BOWING AS AN ART.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2014, 1 March 1890, Page 1

BOWING AS AN ART.

People reveal themselves by their manner of bowing. Behold the stately grandmother, who looks back upon her lineage of generations unblemished, and who has walked along prosperity’s highway, all her life, as she passes down the aisle from her pew on the Sabbath morn. Does not her bow, as she smiles kindly and cheerfully upon all she knows, tell you quite plainly that she is well assured of her worth ? It may not hint of condescension, but there is something

in the gently-dignified inclination of her head (says the Chicago Times) that speaks plainly of a commendable pride of family, ah unconscious realisation of Her. superiority to the parvenu dhme of recent riches who issues so complacently f rom opposite side. She may-bear’herself a trifle loftily, but her kindest greeting and warmest pressure of the hand is for

THE SEWING-GIRL WITH THE COUGH.

And if she sees the janitor in the vestibule as.she passes put she enquires .about his wife’s rheumatism, and bids him come round for some flowers from her conservatory for her next day. Her proud old eves go

over the assembly, and she notes the strangers. If they are poorly clad iSho speedily hunts them, opt and makes them welcome to the parish. But the woman to whom position is

recent bows stiffly,, if, a t all, .to the humble folk of the congregation. Usually she <?oes not see them. Bh© is gracious in the extreme to the in-

fluential members, and her bpw is of the most affable description. It reveals at once that she is new to her ’surroundings, and not yet certain of

them. It tells us plainly as a speech —“I wish to be somebody; I can’t afford to hob-nob with those who are not.” The girl you mot in a friend’s

drawing - room the other evening young man. You stepped in but on a casual errand, and you were there but ten minutes. You spoke scarce six words to this girl, but when'you lifted your bat to her on Walbash

Avenue to-day you knew,by her bow as surely as if it had been "shouted from the housetops by a thousand voices that SHE WAS A COQUET.

She gave you such a tantalising little nod, and a half-alluring glimpse of a smile, and such a demure, catch-me-if-you-can side-glance from her eyes, and then dropped her lips as if H he was quite shy, indeed. You are as certain as that you were born that she is not shy, and your innermost convictions hold to the belief that she is a flirt.

Her bow was a delightful little performance, but upon that alone you have formed your opinion of her traits. The young woman who has taught school for a decade gives you a stately nod that fairly chills you. It is so impregnated with a sort of “ I-am-monarch-of-all-I-survey ” positiveness that you invariably push the gum you

are chewing back of your wisdom teeth and almost tremble in anticipa-

tion of the stern inquiry, “ Johnny, what have you in your mouth ? ” THE WIDOW

whose dear departed can be replaced will bow to you in a deprecating sort

of way, as if she didn’t know whether

or not she really ought to he seen talking to a gentleman, and then she will lift her gaze to your face as if mutely expecting your sympathy. Somehow you know by her bow that the first gay cavalier who pleases her fancy may go-a-coacting with the assurance of winning the second instal-

ment of her love. The schoolgirl bows to you as if you were really of consequence in the world, or she simpers and almost giggles. If the

first, her bow shows you that she is an unconscious young miss. If the second, that she is self-conscious to a painful degree. Who has not observed THE BOW OP THE POLITICIAN,

upon; whom the grace of .election to office has. descended? It is one of deep impressment.' He signifies by the, profound bend of bis head and the high sweep of his hat his overwhelming (.consciousness of, , and deep gratitude, for, the esteem... and, confidence expressed by his consituency. His |hoW(.. epitomises his sense of obligation, his , assumed unworthiness for ihe. high honor conferred upon him, and. his ; appreciation of the responsibilities it entails. The successful pplitician’a bow is a peculiarity of his trade, Then you know THE CLERGYMAN’S BOW. It can be told,afar off. It is dignified,

but not distant. It is usually accompanied by a smile, , and as ministers of the gospel, just like other men, have their hours and seasons when smiles do not come readily to, their lips, it is often a most mechanical affair. The ministerial, bow, too, denotes a certain degree of personal interest in you, This is the, out growth of the consciousness that preachers should be coucerned about allhumanity, and particularly jn these of their own congregations. The bow of

THE GOLD-TARNISHED YOUTH who believes himself to be a rapid young man is a wonderful exhibition. He .touches his tile in a flyaway manner and seldom fails to ogle the ladies. He brings his hand to his hat with as near an approach to a flourish as his affectedly languid motions permit, and invariably ejaculates “ Aw!” at the same time in a meaning sort of way.

One does not have to stand in front of the pompous man to classify him. He can be recognised by his bow. He neither bends his, head nor curves his neck. He just inclines his person ever so slightly, while his chin is posed in the air. He raises his hat slightly and

in a straight line above his head. You

know he thinks his bow is a honour to whoever it is given. You are not sure but that he believes his recognition would set the seal ofrespectability upon anyone. The individual who conceives himself to be THE MOST AMUSING CREATURE OE MANKIND, a male beauty, seldom bows. He just raises his bat and poses, statuesquely, while his eyes boldly search for glances of admiration, 1 He can be seen exhibiting his charms at the ladies’ entrances of hotels and peering into reception rooms and parlours. He may not have the first claim to physical attractiveness, but you know that he believes himself a lovely being and a charmer of mankind when you see him lift his hat but fail to bow, while his attitude solicits the admiration that his vanity makes him think is due him.

THE TRUE GENTLEMAN has a bow that bespeaks of greater, or less degree,his .personality. But you have no difficulty in recognising him as a gentleman and a sensible person by bis manner of acknowledging: acquaintanceship. The obsequious bow; is made by the man who affects to be me.ek. . But he, is never a meek .man

in, bis heart, The truly . meek , are blessed creatures whose own unconscipusness wpiild make them to stand in the presence pi angels unabashed. The pbsequipus, bower is the person who .believes he will gain by crafty humility and pleasantry. He never offends. .He always pleads poverty, but accumulates property steadily. He gets} the host of you in a bargain every time.