Welsh Newspapers
Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles
18 articles on this Page
SLEEVES FOR EVENING GOWNS.
SLEEVES FOR EVENING GOWNS. A hot dispute concerning tihe correct length of sleeves has recently been raging in modietic circles, some drcis&makers pronouncing strongly in favour of the transparent full-length mancho of some filmy material, others going to the other extreme, and declaring that nothing but the merest suspicion of sleeve at the shoulder was necessary. However, Dame Fadhion seems to have finally decided the vexed question; at any ra.te, as far as the sleeves of full-dress evening toilettes a.re concerned, by ruling that the correct manohe must reach practically to the elbow, and should be of delicate transparent material. Some of these sleeves are charmingly pretty, the folds of tulle illusion, chiffon, or tinsel gauze being draped round the arm in the most cunning and bewitching of folds, so as to display to tho best possible advantage the modelling off a beautiful, well-rounded arm. In mamy cases the sleeve fabric i9 powdered all over with weo crystal dewdrops, tiny paillettes of gold, filver, or mothe r-o'-p earl, or minute pearls, with very pretty effect. Apropos of this subject, I must te-ll you that many of the leading French dress- makers are carrying out nearly all their even- ing sleeves in the very finest tulle of the palest flesh colour, so near to the real flesih tint as to be scarcely preceptible against the arm.
THE RETURN - OF THE TURBAN.
THE RETURN OF THE TURBAN. Among the latest revivals of last oorutury modes must be numbered the turban for evening wear, an adornment specially beloved by the ladies of the great Napoleon's court. Though rather formidable in sound, these turbans are in reality the lightest and meet gossamer affairs, composed of the finest tulle, silk, or tinsel gauze, or very transparent chiffon. The material is usually powdered with crystal beads, jet, paillettes, or pearls, and is loosely and skilfully twisted into turban shape, and finished on the left side with a.n upstanding plume or aigrette, or a single large floweir with crisp, erect leaves Quite the prettiest turbain I have yet Ecem was worn at a big charity dance last week, and was made of incredibly fine white tulle illusion, thickly sprinkled with small cut jet discs, and finished with a stiff wihite osiprey almost covered with tiny jet beads.
A SMART COSTUME.
A SMART COSTUME. I notice that a great many of the new cos- tumes are made with short rather than long coats. Possibly the reason may be that the ex extreme popularity of the three-quarter coat during the last three months has made us just zing just below the top of the hip. One modish a wee bit of its charms. At any rate, many of I the costume that I notioed the other dav be- the latest and smartest models show coats reach-' longed to his class, end was an exceedingly nrotty and becoming affair. The material in which it was realised was a fine, emooth-faci cloth, in a charming shade of Austrian blue. From the neck turned back a collar of ve-lvet in exactly the same shade, the velvet being almost hidden beneath an elaborate braiding of black soutache. A jaunty little waistcoat of the same velvet, similarly braided, filled up the front of the coat, and was flanked on either side by a plain band of the cloth, ornamented with groups of "barrel" buttons in black silk braid. Over each shouidor came a plain strapping of the cloth, which, at tha waist, turned at right angles and developed into a belt. Below this belt came a little partially pleated basque, which just covered the hip. The sleeves were of the simple "coat" order, and were finished with cuffs which matched the collar. The skirt was cut with eleven gores, arranged in a sucoession of tucks, which were released half-way between waist and knee, and provided ample width at the hem.
EVENING CLOAKS FOR LITTLE…
EVENING CLOAKS FOR LITTLE GIRLS. There are some delightfully pretty little even- ing wraps for small gi,rls' wear this winter. Simple in shape, as all young girls' garments ought to be, they have a distinct chic of their own, and are eminently suited to their purpose. The prettiest amd most childlike models are plain circular cloaks of cloth, thickly wadded, daintily lined, and finished with a big drawn hood at the back. A charming cloak made by a friend of mine for her little girl was carried out in very fine satiny cloth of a beautiful c-rcamy tone, and was lined throughout with soft ivory satin, wadded and quilted in most cosy fashion. Tho hood at the back was lined with silver tissuo, over an inner lining of whiie satin, and had its fulness drawn up by a thick silver cord passed through eyelet holes worked in the material. This cord was taken round the neck of the cloak to the front, and there finished wibh loops and five or six long tasselled ends.
Food and Health Notes.
