ANTI-SWEARING CRUSADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18294, 10 January 1923, Page 10

ANTI-SWEARING CRUSADE.

MOVEMENT IN VERONA.

PER CENT. REDUCTION.

Several gentlemen of Verona have

started' a crusade against bad language in that city,' and they have been so successful during the three 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 Veroifese committee announces that another fifteen years will be required to get! rid of all "the other bad language, 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 up 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 Moni< tor 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, ' the' 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 I. of England. It may be 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 j so he commits the chastisement of them to heaven.' "Singularly: this very King's grandson, Charles IT., had strong views on this matter, and issued a proclamation against swearing. It Is recorded how the Count de Grammont, oh leaving for Paris with his bride, was sorely afflicted by the ill-turn someone had done him of lata with the King, by charging him with an offence which Charlese particularly detested. Sir Christopher Wren posted notices on St* Paul's that any labourer who sword should be immediately . dismissed, and ,the contractors were held responsible for, the conduct of their men. So,it -will be seen, the Veronese committee is not starting on a new crusade. When' they have converted the odd 25 per rent, of their own citizens who bave hitherto refused to listen to reason they may find a wide field for their efforts ■ ,-:■--;••• — >■■ ■■:-■