Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/224

 MARRIAGE stations arc, of course, those coveted by ardent followers of the hounds. . The wife of the senior officer of the regiment acts as hostess for all regi- mental functions, and the general's wife does this duty when the entertainment is a garrison affair. If by any chance Royalty is entertained, the wives of field officers — lieutenant-colonels and majors — accompany their husbands, and on some occasions the wives of junior officers are invited as well. Invitations Invitations in plenty (more than it is possible to accept) will shower in for all the officers' wives from the people of the neigh- bourhood, though naturally this means a good deal of entertaining in return. The officers of the specialised branches of the Army — known as departmental officers- are not able to ensure for their wives such a good position or such an amount of enter- tainment. The Royal Army Medical Corps, the Army Service Corps, the Army Ordnance Corps, and the Pay Department usually serve in small detachments in the various stations at home and abroad. The officers' time at the station is often short and very uncertain, and their wives, as they are not connected with any special regiment, are apt to be overlooked. In most cases an officer on the active list ranks higher than one of the same rank who has retired. A retired officer is no longer colonel of the " Dashing Blues," nor is his wife the " colonel's lady," and their residence in a fresh district often separates them from all old associations. But though, in the strict sense of the word, they are now " civilians," their entry into society is still assured by their former Army rank. Active service — a time when officers' wives show they can be as brave as their husbands — generally means a stoppage of almost all entertainments. Apart from the fact that no woman can enjoy a dance when she never knows what news may come, there is often need for cutting down expenses. But the officer's wife at such times commands respect, and friends will become even more faithful. If an officer in receipt of a pension dies, his wife receives a small part of it — a Lieut.- Colonel's wife is entitled to /90, a subaltern's to ;^40. But every regiment has to serve its time of foreign service. India, Gibraltar, Malta, Aden, Africa, Egypt must always have their garrison of British troops. Foreign stations differ from England in only a few respects as regards customs, hospitality, and social position. Indian life is really as dehghtful as it is said to be, though fever, heat, and the solitariness of some cantonments are apt to be disadvantages. Though there is a very strict line drawn between the civil and the military population, the wife of an officer will find she can have as many friends as she had at home. As soon as she arrives at 1;he cantonment, taking over her bungalow, very probably furniture as well, from the last tenants, she may expect a large number of callers. Almost every day, especially in the hill stations, festivities of some land are arranged, and she will find no lack of gaiety. The Colonel's Wife Some small cantonments are often made up almost entirely of Army men and their families. In these the colonel's wife sets the manners and customs and amusements. She is consulted before any entertainment is got up, and her presence is considered sufficient chaperon for all the unmarried ladies who may be invited. A regiment only stays in India for a definite period, being quartered at a variety of stations. Excellent leave is allowed, and delightful holidays can be had among the hills. TJiis series will be continued. INCREASE IN THE MARRIAGE AGE COMPARATIVE TABLE NO. I It is a remarkable fact that bachelors, widowers, spinsters, and widows marry now at a greater age than formerly. The following table shows the increase in age between the years 1896 and 1908. the ages given being averages, carried to two decimal points, of all marriages in England and Wales where ages have been recorded. Years 1896 to 1908 Ages Women Men Spinsters Widows Bachelors Widowers In 1896 the average marrying age was - - ,, 1898 ,, ,, ,. ,, - - .. 1900 .. ,, ,, ,, - - .. 1902 ,, ,, ,, ,, - - .. 1904 ,, ,. „ „ - - ,, 1906 ,, ,, - - " 1908 „ .. ,' „ - - 25-08 25' 14 25-23 25 36 25-37 25-46 25-63 40-58 4059 40-74 40-25 4035 40-79 41-02 26-59 26-62 26-68 26-88 26-93 2703 27-19 44-49 44-70 4502 4496 4503 45-37 4569 Comparative Table No. 2, shoiving the figtcres for 1909, is now being compiled for EVERY Woman's Encyclop^.DIA, and will appear in a future part.