Food and Health Notes. (By a Correspondent.) WEATHER SAMPLES AND CHANGES. During the last weeks we have doubtless all foud the sudden changes in the weather very trying. Personally, 1 have been at IDlY wits' end sometimes to knhow to direae myself and the children, ami what food, to provide for everyday meals. In cold weather I bke to nave the little ones warmly clad, but as "ooddling up" is distinctly harmful, I dn-op all extra, wraps as soon as possible. But lately I have been quite unable to keep paoe with the sudden, changes in temperature, and as I prefer in uwh matters to err on the safe aide, I am afraid the children have found their extra clothing occasionally too warm to be comfortable. WHAT TO GET FOR DINNER? It has been much the same with re&pect to food. I gene-rrally have a. nice hot soup on the table at mid-day when the air is keen and cutting. The children badly need something hot and stimulating when they run home from school in the face of a bitter north-east wind. But good soups are not to be made in a hurry, add when the thermometer, an hour after break- fast, has suddenly dropped from a epring-like temperature to some degrees below freezing poult I have found myself more than once with- out the necessary stock for a. wholesome nourish- ing soup. In suoh cases, however, I have fallen back upon those handy penny packets of Edwards' desiccated soup, which I always keep by me Bummer and winter alike. I have found these particularly heLpful in getting a nice hot soup ready hurriedly against the ohiklren's home coming. One of these soups the /children eeipeciaUiy enjoy. me about 3d a.t the most to make, and for this, thanks to these valuable little packets, I get about 1, 1 pints of really nourishing soup for our mid-day meal. I give the recipe here, as others may like to try lt' WHITE VEGETABLE SOUP. Mix lj ounces of Edwards' white vegetable moup, with a little warm water. Oover it over and place it near the fire for fifteen minutes, Meantime, be getting ready a pint of water, a blade of mace, a bit of lemon peel, amd a small piece of butter, in another saucepan. Bring this to the boil, then pour in the soup, and boil the whole half an hour, adding I pint of new or skimmed milk, and pepper and salt to taste. The soup must not be boiled after the milk is added, but only made quite hot. Serve with toast. MAKING SURE OF BREAKFAST. Another tihing I have been very careful about during this spell of trying weather is to make sure the dhildrem have a good breakfast always before turning out. A substantial, nourishing breakfast is very easily prepared, even when one is pressed for time, as meet of us are in the cold weather when wo are so apt to lie abed till the last minute. At home we always make grape-nuts the basis c the morning meal. In winter we add plenty of hot new milk, with toast, butter, amd home-made jam. Lately we have been drinking Rawntree's ooooa., wfhich the children muidh pre- fer to every other kind of cocoa we have so far tried. Grape-nuts wi-th hot new milk buttered toast, and a cup of Rowntree's cocoa nice and hot to finish up with, is an ideal palatable and sustaining meal for a cold January morning. bfFAL$ THAT ARE SATISFACTORY. Tho average mid-day meal in winter, whether eaten at home or not, is generally satisfactory. We ail tend to eat heartily now, and when good "'r digestiotn waits upon appetite, a good meal is the ibesc of all cold weather comforts. The same may also be said of our evening meal, whether it be dinner or only high tea. The sweet portion of these meals might with ad- vantage be varied more by introducing some dainty novelties in puddings and tarts. This is a matter I hope to deal with later on some- what fully, for I think the sweet course of tihe average dinner is more often than not its leaat appetising feature. But just now I wish to hurry on to t-ho question of supper. SHOULD WE GO SUPPERLESS Occasionally I hear of a friend who still goea aupperloss to bed, afraid to take the slightest snack before retiring lest indigestion should give riooto troubled direams and sleeplessness. But this I feel sure is quite a. mistake. No one nowadays advocates a heavy meal just before bed, but this is quite a different matter from going without food altogether. We have only to realise how much more quickly food is burned up in our bodies in cold weather than in hot to see how necessary it is now to take just a snack of something about half an hour befiore turning into bed. It need not be mudh, in fact the lighter and more di- gestible tihe food is the better. Many I know who cannot take anything else, find that aibout four teaspoonfulls of grape-aunts with half a tumbler of hot milk (sipped ) makes an ideal supper dish. This nourishing food is easily digested, and gives a delicious feeling of warmth that all through the night. It is Bunpriaing, too, how effectually even this light snack takes away that gnawing feeling in the stomach which so often keeps our supperless friend, awake. With cold feet and a quite empty stomach sleep for any of us is out of the question. Only when every part of our body is 4oomfortably satisfied and warm can we drop into that quiet oontented frame of mind which is necessary to induce sound refreshing sleep. So miudh for supper, and now here are two excellent vegetable soups which will come parti- cularly oooept-ablo if the oold spell that threateins us every now and then Should settle upon us in grim earnest. They are very simply made. The butter Ibean puree is most nourishing, and should form a substantial part of the meal in which it is served. PARSNIP SOUP. Ingredients: Three parsnips, three onions, two quants of boiling water, two tablespoons of lentil flour, downing, pepe.r and salt to taste. Method: Cut the parsnips and oniong into small pieoes and put into boiling wiater, cook till tender, rub through a sieve, and put back into tihe saucepan. Mix the lentil flouir with a little water, and pour into the soup, stirring all the time to prevent its getting into lumps. Add a few drops of browning, and Beason to taste. BUTTER BEAN SOUP. Ingredients lg lbs. butter beans, three onions, two quarts of boiling water, one pint of .milk, three' talbleepoonfulls of grape-nuts, pepper and salt to taste. Method: T&ke the butter beans (after steeping them overnight in cold water) and the onions, put both into the boiling water and oook till tender. Rub through a sieve, put back into the pot, add the milk and grape-nuts, heat up, but do not 'boil, seoson and serve very hot. J
Advertising
I WLa. Replying to Advertise- j meats,$l«ase mention n 1 "THE PIONEER." 1 I S
OONNOISSEUR OF PILLS.
