THE LADIES’ WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3200, 22 April 1911, Page 4

THE LADIES’ WORLD.

What Men Like, A bright woman writes and asks if ire will tell her what are some of the. principal qualities in women which meet att; ad men. Yve think the word attract is not correctly used by our corresp* indent, if she will allow us to say so, for efften the things in women that a ttract men are possesssions of doubtful value in any woman What, attracts a man is one thing ; what will hold him and command his respect is quite another. A woman’s smile, for example, attracts a man, but an even temper retains him. A pretty gown attracts a man; the knowledge that it was inexpensive delights him. A pleasant manner attracts a man, brightness of brain holds him. A respect for the religious belief of e T .ery human being attracts a man; :j----reverence in woman is to him abominable. ' A consideration for his comfort atattracts a man ; neither scandal nor evil speaking makes him your most humble slave. A chat.in which there is no malice atracts a man; neither scandal nor evil speaking makes a woman seem sweet and lovely to him. A Talk to Engaged Girls. Above e.verything let your household linen be of the best quality, and commence housekeeping with a good supply. Pinch- in other departments—if you must pinch—but .not in this. No part of the furnishing of a house marks the refinement of a woman’s character as does the quality of her house linen. It is economical, fixio; for although the initial cost is somewhat greater, the wear is more than, double. You may darn good napery, but common damask or linen will not bear darning; therefore, from- whatever standpoint the question is viewed, the result is the same. One of the most useful of wedning presents is a quantity of house linen. It will be a substantial help, and will’last long after the showy gimcracks which, generally form, the bulk of weddin- presents have 'departed the way of all trifles. The Neatly-Dressed Woman. There is an exquisite charm about a neatly dressed woman. She does not wear her hair loose, as if it just about to fall on her shoulders. Her gloves are not ripped at the seams, nor are any buttons missing from! her boots. Her veil does no reveal a hole over her chin, nor does the binding of her skirt show ragged in places. Not many women show their tidiness in these details. but the well-groomed woman considers that neglect in these little things is full of shame to womankind. Note the well-dressed tailor-built woman. Her cloth gown fits her without a crease, and there'is neither speck nor spot on it. Her linen collar and cuffs are snowy white, and remain properly fixed in their places. Her gloves do not wrinkle, but button smoothly over her wrists. Her shoes are dainty and polished. Her bonnet or hat is pinned on straight, and her hair is neatness itself. She is the picture of delicate finish and wholesome order. Would that we could come across her somewhat offcener. The Perfect Foot. A. woman’s foot, when perfect, is hollowed out well, both inside and out, with a high instep, short heek and lorg straight toes -slightly suatulate at the en This is the type of the most beautiful foot. It is, on .the whole, a toot not

