THE LADIES’ WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2518, 3 June 1909, Page 7

THE LADIES’ WORLD.

WOMEN IN INDIA

In an article entitled “On a Bombay [Racecourse,” Major W. P. Drury, in the London “Daily Mail,” says:— “West and East regard women from diametrically opposite standpoints; the one exalts, the other debases her. . In England she reigns; in India, through all the centuries, she has ,been a chattel and the plaything of the hour. The butward respect (decreasing, alas!) which is paid the white woman by the native is born of no revorence for her sex. S t is the sahib’s incomprehensible whim that the mem-saliib and the miss-sahib .should be treated with even greater deference than himself. There, in a nutshell is the whole- attitude of the Orient towards Western womanhood. Of the many .varying reasons assigned for the< present disquietude in India, one is constant. It is the indiscriminate petting and lionising of the native races by our women at home. Morally speaking there are only two classes of Oriental. The one should be treated by the white women with dignified courtesy; the other shunned by her like the pestilence. It cannot be too often or too emphatically repeated that, by an intelligent disregard of this rule, wmmeh in England are menacing the safoty. honor, and welfare of every fellow-countrywoman in India.”

CONCERNING “G. B. LANCASTER.”

M. E, Forrest, whose short stories and occasional poems are much appreciated by readers of the “Australasian” contributes to the “Brisbane Courier” a pen-picture of G. B. Lancaster,” the New' Zealand writer, who passed through Brisbane recently on her way to Vancouver. G. B. Lancaster,” she,says, “appears below the title of short stories in Australian papers, as well as in the foremost American and English periodicals, the name which summons instantly to the mind’s eye the strong shouldered, clear-cut figures of G. B. Lancaster’s heroes whether their back ground bo New Zealand hills, or the wide yellow Queensland plains, or the dark, drooping island palms. A masterly touch, decisive, crisp, real, and her men and women leap out, human beings with human weaknesses, and withal the spark divine. 1 think she believes with Browning that ‘What God mado Best, can’t be Worst.’ ” Numerous short stories of equal standard, compelling interest, and making the thoughtful reader wonder • over the insight, the great capable brain behind it all, and then —one meets tire woman and\ wonders more. Small, dark haired/eyes that change from blue to grey, alert movements, the* sword showing through the scabbard when she speaks, pretty clinging ways. . . . a very woman . . •

and the author of plot and incident, and strong dialogue, Which makes the wise critic smile .satisfied, “this nom de, plume —if it'be one —hides a man this time, any way.” i . Her next book, already in the hands the publishers, is entitled “Jim and the Ranges.” • . ..... She has solved her preliminary ciilliculties by finding a reliable agent for her work in Loudon, and as she voyages forth on the Makura, one thinks her “resting” (as she says she intends) by storing ■up in her, mind the golden grain which, later, will grow into a vivid character, striking plot, and stirring incident for -her readers’ reaping. Our last glimpse of her was an erect, blue-clad figure, with a camp stool under one .arm, passing down towards the wharf, vvdien.ee she embarks on her voyage of discovery. But this is not the least we—-or the world—shall hear of her. Good luck, and au’ revoir, G. 13. Lancaster.” HOUSEHOLD HINTS. Cakes may be kept fresh for many weeks if a sound, hard apple is placed in the cake tin. Madras muslin, when partly dry, iron on the wrong side on a thick blanket ; to raise the pattern. To clean diamonds., brush them in a lather of soap, and afterwards rub them with eau de Cologne, and polish them with soft tissue-paper. _ An excellent way of oookmg oatmeal or rolled oats is to put two teacupfuls of oatmeal into an eartheraware crock, one quart of water, pinch of salt; give a stir, cover close, and cook in a slow oven for two hours. You will find it delicious, and no trouble. , . x , , Immediately upon leaving the sleeping room in the morning, the windows should be raised to their, full height, and the doors thrown open to enable the fresh, outside air to reach every corner of the apartment in free circulation. There is marvellous power in the air to sweeten and purify. The bedclothing should he taken from the bed and spread upon chairs near the open window. . ..., ' New Use for Old Pianos.—Old,-worn-out upright . pianos can> he converted into splendid bookcases and cupboards for magazines if the inside is bodily removed without injury to the frame, and the keyboard makes a writing .desk, the under.part making a famous cupboard for papers and magazines. The result is a handsome and' useful piece of furniture.