Morning journal and courier., 1890-11-19
WOMEN IN LONDON.
How They Amuse Themselves.
From the Qondonl Sunday Timesl

The prominent place which women have
suddenly taken for themselves in all forms,
of healthy outdoor exercise is of such re-
cent growth that it has not yet had time
to form itself into clubs and associations.
We, in London, have not yet seen women
able to form cOteries and ''ladies' lunch
cons" as the sex is said to do in New York
and Boston, into which no intrusive male
foot may enter. Whatever they may do
across the Atlantic, it is certain that the
fair Yankee visitor does not here show
such aggressive femininity, and is glad
enough to take her pleasure in company
with despised man-when the man is Eng
ish, No form of recreation, to we'll
born English woman, can of course COM
pare with riding. True, in London, that
is only to be obtained in the Row, but un-
der no circumstances does well-born girl
look more fascinating than when turned
OUT for the midday ride. Time WAS when
tall hat and the most perfect and sever
est habit were the strictest essentials of
riding in the Row. During the last year
or two, however, considerable relaxation
has come over full riding dress, and a
round straw hat, a covert coat, and cotton
shirt were often-indeed, most frequently
worn. The types and conditions of wo-
menkind to be seen here are unending.
The titled daughter of an NJ. F. II. is al
her ease here Just as she will be in the
evening at a dance, or later on exchanging
friendly greetings with her fathers tenan-
try at the covert side. Here is Bays-water
in charge of the riding master, and think
ing that being on horseback is an oyeres-
timated pleasure; here is the stout and
passee lady, who hopes that violent exer-
else upon q weight-carrier will allow her to
have her dresses made an inch or two
tighter in the waist; and there is the pro-
fession rideress with a snowy horse to sell.
Yes, the Row is certainly the first place OF
recreation" for women in London!
The past season has seen driving jump
to a great height of favor among fashiona
/ BILE women. A smart pony and a little
Ralli cart are what they have chiefly at
fected, but it is dangerous to the safety OF
| humber citizens that every woman be
4 lieves driving to be the easiest thing in tbs
world. Only those who can and do driy'
well recognize how fine an art it is undel
any circumstances, and that in London j
really requires great amount of skill anC
| nerve not to endanger either ones owl
life or that of other people.
Compared with what it has done in tn
provinces cycling has made small progres
in London as lady's pastime- 1t is, how
ever, now becoming more popular, as sew
eral well known women are adopting II
Mrs Haweis, among Others, is an enthusi
astic tricyclist, and can give many usefu
hints to other ladies about the wisdom o
taking train out beyond dreary suburb
and reserving strength for long run
among the hills and pretty scenery whicl
can be reached so easily from London. l
is certain that the prejudice which one
existed regarding ladies riding tricycl
is fast dying out, and many women now
who are leading sedentary lives in Office
and schools, now look forward to a SatuI
day afternoons ''run" as restorative an
tonic after the weeks work.
Lawn tennis is played in most of th
London squares, sometimes merely b
family parties, at others by informal an
friendly little clubs Almost every 81
burb has its lawn-tennis club, while c
course it is played on countless lawns
Hurst park and the Albany clubs hav
both delightful Iawn-tennis grounds, bu
the really typical fashionable woman 9
London let's lawn tennis wait till she is i
. country, and does not aspire to beat be
. male brothers and cousins at it. That sh
leaves to that essentially modern feminin
product, the young woman who "goes in
/ for lawn-tennis tournament prizes like
! profession The London woman has nC
yet taken to cricket, save rs seen from
drag at Lords, and that game, as far {
the female sex is concerned, remains
{ the hands of the well-trained "Red" an
J s'Blue" professional teams, and plenty {
: country born and reared girls, to whom
: is as natural an amusement as it is to the
brothers. The truth is, regarding eitht
: of these games, that prettiness of DIRE
| must be sacrificed to suitability for pla,
ing, and il is difficult to maintain the b
coming quiet and dignity which belongs
, "the manners of the season" in conjun
: ton with them.
e Every year sees boating a more and mo
: fashionable pastime. To be able 10 ma
= age punt is almost essential if one
!, longs to Shouseboat party, and the rive
: side girls are. becoming adopts with {
n oars Some of the Thames regattas Il
/ year included ladies' contests, which car
g off with grand success. Among ma
IS more who are distinguished upon the rix
o are Mrs. Harry Lawson and the Mis-
Moren Mackenzie, the latter having