THE CHINA MAIL THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1960,
WOMANSENSE
HUSBANDS
THE BRAVEST men in Britain this week: are probably the mixed bag of personali- ties who have, commented to take part in this inquiry. For this is a view of them as seen not from the normal position of the public spectator but in the eyes of those who see them at somewhat closer range... their wives. Thus the results can be expected to be candid and, perhaps, biased. All of them are certainly fascinating studies of domestic strategy, for here men stand judged not by their professional attainments but on how they handle the demanding role of being a husband....
FIRST:
by LADY MORRISON
'Most men just play at
being superior... Herbert IS superior and is quite unconscious of the fact'
FROM all I have seen
a
politician is almost invariably an impossible person to live with. * His
an inquiry based absolutely
on first-hand evidence by the only real witnesses - wives
Statesman in shirtsleeves at back door of Eltham home
to my provided they have a fully as possible, that perhaps a Rense of humour about them- new suit, or a new shirt would selves which stops them making be a good idea,
heavy weather of their opinions. I collect camole of materials Of all this, he loathes the for him to look at and buy his sort of people who talk shirts, ties and socks, and he when they seems to be quite happy with Incessantly, and eventually stop they haven't sold the arrangement. anything. When he comes up against such a bore I can sže him close his mind to the voice and let his mind wander off on its own.
I have never known him to lose his temper, or even to be cause he is a member of the depressed. Perhaps that is be old political school. Only the new, young politicians of this country are inclined to be bysterical.
He bates to hurt people's feelings and would inconveni- ence. himself completely to do what they wanted.
That
la why he hardly ever turns down an invitation to open a road, or give · away school prizes, or make a speech at a meeting, or do any of the hundred and one things a man in his position is requested to do.
I have tried to change this, it
'only for the sake of his health.
I have persuaded him to keep
Hopeful
E never recognises women's
He never seen spot
a woman's uniform a mile of. He has done a great deal to have women's service uniforms proved.
im-
There have obviously been many moments when he has felt the tide going out for him. but I do not believe he has ever
LADY MORRISON
his public engagements down to We agree on most things
a minimum, and to get used to the idea of having time for relaxation.
HE
Flattering
been depressed by things going wrong." He sees them as pro- blems to fight and like all politicians he loves a good light, That first meeting was typical I hold the same political views believed that women are capable TIE, rarely talks about his If he loses be never gives up
He is always prepared as he does, and held them before of looking of him.
impersonally at a Iork, but occasionally asks completely. He simply takes to do something for somebody. I met him. We agree on most problem. Still, that is where for my opinion on some point, consolation in the fact that he
we agree to differ.
which is very flattering. I am has done his best and waits for Always kind. People are a little things. inclined to falce advantage of He is a great feminist, which
Herbert is a man who loves sure he takes no notice of what the next opportunity to come his work. Therefore, his leisure I say and treats it as just an- tack on the same thing for an-
concerned
other fight. with other unbiased opinion. polities. When we entertain at home, which we do a lot, our are usually politicians guests and their wives.
is the only one of his charac teristics that I do not comply with. He believes that women are capable of great things and is always ready to champion the women's cause.
is
his personal generosity, but it
usually wife's job is to does not seem to have done him smooth out life for him and much harm. make sure he is never bothered by the trivialities of her own doings.
Surprising
LTHOUGH five months seems like a short court-
I do not believe that career
She is supposed to remember ship, I knew him very well women can do the things they at all times that her husband before we married. All the nice do as well as they think they not even has great things on his mind things about him were evident. can. In fact, I do things that cannot be left be- The
mildly surprising believe that women should go hind, things that must be worked out and not intruded thing is that they have remained in for national politics.
03.7
He leaves all our 'domestic Before I married I was a very affairs to me. When I furnished independent person. I never our home he had only one needed security, I went my own request that we should have way, did the things I wanted to masses and masses of bookcases do, arid was always very hard on people with a different point in every room,
of view from my own.
The Magic Book
Knarf Borrows. It From Mr. Merlin-
By MAX TRELL KNAAF, and his smalt la
friend Teddy, the Stuffed Bear, bad been dispassing the mattor for quite a long time — ten or 15 minutes at leas.!
