ENGLISH HABITS

Evening Star, Issue 22881, 12 February 1938, Page 3

ENGLISH HABITS

A world tennis champion might admits that he could “ hit a ball,” but if he had written a book he should say nothing (said M. Andre Maurois in a , recent address on English habits)., Englishmen, it was comforting to find, never asked questions. The young visitor should dress like the English, - and keep his appetite for breakfast and tea. when enjoyable things like marmalade and haddock were provided. The English' were sentimental; even a dog could be a gentleman, and a trout was a lady. He quoted, amid laughter, a letter to ‘ The Times ’ from a clergyman, who had complimented two magpies on not using their ’ wings when racing up a tree against a squirrel. M. Maurois warned the French statesmen not to be too eloquent in England. Joseph Chamberlain, he said, had been told after a brilliant speech that “ the House would welcome a little, hesitation,” and Mr Baldwin had announced that the British frontier lay on - the Rhine in an almost casual remarjk while he was looking' through his papers. The English disliked definite ' plans and loved compromise. Punctuality in English houses amounted to a vice. In Paris 8.30 might mean 9.15, but in, England the hostess would be anxious if one arrived two minutes late after three hours’ journey by road. To be popular in England took time and frequent visits. After 30 years, he thought, the French visitor might begin to understand that simple, mysterious, and noble country.