THE LADIES’ WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2559, 21 July 1909, Page 3

THE LADIES’ WORLD.

ITEMS OF SOCIAL INTEREST

Lord Howo, who is Lord Chamberlain to Queen Alexandra, is one of the notables in society.' He is rich, handsome and smart, and he is one of the very few men who have a private stall at the opera. He is not only fond of music, hut ho plays the organ well. At Gopsall, his Leicestershire place, hO' has a fine organ, and among his treasures are qriginal manuscripts of Handel, who composed his “Messiah” while staying' there. At Gopsall, too, is a solid gokhdinner service for 16 people, given by Queen Adelaide to the present peer’s grandfather, who acted as her Lord Chamberlain. „

An amusing incident occurred in connection with the recent visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Aidershot when Alaster Wood (grandson of Sir Evelyn Wood) presented a bouquet to the Princess. The little tfellow had been well coached beforehand, and was anxious to carry out his instructions thoroughly, which, in fact, he did—handing the bouquet and bowing with singular grace. But as he walked away he involuntarily muttered, “Thank goodness it ? s over,” a remark which caught the quick oar of the Princess of Wales, who, laughing heartily exclaimed, “That part was certainly not rehearsed!”

Here is a story illustrating the great simplicity of King Leopold of Belgium, who recently, on leaving his palace, discovered the sentry eating a plum tart. “Where did that come from, my friend?” asked' the King. “You’re very curious,” replied the soldier ; but he gave the desired information, and in his turn asked a question. “And who are you? A soldier probably?” “Yes.” “Half-pay?” 'Pensioned. But guess what rank?” ‘'Captain?” “No, better.” “Alajor?” “No.” “Colonel?” “No.” “General?” “iso, better still." “Then you’re the King himself!” “Yes.”" “Then kindly hold my tart for a little, please, so that I can present arms!”

If the foregoing talc is true, history has repeated itself in marvellous fashion, for the same story is told of the Duke of Brunswick, who fell at Quatre Bras, in the Waterloo campaign, in 1815. The Duke of Brunswick’s sentry, however, was eating a sausage, instead of a tart.

The extravagant affection lavished by society women upon lap-dogs was very much in evidence at the Horticultural Hall on the occasion of the Pekingese Club’s annual show. Over one hundred of the pretty and popular dogs were gathered there, and many distinguished human beings waited upon them with servility. The cage's were elegantly decorated with silk, laoe, or tapestry, and the softest of pillows wero provided for the dogs to recline upon. Astonishing care- was taken in the matter of the pets’ appearance, and they were constantly, fondled by their mistresses with obvious love and pride. The prices placed upon them ranged up to £l6O.

At Belvoir Castle, the magnificent seat of the Duke of Rutland, is to 1m be seen the first tramline that was put down in England. It was used for bringing the materials for the rebuilding of the famous house after a fire; and, so it is told, one of the Duke’s favorite amusements in boyhood was to tobaggan down the line on a truck. IBelvoir possesses what is probably the biggest punch bowl in existence. It holds 52 gallons,--and weighs 1601bs. Another of its treasures is a fine silver dinner service, the pieces of which are in the form of shells, fishes, and other •marine creatures. The castle still has its watchman/ ./ho goes round at night calling the hours.

A widely-circulated Gennan newspaper recently asked its readers to vote for the most popular Princess in the Fatherland. The lady who headed the poll was Princess Victoria Margaret, only daughter of Prince Frederick Leopold of Hohenzollern, brother to the Duchess of Connaught. This young Princess, whose father is said to be one of the richest of German Princes, is spoken .of as the bride-elect of her cousin, Prince Oscar, the Kaiser’s fifth son. Princess Victoria is just 19, and Prince Oscar is not yet 21. He is said to be very like King Edward (liis great uncle) was at the same age. The Kaiser has always insisted on his sons learning English thoroughly well, and Prince Oscar has done so, though with some difficulty. The Kaiser himself speaks his mother’s native language with perfect fluency but with a strong German accent. HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

When lighting a candle hold the match at the side of the wick, not over the top of it. And, when blowing it out, hold it so that you have to blow upwards. Gilt frames may Bo cleaned by sponging them with oil of turpentine or spirits of wine, only wetting the sponge enough to remove the dirt. Leave the frames to dry, but do not wipe them. To Clean Suede Gloves: Put the gloves on ‘‘'trees” or on your hands, and rub them well with fine oatmeal, which should finally be brushed off with a soft nailbrush.' 'Any obstinate stains may bo removed with benzine, applied on a piece of clean flannel. Lavender Water: This refreshing scent is easily manufactured at home at msall cost. Take half a pint of rectified spirit, two drachms of essential oil of lavender, and five drops of otto of roses. Shake well till properly mixed ; keep it in a well-corked bottle. Old stair carpet should not be wasted, for it will make good pads to go under the new stair covering. First shake the carpet and then cut away the bad parts: divide the remainder into short lengths, double them, and where the tread comes, before laying tlie new carpet., A Cheap Floor Stain: Dissolve half an ounce of permanganate of potash in a quart of water, and apnly this to the boards. Let them dry, and then if not dark enough give another coat of the stain. When quite dry, finish off with a coat of varnish, or polish with beeswax and turpentine. Permanganate of potash is most destructive' to brushes, so the paint-brush used should not be an expensive one, and. when not in use, it should never be left standing hi the stain, but should bo taken out and washed before being laid aside. To Purify Water :,To a pitcher holding about a quart of water add a tiny pinch of alum—abput as much as will go on the rounded point of a penknife. Stir the water well with a spoon, and then let it stand. In less- than an hour you will sec a deposit on the sides and bottom of the pitcher, consisting of the impurities tlio. alum, has carried down. Shake the pitcher and the deposit will sink to the bottom, but the water should stand five or six hours before being decanted, when it will be quite clear' and fit for drinking purposes. > . \v