OONNOISSEUR OF PILLS. LIVERPOOL SEPTUAGENARIAN'S EXPERIENCE- In the Chancery Division, on Saturday, before Mr Justice Warrington. Mr Marbelli said in tihe case of Boedham v. Stephen Stephenson, cliemist and druggist, of Kensington, Liverpool, he had a motion for an injunction to restrain the de- fendant from selling or offering for sale as Beecham's Pills pii'ls "not manufactured by Mr Beeoham- Counsel said the defendant had been selling pills which wore not Beadham's Pills in Beeoham's boxes, and with Beocham's labels- Ttio matter was brouglht to the notice of tihe plaintiff by an old t.ady seventy veare of age, who bad, been taking Beeoham's Pills for forty years (laughter). She bought pills from the de- fendant, and found tihat they were no good. Upon that inquiries were made on behalf of Mr Beeohaim. The old lady made an affidavit, in whioh she said she had been habitually using Beeoham's Piilils for over forty years. She want to defendant's shop in Liverpool and asked for a box of Beeclham's. and she was handted a box of pills bearing the plaintiff's label and the Go- vernment stamp. 8 took tihe pills, which did not have the effect she had formerly experi- enood-(Ia,ught,or),-but gave her pain. This aroused bar suspicion- Mr Justice Warrington asked how -the Govern, ment stamp oaxao on the box- Mr MairteiM said it was presumed that the stamp was got off by a eteammg process. The defendant did not anoeat, 8IDd his lord- ship gmanted1 an injunction in the terms of the noteos of motion until judgement or furt-her order He added that the parties oould turn this into a perpetual injunction if they ohose to nrwy* to torn*. >
Home Hints.
Home Hints. oeramoiea eggs are greatly improved by a,_ squeeze of lemon juice added to them while they are cooking. When stewing fruit put a pinch of carbo- nate of soda to the fruit when cooking, and only half the usual quantity of sugar will be needed. Yorkshire Pudding.—An excellent York- shire pudding is made by mixing a pint of milk with eight ounces of flour, a pinch of salt, and two eggs. To fill up unsightly holes in a wall make a plaster of one part of plaster of Paris. and three parte of fine sand. Mix with cold water, using a knife. Take iron mould out of marble thus Wet the spots with lemon juice, or with oil of vitriol, let it remain for a quarter of an hour, then rub dry with a soft cloth. Table-linen should be hemmed by hand. Not only does it look better and more dainty, but there is never a streak of dirt under the edge after being laundered, as with machine eewing. The practice of keeping a tiny jet of gas burning in the night nursery all night is most pernicious a nightlight should be used in- stead, and candles are better than a lamp when more light is needed. Rice Caudle.—This is a capital child's supper in cold weather. Mix a tablespoonful of ground rice with a little cold water; info this pour one pint of boiling milk. Stir while it boils for ten minutes; add a little salt. Sweeten, and flavour with grated cinnamon. Serve at once. Cake tins, patty pans, etc., are easily cleaned by boiling. Put them in a. saucepan with some soap extract and water, boil them for about an hour, and they will be found clean and new-looking. Soap and soda or borax may be used instead of soap extract, if preferred. An excellent grease eradicator for family use is made thus Boil one ounce of soap cut small in one quart of soft water, add a tablespoonful of saltpetre and one ounce and a half of ammonia. Keep this fluid in a tightly corked bottle. Beetroot served wtih chops and steaks is always liked: Boil some beetroot until tender, scrape off the skin, chop very finely, and pour over all a tablespoonful of melted butter, add a dash of vinegar, pepper and salt to taste. Serve hot, piled in the centre of a dish with chops round it. Your washing dresses, unless they are wanted limp, should always be dried before starching. Dresses with a coloured pattern on them should never be hung to dry in the Gun, as everything fades more quickly when wet. Closely woven goods require lesa starch than those which are loosely made. To keep tortoise-shell bright, the best polish is the rouge powder used for brighten- ing silver. If thus treated regularly, tor- toise-shell, however old, never need look dull, as is so often the case. Never wash a. bread board in the sink, especially an iron sink. The iron will leave a dark stain on the board which is difficult to remove. Always scrub boards and hard- wood tables with the grain of the wood, and if it is necessary to 6crape do so with the grain of the wood, to prevent roughening the nurface. A small spoonful of vinegar added to the water in which fish is boiling will make the fish white and firm. In frying fish the fat must be boiling before the fish is placed in' the pan, otherwise it will be sodden and, unpalatable. I 1 To clean wall paper, first brush the wallij thoroughly by means of a duster tied over a long-handled broom, and wipe with clean cloths until all the dust is removed. Then cut a stale loaf in four, and with this lightly wipe the paper, holding the bread by the crust, beginning at the top and rubbing downwards-never up or across. Devilled Cold Meat. Take one table- spoonful of mustard, one dessertspoonful of salad oil, a pinch of curry powder, salt, and sugar, and two wineglassfuls of Worcester sauce. Stir all together. Cut the cold meat in slices, dip into the sauce, and cook with a little butter in a saucepan till the sauce is nearly all taken up by the cold meat. Serve hot with toast. There are many simpJe polishes which are equally good for patent leather boots. The old-fashioned plan of using cream or milk is not very effectual. Furniture cream gives a splendid polish to patent leather, or apply equal quantities of sweet oil and turpentine. This gives a brilliant polish, even to quite old leather. Among minor dress accessories a number of small articles amply repay the trouble of amateur treatment, cotton sunshades being easily cleaned by means of a stiff brush and plenty of warm water and soap, while the fact is often ignored that ordinary net veils can be easily cleaned by dipping them in soapsuds, those which will not bear this treatment being considerably freshened by dipping them in pure alcohol. Potato Scones.