MEDAL FOR GRANDMOTHER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1593, 9 November 1912, Page 11

MEDAL FOR GRANDMOTHER.

' ■•- ' . '-——♦- . Franqe troubled about her. birth statistics (says the Paris correspondent of the London "Daily Telegraph'')., A little while ago there was. some question of the institution of an Order of Maternity Merit, to.be conferred on such ladies as had given repeated proof of an enlightened and prolific patriotism. - Unfortunately it came to nothing. Still, one does what one can, and .the CouncillorGeneral, of Mohtargis/has made a-notable'" precedent after the celebration of a mar--riaga at.the"Mairie." '. This official," taking up his parable, addressed himself,, not to the bride, but to the; bride's '..venerable grandmother."Madam," he said, '"by wotk and watcjjT fulness '.'you have 1 brought'' up your- ten children; by a.: wise, arid careful education you have' formed them after your own fashion,:' and ...they; have.' begun.'to pay their debt .by'giving you thirty-four., grandchildren; and I warrant that 1 they do not intend to 6top at that figure. Pessimistic, writers-affirm- that' the source of French fertility has dried up. What a magnificent refutation yon in your own person provide! For this reason the Government ,of the Republic has conceived:, the happy idea of affixing to your bosom," the cross of—'Agricultural Merit.'" .... t*Aiter.all,%per]iaps, it was not so-gro-tesque. To'.' mix"/up',the. time-honoured metaphors,v.{the- /.worthy":, erandmamma might be considered as a:,fruitful .vine whose quiver w?as full-.jjf..olive branches.-.