TESTIMONIALS.

Evening Star, Issue 3445, 7 March 1874, Page 2

TESTIMONIALS.

To the Editor. Sir, —Judging from the number of testimonials jpressnted and received during the last twelve months, I should say the people of Ounediu are the most appreciative community in the Southern Hemisphere. No one need blmh unnoticed, or fear that merit, however humble, will not meet with public recognition. We are a lioeral, free-giving people. Wo manifest our regard for or approval of people through that convenient and substantial form of a testimonial no shabby parchment affairs, but a downright genuine real “token a watch, a chain and locket, a piece of plate,, or a purse of governs.l? 3' are we at all particular as to wpoip w.e present these valuable gifts, nor as to the reasons we should do so. If a man is successful in business,' n'q matter by what crooked ways he won the smiles of the fickle, dame, we present him with a testimonial in recognition of his good fortune. If he be unlucky—sinks a shiy, or loses a lawsuit—a testimonial proves our condolence with him in his misfortunes. If he be great in politics, iye reward him with a testimonial.' If he be nothing at ail in particular, we etui give him

a testimonal for having behaved himself and done his duty as a decent member of society, fn fact, testimonials are a sort of mania in which our overflowing generosity finds an outlet. Still, there are those in our midst who think the way these testimonials are got up, and the manner in whichthey are ! arranged, entirely destroy their value as marks of esteem. Very frequently those who subscribe to affairs of this kind know little or nothing of the individual for 1 whose benefit' they are asked to sub-, scribe, but they do it simply bs* cause the testimonial friend “pitches a yarn’' about the integrity, bonorableness, &c., of the fortunate business man, the harsh manner in which the unfortunate seaman was treated,- tbe-do wn that -a.certain, clique have on the loser of the lawsuit, and what wonders the politician has worked for the country’s good, and for the man that has done nothing in particular, thathe’s a jolly good fellow, &c. Well, one doesn’t like to appear shabby,.so you give your half sovereign or sovereign, as the case mpy bo. - Now this is phe stereotyped system of floating te'timp-, hials ; and, although the token may be real and costly, the sentiments they are intended to convey larq frequently any thing‘but genuine. In fact, testimonials, as generally conducted, are a shattl; and a nuisance as well, fn 'conclusion;' I would to the testimonial manufacturers the Idea of presenting the JBsnevoVeut Institution with a purse of sovereigns.—I am, &c., ; 0. R. ; Dunedin,. March 6. V ■;— ; -