—Two cupfuls of mashed potatoes, two cupfuls of flour, two level tablespoonfuls of melted butter, one tea- spoohful of salt, two teaspoonfuls of baking- powder, sufficient milk to make a dough. Rub the butter into the flout, add to it the potatoes, salt and baking-powder, mix with the milk into a dough, and roll out about half an inch thick. Cut into shape, and bake in a quick oven for twenty-five minutes. Dry Curry of Mutton.—Fry a sliced apple and onion till brown in a little butter, then add a tablespoonful of pea-flour, and stew all together. Cut some tender cooked meat across the grain in small dice, and add to the onion, cook all till hot through, stirring as little as possible. Scatter over a teaspoon- ful of curry powder, salt and pepper to taste. Pour over all two tablespoonfuls of good gravy, stir till dry, and serve with a border of nicely boiled rice. To clean a white kid belt put the belt in a small basin, cover it with motor spirit and let it soak a few minutes. Take up the belt and with a piece of clean flannel work off the dirt, rubbing one way. Let the dirt settle in the motor spirit and carefully pour off the -spirit into a clean basin, adding a little more to. it. Rinse the belt again and rub once more with clean flannels till the belt is clean when dry. Gloves may be treated in the same way with great success. Kensington Cutlets.—Take two ounces of nicely boiled rice, mix it with some onion, which has been boiled and chopped, four ounces of cold minced beef or mutton, two ounces of finely-shredded suet, and one ounce of breadcrumbs. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne, and a few drops of some hot sauce. Make into a smooth paste with some warm siiock, and spread on a plate, smooth- ing the liop over with a knife dipped in hot water. Let the paste stand for two hours to cool, then cut into neat cutlets, dip into egg and breadcrumbs, and fry a nice golden brown. Take a hot dish, arrange on it a narrow mound of potatoes, and place the cutlets on it. Garnish with parsley, and serve.
[No title]
The "Pioneer" ia recognised as one of the most popular papers in the Principality. Splendid medium for advartmers.
IPictures from Poverty Land.
Pictures from Poverty Land. BY ALEXANDER GRAHAM-SIMPSON, VI. A woman is sitting opposite to you in the omnibus, and it is not hard to see that every one regards her askance. Some one whispers that she has had "too much to take," for she leans back inert, her lipa moving from time to time without sound. But those lips are very white and drawn; the cheeks are hollow, and big rings circle the closed eyes. Presently she looks around, in all probability sees the cold glances of her neighbours, and begins to weep. "Dis- graceful!" remarks an elderly female, pre* paring to leave the omnibus. Yes, indeed, disgraceful it is Disgraceful that in this Twentieth Century there should be such a case Disgraceful that it should be found in the heart of the Empire, in the centre of culture and refinement, of civilisa- tion and learning. Disgraceful that amid all our progress this remnant of the darkest! ages, this bitter famine should stare us in the face! That woman is no more drunk than you are. When you have been in these quar- ters long enough you will learn to know tho signs. They become all too familiar, and beat at your heart until you almost shame to be warmly clad while your fellow creatures are cold and hungering. When the lumbering vehicle approaches Mile-end-road, a different class of people ride within. They understand the situation. Doubtless some of them have been through the same gates of suffering. One or two speak to her, and under the influence of sym- pathy she appears somewhat to revive. She almost falls, however, when she attempts to descend from the omnibus, and only the kindly help of the conductor prevents an accident. Then, guided by a fellow passenger, she reaches a small shop, where food and steaming coffee are placed before ber. Strangely enough, the sight of them after long fasting almost makes her ill. Little by little, however, she is able to take refresh* ment, and with returning strength to tell he own tale. "Hungry!" she exclaims. "It's long since me or mine was otherwise. What can you expect with two shillin' and eightpence to feed six people a whole week. Yes, that Í8 all. Only two an' eightpence. There's me and the man and the four children. He is a baker by trade, but since I don't know when he's only had a week-end job that brings him in five shillin'. I go out charing-when there's any to be had—and this morning I was just on my way to work when I was took ill. I was afraid to go on and afraid to stop, so I had to spend all the money we had in 'bus fare." Here she broke down. "It seemed wicked," she presently conj tinued, "but what could I do? No, I had not tasted a bite since yesterday afternoon, when I had tea and bread. Why do we live on so little when my