stop. vVhen the garment reaches the Senate that august body will receive a shock from which it will take some time to recover. A general hope is expressed among the statesmen that Mrs Taylor’s new fad will not strike the fancy of the rest of the fad-seeking Washington ladies. The annual parade of American babies in perambulators was held lately at Ashbury Park, New Jersey, U.S.A. The procession, which included 300 babies, took 25 minutes in passing a given point. It was headed by a little boy dressed as a policeman, followed by a pi’oeession of children and a band of juvenile musicians. The perambulators were decoratod with flowers, ribbons, and lace. A cradle 100 years old, in which were placed two babies, attracted considerable attention. The oaganisers of the parade presented each child with a pound packet of sweets, a nursing bottle, and an air-ball of bright color with a string attached to it. It is estimated that the parade wis witnessed by 30,000 persons.

THE GERMAN ARMY BILL,

Berlin, Nov, 26

Chancellor von Oftprivi introduced the German Army Bill in the Reichstag in a speech -which lasted two hours. He disclaimed any idea of a warlike policy, and warmly repelled the idea that the increase asked for was for the purpose of provoking war. On the contrary, they wished to secure a long peace. Germany wanted no increase of territory, but he felt it his duty to point out the dangers that confronted them on both the eastern and western frontiers. The French army already outnumbered the German, and the disparity was increasing every year. It was impossible to ignore the French love of war, and their desire was constantly growing stronger to conclude alliances, not for defence but purely in order to revise the map of Europe. Though Germany was on good terms with Russia, fierce forces were operating there which might drive the Czar, lover of peace as ho was, into war with Germany. Von Gaprivi said he was convinced the next Rinnans Avar would be c -n ducted on the western frontier. Though there was no immediate danger, yet, if the ynppvorji.uicut loci ween France and Russia were converted into an alliance, there would bo grave risks. Hence Germany could not sun*aider Alsace-Lorraine or abandon its nJati l . ns with Austria and Italy. Be contendi'd that as a matter of fact the troops of the Triple Alliance were not, equal to th ■ combined French and Russian armies. Ho was aware that any request for an increase in the forces was bound to produce ill feeling, but a war with Russia at the present moment would find Germany unprepared, 'Che Bill might possibly be unwelcome, but defeat would be Averse. Germany was not so supreme as in 1870. He dwelt forcibly on the extraordinary strength of the French frontier fortifications and Paris, which Avas now the strongest fortress in the Avorld. The Reichstag received the Chancellor’s speech coldly and with evident scepticism. The Kaiser congratulated Count von Capriyi upon his speech upon introducing the Army Bill. The Berlin Press does not approve of the Bill, but is delighted that Prince Bismarck has been proved to bo wrong. The Reichstag is discussing the advisability of prohibiting emigration between the ages of J 7 and 25 of persons liable to military servico. The Catholic Centre in the Reichstag are introducing a Bill, removing disabilities on Jesuits, as the price of their support of the Army Bill. Paris, Nov. 2G.

The French press declare Count Caprivi’s speech to be a striking tribute

to the power of France, who is able to regai-d the situation with scornful composure. _____________