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On this Page 34
Ladies Letter
THE QUARTZ ON THE HILL —
"HOME TO OUR MOUN-
TAINS." — XAVIER'S NEW
BOAT SONG.'—-AN ANNUAL
ENTERTAINMENT. — BOOK
NOTES. — ST. VINCENT - DE
PAUL'S ORPHANAGE. BOU-
LOGNE.—"PADDLING THEIR
OWN CANOE."
17/11/'19.
My Dear Aileen,—
It is said that the last taste or drop
of a gDod thing is always the sweetest.
Let us hope that this will come true
of the end of a year that, like a
"Christmas shocking," has been
crammed with a very big assortment
of articles ugly and handsome* painproducing
and pain-relieving, pleasant
"surprise packets," and very unpleasant
"Jack-in-the-Boxes"!
Yet, on the whole, 1919 may be
termed 1 a fairly "good" year, because
war was absent, even if epidemics were
witfh us for a space. And many $>art
lingeringly with a year that is going,
because the memory of blessings
vouchsafed remihds them that thanks
to the- great Giver of all good are due
for what they have thus received, and
that the future is an unopened book,
ending the "teens" of a score of years
which cannot be liyjed. again!
-Preparations for Christmas peep
out at one from odd corners already.
There is a general "clean up," so to
speak; and the great prospector,
Time, will soon be swishing the
water to and fro in his big tin dish,
looking for' the "gold" of 1919;
•The quartz on the Hill of High Resolve,
how it has gathered through the
twelve months! While t-he prospector
is~ busy by the creek, brighter forms
are busier on the hillside. Alas! how
much quartz has to be flung aside!
although it shone as crystal in the
sunshine! And, ever, the mines water
wheel turns round and round, and
round and; -round, until endeavour
here on * earth, * shall * be no * more! *
Verdi's
"II
Trovatore"
dnew
big
audiences to , Her Majesty's
Theatre
last week.
It is a widjely popular
opera, although it has more frequently
been, subjected
to
harsh
criticism
than any pther of Verdi's wtorks.
Its
melodic and-dramatic foice is direct;
hence
its
successful ..play
uptoji the
emptions.
The ^parilsh. jppet,
Cantmarano,
preparedthe. libretto, which
Itgejt'
tese<|
on a; Spanish - drama
written 6y One., AAtonio G^rci^ Gultierez,
a youth, of. bu^seVenteeri-years
of age.
Vittorio
Lois
took J
the
part
of
''Maiirjco;" who,". in ' tfe'alijjr; ' is v the
trio the r^ stolen in childhood, of' the,
^tfced 1 "G^iint <H -Mna'tCfrr Formes),
but whd' baieyes Minself to be 'the
son
(of
the
revengeful
gipsy,
' Aziit&h6"
has
hint Iti a
' gip^y-camp of the Biscay-mountains.
•Sigflor Lbis, inhis £tekand;;6ii*er
'ttBttio and- UfrItfe^ hisf*mlh<. and^ne
biasing,
liiolced fat i' times 'Sftmeioiiat
like the pictures of the "Martyr Maid
of Qrleans, clad in shuung
armour.
He Woifld make a s#lend}d Joan of
Arc in <any pjay, I should think, being
twsseefeed -of
a dignified stage
pre-
-sence.
'
.
.Intheprisonscene/wfoerehfestrives
tJp *onrfort told Azucefia, his acting is
very effective? «and lf.the-'greatest art
ftctOrStt
n&ttttaliy, tpetj Signor Lois
may
lay clain^ to be ?an sector out of
thye ordinary jfor , there- is a
natural
of" *ouV»<ibility «boui jam,
and
Melpflmri^fc.• ^
• •
His
voice,
ever
powerful,
while
being heard to best advantage in "Di
Quella Pira," reveals new beauties in
the
tender
duet
with
his
supposed
parent,
namely,
"Home
to
Our
Mountains."
Miss Vera Bedford lias a difficult
part t6 sustain in Azucena, but she is
perfectly equal to the task; and, for
such a young artist, she is marvellously-capable.
Sht looks the suffering,
memory-haunted
gipsy
to
the
life, and throws herself into the work
with
all
the
artistic
abandonment
necessary
for
a genuinely
dramatic
success.
Miss Strella Wilson, as "Leonora,"
the beautiful Spanish lady who, at the
Spanish Court, has unfortunately become
"the
one
particular
star" of
the Count's infatuation, and who is
also the beloved of Manrico, his unknown
brother, also scored a great
triumph, het singing and acting attaining
an
even
'higher
plane
than
usual. ' Her prepossessing
stage appearance
was
at
its
best
in
the
Straight-lined'
and "^beaded
panelled
•black dress which phe wears outiide
the cQnvent chapel, and again outside
the dungeon where
Manrico is confined.
Alfredo
Valenti
as
"Ferrando."
and A. Bernard! as
"Ruiz," contributed
valuably
towards
a
success
wh*ose, completeness might have been
marred' had
not
their
voices
risen
nobly to the occasion.
The scenery of - this opera is very
pleasing to the ,eye!
Beginning with
a vestibule in Aliaferia Palace, a gipsycamp/is
shown, with swelling uplands
in the distance and the palace and its
picturesque grounds.
The "famous "Anvil Song" is sung
here, where
the
smiths
are busily
working,
and
gaily-attired
gipsy
maidens dance
to the music of the
tambourines."
Convent and castle, camp and cell,
follow.
A brief glimpse of the torture
chamber in
the prison
is the
only
scentic "horror,"
filling
the
imagination
as it does, in a cleverly realistic
way, with visions of the times when
thumb-screws
. and
pressure
irons,
billing
at
the • stake,
and
other
fiendish
Atrocities
were the order of
the day where -prisoners were concerned
whp-were the victims of man's
unholy hate, and reminding us, too,
of
the existence
nowadays
of even
more!revolting cruelties, of which we
read in any daily paper.
"The present
doth riot copy fair the past," sings
Elizabeth Barrett. Browning, but she
sings.
!pve
between
man
and
wtomanf got of hate between man and
man.
• %
The Prcftent Boys'-Memprial Chapel
Fund CoAert was held in Xavier
College H|l, Kew, on the evening of

