Woman's Ideals.

Are women naturally greater idealists than men? In the history of our race from primitive times, through strife and chaos, to the human being as we see him in this twentieth century, we recognize the ever-persisting presence of an ideal, towards which bewildered mankind is eternally yearning. Without this intangible something life would be meaningless—great works of literature and art would never have been created—beauty in all its forms would not exist for us.

It is commonly asserted that in the whirl of machinery and the wave of materialism which have swept over modern man, he has lost for the moment his idealism, his ability to offer sincere praise and worship where they are due. He is supremely critical, complacently satisfied—a worshipper of Mammon and a “gold-digger”—why? Because society has made him so, and in the struggle for existence he has been forced to conceal his inherent soul. In spite of facts, in spite of apparently damning evidence—this is not so, and must be contradicted.

Around us to-day are men and women who, in the face of a reality all too grim and sordid, have preserved their dreams. This applies particularly, I think, to women who have so often been termed the “weaker sex,” who even now are not equal in many respects to the envied male. And this much sought after equality is not possible nor desirable. Nature has given to the male certain attributes which are his alone, and to the female others which lie far beyond the reach or comprehension of man—hence his inability to solve the eternal mystery of woman—he is content to wonder, to admire and to complain—nor does he attempt to usurp these qualities. Man and woman are not and never will be equal, for they are complementary, each possessing what the other lacks.

Generally speaking it is true to say that women are greater idealists than men, in the ordinary circumstances of life. They must be because of their peculiar temperament; because of their finer intuition and power of feeling. Men, with philosophic acceptance, take life on the whole very much as they find it. They struggle perhaps for a few years against the cramping bonds of the real, against routine and monotony, against the uneventful and the material, but very soon do they relinquish their early dreams, their aspirations, their vague longings. Society has forced upon them the position of “bread-winners”—and in the struggle of commerce have perished and withered countless ideals.

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On the other hand women must pass on to their children the dreams and the make-believe of their youth—impossible for them, but a goal towards which their babies will journey. Reality, for the mother is always a bit doubtful—unreality always just within her reach. So among the dishes, and the jam-jars, and the ironing and the mending can be found the dreams of our race—precious, frail ideals absent from the offices, shops and warehouses of the world.

A Beauty Hint.

This life—its artificiality, its excessive nerve-strain—its worry and concentration demands from us more than Nature has granted in many ways—and chiefly does it take its toll from our eyes. In primitive society our ancestors used their eyes to satisfy their needs—to scan distant horizons in search of enemies; to glance sharply into the undergrowth for hidden prey; to send messages of love across the shadows of some cave. They were exercised constantly—but never unduly. Now it is quite uncommon to see anyone over 30 without glasses—and most of us are familiar with the sensation of fatigue and strain which follows a day of typing; of following innumerable tantalizing black figures; of study in an artificial light.

Far too many young girls to-day are losing their youthful freshness and charm, marred by heavy eye-lids, dark shadows and those tell-tale “crow's feet.”

Complexions, generally, are very much improved because they are carefully and scientifically studied—but remember that your eyes are far more important, because they are your most attractive feature and can do for you what your tongue refuses to undertake—for it is too crude and clumsy an implement.

This simple method will help you tremendously towards achieving beauty—but it must be done regularly and persistently. Put a dab of cold cream on each lid, then massage very gently, only a butterfly touch, away from the bridge of the nose. Do this for five minutes every night. Under the eyes, where lurk those shadows and pouches, dab also this healing, life-giving cream to the tired skin and this time massage towards the nose — gently soothing, stimulating the blood vessels. Now hold for three minutes a pad of hot water over each eye; followed by one as cold as you can stand.

Try to rest your eyes for a few minutes during the day; try never to read in a bad light, and remember that sleep is beauty's indispensable servant, without whom she is powerless. Let your eyes be clear and perfect “windows of the soul”—let them speak of youth and health and “joie de vivre.”

Our June Fashion Note.

Junc! The month of roses, long lazy afternoons drinking tea under the trees-England at the height of her matures beauty. But thousands of miles across the sea lies little new zealand, and where the roses ae blowing in the “silver-coasted isle,” here are raging gales, grey skies, mists and sweeping rains from page 59 the South Seas. Gone is the fiery glow of autumn and soon now we must attire ourselves to suit the demands of blustering winter. Some of us have glanced in despair at our wardrobes and in still greater despair at our purses! How to solve the problem—how to be warm, and smart for next to nothing—that is the question. And this year Dame Fashion is kindly disposed towards us—for she has decreed that we are to wear the short coat—our puzzle is solved. Can you imagine anything more “chic” and cosy than a heavy tweed skirt, not too long, a gay, brave and colourful knitted jumper and for all street wear, a short, snug coat, belted, with turned up collar and a touch of colour from a bunch of bright berries or leather leaves. You will probably find that last year's coat is far too long to be worn in 1932—and all you have to do is to shorten it thoroughly, taking it in slightly at the waist and flairing at the hips. Now a leather belt, a jaunty “Johnnie” Cap with its rakish feather—and you are ready for the office, for shopping or for visiting. Now-a-days we have to study £pD s. d.—so bring out your discarded coats, and smile.

Hands that are roughened and reddened by housework need Sydal Emollient, which keeps them free from roughness, redness and cracking. The regular use of Sydal Hand Emollient will preserve the texture of your skin. 1/-, 2/-, 7/6 jar.