husband and I work. Do you think we live rent free? Why, our three bit rooms cost eight and sixpence a week, and I've stuck to them even at the price for decency's sake. We cannot all huddle together into one or two rooms with the chil- dren growing up, and when that must be, then the end will be near "Two and eightpence You're surprised? But believe me there are many worse off than that! All my husband's five shillings goes for rent in the first place, for we must have a home in which at least to shelter. One day a week I have regular employment. It is at a clothier's, and they let me buy things for the children there, keepiag off so much each time from the 2s. 6d. due to me for a day's work. Of course, my eldest lad might get a job, but they won't let him leave school until he is fourteen, and you can imagine how well he learns on an almost empty stomach most days and on an entirely empty stomach the rest! "How do I manage? Well, I buy four pennyworth of meat pieces, which generally weigh about a pound. They are the cuttings off the bones. Then I buy three pennyworth of stale bread. I put the meat into a pan with plenty of water, and stew it, with two pennyworth of potatoes, of which I get four pounds. Twice a week we have some of this soup stuff. Then I give them plain rice boiled without milk or with fat twice a week. Some- times with bread pieces given me I make a pudding. For a change at times I cook them pancakes. For these I buy two pennyworth of milk and mix it with water and flour. Then I pour the mixture, thinly, into a flat- pan, with boiling grease in it, and after a while the whole comes out like wash leather -but nice when you've not had much to eat. For the rest, we live on bread and tea, with a little sugar when we can get it, and occa, sionally we are able to afford margarine. Coal we buy as we can, and are often without it. "At the beginning of the week I always lay in a stock of flour. I buy one and five- pence worth—not the best. Half a pound of tea costs sevenpence, and lasts the whole seven days. Meat scraps, bread, and the bread scraps given me where I work are generally all else we have. A few days ago my little boy made twopence by carrying a bag, and he came home looking quite big and proud with some pieces of ham he had bought with the money. There, mother,' he says, I know you've had no supper, so you've just got to cook and eat that.' And he lays his precious parcel on the table. Oh, sir, it was worth all I've ever suffered for them to see him do it. My brave-hearted little man! Yes, indeed, with young children it is very hard at times to get out and leave them) but neighbours is wonderful kind. People like us has always to sort of pull together. There is no trouble that may not come to each of us; so we just give a helping hand wherever it is needed. When I am gone and the boy is at school I lock up the rooms. The children cannot take much hurt where there is no fire; and, when she can get away from her own, the woman opposite comes in and sees they are all right. She gives them what food there is, and sometimes when there's been none she has shared what she has got with them. Her man is on the railway and in reg'lar work. That was how we first got to know each other. They had just come to these parts, and one day I saw her cryin' bitterly. I asked her what was the matter, and she told me that her husband, with a gang of men, had been ordered up to some job be- yond Grantham. At Grantham there had just been an awful accident, and she was cer- tain her man must be in the disaster. For some time I stayed with her, she had be- come that helpless with cryin', and when my husband came home he went off to see if he could find out anything about what had hap- pened. That spell of waiting was the most ter- rible I ever knew. The few hours had made the poor thing lying on the bed a perfect wreck; but every now and again she became quiet and prayed. I never heard no one pray like her. It almost made me feel frightened, and as at the last she was askin' God not to leave her all alone in the world there was a dull, heavy step on the stairs. I thought it was my man come back with bad news. But she sat up with a wild look on her face, and graspin' both my wrists, stared at the door so that I thought she was touched. When it opened, and her man came in, safe and sound, but dead tired, havin' been sent to another job and not the one expected, he was completely took back to see her as she was. After we made him understand he al- most cried, too, just to think what she'd gone through because of him! Since then we've been firm friends and helped each other along in the bad times best we could. Yes, sir, I often do think the poor have more faith than the rich. They've more need of it!"
Advertising
JUDGE'S TRIBUTE TO WALES. _40_( The. Winter Assizes for Montgomeryshire wetro held at Welshpool yesterday, before Mr Justice Bray. There were no prisoners for trial, and tihe High Steriff (Mr H- Ethels ton Peiell) presented his Lordship with a pair of white gloves. In oharging the grand jury, of whom Captain D. II. Myt-ton was chairman, the Judge congra- tulatod them and! titbe oounty on the absence of ariminal cases. It was the first time he had been in Montgomeryshire, but certainly his ex pen- enoo had beien that, in the gireater part of Waloo there was very l,ittle serious crime. Bert nd RUBBER APPLIflHCES Cheapest. Dont Delay. Write to-day for large now revised M Illustrated Book. Post free in sealed envelope. ■ N. W. C. A T KIN SON'S, t 56, HILL ST., MIDDLESBROUGH, I ESTABLISHED 36 YEARS. ■
Woman's WiderJ World.