the 12th inst., befors a large and appreciative
audience. A selection of
college songs, introducing "Xavier
Through," "Black and -Red," "Xavier,
Kew," etc., y/ik played as an overture,
the music being arranged by Jas. B.
Byrne. Dr. J. G. Hurley sang with
spirit, "Lift Htr Home to Victory,
Lads, for Ketv," a new boating song:
"With a swing that's steady and true,
Eight of Xavier are ripping her
through;
With a frantic eort of rhyme
Our hearts are keeping time,
While swiftly down the river speeds
our crew.
Comrades all, be they old or new,
They were never so proud of you.
Swing together! Shift her!
Swing jtour back's i&nd lift her;
Lift her 'home - to vict'ry, lads—for
Kew."

This was heartily encored,
memory
recalling
the
last
"long,
long
pull,"
cheered by watching thousands on the
Yarra's banks, when the "Head of the
River"
contest- £)ri>ved
such
an
inspiring
and splendid
scene.
Through
the courtesy
of the J. C.
Williamson _ Grand
Opera
Company,
Mr, Tom Minogue was able to be present,
to
receive
an
enthusiastic
welcome,
and
to
contribute
"Sons
of
Xavier,"
"Schoolmates -
of
Mine"
(Xavier's
Honour
Roll),
and
encore
numbers,
which
included
"They've
Won
Every
Nation's
Battles
But
Their
Own,"
which
song
he
had
to
repeat to satisfy
the
hall full
of admirers
of
fhis
rich
and
expressive
voice.
Mr. Gus. O'Brien was another
favourite, his deeply melodious notes
being heard in "Xavier, Kew," 'and
other numbers. Mr. J. Cockerill and
Mr. R. Brennan also pleased their
hearers in stirring collegiate and other
musical items. Morris dances were
played, and the Xavier College Choir
excelled itself in part-singings whose
tuneful harmony was delightful.
Mr. Louis Brennecke directed the
orchestra, Mr. Hugh McRae was choir
director, and Miss Agnes O'Keefe,
A.T.C.L., L.A^B., was accompanist.

There will be a ^pecial train service
next Sunday, -23rd iftst., for .Broadmeadows,
to fit fin with the arrangements
made by the Irish Pipers,
Catholic Women's- Clilh and Choral
Society to provide a high-class lawn
concert at St. Joseph's Foundling
Hospital. Broadmeadcws, in aid of
that deserving -inst-tiution, which is so
noted for -its remarkable saving of infant
life.
The train "Will leave. 'Flinders-street
at 2 p.m., and
run 'direct
to
Broadmeadows.
The Foundling Hospital is
close to, and may be seen from,
that
railway station. Drags will start
from
the 'Catholic
Wofnen's
Club
at
1.30
p.m., and continue to do so until 2.15
p.m. All who are desirous of
securing
seats m the dr&gB requite to
forward
their names to Miss A. Owens, <C.W.
Club, 288 'Bourke-street, or to Mr. _B.
M. Healy, -without -delay.
The
price
of a ticket is
2/6.
The Catholic Choral Society will be
2Q0 voices strong, and vocal items
will also be contributed by Mr. J. C.
Hidkey, Mr. D. Downey, Mr. S.
Laivigan, etc> and Jtfiss Annie Maher
will perform. His «Gr?ce Most Rev.
Dr. Mannix, ArcWbrShop of Melbourne,
has promised to be present.
The good Sisters of St. Joseph will
be happy to welcome such true benefactors
of the •tiny baibefe, 'for whom
they accomplish- such • magnificent
and self-sacrificing work, to save them
here and hereafter.
* * * # *
Country girls trimming their own
hats will be interested to know that
the ordinary seed grasses and poppy
podis (after poppy seeds shaken out)
are now 'utilised by city milliners, who
wash them over with gum arabic and
then paint them in various colours,
putting them.with artificial flowers.
* * * * *
"the Garland of St. Joseph" for
Novembjer'.acoirt^iae' a jtory by-Carmen
Carf, Hvfcfcfi Ss Very ^rtffity 'tdld;
and another bv Una Roe, which is entitled,
"The Master's Smile." St.
Maltha's Industrial Home, Leiehhardt,
which -vyasr founded hy ,the Sisters of
Sti Joseph in 18§8; has attention drawn
to(Sits feofcd /has
progressed steadily for thirty jears—
InJifhe interests of i>oor, respectable
girls, TbfciSlsbere .are itappe&iiBg /fot
^lUfigs ip„-enable u them. to
bald a take - in triire
thhh the ninety children already iMer
StjMajrtfiaVroof. These garls are