Finally Knarf said he would speak to Mr Merlin, the Mag-
meant Magician, about it.
Knatt found Mr Merlin standing in his garden,
"That's something I'd like to | borrow from you,” said Knart
politely."
"Of course, of course, anything at all," said Mr Merlin. Name it and it's yours."
"I'd like to borrow that Magic Bock,” said Kradi.
"Oh!" Mr Merlin exclaimed. "Not for keeps," Knart hur Friedly said. “Just to borrow for
a little while."
Mr Merlin hesitated. "It's a bit-er-difficult,” ́he said at last.
Have to guess
that
"I mean," he went on, the directions for making things appear and disappear are writ- ten.like ridles. You never know |what you're going to get unless
you first guess the riddle." Knert looked puzzled.
BI
"Look! Here come the grapes!” shouted Knarf, the Shadow Boy,
grapes on it would spring up in the middle of the back yard.
"Sort of red, I guess," said Teddy.
This must be the one, then," said Knarf.
And he read the following Magic Riddle:
First Kick out your foot
Then stand on your head, Out will come bunches: Fresh, sweet and red]
Teddy's excited
"But I guess it's all right," Mr Yes, yes, that would be grapes Merlin said the next moment as all right!" said Today excitedly. he handed the Magic Riddle "Grapes are fresh, they're
Just do sweet, and they're red." Book to Knart. "You
Knarf did exactly what the your best with it."
Krarf thanked Mr Merlin for Magle Riddle Book sald for him . being so good as to lend him to do. the wonderful Magic Riddle Book. Then the ran back as fast as he could to where Teddy was waiting for him.
"I bet you didn't get it," said Teddy gloomily, as Knart step- ped into the room.
Shows it "But I did get it, Teddy! Look! Įt 1st All. we have
Here
to do is guess the riddle,” said Kmart, "Let's go out in
the back yard and try it."
He kicked out one foot (his right foot). Then with Teddy's help, he stood on his head.
Suddenly there was a loud from popping noise. It came the ground..
"Look! Here come the grapes!" Kmart shouted.
Up from the the ground came an enormous bunch of sweet, red carrots!
-Was it successful? "Well,” said Mr Merlin later, when Knarf returned the Magic Riddle Book, "did you get what you wanted, Knarf
We all talk over a problem, things get a little and when involved the men withdraw to
Marriage to Herbert Morrison them out. But it is He has no interest in clothes sort possible to enjoy an evening or food. When I ask him what has taught me how to tolerate that is both social and political, he had for lunch he can never people.. He has made me realise In practically everything my remember, and he never notices how grossly impatient I can be, "husband is an easy mail to new dress
sand-how-much more enjoyable
people, can His own clothes were in a life, and eun always leave what he is first time as I did, you look for THEY haven't the physical please. The thing he enjoys doing, no matter how important, tolerance and
strength or the courage most in life is good conversation sorry state when I met him and when viewed kindly and with Kharf had described how Mr you! I was just going to get These 1 certainly for the work, and I have never He likes people with something now I have to suggest, as tact tolerence.
on. "Herbert is not like that.
He
constant.
When you marry a man in your mid-forties, and for the
to listen to my complaints about humour. the washer on the kitchen tap, found.
or the spring on the garden gate, Butore
Kindness
NEVER have to feel that I am disturbing him. He can leave his work, listen to what
* ver:se
OL
I married, I was associated with many men in my business. That, often think, was one of the reasons 1 nover married before.
Men, generally speaking, are aware that they are the superior
I have to say with full attention, sex. and then take up his work again,
I also believe this should
be true and that sex equality
His kindness and good nature is carried a little too ar these were the first things I noticed days.
about him. We met, six years But most men just play at ago, on holiday in Switzerland. being superior. They assert
I had wanted to go to a golf themselves and behave in a
club party one evening and stubborn seized a group of unattached imagine men if one of them would mind superior. escorting me. Herbert, whom I
way because they
that this is being
Herbert is superior, and is
had never spoken to before, quite unconscious of the fact
agreed.
--which makes him a rare man.
LADY LUCK
YOUR CHINA MAIL HOROSCOPE
THURSDAY, JUNE 30
AQUARIUS (6) (January
21-February 19): A distant friend may be very interest- ed in a scheme you have evolved and you ought to write him the details.
