Evening star., 1909-04-25
Bogey Frightens English
Society Into First Aid"
Special Correspondence of The Star.


LONDON. April IA. 1909.
x<TIRST aid'' tea parties are the fad
of the moment in high society.
Mrs. Lulu Harcourt. niece Of j.
Pierpont Morgan and the wife of one of
the leading men OF affairs in England, and
Mrs. George West. one time Lady
Randy Churchill. also an American, are
responsible for the latest vogue. At the
present moment 1t Is considered impera-
tive by every society woman that she
know how to manipulate bandages, treat
wounds and behave generally toward the
injured pending the arrival of the doctor.
The reason for all this is to be found
In the ceaseless talk about the coming
German invasion Of England. The whole
country, including the staidest members
of the house of commons and the house Of
lords, is In blue funk that is laughable
because there is a remote possibility that
some three years hence the kaisers fleet
of 'Dreadnoughts'' might approach in
number that OF John Bull. 1t used to be
openly boasted that an Englishman was
worth ever so many men of any other
nationality, but all that is changed now
and it appears to be the general fear
that if put to the test it will take a
couple of Britishers to PROPERLY handle a
single foreigner.
X
Lady Esher. wife of one Of the kings
chief advisers. has publicly announced a
series Of first aid lessons, and her example
is being followed by the upper ten. Fa-
nous medical men from Harley street and
Cavendish square are invited to attend
and give dempnstrations to the would be
nurses.
well known English paereSS uho has
the fever bad, told me the other day
that it was easy to get the big doctors
! to attend the classes. but the difficulty
was in finding volunteer subject" for
the demonstration. This is because there
are no men in the world SO afraid Of
ridicule as Englishmen and they think
that their appearance in bandages and
splints for imaginary wounds is likely to
produce amusement. Occasionally some
self-sacrificing woman jumps up and off
fers herself as a subject. but not often.
Even the domestics have resented bitter
ly being called upon, as they express it.
TO play the fool for a crowd of aristo-
cratic onlookers. 1t Is now the custom for
hostesses to engage a district messenger
to perform the patriotic part of being1
wounded for his country at half a
crown an hour.
At one aristocratic house where the
hostess and ner audiences take them
selves seriously they wear the most fetch
ing Of uniforms. The gowns are Of rich
deep purple cashmere. the aprons exqui-
site things of lace and tucks, and cob
webby arrangements Of the same rest on
their perfectly coiffe haT. Little jabots
of real lace and cuffs to match are added.
The final touch is given in the chatelaine
which is sometimes of filigree gold ex-
quisitely jeweled or of antique silver and
enamel. This contains a number of small
instruments, including scissors. penknife,
tape box and SO forth. These chatelaines
are now among the very smartest things
which may be given as presents.
At the conclusion Of the first aid lee
lures elaborate teas are served and the
guests are all expected to be able to as
course fluently on the characteristics of
the respective navy and army of Germany
and England. Every one studies carefully
the special articles appearing in her pet
morning paper and everything else she
can get hold Of on these subjects, as
to express ideas and to impart informa- |
tion as it is her duty to do. !