Woman's Wider J World. BY TERESA BILLINGTON-GREIG. VI.—THE HOME-MAKER IN TOWN AND CITY. The majority of men are sadly wanting in the capacity for home-making, and the majority of women have that capacity well developed. A single man or a widower may inhabit a house, may spend time and thought upon its appointments and management, but it generally remains merely a temporary makeshift, a lodgement for the moment, an unsatisfactory make-believe. For an in- habited house is not necessarily a home. It may be nothing more than a shelter. HE ART OF HOME-MAKING. Woman is essentially the home maker. Ages of mother-love and home-service have developed in woman the spirit required to turn a habitation into a home. Like every Other product of evolution this power has grown unmarked, by slow silent steps, in each generation, and the women of to-day have inherited it from the past. The house of a single woman or of a widow commonly bears all the characteristics of a home, and must be so, described. In spite of the heavy handicaps under which women work in the labour market widows seem better able to protect for their children the homes they need than widowers. A striking example of this, and an acknowledgement of no little value, is seen in Glasgow, where the City Council has found it necessary to open a "Home" for widowers and their families, though for widows no such provision is made. MUNICIPAL AND NATIONAL HOMES. This characteristic capacity of women—the capacity of home-making, of raising a habita- tion above the level of a mere shelter or lodging-is capable of being applied not only to the family home, but to the town home, the city home, and the home of the whole nation. The spirit that is absent from the shelter inhabited by the family when it is robbed of its home-maker is absent in great measure from the municipal and national homes of to-day. Men alone have not been able to make the world a home to each wan- dering soul that comes to it from the great silence. That they have failed there is proof on every aide, and the many reform move- ments of this century serve at once as an acknowledgement of past failure and a pro- mise of future betterment. MAN-MADE SYSTEM OF INDUSTRY. There is one great difference of outlook between men and women which must be stated to emphasise their differing capacities for home-making. Men, the producers of material things, always give to the products of their hands and brains the first attention. The man-made system of industry, the exist- ing masculine methods of government, mark this for US at every turn. Everywhere the thing is more important than the human being; the product more valued than the pro- ducer or user of it. With women it is other- wise. They are not primarily economic pro- ducers, the greater number of them are engaged in personal service to home and children. They buy and use things, it is true, for women are the great purchasers of the nation. But they buy things, and prepare things for use, for human beings. The pre- servation of the life of the human being is their first object; the material things are but steps to this end. The difference is easily ex- plained. Man's greatest products are wrought out in material form by work of hand and brain, while the greatest product that woman presents to the race is life. He pays the price for the material wealth heaped up around us; she for the wealth of human life: and each unconsciously values that which they produce as the highest product. WOMEN'S EFFACEMENT. In the world of to-day, where human life is cheaper than machinery, where a. man is cheaper than a horse, sometimes even than a dog, there is urgent need for the coming of .women—the producer and protectress of life —into power and responsibility. Past ages lbave shown us her power and her capacity for service. After the loss of public rights which culminated in 1832 in the statutory 'disqualification of women for citizenship, the opportunity of service to the community afforded to women was narrowly restricted. They had no right of voting for any publio representative; they had no right to sit upon any public body; apparently they only existed in.society to be legislated for, to be taxed, and to be governed. Yet during this period of restricted opportunity women gave to the nation much valuable service. BK-ADMITTANCE TO PUBLIC LIFI In 1869 the municipal franchise wss COD" ferred upon women, and in 1872 they won the right to vote for and sit upon the newly- established School Boards, while in 1875 the first woman Poor Law Guardian was elected in Kensington. The right to vote for the election of County Councillors and the right to sit upon Parish and District Councils were Wtln much later; the first in 1888 and the second in 1894. The right of sitting upon County, City, and Borough Councils has only been granted during this present year. PlONBBK WOMEN. The early efforts of women in the world of education, which resulted in the institution of higher schools and colleges for girls, and in the admission of women to the Universi- ties, were given new impetus and wider power by the establishment of School Boards. A great share of the credit for the humanising of our elementary education, and for the extension of educational opportuni- ties to the children of the workers, is due to the women who gave their services to these popularly elected educational bodies. Miss' Flora Stevenson, in Scotland, was followed by hundreds of others all over the country, who did yeoman service for the children. PRACTICAL WORK. In Poor Law work generally, and especially in Poor Law Reform, women have given equally valuable service. Miss Laura Twin- ing not only lightened the lives of inmates of workhouses by a hundred needful reforms, but forced upon the reluctant male Guar- dians Visiting Committees of women, and was chiefly responsible for the appointment of women Poor Law Inspectors, and for the securing of efficient nursing for workhouse inmates. Miss Escombe has developed and carried out a housing scheme by means of which cheap sanitary cottages have been provided by the Parish Council on which the sat. The same public-spirited woman was responsible for securing for her own neighbourhood an isolation hospital, and a supply of pure water for public use. WIDER AND WIDER YET. The area of service now opened to women by the newly-granted right of sitting upon Town and County Councils will offer special opportunities to thojjM. The work of keeping the towns and cities of the land sweet and well-ordered and well-governed requires the oo-operation of women. The great avenues of work upon these bodies are sanitation, bousing, land reform and management, medical service and inspection, care and education of children, the condi- tion of the streets as to traffic and morality, the supply of pure water, the inspection of milk and foodstuffs, and the just and eco- nomical administration of all public services. All these matters pertain to the comfort and safety of women as well as of men, and to the problems connected with each department earned women must bring their share of wis- dom and experience if the world is to be benefited by satisfactory solutions. PUBLIC PARTNERS. Women coming forward for service on these local authorities will bring with them into the Council Chamber the ideals and aspirations of the home, theijr long experience as ad- ministrators will tend to make them econo- mical and practical public servants, and their appreciation of human life will keep them generally on the side of broader and more merciful administration. Under the joint control of men and women these den- sely peopled places of the earth may become in the dawning century true homes to the striving human beings who inhabit them. To this end women should seize the new oppor- tunity of service, and men should welcome the co-operation of women in the work. I
Advertising
mm A M p| ■■ ■ Sure,8af«Cur« P.mpe &nd lass rreo. Send at once. THWAITIES, ECZEMA Herb", aerb8Ji8t. flto^ton-ogTeee.