PISCES (3) (February 20- March 201: Don't let а small delay discourage you from going ahead with the plan you are working on. ARIES (4) (March 21-April 19): A meeting with some very old friends will be a rewarding experience, and
frequent reunions.
more
should be encouraged. TAURUS (5). (April 20-May 20): Guard against an unwarranted expenditure which you may regret after a very short period of en- joyment. GEMINI (1) (May 21-June 21): On being, asked to judge a compétition, you will
critical find your ability a great help in pass ing fair judgment. CANCER (2) (June 22-July 21): You are susceptible to outside influences and should beware of undue flattery. LEO (8) (July 22-August 21): With a little shrewd bargaining you will be able to turn an indifferent pro- position into a very suc cessful transaction. VIRGO (11) (August 22 September 22) You would
:
be making a mistake to put obstacles in the way of a person who really wants to make 3 success of his
career.
LIBRA (7) (September 23. October 22): An affair of
Impersonal
YOUR HOME consultant John Siddeley dissects a problem of
vital interest to everyone with a home to furnish ..
JOHN SIDDELEY: I'm not against all modern design, but quite frankly. Hugh, your chair reminds me of something nasty Why do you the dentist's. like it so much?
Which one
is
for you?
by ANNE GLIDEWELL
WITH the contemporary look everywhere in the home from cellars that aren't to roofs that are anything but, the problem facing many new at- tempts at furnishing seems to be: What's best- the old and tested friend or something new and dashing? To solve this, Your Home design con- sultant John Siddeley and Hugh De Pree, president of the Herman Millar Furniture Company In America, were asked to describe their favourite chairs... Both claimed the most comfortable chair in the world. One was a Louis XVI bergere covered in dull satin with curving frame the other was a tiltable swivel-based lounger made of aluminium and ochre yellow leather in severe modern lines,
They both went out to the back yard at once with the
Knari handed Mr Merlin the Magic Riddle Book.
Only I don't care much for bunch of camole.
said, be bananas," Teddy
Thank you, Knart, thank
DE FREE: To answer a need. That's why good modern furni- ture is so good.. It's light, strong, serviceable... absolute- ly functional.
afler
Merlin had made a banana tree some carrots myself for my loaded with bunches of beauti- dinner tonight. That's the one ful bananas, come springing up about kicking out your foot and in the middle of his garden, standing on your head. Thank "I'd rather have a bunch of
you again!"
It made Kriart and grapes."
Teddy "What colour are grapes, feel a bit better that somebody Teddy?" Kharf asked.
could use the bunch of carrots
He had opened the Magic but they still they very much Riddle Book and was looking still-wanted a bunch of grapes. for the riddle that meant that But where could they get s grape vine with bunches of them now-except in a store?
Rupert and the Squire-22
Dropping his basket Rupert pushes at the door of the stone hut. "Oh, my goodness!" he multers. It's not only shut, it's padlocked! Someone's been here since last night. Whoever can it have been? And what's the place used for? It's hidden away from
everybody." A slight chattering noise reminds him that he is chasing Beppo. Clambering up at the side of the hut he peers on ta the roof and there, crouching in the shade of many feaves, he spies the little truant monkey staring
him.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
OBY BRIDGE
GLIDEWELL: Don't you think that's the big problem about modern design? It's too functional and simply not de- REMEMBER that general rule I gave yesterday about corative enough?.
when not to overcuff? It is im- SIDDELEY: I couldn't agree portant enough to repeat: "When- more. Furniture should be fun ever you hold three or more trumps to the ace or king, or fun to live with. That's why most successful four or more to the queen or rooms are furnished with ald Jack, you should usually refuse pieces, not necessarily heirlooms, to use your honour to overtuff.” but family furniture with senti-
If South had jumped right to mental attachments. plus just one or two things that are new, four spades over the opening club bid be would probably have
+
DE FREE: Of course you can escaped without being doubled. -mix old and new. And the old As it was, he gave East a chance
NORTH 472
13
VAST +97432 41087.
