THE LADIES’ WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2637, 20 October 1909, Page 3

THE LADIES’ WORLD.

THE SIMPLE MARRIAGE

So much is written and talked nowadays -about the simple life- that one wonders just whereabouts it begins. A few read Thoreau, mark oft' half an hour a day for “gardening,” substitute a more lavish allowance foi* fmsh _ fruit and nuts for- a 'troublesome dinner course, and' clear away a little bric-a-brac from the drawing-room. They* then gracefully hint at the charm of the simple life,; and feel they, have risen to higher things.' One and all, however, agree that the simplification of life dees not mean a crude uncultured way of •living. It means something restful and dainty, hygienic and nerve-soothing; a clearing away of superfluities, and a bringing into prominence important things. In these days of strenuous living, with a regard for the simple life ever lurking in the background of our tired thoughts, one wishes that to-day saw more of simplicity in connection with marriages and the new homes. One wonders Why the bride-to-be, with the so frequently pathetically slender purse, does not snap her fingers in the big world’s face, and say : “I simply cannot afford to do as von are doing, and I’m not going to worry to even try.” ■ Why the mother of the bride does not more often urge: “Begin at the beginning, my daughter, where your father and I began. Don’t try to be too big at first.” ' , , Why the bridegroom elect does not—but, no ; after all, reform must not be expected from him. Ulterior motives might be suspected, were lie to (whisper in the tender gloaming : “The price of the dining-room suite you have chosen is more than I ought to give, and is it absolutely necessary to -have that huge plate-g ass affair in your bedroom for your frocks.-’ I would enjoy making you a cuphoaid for them by-and-by.” Perish such promptings. Mrs. Over-the-way had a wardrolie even in the spare room when she was married, an Axminstcr square in the drawing room, a huge ‘‘real wood, beveiled glass, rcpoussee-pannelled” giant in the dining-room, with its cupboards full <1 wedding presents. How, then, can Airs. On-this-side go without? No, no. She would far rather wait. Alias a year or two of helpful, happy life to give her bridegroom a little longer time in which to have to pay for such treasures. Anything rather than start with less than Airs. Over-the-way. There is, in fact, a cruel and crucial moment for many a bride to lace, so soon as honeymooning days are done. The moment in which she, for the first time raises her wedding veil (not the soft, embroidered net dainty she .rears to plight her troth in, but the glamor of the new. life). The moment she flings it aside, and looks at the problem of adjusting her aspirations and frocks and wedding presents to her husband’s income. She has read, ta,kod, and dreamed G f —y eS5 even dabbled in—the Simple Life, but how, in the commencement of this-new dignity, can anyone expect her to embrace it? All those “cut-glass real silver presents have to’be lived up to There is a “modern standard’ for the newly-married —and, alas, who is there brave enough to refuse to be measured by it? Weekly, daily, behold all the new Adams and Eves, straining and striving to have just as much as, and, oh, if possible, a little more than,.their neighbours. , . , • No wonder we sigh for the now Adam and Eve, for the simple marriage—for the friends. and relations, father and mothers, who will give, not accoidmg as others give, but according to their means and the necessities of the new home. It is not so much the ostentation of it all,that is to-*be deplored, not so much the false note instead of the true is struck, as that another young couple have begun to build upon a bad foundation, yet another home has been formed, wrong, all from the very front door. L.T., in “Sydney. Morn in g Herald.” MRS. LLOYD GRISCOM. A hospital is about to be built in Rome to be called the Elizabeth Gnscom Hospital, in honor of Airs. Lloyd Griscom, wife of. the American Ainbassac!or : wlio, witli her husband, did so much for the unfortunate victims of the Alessina earthquake. Airs. Griscom is much loved by the Italian people, and has made many friends in other parts of the world, where she has been with her husband. When in Turkey she had some very interesting experiences, and was decorated by the Turkish Government. . - I SUCCESSFUL DECORATOR. Belgium contains a striking rxamnle of the successful business woman in the. person of Madame Daugotte, who is the bead of-a large manufacturing house in that country. The different departments: in her establishment include the manufacture of” furniture and pottery and other t necessaries for the house, but her greatest success has been obtained for her skill in interior decoration, for which she has a very -wide reputation, and in winch her skill appears to be to. her advanage.