frequently seem in its perfection, for often one or the other elements of beauty is wanting. The rarest point of beauty is the hollowing of the outside of the foot. If anyone; would ‘convince himself that the hollow of 'the outside of the foot is rare, let him watch the prints that seaside bathers leave when they step on a dry plank or walk. .Most of such footprints show a greater or smaller hollow on the inside of the foot, but nearlv everyone shows a straight. wet mark on the outside. That water should’ flow under the arch of the foot without wetting it is an old a nd good rule where feet are concerned. About Politeness, The reason that the French people enjoy the well-earned reputation of being the politest people in the world is because la politesse, or good breeding, is an accomplishment they always acquire at home and in cliildhood. A Frenchman, his wife, and a couple of children will observe all the most exquisite social amenities in the privacy of their own vine and fig tree, and the family life, presents all the social advantages they require. A French boy of eve'n the humblest, parentage does not wait to go out in tlie world to _ learn how to offer a woman a chair, give an eldefly gentleman his arm, invite you to dine, or discover the topics of conversation that engage your interest. He has lived from his boyhood in an atmosphere of family deference and cheerfully unselfish consideration, and he is charmingly polite by precept and example wherever he may find himself. Value of a Wife’s Sympathy. No man ever prospered in the world without the co-operation of his wife. If she unites in mutual endeavours, or rewards his labours with an endearing smile, with what confidence will he resort to his occupation, meet difficulty, and encounter danger if he knows that he is not spending his strength in vain, but- that, his labour will be rewarded by the sweets of home! Solicitude and disappointment enter the history of every man’s life, and he is but half provided for his voyage who finds an associate only for happy hours, while for his months of darkness-and distress no sympathising partner is prepared. The Beauty Bath. To keep the body clean is to. keep it healthy; more than that, it is to keep the mind bright, as circulation is stimulated. muscles massaged, and the tissues hardened. The daily bath is the finest method of beautifying known. One thing you must strictly avoid in bathing—never use hard water; it is impossible to create a cleansing suds. Tire addition of borax will remedy this trouble, so always, keen a little china or tin covered box with borax in it on your bath stand. Use pure white Castile soap and a flesh brush, softening the water with a tablespoonful of borax for eaefi gallon. Rinse with a bath spray chilling the water gradually; dry with a coarse towel (a linen Turkish towel), rubbing the flesh until it is pink and tingling. Every morning (if you take a wannn bath once a week), sponge the bodv with tepid water to which a handful 'of salt and a tablespoonful; of borax have been added. This last is the beautifying bath, and the woman who is afflicted with pimples and blackheads would do -well to keep in mind that if the skin performs its functions properly, throwing off the waste matter actively, there will be a decided improvement in the condition of the complexion. Hard water w r ill soon spoil the verv prettiest skin —so never use it if avoidable. Bright Eyes and How to Keep Them. Never rub your eyes, nor allow your children to'do so from their cradles. Veils are bad for the sight, especially those spotted or covered with a pattern ; so eschew veils when 3-011 can, or wear the softest, clearest net when obliged to do so. "Never read in bed or when lying on a sofa. Sit with your back to the light when engaged in reading or working. • Pale blue or greens are restful wallpapers for the eyes, whereas red is exceedingly fatiguing. Do not read, write, or work longer than two hours together without resting your eyes and closing them for fully five minutes. Character. Character gives weight to one’s words and permanence to one’s acts. Character secures the confidence of those who employ us, the respect of those above us, the love of those on our level, the loyalty of those beneath. Character is the guinea stamp on the gold, the signature at the edge of the portrait, the ring of the genuine coin, the accent of the speech, of the New Jerusalem, which is found only on the lips of the true citizen. The Dreadnought Girl. Despite the heavy rains of the winter, umbrellas are left at home, and rather than carry them as a protection the modern girl is making herself look charming In apparel that rain dees not spoil. She wears a dreadnought, _ or country suit, of British serge, cheviot, or tweed and what she calls a “rag” hat to match. The hat has a plume of game-bird feathers at one side, and is otherwise untrimmed. Her skirt is short, and her shoes are of a service-, able""thickness. She does not repine if their appearance is large, for, just as gloves that fit the bands loosely arc now a la mode, so is footgear that- is of absolute comfort for the feet. Should the day be_ visibly unfit for furs, this practical girl who will not carry an umbrella, winds about her throalt one of the cosy Angola mufflers that she can buy to match her suit. But supposing she has gone out in fine weather and rain comes on, she opens her coat and slips her stole inside, leaving her muff to get wet. Always Retain a Husband’s Leva. We -know it is easy enough to win l a husband. Almost any attractive little maiden with a bright eye and coaxing voice can gather in a husband, but it is more difficult to retain', his love. The great difficulty is to draw out liis true nobility and secure it at home. If the wife only understands her business she can do this Most men like to be loved and soothed. There is something in the man’s great, rough, earnest nature that- can be won quicker and easier with gentleness than by. the. logic of the broom-handle. ' We have seen a girl who understood her business take a man and lead him through life in' ‘such a way that he wouldn’t know but that he was managing her. So perfect was the delusion

that, when she asked him to bring in a scuttle of coal,, he always went, and he felt as though -he counted it a mark of special favour that a poor unworthy creature Hire himself should be allowed to do so.

We cannot exactly describe this magic power of a devoted wife over her husband, and we do not intend to try. It is beyond definition. A man need not think that because he gets up and looks for burglars in the night-, and is otherwise obedient, it is because he has no backbone. It is simply because he is the husband of a woman of whom he ought- to be proud. Let her once torget, however, that her husband does what she asks because it is a request, not a command, and there will be trouble.