The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-02

as sort of tonic to the system of people who have been living in a state of depression for so long. l think it was the great philosopher, Herbert Spencer, who said that Nature is the more violent in it's return"-certainly ' this doctrine would seem to have prac- tical illustration in the present state of affairs. Private entertainments are taking place at every house that can gather together a sufficient staff of servants to make entertaining possible, while those who do not care to bother about guests in their homes are giving the most lavish and frequent parties of all descriptions at the hotels, which are full to overflowing.
 One of the new phases of London social life is undoubtedly the 'hotei habit" It is only since war days that hotel life has become part and parcel of Euglands every day existence. Ten or F years ago it was considered rather an event for an ordinary family >of social dignity and importance to have dinner or supper in restaurant or hotel dining room. It was just little bit daring and French" Ot course, I am speaking of rather qGiet people, and not of the brass band ele- ment Nowadays, however, all this is changed and sets and cliques of society flock to public places for their meals just as naturally as they do in New York or any other big American city. I should not wonder in the least to see in the near future the introduction of cabaret entertainments in all fashion able and up-to-date restaurants and dancing will certainly occupy large portion of general public entertain ment as it does in any of the cities in your part ofthe world.
 ,1xt-a inf tAa tv ,ntf frif how frequently London seems to catch on to "fads" and fashions after New York has exploited them. Models of gowns that 1 saw year ago, for in- stance. in New York, are now to be found described as the very latest from Paris" and worn in all good faith by smart London women. The long. straight cape effect hanging from the shoulders, for instance, that is now be- ing seen so much in London. was de- mode when I left New York last sum mer, while the gowns of silver and gold tissue and cloth so popular last year in New York are only just be- ginning to make their appearance over here. There is one thing that has not yet arrived in London, however, and that is the looped-up "bustle" effect that was so popular on your side of the world last season. I don't think that English women will ever ''fall' for the exaggeration and distortion of this silhouette. However, one never can tell what will happen these days l thought of this fact when I saw very pretty English woman at the Ritz the other afternoon in perfectly straight garment of sapphire blue vel vet cut, apparently, just as we used to make dolls clothes in our happy child hood days. namely--a round hole at the top for the head. and two slits on either side for the arms This dress had for it's only establishment stiff sash of some dull. metallic fabric hang ing round the hips. With this was worn an immensely tall, coneshaped hat of blue velvet with a bordering of weird flowers in all colors round the rim I was told it was the very lat est and the most chic thing Paris can supplyi LADY MARY.
 Copyright, 1919)