EAST (D) 48
KJ
AKQJ98
6AQJ10634
WEST AKES
10654
· 10 85
♦AG
402
SOUTH
2
+KQJ
454
Chibis were opened and con-
Both vulnerable
It's their unexpectedness tinued. South ruffed he third lead with the queen and instead the clesu Ines of
East
South West
North
14
Double 1♥·
44 ་
Pass
and West doubled..
· can' be fun. In my living-to show that he held a big hand ..zoom at home I've got
Japanese kite 'anda Persian
the heart may cause you
HUGH DE PREE: I like it be- some bitter disappoint cause I like the way it looks. ment, but you will make a It's got personality, I think, and
it's terrifically comfortable, wiser choice next time.
My chair has got lots of (October 23-mobility. I tilts back and it SCORPIO
You have swivels round, and I like that. November 21): mnde u
great number of I don't mind admitting. Fm a even when nervous type, and loyal friends over the years I'm sitting I like to Bdget. and can be sure that they But then, most people in this would come to your as day and age feel that way, sistance should you find
BIDDELEY: Sounds pretty yourself in a tight spot.
restless to me. And surely in SAGITTARIUS (9) (Novem- this day and age of restlessness-
ber 22-December 21): A
we should have furniture that chance acquaintance may should be calming in design.
DE PREE: Your chair, is too helpful in prove very
DE PREE: I don't agree, thought about the needs of rug and im Indian shawl, a valuable aug- static. But then what can you offering gestion in connection with expect with something made Modern designers like Charles people today went into it,
nearly 200 years ago? De Eames, who made this chair, SIDDELEY: I disapprove of against your work,
signers design for contemporary achieve individuality by using copies too. I will only have modern furniture that. I and so of making the "No better place
was made A tremendous variety of reproductions made it somebody exciting.. CAPRICORN (12) (Decem-needs. Your chair
ber
materials... steel, plastic, lea- wants a set of six chairs made 22-January 20): for an age of calm and quiet,
ther, nylon,
I've up to a set of eight of some rosewood. Placed in a delicate, position Bad copies
thing like that, known Eames use the lot.)
Tell me, Hugh, "do you think The only trouble about this climate influences design? I quarrelling friends, you SIDDELEY: I'm not so sure can rely on your usual tact about that. At least my chair's chair is that so many people mean, I admit your chair might
have copied it. And copied t possibly look all right to bring about an agree compact, and has a great badly tog
Florida, But I can't see it in elegance which modern "de- meat.
NUMBER:signers are apt to forget. Your ANNE LLIDEWELL: You Brighton, can your
DE FREE: Yes, I can. Just YOUR LUCKY
as I can see a Chippendale chair Count the letter in your chars deftly made for a don't approve of coples? first name and add the total penthouse not a poorhouse
just wouldn't fit into a modern DE PREE: No, I don't. I looking marvellous in New York, think this chair will survive as 'Good design looks right any flat
a work of urf because Eames where PAREN spent three years working on
*S arbiter between two
to the number shown in brackets after your sign of the Zodiac This is your lucky number for today.
Besides, like so much modern furniture, it looks mass pro duced. It lacks individuality,
1
ACARD Senseķ♦
BIDDELEY: Contrast la tra- mendously important.
GLIDEWELL: You're getting in dangerously near agreeing.
The bidding has been:
Went Worth East
To sum up would it be fair to in say that you, John, like largely traditional rooms sparked of with one completely contempor- ary desk or chair whereas Hugh likes mainly modern furniture. inted up with some collectors pieces that are old?
AND IDE PREE SIDDELEY: What would you (together): Yes!
don, Käyreis Service). the original design A lot of my was the purpose of design?
PLIS
are
You, South, hold: 411 WKQU5 4A9JAK1992
What do you do? Amid three, hearts, You OK YOUR WAY So a slam,
TODAY'S QUESTION. Your partner rabids to three és, What do you do now?:
Pass Double Pass
Opening lead-4 6.
for it play West discarded, Baving his king for later use.* South fod his wingleton heart to "dummy's ace and tried the spade finesse. Now West took his king. There was no reason to hold it back the_time.
A diamond put East in the lead, and out care a fourth Club If South runed low West would overrunt. 12. South, razed high the nine root would becom
a gure fqump trick. - Either way
South had to go down two tricka,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.