NATIONAL CHARACTER AND ETIQUETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2742, 8 February 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

NATIONAL CHARACTER AND ETIQUETTE.

Women may well take thought that the honour and responsibility rest with them of initiating ideas of chivalry and courtesy in their children which will grow with their growth, and find expression in an easy dignity of demeanour that no artificial manners can approach. There is no mistaking the difference between a lifelong habit and a hastily adopted trick, for it is true of all developments of national resources — call them ' art, , 'charaoter,' 'conduct,' or what you will—the best is alwaye tho simplest, and that same simplicity is not arrived at in a hurry. There are peoplo in the world whose manners, one feele, would not hold out if any strain were put upon thoir temper; and others again, who make shift to do without any, like tho old lady who "never learnt grammar, and never felt tho want of none." So much the worse for them, and the unfortunate persons with whom they como into collision. Who can deny that the -world would bo a pleasanter place if boys and girls were better prepared for self-control and kindly thought for others ? Reverence for age—a noble tribute scrupulously paid by tho philosophers of Greece and Rome, and inculcated iu Scripture as a religious duty—wus formerly more demonstrated in Eugland than it is now. In this respect wo compare unfavourably with France and Germany, where parents and grandparents are approached with an amount of veneration that might almost make us ashamed. Aged women in the East have control of the honsohold, and enjoy important trusts, as in the casp, recently brought undorour notice, of the Shah's annt, who keeps the Court jewels. Oddly enough, there is in Persia one of the most selfish of salutations, and one that is generally untlorstood in an entirely opposite sense. " May your shadow never grow less," sounds as if it might msan, "May your strength and stature continue undiminishod so long as life lasts," but really signifies, " May your (protecting) shadow never be loss (extended to me)." Wβ may dismiss the subject of preliminary greetings with the grave ancient Eastern greeting and response, " Peace be with you," "And with you peace," which, though it sounds formal, cannot from its very stateliness become ao mechanical as the English "How d'ye do?" to which nobody listens, —Woman's World.