THE LADIES’ WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2643, 27 October 1909, Page 3

THE LADIES’ WORLD.

THE OPERA BAG. The opera bag is a very important part of a well-dressed woman’s addenda. Nowadays we devote almost as much attention to our handbags for various occasions as tiie selfsatisfied little lady"of Enizabeth Turner’s moral verses, who. Had an-aunt at Leeds,

For whom she made a purse ,of beads, and whose pride in her achievement received a severe set-back at parental hands. The example which was slung from- the waist of the shoulder, and which had no rival,-a;,-short while ago, has been driven ignominiously out of the field by late comers, and one of the prettiest designs for autumn is an embossed velvet bag, which, to a certain extent, resembles its predecessor, but which is made to hang over the wrist of the wearer instead of being suspended from the waist of the wearer by long cords or,straps. This article, suggesting the old-fashioned pilgrim's scrip, is rather long, and widens out considerably at the base, where it is. cut into l mitre form, while it is left non at the top instead of being supplemented with a pocket-flap, the little velvet strap which suspends it over the wrist being simply a continuation of the bag, and cut all ini one with it, while it is joined at the top, either with a tinv .gold buckle or simply with a mitred point. Heavy tassels of tarnished gold or silver hang over from the centre and sides, while the favorite color is a dull, soft crimson, like that of some medieval Venetian brocade, the tassels, and sometimes the embroideries, being carried out in tarnished silver or gold thread. White, ivory) or any shade to match the gown, it likewise employed, the bag being capacious enough to hold the multifarious addenda which some women seem to find it necessary to burden themselves with for all occasions.. Largo bags of white brocade worked in seed pearls, and finished with chased gold clasps, are also to be seen nowadays, the flat bottom of the bag having a cunningly inserted mirror, so that it can simply be turned upside down to give its possessor a full view of her physiognomy, instead ot necessitating an often fruitless hunt among handkerchief, purse, fan, and powder-puff. These bags are carried out as well in pale tones of blue and mauve, the material being a good make of Ottoman silk. Some are delicately shaded with a brush, so that the color deepens considerably at the base ; a hand-painted design in the same tints being introducted in _the centre. Opera bags and fans are beiiig carried out to match, both being designed in the finest pearl-white and silver shot silk, worked in tiny mother-o’-pearl paillettes, and hand-painted with a littlo Watteau design.

GOOD LOOKS THAT VANISH

How- best to relax after a weary day or hour is one of the secrets of beauty. It may also he said to be one of the secrets of long life. Rest means to the thoughtless a long life given to idleness! Rest really means nothing of the port. My definition of it is an intel.igent economy of the moments, says Mine. Cavalieri. How to rest while the business of our lives is going on is the difficulty. Women who wish to preserve their beauty must study the plan of their livers and learn liow to economise the moments. They must learn that a dozen short periods of rest may be taken every day in the busiest life._ A woman may take the rest cure while she hurries through a busy day. First, as to .the-.eyes,-which quickly show the traces Of weariness. ■

—Open Window Exercises. — When writing or sewing or embroidering or drawing, pause tor a few seconds and close the eyes. Whatever the task there will be an opportunity for a brief eye rest.

If life keeps one much in the presence of others, snatch a few moments to go away by oneself. Be alone, if only for five minutes. The silence and solitude will soothe the tired nerves and calm the spirit. Open the window, and, standing before it, inhale deeply. Hold the air in the lungs for the same length of time. Then exhale slowly in the same amount of time. Try first counting four for the first inhalation, four for each holding,of the breath, and four for each exhalation, increasing the number with practice to ten. This form of rest, three or four times a day, will make life in any condition more tolerable.

Try to take a half hour, at least a quarter of an hour, from a crowded day, and lie down for a little season of absolute repose. This should be taken in a darkened room. One can, if she must, rest while standing. .First, learn to stand correctly, for the correct standing posture is far more restful than the wrong one. Keep the shoulders back, the chest up, tile chin up. . Stand so that a line dropped from the centre of the head would fall between the arches of the, feet. Rest easily, apparently on both feet, but really • shifting the weight easily from one to the other. The reclining position is best for rest. Lie flat upon the back. It is the most restful posture physically; besides, it' interferes with, continuous thought, so is mentally restful. Often h mere change o& occupation for a half hour will be a rest. Perhaps the change will be in writing a letter to some friend, the thought of . whom alone is restful. It is a delightful interruption in a drab day. Or, if one has a taste for handiwork, some sewing or crocheting may take the thought out of the worn groove. . WOMAN AND THE TRAMCAR. Not one woman in a hundred, says a writer in the “Washington Post,” has the slightest idea 1 of the safe and sane manner of getting off a car. They invariably step oil backward, and with the wrong foot. Everybody has seen well-dressed and dignified dames, with intelligence enough to handle the diplomatic relations of this nation at the Court of St. James, step off barely moving cars and tumble themselves most inelegantly about the street. These things never happen to the stupidest man in the world. The women who do thorn might give their husbands cards and spades in playing nine-tenths ox the games of life. But there is something about the mysteries of the street car that the feminine intelligence cannot master. It may be related to the problem of understanding women which has so long baffled man. Woman sees no reason why she should remain a mystery to the opposite sex. It is simply the inability of an otherwise intelligent creature to understand her. And as neither of these things can bo taught the wherefore of them will worry our children’s children as they worry us.