Yesterday, thanks to the courtesy of Mr. Austin Brereton, the energetic head of the Press department, I was taken orer the buildings and grounds at Earl's Court, and saw behind the scenes a little, as the show does not open till the 5th of May. I think I have already. said it is to be entirely a woman's function though men will find plenty to interest them. Women—said my guide—are to be employed everywhere that is possible. The attendants at the bars, dining and tea rooms, with the sole exception of the Welcome Club, are w be entirely women, ''so if you have to wait for your tea you'll know it isn't the fault of our sex "—this because I had been complaining of the very indifferent service last summer. A very interesting feature will be a representation of women of all nations, at Work at their native industries, jon the Empress Theatre has been utilised. It wears quite new aspect, and somewhat resembles a gigantic marquee, round which a series of small stages have been erected; these are fitted with typical scenes, some exteriors, some interiors. England, Scotland, and Ireland will all be seen, and twenty-one foreign countries. So far, it ix difficult to sve exactly what country exch scene depicts, but T noticed a hut which at once proclaimed itself Irish. Here, T was told, some women would be seen kni: ting, and next door were some heather-covered mountains, which could only be Scotch. Switzerland was distinguished by some very realistic scenery; and China, Japan, Norway, Sweden, "and other far away countries were not difficult to decipher. When all are peopled by women of their various countries the aspect should be most interesting and instructive.
The Queen of Roumania, otherwise known as Carmen Sylva, has sent over her unique collection of 200 dolls, many of which have been dressed by members of the Royal families of the various countries they come from. Old London has. been entirely re-modelled, and now reminds one of an up-to-date continental town. Car-enters have evidently, been very, busy ere, as nearly every house has had a storey added, and now the painters are hard at work. Judging by the quantity they are using I should say the order for turquoise blue and vermilion has been of a wholesale order, as it is being applied in all directions. T even brought some away with me—though that was accidental.
Mrs. Ada Ballin, of Baby" fame, has had quite large space allotted to her. Hero we shall Learn all about nurseries as they should be; let us hope some mothers may be found who will profit by the hints given them.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.