ANTI-SWEARING CRUSADE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 23, 27 January 1923, Page 12

ANTI-SWEARING CRUSADE

THE CAMPAIGN IN VERONA,

Several gentlemen of, Verona have started a crusade against bad .language in that city, "and they have been so successful during the thrae months since the movement started, it is reported, that bad language' in Verona, has been reduced by 75 per cent. This may be, regarded as an excellent beginning, but when the Veronese committee announces that another fifteen years will be required to get rid of all the other bad language 1, then it is to be suspected, says the "Christian Science, Monitor," that the earlier victories have been confined to innocent folk like.the.little Quakeress who, when she felt particularly wicked, shut herself iip in a dark room and shouted, "How awfully jolly!" Nevertheless? even if the number of converts is a little exaggerated, the committee has made a good start, and deserves:, we are told, to be congratulated. "Theirs is a new ideal,-but it is one worth bearing in mind." As the "Monitor" recalls : " Dean Ramsay used to tell of an old Scottish lady who mourned with him over her brother's, habit of swearing. ' Our John's awfu',' she said, .' tho' we try to correct him,' and then she added in a tone of candid apology, ,' Nae doot it is a. gran' set-off to conversation.'

" A number of kings' would have made fitting subjects for ;the efforts of this committee; for example, James 11. of England. It may bo remembered that, in. this particular case, history records that Lord Herbert of Cherbury tried to explain away his bad habit by saying: 'My master has such a kind heart, he can never bring himself to punish offenders; so he commends tne chastisement of them to heaven.'

.' '' Singularly enough, this very King's grandson, Charles 11., had strong views on this matter, and issued a proclamation, against swearing.. It is recorded how the Copnt de Grammont, on leaving for Paris with his bride, was sorely afflicted by the ill turn, someone had! done him pf late with the King, by charging him with, an offence which Charles particularly detested. Sir Christopher Wren posted notices on St. Paul's that any labourer who swore should be immediately dismissed, and the contractors were held responsible for the conduct of their men. "So,, it vrfl'be seen, the Veronese committes :b noi starting a new crusade. When they have converted the odd 25 pel* cent, of their own citizens who have hitherto refused to listen to reason they may find a wide field. fer their efforts elsewliare." '