The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-07

with fine white muslin apron, cap. coll lar and cuffs to correspond. Also grey silk stockings and the aforesaid grey shoes with red heels as 8 finishing touch of ultra elegance. I fancy the other nurses employed by the duchess do not wear this musical comedy style of costume but are the usual type of useful individuals who know their business and probably see to the we'll being of their patients
 As Arlington House is situated next door but one to the entrance of the Ritz hotel 1t Is only natural that peo- pie 1unchins in that highly fashion able restaurant should be gratified nearly every day by the arrival at midday of Lady Diana clad in her be- coming nurses garb over which she throws great circular military cape of dove-grey cloth fastened at the throat by 8 huge clasp of Russian sil yer She usually joins the table which Is reserved for Lady Cunard, who is nicg-named 'T.ollipop," in her own i'm mediate circle.
 I went to see & woman the other day who received me in a beautiful ly cut gown of plain white cloth with which she wore white boots and close Russian toque of white vel vet edged with ermlne. We were go- ing out to tea at one of the restaurants and I was lost in admiration when she, picked up from chair superb tail lese ermine coat into which she pro- ceeded to costly button herself. But my dear" I exclaimed. 'fn wartime what extravagance" She assured me, however. that her costume. on the con trary, was economical and she found ed her reason for this somewhat strange theory upon the fact that she regarded her hat, her coat her boots and her general snowy silhouette as a means of ife-saving that really was an economy as far as her own per- sonal preservation was concerned.
 q am frightened to death of the dark streets" she said. land since have given up my motor, and it Is often so difficult to get taxi, I have to walk along the streets very often after the 1ights-out' hour On the blackest night I defy even the most careless driver to fall to see me when I cross road and in my humble opin- more than the price of my ermine coat. so I arrive at my original argu- ment that my costume is an economy"
 From the point of view of my friends ingenious deduction. the wear ing of white may be considered as economy of life in London. but I am afraid that ordinary everyday people will have to resort 10 OrQlnary meth ods of obtaining safe conduct after dark in London streets. There Is nothing so hopeless to wear at any time of the year in this city as white, No matter how clear and fresh the day may seem to be there IS a .quN < ity that in summer 5r winter seems to act on the atmosphere like a pow der puff filled with black particles that settle upon pale colors and seem to create a special affinity with white that Is intensely destructive and an moving The dark streets and the dit hculty Of their navigation by nervous people sre every day becoming more a propiem 'ts, be considered I know many women ~so wear boots with white cloth or wnll, su.da 5ons - hats with white trimmings 4,at ,ha, insist give them a certain amJufs-S5s. ] confidence in their movements But am afraid very few of us will ever be able to accomplish the luxurious economic principles of my friend with the ermine coat who insists that her original outlay on this imperial gar 1nent has been saved over and over again owing to the fact that she now considers herself immune from street accidents. It seems to me that the poor woman's alternative will be hat which has an outer coating of phosphorescent paint that may act as A sort of individual lighthouse in foR