L AND AND W A T E R 
December 12, 1914 
THROUGH THE EYES 
OF A WOMAN 
War Emeritency Entertainments 
IF the war has had no other beneficent side issues we 
may count it as a great privilege tliat this admirable 
alliance of professional people has come into being. 
We cannot keep going if we are to live in a perpetual 
state of gloom, and in the intervals between our daily 
committees we can do ourselves and, consequeritly, others 
an immense amount of good by congenial relaxation. For a 
few shillings we may sit at the Carlton, the Hyde Park 
Hotel, or Claridge's, and various other comfortable places 
and enjoy a good concert, interspersed with brief recitations 
by the best men and women who have ever graced the stage. 
The whole scheme is simple and i)ractical ; it is being run in 
a businesslike way, and though " on their own merits modest 
men are dumb," the promoters— Muriel Viscountess Helmsley, 
Mr. Isidore de Lara, and Mr. Gordon Selfridge— deserve our 
very grateful recognition. Claridge's Hotel is the address of 
the office, and here seats may be booked and particulars 
obtained, and all the Keith, Prowse bureaux have tickets to 
sell. Artists who wish to perform send in their names, and 
they are guaranteed a definite sum as a minimum. Fifty 
per cent, of the proceeds go to the guarantee fund and fifty 
per cent, to the artists. There is no wastage of any sort, for 
there is an honorary secretaryship in the hands of Mrs. 
Evelyn Morley, and a generous giving of talent and of time 
on the part of those who can aflbrd to lend their services. 
It is just one more instance of the consolidating effect of a 
great national trial, and the originators of the scheme have 
every reason to be grateful to the support they have received. 
The time of stress goes on, however, and it is well to have 
fresh relays of supporters, who will come to the concerts for 
their own sakes, as well as for those who are very glad to 
gather in a little harvest. There is something about the 
necessities of artistic people that strikes a deeper chord than 
that of mere sentiment. We forget sometimes, when war 
materia! seems the great and, indeed, the only need of the 
moment, how much we have depended upon art and music 
for our consolation. These things are bound up in the life of 
the nation more than we remember ; they have helped to 
make the courage we are so proud of, and it is just as much 
a matter of expediency to keep " hearts and lutes " in tune 
as it is one of common sympathy. 
Stars of Small Magnitude 
It is not only the great lights who are finding it difficult 
to shine in public, but the numbers of young creatures — lesser 
luminaries — who were just hoping to make a beginning, when 
calamity overtook us all. Several well-known women have 
embarked upon " singing " teas, which they give in their 
houses once or twice a week, and for which they engage the 
services of girls who sing or recite, or who can produce a 
clever little dialogue. It is a pleasant way of doing something 
that is very greatly needed ; and not only are these teas the 
means of reducing financial anxiety, but it gives young artists 
a chance of becoming known to the concert-going pubhc. 
They can test their powers and learn how to get into touch 
with that elusive thing — public approval. There is a small 
guarantee fund, in case of any shortage of patronage, but the 
idea has proved itself so valuable that so far all goes well. 
We can all afford to give a tea ; we all know people who will 
take half-crown tickets, and the names of the artists who will 
be glad of an engagement are very easily obtained. It is 
also a very excellent opportunity for the girls of the period 
to think out a well-arranged programme, make provision for 
the seating of people, and carry out the numerous details 
that present themselves for solution. 
There are no parties to speak of in prospect ; and how 
couJd there be ? But there are a hundred and one ways of 
being busy that commend themselves to consideration. 
Another fond idea is a " picture " tea. Here all sorts of 
small sketches by youthful aspirants are on view, priced 
modestly, and set out to the best advantage. The tea has 
to be given in a well-lighted room, and the givers must get 
into touch with artists and others who can find the objeis 
d'art. Autolycus himself would have been hard put to it 
to carry round examples of the modern woman's handicraft ; 
so to the pictures may be added a little simple jewellery, 
modern calligraphy used upon New Year cards, bookbinding, 
and so on. Just before Christmas, in spite of diminished 
incomes and the prospects of taxation, we shall manage to 
find a few pounds for distribution, and the " picture " tea 
will probably extract more from us than we ever meant to 
spend. > Erica. 
WAR LOAN 
OVER - SUBSCRIBED 
Another and more profitable Investment now 
oflfered disappointed Subscribers. 
ilt WITH GUARANTEED APPRECIATION 
OF CAPITAL. 
The War Loan having been over-subscribed, there ii no 
longer reason why the still more lucrative Investment 
offered by the "Sun Life of Canada" should not be widely 
advertised. It is an ofTer that will be greatly appreciated by 
anyone seeking a really safe and profitable investment. 
As against the 3J, per cent, of the War Loan, the investment 
ofTered by the " Sun Life of Canada " yields a guaranteed 4 J per 
cent. The Company further guarantees the Capital against 
depreciation ; in fact, it undertakes to return a sum in excess of 
the original amount invested. The capital may be withdrawn 
any time after ten years, or is instantly repaid upon proof of death. 
The " Sim Life of Canada" is one of the strongest Insurance 
Institutions in the world. Its assets of £"11,300,000 are under 
Government supervision, and its income, now some ;£^2, 900,000, 
is rapidly increasing. An undivided surplus of over /"l, 000, 000 
makes the security offered by this great company unsurpassed in 
the annals of insurance. 
The rates for annuities are the best obtainable from any first- 
class company. Any investor wishing to buy an Annuity, and in 
difficulty about the sale of his shares, should communicate with 
the Manager, who may be able to point a very satisfactory w;iy 
out of the difficulty. Call or write. Your inqiiiries will be 
treated as confidential. 
J. F. JUNKIN (Manager), 
"SUN LIFE OF CANADA," 
33 Canada House, Norfolk St., London, W.C. 
The BEST for USE on 
LAND and WATER 
ROYAL ARMS 
RARE OLD 
SCOTCH WHISKY 
SPECIAL LIQUEUR 
SCOTCH 
The most perfect example of the Art of 
Blending — the result of 130 years' experience. 
Proprietors : 
J. G. THOMSON & Co., Ltd. 
LEITH, SCOTLAND. 
Alto at 17 FENCHURCH STREET, LONDON, E.C. 
146 