well trained and then sent forth to
* , P ° Slti0as T h e late
-
Cardinal
M or an always evinced the keenest interest
in this institution
* * * *z *
On.Sunday, December 7, Mr. James
scanlan will take out his sixteenth
annual concert party to St. Joseph's
Home, Surrey Hills, to provide the
orphan toys and girls-at 3 p.m.—
with the enjoyable entertainment they
have learned to look forward to so
eagerly Opportunity -will be seized
tra combine enjoyment with practical
aid towards the institution's housekeeping
requirements; therefore, gifts
or jam, butter, etc., will be gratefully
accepted. Wellwishers of the Home
who go out to the afternoon concert
by tram or vehicle cannot do better
than bring along wirh them anything
in the edible ling that they can afford
Most people can spare a pot of homemade
jam, for instance, or perhaps a
jar of honey. Mr. Scanlan is -well
known as one of the best Triends of
St Joseph's Home, and will be grateful
for such assistance in the charitable
cause, or for small donations.
address
is Richardson-street,
Middle Park, but anything intended
for the afternoon (Dec. 7th) may be
forwarded to the Reverend Mother,
or (if by train) to the Canterbury
railway station, addressed in full to

_ To befriend orphaned
little ones is
in itself
a beautiful
work.
To
show
practical
sympathy,
with
the
noble
Sisterhoods
that
guard
and
train
the
helpless young for our Divine
Lord's
sake
is
a deed
of
loveliness
whose
fruits are immortal
flowers.
-Where the true spirit of helpfulness
is, wonderful are the rich results
that
spring
the refrom;
for
men
and
women
are
imitative
beings
always,
and what is done in a gregarious way
is
soon
copied-by
flocks
of
other
helpers.
Every
discerning leader
recognises
this fact, and knows that where he, or
she, leads "to-day," hundreds of others
will
follow
"to-morrow."
The
track
has been blazed; no grass wjll n®w be
permitted to grow upon
it
*
*
*
*
*
As
many
soldiers, incapacitated
by
war from other activities, are engaged
in making cleverly constructed Christmas
toys, it is to be hoped
that
the
latter are bought in preference to imported
ones.
Christmas
books
for
juveniles
are
now
brought
into
front
window
prominence.
Among
the newest
to
daim
attention
is
"Coppertop,"
by
Harold
Gaye,
the
well-khown
artist.
(Mdboprne
Publishing
Company.)
'Coppertop"
is
the
little
heroine's
nickname,
because
of
her
burnished
locks; and,
like most
"Alice-in-Wonderland"
style of stories, she is made
to
take
very
wonderful
and
adventurous
travels
while
wrapped
in
slumber.
The illustrations are of
the
best,
and
are
both
in
colours
and
black and white.
They
are
imaginative
and humorous, and just the thing
to please foairns who are fond of "picture
story-foooks."
Mi$s 'Lilian Pyke has a new book
out, entitled "Camp Kiddies," which
interweaves with fiction much solid
fact that is instructive to children.
"The Prince at the School" is another
tof this author's Australian works.

