THE LADIES’ WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2558, 20 July 1909, Page 3

THE LADIES’ WORLD.

HINTS TO GIRLS Co:,IKMPLATING MATRIMON i. >. As women do not have the privilege of offering themselves in marriage, t-hey can have, and do have, .in the very strictest sense of th 6 word, the delightful privilege of choosing the one they prefer, and should remember that this choice, which affects their future happiness so materially, should be very positive in its enlightened exercise. A girl does not reach perfect woman-hood until she attains the age of 21 to 24 wears, and until these ages are reached the thought of marriage should be set aside. Tile body is not fully growli until this time. Neither is the osseous or bony system completely developed. When, then, a woman has reached this perfect and complete maturity, and is free from bodily disease, either inherited or acquired, she should endeavor to select from her admirers a man as perfect as herself in health, and fully developed in body and mind. She should also, before uniting her life with his, obtain a full knowledge of housekeeping and the proper principles of government of a family.. A well-known physician says a man does not attain complete physical development befbre the age of 25 to 28 years. Upon this proven physiological fact, and tho same relating to a woman, a eonple should not. marry until their bodies have acquired complete development. At one period in early German history the natives were not allowed to marry before their 25tli year, previously to which they arc taught to observe'the strictest chastity, As a consequence their offspring were, remarkable for their size and strength and beauty, so that tlio astonishment of Europe was excited, Unions should be avoided with persons of disproportionate ages, because almost ipyaviahl" iney are followed by much misery. Medical statistics have proven conclusively that the children of such ill marriages are usually either bodily or mentally. If Women value a healthful future for themselves and .their offspring, they should avoid union with men who siltfer from ill-liOciltlij oitlior acquired or the result of heredity. —Next to 111-health, —

and very closely related to it, would come bad habits. The first and foremost of these, the one to be regarded with dread by every good woman, is the abuse of alcoholic liquors. Shun union with a relative. Do not marry a man who possesses no visible means of support, who always looks well, yet appears to do nothing. There is aiways a suspicion of a mis-spent life about such a person. Most surely have nothing to do with a man who has a reputation for meanness and selfishness, or one- who is lazy, inert, and shiftless. Regard with disdain men who treat their mothers and sisters with indifference and unkindness, or men who are negligent in dress or careless and untidy in habits. Never marry an utter stranger, or one whose character is not well-known and tested ; and, finally, do not marry for a home or for money, simply. No woman with proper respect for herself would so degrade her higher nature as to marry for other reasons than the full acquirement and completion of perfect happiness. J' ' 1 After reading all these objections, our inquiring girls will say, “Btit how are we to put them into practice?” The matter is not difficult if girls are careful tliat the men who visit them have reputations of high standing. Then, if perfect frankness always be observed, all hypocrisy and deceit avoided, the woman showing herself in her everyday true character, thoughts, and habits, her nature will command respect and love from a man who might otherwise bo inclined to wait. Never lay snares for men, but let a girl be her own sweet self, cheerful, patient, and hopeful, trying to do the work of life apportioned to her with fortitude and endurance, and not with fault-finding and dismal sighing, but with courage and trust, making her whole life one of usefulness.

In this rapid twentieth century there is a feverish desire of girls to marry yonng. Marriages of people of 17 and 18 years of age are of frequent occurrence. all proving an evidence of things wanting and of bodies undergrown and minds preverted. This lessened growth and lack of cultivation, so completely at variance with every law of nature, are due almost altogether to the training of injudicious parents, and especially mothers. Of the results of this education in its practical application it is not necessary to speak, for are not the avenues of life crowded with lieartsore martyrs of early marriages, whose sufferings and mis-ery should make every noble girl decide to patiently rest and wait? Do not be afraid of being an old maid. The term “old maid” is used in- derision by persons whose natures are of a low order, and whose opinions are not to be considered. Some of the nearest approaches to the perfection of a woman’s nature have been made by maiden women, who, having a high motive for their work, have reached a high eminence' without ostentatious display. THE TABLE. Fish Curry Croquettes. —Required : Two ounces of rice, four ounces of cooked fish, one small teaspoonful of lemonjuice and chopped onion, half an ounce of butter or drirming, half a gill of stock, two eggs, breadcrumbs, seasoning. AVash the rice, put it on to boil in plenty of fast-boiling salted water. Cook it quickly until tender, then drain it well in a clean cloth. Remove all bones and skin from the fish, and chop it. Melt the dripping in a pan, put in the onion, curry-powder, and flour, and cook them for a few minutes to bind the, egg. then spread it on a plate to cool. Then shape the mixture into halls, and roll them in crumbs. Beat up the other egg, and brush the balls over with it, then again roll in crumbs. Fry the croquettes'a golden-brown in smoking-hot fat, drain them on paper, and serve with fried parsley and quarters of cut lemon. Derby Cakes.—Required : Half a pound of flour, quarter of a pound of butter, a quarter of a pound of currants, a quarter of a pound of castor sugar, one egg, and a grate of nutmeg. Gently rub the butter into the Hour, add the currants and sugar land nutmeg, and make into a stiff dough with the eggj using, if necessary, a little water as well. Roll out thin, and cut into small biscuits. Bake in a slow oven for 15 minutes. English Tomato Chutney.—One pint of sliced green tomatoes, six small green peppers, four small onions chopped together. Shake over them a handful of salt and leave all night. Drain off the water, add a teacupful of sugar, the same of scraped horseradish and a tablespooiiful each of ground cloves and cinnamon. Cover with, best vinegar and stew gently eight hours. / .. V , ■ ' - ■ , I \ ‘ ;