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Impressions
HERE seems to be a ten- Hous
Kong women to take to the arts in their leisure hours. That may say much for the richness of imaginative life in Hong, Kong, inspired either by the in- dividual life or the race with which we come in contact. Or it may simply be the abundance of spare time which tends to foster a pretence. What actual- ly in the moving spirit of those societies whose members appear from time to time before the public?
Is it arent enjoyment and appreciation that inspires itte plays. produced, the many musical concerts and the art exhibitions? โu j1 spontaneous and joyous expression of n fulness of life, with originality and response as the keynote? Such, an amateur In ene or other of the arts would then naturally find a deep inter- est in a study of the history and Interpretation of that art.
An appreciation of art is not really the simpic matter it may seem. It is not, for instance, an appreciation of art to find a poor Victorian print attractive, but. rather a misappreciation. Study and guidance for the uninitiated are needed. So many stereotyped ideas are reproduced again and again. While the world-be paint- er who sees a good, progressive imagazine that, does not agree with it with no her ideas dismisses
well further thought, it is
to remember that all great artists were revolutionary in their own age. Even Rembrandt. was not appreciated in his time as much Dutch the so-called Little Masters,
IS
No, even
in this small com- munity the arts must present a great problem to the sincere. Societies are inclined to uniformity of methad and outlook, and at the same time look for approbation rather than criticism, Women go. on the platform to sing or play the plan, or hang their pictures for the public to view, in the most presumptuous manner. They acem to be not so appreciative as de- sirous of being appreciated for whet they consider their special talent.
One finds this pretension in every walk of life: the giver of large sums to charities, is very often merely socially ambitious. But at least in such a case the cause benefits, and it is the habit to Jencourage those who court publicity in such manner. But unfortunately in the field of 'art the result in contrary: these good ladies, instead of spending their time in a serious study are harmful than otherwise." .more Here they have the opportunity for publicity and hence, for a state of self-satisfaction and a belief that they really are accom- plished artists; whereas in Eng- land they would not think of sending their pictures to the Roval Academy, or singing at Drury Lane,
Art appreciation does not begin with the producing of shows and concerts, but by being able sincere- ly to enjoy good art, and learning how to discriminato.
Phyllis Juky.
HONG KONG, SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1935
No. 6
FAMOUS WOMEN IN HISTORY, I.
the
Empress
Marie
Louise
Napoleon's Romance.
With Marie Louise Was The Real Thing
UN
(By P.A.K.)
NTIL the middle of Decem- ber last year, nobody knew that Napoleon had written a series of three hundred 'love let- ters to his second wife, the Aus- trian Princess, Marie Louise. Now a new light is thrown on Napoleon's feelings as lover and husband;, for those letters prove definitely that there was a real love romance between him and Marie Louise that insted from the first to the last day of their reign. It also appears now that the Emperor made of his wife a sure ally, while she proved herself worthy of his confidence and executed some of his diplo- matic and political instructions. It was the unscrupulous Met ternich who gave Napoleon the, Austrian Archduchess as his wife,
und it was, he who took away their son, l'Aiglon." Among the letters discovered in Vienna's Secret Archives is one in which Napoleon instructed one of his nides to thank his old enemy Metternich in the warmest terms for his help in bringing about the match with Maric Louise and for bringing her safely to him. But before she arrived in Paris, the official marriage was. celebrated in Vienna, in the absence of Napoleon. The following are taken from three of the letters from an engaged Emperor to his Buncee!
"I am extremely impatient to be with Your Majesty. If I
Handwork has Found no Substitute
Many and intricate are "the machines which "cut the "corners" in the hat industry."
Yet handwork remains the. sigu and, the seal of a quality. hat the heritage of a'craft.
AURELIA'S
now hat bespeak their
wealth of handwork, even to
the layman. Their fine straws are sized to a hairline by hands with skill, and conscience. They are styled according to
the Intest vogue from Paris, Hollywood and New York. They represent the utmost in sheer honesty of value in a woman's 'and 'man's hata.
$5 to $16
THE FAITHFUL WIFE.
The EmpraITÁ Marie Louise. listaned to my nclination, would saddle my horse and leave Paris, and I would be kneeling at your feet before anybody could notice that, I had left, But this must not be. My desire to please you, Madam, stall be the most consistent and the sweetest affair of my life,
"I am counting the hours. The days Reem longer. My people share my impatience. I have said that, you will be a tender mother to the French. You will and in them, Madam, children who will love you.
"Everything that does not con- cern you is devoid of interest to me. I feel that I shall only miss nothing when you are here. Thousands of compliments at your feet, and a sweet kins on your lovely hand,"
The second series of letters written after the wedding show a sudden dropping of the conven tional "yous" (you) and adoption of the term "tu" (thout. Not only does the word "tu" imply that he must have been deeply in love with his wife, but it also. conveys a meaning of simplicity and democracy.
Marie Louise herself became Immediately infatuated with this fascinating soldier already cover- ed with glory. The following ex- tract from her letter to her sister Caroline can leave no doubt on the subject:
"I owe the favour of travelling with him to my repeated requests. I would find, it hard if I had to part with him for one day."
When he went. away alone for the first time, Napoleón sent this short note:
"Thou givest me no cause for complaints, for, then art good and perfect and I love" thee; but I hope thou hast been reasonable and thor, art, sleeping at this hour "To-morrow I shall be with thee. I love thee.
Shortly after this a son WAN born to Marle Louise. Then the pride of Napoleon was boundless, and his faith in his destiny un- limited. And he cries: The future. the future, the future is mine!" · But the 'faturb' is no body's, and soon the Emperor will (Continued Over-page)
Panchakarg