Of Australian fairy tales there is
a goodly number, most being
illustrated. A book worth having is
Langloh Parker's "Australian Legendary
Tales." It is a mine of interest,
both to children and adults.
"Mia Mia Mites" relates the adventures
of two little Australian aborigines.
It has seven coloured pistes.
The whole is the work of Miss Muriel
Pornett.
Miss May Gibbs' popular booklets
include "Boronia Babies," "Wa'ttle
Babies;," "Tales of Snugglepot j and
£uddlepie," "Gum Blossom Babies"
and "Gum Nut Babies.'' The pictures,
although they have the true fairyland
glamour about them, are the most
genuinely Australian of their kind.
Christmas .gifts -and . novelties for
sa!e'-by 'our-CifthdKc bodkstflers will
be dealt with in next -week's "Letter,''
after my annual visit has been paid to
the several repositories, There
be a more extensive assortment ithifc
year, part of the effects of the
embargo being lifted, Switzerland
has not .failed to avail, herself ofihfe
opportunity to increase -her rndustriW
during her mSrvellotisj ttmeTpf
hence we see. her. trade marks on ft*
ligiotis articles jof • our -owteFaitty *£
weil aa upon ordmarygooda of vatpps

Sister E-stelle, M.D., -whose interesting
notes of travel are so familiar to
us in these pages, visited the Sisters
of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, in
Boulogne, and was shown over their
orphanage. The children of working
women are taken care of by the day
there, and the room used for this purpose
is of immense size. Along one
side of it is what looks like a huge
bed, with a railing of some height
alo'ng, it. Tiny tots can toe put in
here to tumble about as they please,
for there's just enough spring in the
"floor" of it to save any jar from a
fall.
In the centre of the room is an
affair where little ones able to walk
can "paddle their own canoe" and get
on fairly rapidly at the pleasing occupation
without much assistance, there
being a narrow passage to help them
to help themselves, with sides high
enough to prevent any accident.
Every size of chair ever made is
also to (be seen in the same playroom,
also toys of every description, dolls
with heads and dolls without_ heads,
dolls with one eye and dolls with two,
balls coloured and uncoloured, tops
and btioks by the pile.
Almost without exception, every
child looked chubby and happy, and
amusingly earnest in their Infantile
endeavours to exercise their limbs
and their lungs.

Of the Isle of Wight, also visited
recently, Sister Estelle says: "Cowes
is very pretty from the water, but is
not half as pretty when one is really
in it. It is a small, straggling town
with dirty streets, and we Consequently
-wasted little time there, but
went on to Newport by train. This
is a much nicer place, and we liked
it very well. From thence we ran out
by car to Cari^brooke, and up to the
Castle, where we met 'Captain R ,
of St. Kilda, who was on the same
errand as ourselves, namely, to have
a look over the Castle, which looks
just a mass of ruins, yet inside the
walls has such delightful gardens and
dwelling apartments. It was very
amusing to watch 'Sam' and 'Jennie,'
the donkeys that turn the water-wheel
with becoming gravity of mien!
"Carisbrooke township is at the foot
of the hill where the Castle stands.
Ryde is a pleasant place. In fact, the
Isle • of Wight itself is lovely, but
leave tout Cowes from the vision!
There are some charming old-world
gardens, filled with roses and jessamine
and everything—fairy-like and quaint
—places for a poet to sit and dream
in, and weave their beauty into song."
* * * * *

Among the assisting artists at the
Operatic Concert, to be held at the
Assembly Hall on Wednesday, the
25th inst., will be Miss Agnes O'Keefe,
Sign'or Guido Caccialli, Mr. A. C.
Bartleman and the Misses Elsie
Davies and Rosa Pinkerton. Concerted
Works from the operas are to
be Tendered.
* * • * , •
Mr. John Amadio will have a perfect
galaxy of talent at his complimentary
farewell concert, November
28th:—Miss Eileen Castles, Mme.
Millie Tree Chapman, Miss Dorothy
Murdoch, Signor Caccialli, Dr. Price,
Mr. Norman Bradshaw, Mr. Harold
Elvins and Mr. Ambrose McMahon.
Thfe concert is likely to (be one of the
most successful ever held in Melbourne;
and Mr. John Amadio certainly
deserves that it should be so.
• # # * *
On December 5th and 6th, before
departing for London, the Director of
the Albert-street -Conservatorium, Mr.
Fritz Hart, -will prodiiCe-Gluck's lopeja,
"Iphigenia," at the Playhouse "Theatre.
Mr. Hart intends .to visit Dublin, Paris
and Brussels, and, if possible, to retiTrn
to Australia via America.
• * » * • *,
The 'half-yearly, meeting of the
Catholic Women's Club -was held at
the club rooms on the 16th'inst The
balance-sheet ' was read by the
honorary ^secretary, iMiBs A. Owens.
The result of the concert "held-at the
Cathedral Hall early in the half-year
was £24. (Special thanks were accorded
to Mr. Blake' and Mr. B, M. Healy
for the success -of this-effort in aid of
the. club's funds. It -was mentioned
iihat tiie' Catholic Ohoril ^Society
would have a ^box plan arranged at
the dub /or their next concert. Miss
Sfaeil (president) asked members to
give social evenings in turn to protootc
unity. - A river trip was spoken
of as an event of the near future.
Sincerely yours, Aileen &store,

i£ARION MILJUER KNOWLEg.

$