LAND AND WATER 
September ii, 1915 
The Queen, whose Uvely interest in any movement which 
concerns the children of the nation is well known, has 
expressed her warm appreciation of the effort being made 
to present a children s motor ambulance for the benefit 
of the Belgian Field Hospital. Prince George, to whom 
Messrs. Nelson's " The Children's Story of the War " 
is dedicated, heads the list of contributors, who are 
drawn from the young readers of that pubhcation. 
Her Majesty with Princess Mary recently motored from 
Windsor Castle to Cooper's Hill, in order to see the 
Belgian orphan children who are being entertained there 
by Lady Cheylesmore. 
Lord and Lady Ailesbury have been with their children at 
Savemake Forest, Lord Ailesbury, who is in the 
Wiltshire Yeomanry, having been at home on short leave. 
Their eldest child. Lord Cardigan, is now in his twelfth 
year. Deene Park, in Northamptonshire, on the death of 
the late Lady Cardigan, passed to Lord Ailesbury 's first 
cousin, the son of Lord Robert Bruce. 
Lord Halsbury, who has celebrated his ninetieth birthday and 
is still sound of body and mind, comes of a family with 
whom longevity is a habit. Giffards, who attain to full 
age, almost always pass the three score years and ten 
limit. They have been settled in Devonshire since 
Norman days, and Burke mentions that the name means 
"Liberal." Lord Halsbury still holds two offices; he is 
Constable of Launceston Castle and High Steward of 
Oxford University. 
In the days of Mr. Gladstone we used to hear much of the 
amusements and recreations of the Prime Minister ; 
latterly this curiosity has gone out of fashion. But 
Mr. Asquith has at least one hobby in common with 
his old Chief — a genuine love for the classics. And they 
say that with him a favourite form of recreation is to 
translate KipUng's " Barrack-room Ballads " into Greek 
verse. " Fuzzy- Wuzzy " in the style and manner of 
Aristophanes should be excellent reading for scholars. 
Lord and Lady Wimbome have been touring in the west of 
Ireland where they have received a most hearty welcome. 
Lord Wimbome is doing very well as Viceroy of Ireland. 
His love of sport has made him many friends among all 
classes of society ; he is easy to get on with, and people 
like him. Lady Wimbome is also popular. 
Last week I spoke of the memories that in these days cluster 
round the Ritz ; it is true of most of the fashionable 
hotels. Almond's in CUfford Street is singularly favoured. 
It was in this hotel that Lord Roberts passed his last 
days in England. In years tp come, when the greatness 
of that little man is even more realised than now, Almond's 
will ever be regarded with reverential respect from this 
very fact. I understand Branchini intends to commemo- 
rate this episode in a worthy manner. 
Fashionable " first nighters " assembled in force at St. James's 
Theatre for Sir Arthur Pinero's The Big Drum, which 
may be said to have opened the winter theatrical season. 
Lady Parker, Lady Lister-Kaye, Lady Kathleen Pilking- 
ton, and Lady Randolph Churchill were present, also 
Sir Herbert Tree, Sir Squire Bancroft, and Sir Johnston 
and Lady Forbes-Robertson. The play had a good 
reception, though opinion was divided whether or not 
Philip Mackworth suited Sir George Alexander. By the 
time these words are in print, The Big Drum should have 
shaken down into a success. There is nothing about 
the war in it— not directly, but the Filson family are 
obviously closely related to not a few persons who at 
present are busily engaged on war schemes. 
The Saturday previously a new American play had been 
presented at the Vaudeville. It was called Kick In 
though It had nothing to do with football. But there 
is such a tremendous lot of go about it that the general 
effect almost suggests a "scram." The language is 
amazing ; it is the Enghsh tongue, but certainly not 
" the linglish tongue that Shakespeare spake." Yet it is 
well worth listening to, and the play itself is exhilarating. 
Let me heartily commend it to those who want mental 
relaxation of a stimulating character. 
When it was announced that France had forbidden the 
exportation of her wines to these islands, those who 
knew anything about it felt sure there was something 
wrong. So it was quickly proved. England is a good 
customer of French vineyards, and could ill do without 
their produce. It is a pity claret is not more commonly 
drunk, being the wholesomest of alcoholic beverages. As 
everyone knows for some years there has been a scarcity 
of vintage champagnes with the result that prices have 
risen. Before the war, quite a big demand had been 
established for sparkling Moselles. That is finished ; 
the sparkling wines of Saumur have taken their place. 
The Saimiur wines lack the character of vintage champagnes, 
but otherwise they are admirable. Say what one will, 
the host of even the simplest little dinner party does like 
to pour into the glasses of his guests golden wine that 
sparkles and bubbles at the brim. Look at the grill 
room and restaurant of the Piccadilly Hotel, among the 
most favourite places for entertaining in the West End. 
There wdll be between two and three hundred bottles of 
Saumur drank there nightly. Think what that means 
for those districts in France which yield it. 
The possible abohtion of the half-sovereign is causing con- 
sternation in youthful circles. For generations this 
little bit of gold has been regarded as the correct avuncular 
tip, where the sovereign is beyond the means. Silver 
has been disdained, but if there are no half-sovereigns 
who knows but what uncles in the future may stoop to 
half-crowns. Mr. Harold Cox now proposes to abolish 
half-crowns. Oh ! Mr. Cox ! You reformers will leave 
poor men no way of proving they are gentlemen. Don't 
you know the social diiference between a man who 
hands over a mean half-dollar, and he who presses into 
the palm the lordly half-a-crown ? Hermes. 
THE BUYERS' GUIDE 
By PASSE-PARTOUT 
i^ 
The aim of these notes is to bring articles of present-day use and interest 
to the knowledge of our readers. All articles described have been carefully 
chosen for mention, and in every instance can be recommended from per- 
sonal knowledge. Names and addresses of shops, where the articles 
mentioned can be obtained, will be forwarded on receipt of a post-card 
aidressed to Passe-Partout, "Land and Water," Central House, 
Kingsway, W.C Any other information will be given on request. 
Very opportune are some wrapper 
For the Traveller dressing-gowns of soft Satin Ehte which 
pack into a small envelope satchel of the 
same dainty fabric. By reason of this compactness, these 
wrappers take up practically no space in dressing or suit 
case, and are nothing short of a boon to the woman travelling 
with but httle luggage. They are prettily made with a 
gathered Empire bodice and cHnging skirt. 
The short sleeves are of kimono shape, and the keynote 
of the whole design is one of graceful simpUcity. The satin 
envelope into which it folds is chiefly remarkable for its dainti- 
ness. It is bound with ribbon, while an impudent httle bow 
is sewn either side of the flap. The wrappers are stocked in 
all colours as well as black or white, and are undoubtedly 
the last word spoken on the travelling dressing-gown. Their 
price, wrapper and satchel complete, is but 29s. bd., and the 
credit due to their clever designer is great. 
Comfort in Cor- 
setting 
Reahsing that strenuous days to many 
women are now the rule rather than the 
... , exception, the clever head corsetihe at 
a great London shop is ready with corsets which are, without 
doubt, the last word in comfort. And comfort, moreover 
408 