A SMART HAT.
A SMART HAT. There is quite a rage just now for grey millinery of all kinds—hats, toques, and even bonnets. Quite the favourite shade of grey for the purpose is a lovely steely tone, known to the fashionable world as "acier" grey, and particularly effective in velvet and satin. It is of the former material that the beautiful ohapeau, pictured in our sketch, is made, crown, brim, and trimming being all carried out in softest "acier" grey chiffon velvet, while the sweeping, upturned brim is lined throughout with satin of exactly the same shade. On the left &ide of the crown, and well to the front, are arranged three or four beautiful made-up wings, which are held in place by a big "dhou" of the velvet. These wings are delightful in colour, the bottom part consisting of tiny, short, downy feathers of an exquisite iridescent green. Beyond these come flat pads of soft white breast plumage, splashed and mottled with the same metallic green. From these spring long soft feathers clustered together, and shading from a delicate pale grey to deep iridescent gieem at the tips. An extremely smart and most becoming cihapeau.
THE CARE OF CLOTHES.
THE CARE OF CLOTHES. It has often been said that one of the secrets of the well-dressed woman is the way she puts on her clothes, but another secret perhaps still more important.—is the way in which she takes them off. Skirts will last twice as long if shaken and well brushed and hung up by two loops. Blouses, when. put aside, should be smoothed carefully, the loops of bows on hats, etc., gently pulled out, veils rolled smoolhly, the fingers of gloves drawn out.
FOR THE SEASON.
FOR THE SEASON. There is immense variety and adaptability about tho new winter fashions. The colours are for tho most part lovely and exceptionally becom- ing. while the fabrics are of a soft, rich texture, which gives them a great additional oharm. For day gowns, of the smarter kind, the smooth fine cloth with a surface almost as (silky as crepe de chine, still holds the first place, while for the simpler coat and skirt tailor-mades, zoft tweeds and cashmeres uro being used, striped in many CM'S with three different colours. In some in- stances s'nped tweed skirts are being made to wear with close-fit ring three-quarter length coats in a plain cloth which repeats the predominant colour of the s'iripes. Or possibly a striped coat may be worn with a plain skirt. the coat strapped with the plain material, in order to bring about a certain amount of harmony between the two Tailor-mades are very smart, and yet simple. 'I'her0 was once an idea that if you wanted to be smart voa must never -wea-- a. tailor-made ooat and 'skirt. Now a smart tailor-made would do duty on almost any occasion. Short coats are still very popular, although for warmth the th ree-quarter ooat, ftl-ting closely to the figV.ro, I is to be recommended.
BABY'S WRAP OF NEW SHAPE.
BABY'S WRAP OF NEW SHAPE. Our second sketch shows a pretty and rather novel wrap for an infant to be i sod in place of the customary head-flannel or shawl for carrying the baby about corridors, etc. This dainty little garment is considered an indispensable item of the layette by all French mothers, a.nd is, I can assure you, a most useful wrap which can be made to do duty in various ways until the child is two or throe years old. It is merely a circular cape set on to a neckband and finished with a big, soft hood at the back, which, at need, can be drawn ooeily round baby's head and shoulders. BABY'S WRAP OF EMBROIDERED FLANNEL The edges of the garment are embroidered all round with a scallop and simple desig.n, and tho hood is further adorned with a big tassel and two ombroidered buttons. Thaveyards of flan- nel will be sufficient for the realisation of this deisign. I A BEAUTIFUL EVENING WRAP. I Never in my experience as a fashion recorder have evening cloa.ks displayed such a variety of style, colour, and ornamentation, as at the pre- sent moment. At one end of the scale is a sumptuous and elaborate garment of velvet, fur and Laoo. lined with brocatie and gauged chiffon, and gorgeous enough for a Court function; and at the other the simplest of wide found! dloaks of dlotih, silk. or velvet, absolutely guiltless of trimming save for a little embroid-cry on the narrow collar, and. perhaps, a fastening of thick cord 1'oops and heavy tassels. course, there atrØ many degrees of elaboration between these two extremes, and the beautiful cloak, pictured in our present sketch, oomeiS somewhere between them, but isneare-rin style to the simple inquisi- tion cloak than to the other relai garment- sl- This particular wrap is canried out in the very finest and glosfiest of faced cloths in a delicate and specially beautiful shade .of champagne. Like I the majority of this winter's models the cloak is cut considerably longer at the oack than &t the front, the cidige describing a giraoeful sweeping 1 curve from front to back- As regards shape, this cloak is really a sort of wide sacque coat with tremendously gored seams, so that material hangs in the most delightful and artistic of folds from the shoulders- Down the frorut run long wide stoles of ivory brocade, patterned with a most exquisite design of rosies .a.nd foliage in delicate natural colouring on a background thickly powdered with &mall gold' spots. These soolet3 are bordered all round with an inch binding of gold. tissue, and are taken over tho shoulders and alLowed to fall about fifteen inches down the back. All four ends are weighted with heavy gold tassels, which form a most effective finislh. Round the neck is ar- ranged' a soft small drapery of thp gold tissue wihdoh fastens in front with, gold cord and tas- sels. The sleeves are wide, full affairs, roomy enough to take any soft of sleeve beneath, which are taken into big ouffs of the gold-bordered brocade. A lining of ivory satin completes this beauti-ful wrap.
