DON’T TALK TOO MUCH!

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 23 November 1922, Page 6

DON’T TALK TOO MUCH!

Many a woman passes for wise simply by means of saying nothing and looking intelligent when others speak (writes Emma Wist; in a London paper). Besides, those who talk least make fewest enemies. A woman, to be attractive, must impart a sense of reserve; she must suggest a certain mystery about herself. To many persons this reserve is iu itself a compelling charm. True, we may sometimes repent our silence, but such repentances are rare when compared with thn frequency with which we array on; selves in mental sackcloth and ashes because of incautious speech. All savage races place high value on silence. Conversation is undoubtedly one Of the arts of civilisation. To know what to say and bow and W'hen to say it—lids is the sixth .sense which steers its possessor, over hidden social shoals.

Fluency ami garrulity, are as differ-' eiil, as distinct, as the the,vers which we cultivate with ran; and the weed;, which we struggle lo banish from our gardens. The pity is that su many mistake the one for the ullmr. Undoubtedly a great part <»Mhe mis chief which has cursed the work! In.uu the beginning has hern caused by too much talking. Ail through history idle words have been among the agencies which have turned the late of nations. H is a mistake H>_ be lop communicative, even to ones inti mates; confidences to strangers are iiiinev.

To adopt the rule once given (o a gushing girl by a. frifmd who knew the world, "Never speak of yourself, and never say anything which is uncalled for,” would' seem at first likely to make Trappisls of all the world, yet the advice is wise. There are always people who iike to talk, whose favour is to lie won by interested listening. and good listeners are rave.

It is. told of Macanley that he once rode for half a day in a coach with a deaf mule, whom he afterwards pio nonneed to he a genthman of remarkably sound political views; and Mine, de iStael on one occasion was induced to harangue a wax figure for an hour, under Hie impression that it was: a gentleman who 'had admired her writings and had expressed a desire to make her acquaintance.

“Good children are seen Imt not (heard” is a saying which has passed into oblivion, but in Hie days when it was enforced it must have added great lv to the comfort of Families.

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