The Letters of Annabel Lee

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 49, 29 June 1928, Page 6

The Letters of Annabel Lee

MY* dear Elisabeth: Interesting and cordial was the official opening of the G.F.S. Hostel. Wellington, and the crowd so great that, by ill fortune, many were unable to hear the speech of the Bishop, Mr. Coates, and others. Greatly to be admired are those who have steadily and successfully forged ahead for the sake of working girls; and in particular much kudos and appreciation are due to "Mrs. Sprott for noble and generous effort for the cause. Standing on what is to be the roof garden of the building, aware of beautiful expanse and wide horizon, as the setting sun turned cumulous clouds to flame, one felt a benediction upon liberality and largesse so willingly outpoured. A great -place this, to revel in the winds of the world, although in the ‘meantime only a few wistful sprigs of geranium, sprouting in a tub that has seen better days, represent the glory of the garden that is to be. IN one corridor of the Hostel is a group of photographs of sweet women of a bygone day, who formed the first committee of this most friendly society. Kindliness is depicted, and caps of another age; and a serene dignity denied to the hustling and bustling world of the present. On another landing hangs the portrait of a very lovely lady indeed, inquiry elucidating that she is the enchanting wife of a former Governor of our lucky isles, who for a short space walked among us wrapped in beauty, chinchilla and other lovely habilaments.

We admired the nice small bed-; rooms, with names of donors on the | lintel, and furnished in the sparse and pleasant modern way; while numerous bath-rooms charmed, and a pleasant living-room clamoured for | camaraderie. Kitchen, cupboards, airiness, and wise planning of this homely palace of peace, refiect urmost credit on Mr. Coleridge, for! ability, vision and forethought, and | Mr. Templeton, for carrying out the plans of the architect to such notable termination. AMONG those who helped to dispense acceptable tea, one noticed a picturesque coiffure of white hair, of the aureole variety, parted in the centre with a naivete delightful, and coiled low on the neck; almost persuading, in its sweetness of simplicity, to renouncement of ubi‘quitous shingle. Old men and and maidens were represented at the gathering, among the latter very noticeable being a lovely dark-eyed girl in gown of purple hue, which at best is a ravishing setting for beauty, and at worst so entirely devastating. F sorry stuff does illusion sometimes consist. Under a spreading chestnut hat lately put forward to gladden the eye of mere man, and worn by a dainty damsel with plenty of hair of her own, were attached what closely resembled nice little, tight Httle, wiry curls, which closer | observation revealed to be composed of horse-hair, apparently intended as part of the decorative scheme, and certainly achieving novelty.

J[ANTERESTING, and not surprising, to hear that Mr. John Drinkwater’s comedy, ‘Bird in Hand," is having a successful run in London. A modern and amusing rendering, this, of Cophetua and his beggar maid. Nqnire’s son and innkeeper’s daughter, to be exact, between whom there once yawned a social gulf of the most impassable, but in these days of the democrat it would seem that all things are possible. Clever characterisation and dialogue that sparkles are to be expected, with that sense of the theatre which is an attribute of this acute and brilliant critic; all allied to very excellent fooling, particularly the guileless chat of an inimitable traveller in sardines, who wanders in to the country inn where this most mirthful play is staged. | A SOPHISTICATED young man is Mr. Alec Waugh, who a few years ago electrified his world by writing a novel, at the age of seventeen, on that perennially engrossing topic, life in an English public school, and discoursing on certain of its aspects and eccentricities with a frankness unprecedented. Then came essays from this versatile and iconoelastic youth, more or less biographi‘cal in character; and some stories that contained much cabaret and cocktails and very little incident. Now there is published "Chukka," a volume of short tales of more than average merit, particularly when the author leaves his London and wanders forth to the fair land of Provence for a background to his clever characterisations. Your

ANNABEL

LEE.