CHARM WITHOUT MUSIC

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 35, 11 February 1939, Page 5 (Supplement)

CHARM WITHOUT MUSIC

WOHARM," I somewhere wrote, Ks "is only the cover of the .human book." ; "Charming." We hear the word every day; if we are not descendants of George Washington, we iise it.. ,lt charms. . , Some peculiar individuals have endeavoured to - define charih. Other individuals, more peculiar, have been known to possess it. Incredible persons have actually used :it with, it' is stated, overpowering effect. Interested, I set i out m search of Charm; these arc my adventures. „ * V. 1 , First, I explored , the Smile—and; found on close inspection* that » smile , is only a set of wrinkles, a set of teeth, and a funny expression in the eyes. Where is the charm, I asked? The teeth are, of course, excellent, shapelyand pearly —but no doubt she uses those to chew meat. The. .wrinkles would later be permanent; and what could be as ghastly as a "permanent smile that cannot be "taken off?" The funny expression •in the eyes raised my hopes I. aipi ' near the soul, I told ; myself, thrilling indescribably; but if you will examine an optic closely, you will find it is minutely -blood-shot." '■ ' The lady did her best, smiled charmingly—and I searched over her face for the Charm; no result. I stood away, and took a'?long view—rbetter, I considered;, but-not convincing. I could not discover the charm, nor could I bring myself to believe that I was philosophically; but as a •man-of-the-world I caused myself to to seem susceptible. I take it that there are grades of charm; and that the person charmed has half the charm: . -the Charm is positive and negative. You , can't charm'a fence-post, a misanthrope or a person to whom you owe money. The smile exhausted—l was exhausted too! —I began.on Grace and Deportment. Perhaps It muscular matter, an abstract manifestation of mind-over- ' matter: "Walk." s I, .ordered. My subject moved along, figuratively balancing tKe glass-bound "Memoirs of Beau Brummell" on her pretty head. Charming, I ejaculated; but why? Now—why? "Run," I directed: the Charm vanished. M'Stand still," 'ft The charm seemed to', freeze. 1 was Excited and delighted. Charm, I had discovered, was Motion— balance, reciprocity, co-ordination. The smile does not charm; it is that smooth and. improving action of the face, muscles, and the temporary alteration, and the very movement of the "usually hard-set features. Undoubtedly, Charm

Ruel de Cossey

is motion —just the right motion, that flashing, slightly-startling, spontaneous change from' "chops and tomato sauce" to facial caviare. But it was all motion. Neither the "chops and tomato sauce" expression, nor the caviare countenance, touches us —but a Change does; and change is motion, always. A smile, I laid down, must illustrate I what is contrary ; to! the custom —you must. not. smile ; too ..often, nor infrequently., The "charming smile" is the "easy," wholesome smile, that comes out of- mediocrity, ~ like a .sun,-; and ' vanishes ;like a lingering twilight: just such \ a "motion" as cannot be copied in Mechanics. Just such a thing the __ still-camera cannot capture. Just such 'a thing that, lays:, waste to our-preju-dices. Just such a thing—we seldom behold. . '

There are charms that do not belong*] to youth and beauty, or to experience and middle-life, but are peculiar to Old , Age. I thought I would examine one ( or more of those charm 6. I called on a , centenarian. In'the best reporter-style } I asked: "To what, sir, do you attribute , your longevity?" "My what, young man?" "Your* long life, sir?" "Why," he said, startling me, "I put ! it all down to 'charm.' I'm easily 1 charmed, you know. Music charms me, the singing of a kettle charms me, the • purring of my cat charms me, the swaying of tree branches charms me— ■ and as long as lam charmed, I live. J "When I pass on," he continued, with . a smile, "you'll know that Death has 1 charmed me." ; Death charming! Was it possible? How far removed from the current ■ conception of Charm! It is the point-of-view, I muttered to myself, a 6 I went my homeward way. "No," said a voice, "it is Home." I asked others. We should ask when in doubt —not do nothing.

A eick man said, "What is the most charming thing in the world —I'll tell! you in one word, Health." A nervous wreck heard my question, and smiled a smile of knowledge. "Why, the night is charm to me; then my tautened nerves slacken, and I get rest." Points of view. I get dozens. I got very little Charm. We look for it in others, they look for it in us. "It's self-forgetfulnes«," a deep thinker told me. "Music," a deaf man sai3. But I want Charm without music. "Well," he replied, with all the certainty of one who can talk without having to listen much; "you can't get it." My search for Charm has led me far afield. Once upon a time—l read—a lovely young maiden sat gazing at her reflection in; a clear pool. Up rode a prince, and mischievously he throws in a etone. The ripples spoil the reflection. The girl is angry, the prince repentant, the iiorse has a drink. It's only a fairy tale— they' live happily after getting married for rever. "Why, of course!" I cried, springing up and throwing down the book. "What a fool I've been!" . Charm is love.