!-ST. ASAPH BOARD OF GUARDIANS.
ST. ASAPH BOARD OF GUARDIANS. ALARM IN G INCREASE OF VAGRANTS. TREATMENT OF PAUPER CHILDREN. The fortnightly meeting of the Board di Guardians was held at St. Asaph on Friday. Mr Edwin Morgan presided, Mr J. Friin- ston occupied the vice-chair, and there wei e also present: Mrs Howell Gee, Rev. Lod- wick Ellis, Messrs Bennett Jones, Robert Lloyd (Henllan), J. Ellis Jones, W. S. Roberts, John Roberts (Abergele), Wm. Jones, R. E. Griffiths, Hugh Edwards, Ll. B. Evans, 1. Batho, Thos. Salusbury, Mor- ris Jones, J. Jones (Abergele), J. R. Ellis, Wm. Morris, Thos. Hughes, J. Lothian, with the Clerk (Mr Chas. Grimsley) and other officials. THE MASTER'S REPORT. The Master reported that the inmates were entertained to a first-class tea on New Year's Day. An excellent entertain- ment had been provided for them, and during the interval the men were presented with Itobacco, the women with tea and sugar, and the children with sweets, nuts, and oranges. A hearty vote .of thanks was accorded to all those who contributed to the success of the gathering. The Master acknowledged the receipt of illustrated paper from the Misses Roberts (Tan Rallt); Mrs Rowe (St. Asaph); Mrs Graves (St. Asaph); and Mr David Hughes {St. Asaph). STATISTICS. The Master reported that the number of inmates was 162, being an increase of five on the previous year. The vagrants mim- bered 186, being an increase of 87. CALLS IN ARREAR. The Clerk reported that the parishes of Llanfairtalhaiarn and Llansannan were in arrears with their contributions to the funds of the Union. He also remarked that monthly statements as to the collec- tion of the poor rate were not sent as thev should be, and he had drawn the attention of the persons concerned to the omission, but without the effect he had hoped for. The Clerk was instructed to take pro- ceedings for the recovery of the arrears, failing their payment forthwith. UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE DISTRICf. The Clerk reported that the Local Government Board Inspector had written asking if there were any exceptional dis- tress in the Union, owing to the lack of employment. He (the Clerk) did not think there was any exceptional distress in the district. Mr Ellis Jones said there was consider- able unemployment in Denbigh, and many men had left the neighbourhood for South Wales. Mr Frimston said that there was also ex- ceptional distress in Rhyl, but they hoped that would be alleviated by starting work on the new Pavilion in the next week. They were expecting every moment a reply from the office of Woods and Forests on the matter. Mr John I.oberts (Abergele) said he did not think employment was so scarce. He had offered a n'an a day's work for three shillings, just to gijje him something to do. The man, however, refused the offer. Another rural member said he had a a similar experience. The Clerk repeated that he did not think there was any exceptional" distress, and the matter was left in his hands. The Chairman remarked that there were always some men out of employment at this time of the year. TREATMENT OF PAUPER CHILDREN. Mr Batho announced that the Visiting Committee had considered the question of the boarding out of the children (as sug- confer with the Local Government Board Inspector), and had discussed the matter very freely and fully. They came to the conclusion thab at present they did not see any necessity for any change in the present system. As regards the unexpended balance of zC167 15s on the infirmary loan, the com- mittee recommended that the matter be left in the hands of the Clerk, who would ocnfer with the Local Government Board on the subject. Mr Frimston asked if the children had their meals with the adults. Mr Batho said he was sorry to say they did. Mr Frimston remarked that he thought this should be altered. They knew the class of people that sat there, and it was not very desirable for the children to hear the kind of language that was sometimes heard. He suggested that the children should either have their meals before or after the adults. Mr Batho replied that the Visiting Com- mittee would willingly consider the matter, and moved that it be referred to that Com- mittee. This was unanimously agreed to and the recommendations of the committee were adopted.