Works in the Gadfly 1907
WOMEN'S WORK

As there are exhibitions of Wome's Work being held at present in the various cities of Australia, The Gadfly, with its usual courtesy, offers a few suggestons concerning exhibits which have probably been overlooked. The following is a list of women's work which should certainly be included in the exhibition but which probably are not.

1. Collection of broken hearts (male). To be accompanied by a certificate as to the exhibitor's particular charms and methods.

2. In the Painting Section: Prizes for the best pair of eyebrows, most alluring pair of lips; most deceivingly natural pair of cheeks. (The object of exhibitors in this section should be to imitate nature as nearly as possible; not to achieve highly ornate and decorative effects.)

3. In the Agricultural Section: Prizes for the most intricately built coiffure and the most lofty hair pad. A special prize will be given where the effect is heightened by the use of proxide.

4. An assorted collection of facial expressions essential to all women. To include one look of haughty disdain; one expression of cold reserve; four assorted smiles, to be chosen from: the vaguely encouraging, the frankly interested, the bashfully confused, the pleasantly engaging, the politely interested, the unmistakably abandoned, and the adorably loving.

5. A set of suitable answers to unwelcome suitors.

6. A second set of answers to accepted lovers. These are to include the tantalizing indefinite (for certain catches), the kittensishly affectionate (for ancient capitalists), and the hastily affirmative (for desirable but elusive suitors).

There are, possibly, other desirable exhibits which elude our memory at present, but these few suggestions will do to go on with.

"D."
The Gadfly, 21 August 1907, p1437

Copyright © Perry Middlemiss 2003