ART OF THE COMPLIMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 568, 17 May 1913, Page 7

ART OF THE COMPLIMENT.

MRS. SIDDONS. It takes an artist to pay a compliment or to make a repartee, and the art of the compliment is kindlier. That' wise but cynical gentleman, Lord Chesterfield, made it a rule that a woman of acknowledged beauty should never be complimented ipon her appearance. He argued :hat the woman was already assured upon that point, and that the complimeat lost its effect. Beauty should be complimented upon intelligence, because on that head beauty might feel doubtful. Tfae woman i?ho should be complimented on her appearance was the passably goodlooking woman. She would value it. And even after the lapse of many years there seems to be truth in his Lordship's argument. But this only proves the immutability of woman's ttature. It is the same to-day as ev«r. Mrs. Siddons received two of the M&test compliments that ever were paid, and in both cases from distinguished men. When she visited Dr. Johnson, his servant had some difficulty in finding a chair which tras not encumbered with books and papers. "Madam," said Dr. Johnson, "you who so often occasion a fir ant of seats to other people will the more easily excuse the want of ane yourself." And Sir Joshua Reynolds, when he painted her portrait, and signed his name on the border of her robe in the picture, said that "fee would; not lose the opportunity of going down to posterity »n the hem of her garment."— '&ack and White."