ART OF THE COMPLIMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 458, 20 April 1912, Page 7

ART OF THE COMPLIMENT.

MRS. CIDBONS

It takes an art is!; to pay a compliment or to ira'-c a repartee, and the art of the compliment is kindlier. That wise but cynical gentleman, Lord Chesterfield, made it a rule that a woman of acknowledged beauty should never be complimented

lpon her appearance. He argued •hat the woman was already assured jpon that point, and that the compliment lost its effect. Beauty should be complimented upon intelligence, because on that head beauty

might feel doubtful. The woman *-ho should be complimented on her ippcarance was the passably goodlooking woman. She would value it. And even after the lapse of many years there seems to be truth in his Lordship's argument. But this only proves the immutability of woman's nature. It is tke same to-day as ever.

Mrs. Siddons received two of the neatest compliments that ever were paid, and in both cases from distinguished men. When she visited Dr. Johnson, his servant had some difficulty in finding a chair which was not encumbered with books and papers. "Madam," said Dr. Johnson, "you, who so often occasion a want of seats to other people will the more easily excuse the want of jne yourself." And Sir Joshua Reynolds, when he painted her portrait, and signed his name on the border of her robe in the picture, said that "he would; not lose the opportunity of going down to posterity m the hem of her garment."— 'Black and White."