"The Distaff."

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2161, 15 May 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

"The Distaff."

The nineteenth of February (says the Pall Mall Gazette) deserves to be remembered as a **ed letter day in the progress of civilisation, for in the early hours the first House of Commons elected by the votes of all the male householders of the three kingdoms accepted without a division the second reading of the bill admitting all female householders to the suffrage. There was a division on the adjournment preceding the second reading, which enabled the opponents of the bill te enter a protest, and show that they were in a minority of 2to 3. Aft' * that the bill was carried without a dlv ion, and the House of Commons affirrred its allegiance to the principle of the Rights of Woman — an affirmation perhaps not less important, although much less sensational, than the famous declaration of the Rights of Man, which made such a stir in the world a century ago. The movement which we (Lanci't) inaugurated in London two or three years ago on behalf of the female shop assistants has beeu at length taken up by the Parisians. A committee of ladies in Paris are* endeavouring to induce the proprietors of some of the large drapery and mercery assistants. Females of mature »ge»and young girls, indifferently, at some of the largo '(shops in that city, have to attend 'from 'eight o'clock in tho morning to the same bom* at night, with absolute orders thnt they are not to sit down whilst at their counters. There is a report that the Prince of Wales, although seemingly in good health, suffers occasionally from dyspepsia, and bis physician, Sir Andrew Clarke, has placed him upon a regimen which he follows oftener perhaps than he feels disposed, viz: "A hunk of stale bread, and the lean portion of a mutton chop." This may nccount for a slight visible reduction of the adipose matter that was Jfast gaining on the Prince's figure. The miuuet is to be danced in London during the season only with limits. For instance, a minuet will be struck up by the band, and all the guests expected to join, and then more space is required than for ordinary dances. The minuet is a very difficult dance, and needs grace as well as practice. A pentleman asked by a hostess to join her in a trinuet, he being a very fine waltzer, applied to the chief instructor of dancing in London. He asked for lessons and wished to know how many would be necessary. The answer was, " Twenty in your case, you are a good dancer ; in ordinary cases twice that number of lessons will not suffice. To dance the minuet as it should be danced, one ought to be trained for at least five years." No wonder that the teaching ot tho minuet was a recognised item of education for girls and boys of gentle birth a hundred years ago. The reorganised Society ot Lxdy Artists have opened an exhibition of over five hundred water-colour drawings at the Egyptian hall which will repay a visit. Though the collection boasts no very salient or remarkable achievements, the average maintained is a high one, and compared with those obtained at masculine exhibitions the prices asked seemed low. If it be true, as it is stated, that the interests of the lady artists have been rather "crowded out" of the old socities, they are quite right in pushing their independent fortunes. The following extracts from a London paper will be of interest to many of our readers who can recall pleasant evenings spent with Mr Kennedy and his talented daughters : — Mr Kennedy has arranged to give three performances of his entertainment "The Songs of Scotland V at St. James 1 Hall, having on each occasion as vocalists the co-operation of 'the Misses Helen, Marjory, Maggie, and Jessie Kennedy. The programme will be varied each evening, that on the opening night being of a miscellaneous character, while that of the second concert. "ANichtwi 1 the Jacobites,' will consist chiefly of songs .i^suciated with the Scottish Rebellion in favour of the Stuarts, the concluding evening being devoted to songa by Burns, Mr Kennedy reciting on each occasion. Bright orange draperies for windows are much used just now in the United States, their rich tints giving brightness to the room. Bridget and Mary, fellow servants in a household where there is plenty to do, are not on amicable terms And thus it came to pass that Bridget, speaking to her mistress, said :-" Indeed, ma'am, Mary and work might be married without breaking the law— for they're not related." A competition has been opened in Paris for the best work on tho treatment of infants. All French writers and doctors are invited to compete for the prize, which will consist of a large gold medal. Moreover, the work will be printed at the expense of the State, and a million copies distributed among mothers of the poorer classes.