CONTRIBUTOR.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1265, 28 May 1896, Page 13

CONTRIBUTOR.

[Under this heading wc shall print from time to time such of the many contributions sent in as may appear to Us to possess some interest for the public. We need hardly say that wc do not always coincide with the opinions expressed.—Ed. A.Z.AT.j

JOHN BULL AND COUSIN JONATHAN.

An occasional correspondent writes us as follows: —Turning over a lot of magazines tho other day 1 lighted on somo numbers of Air Jerome’s brightly written To-Day, and in one of those I skimmed a notice of an interview from, presumably, Air Jerome’s pen, of the well-known actor, bibliopliilo and connoisseur, Mr E. S. "Willard. What struck mo chiefly in the notice were some remarks of Air Willard about America and Americans, .and although the particular number of the periodical is nearly two years old, still, seeing (lie awakening on both sides of the Atlantic caused by Air Cleveland’s ill-judged observations touching Venezuela, and the good feeling on both sides which subsequently arose with a rebound of the brotherly blood in both of us, I think a few brief extracts from Mr Willard’s remarks will interest your readers, and dissipate any erroneous ideas which may exist in the minds of some who misapprehend the genuine American character. Firstly, then, lot me quote what was Air Willard's experience of American courtesy. He says:

We've lots of quaint ideas of America which are all wrong. There’s a belief now that they are discourteous. Why, do you know when a woman passes a man who is seated, he rises as she goes by. When a man is standing beneath a roof with his hat on. say in a corridor, if a woman enters, that hat, is whipped off. And this is not in the south, where stately courtesies are half the life, but in the north where—so wo think on this side—nothing but how to make money enters their heads.

Then he proceeds to refer to the women and children in these terms : One hears how the Advanced Woman

comes from the States. Poof! Revolting women and revolting daughters aro at a discount there. Tho children arc quite charming with their old-fashioned “sir” and “ma’am” to their parents, and the women are just queens of tho house.

Socially cleverer and more cultured than the men—because they have nothing else to do than broaden their minds and enlarge their views-and the men arc content to have it so. “ Oh, if my wife says so that’s right,” expresses tho attitude of the men. There is no war, no strained relations between the sexes such as I. hear on this side.

Next, touching on tho alleged lack of sentiment, which Mr "Willard says is “another libel,” ho notes tho celebration of Decoration Day—3oth May—when all who fought in tho Civil War troop out to do honour to those that fell. Just read this: —

They (the survivors) parade in their old uniforms, frayed and tattered and torn, often too small, sometimes too large, all vory unmilitary-looking to our ideas, and they march to the great cemeteries and plant a little flag on every soldier’s grave, and read out his name, his regiment and where he fell, and pronounce “God rest his soul,” and that is all. But you've got to see them from every calling and every grade-- from bank presidents to store clerks all companions for that day—to realise the intense pathos, the sentiment of the scene. Following this memorial sentimont for tho heroes of tho great .struggle which welded the nation into its present unity, Air Willard tells of the charity--sentiment in practical beneficent action—in the •'■rreat white city,” and this is how ho speaks of Chicago:—

It’s a great city, so there’s great wickedness. But why enlargo upon it with tho catchword, "If Christ Came to Chicago f” when there came quite another man in Stead? Besides, Chicago lias set us another example or two. 1 wonder if Mr Stead saw the huge building on the pier stretching out into Lake Michigan, a refuge where the poor women from the slums can bring their babies early in the morning and leave them in the charge of a great staff of nurses while they go to do th'-ir day’s work, and tho children get good food and sloop in hammocks, and play all day in the pure air that blows over the lake. And (continues Air Jerome) -Mr Willard gives me story upon story to show that charity and kindli-ne.-s h tve token great hold of that vast city which Mr Stead described as out-Babylon-in"- Babylon, and which thirty years ago did not exist. These extracts are somewhat profuse, but they abound in interest, and I feel sure nt this time tlcy will do your readers good t«» iiaoiniil.B •, it.-: I bob’ ivadiug and reproduction in" ■ <1 • • mol to mo, and will w - irm Lieir lie ui ; to.turd our kin across the ..e.i. THE RULES OF WillSf IX KIIVAIE. ■ - old W hist l'l iyor ” semis us tho following clover versos, taken Lorn an old magazine, and giving somo very good hints as to play : If you this modern game of Whist would know, From this great principle it’s precepts flow : Treat your own hand as to your partner s joined . And play not one alone, but both combiued. Your first lead makes your partner understand What is the chief component of your hand, And hence there is necessity the strongest That your first lead be from your suit that’s longest. In this with Ace and King, lead King, then Aco. With King and Queen, King also lias first place. With Ace, Queen, Knave, lead Ace and then the Queen. With Ace, four small ones, Ace should first be seen. With Queen, Knave, Ten, you let the Queen precede. In other cases, you the lowest lead. Ere you return your friend’s, your own suit play,

But Triimps you must return without delay. When you return your partner’s lead, tak6 pains To lead him back the best your hand contains If you receive not more than three at first. If you have more you may return the worst. But if you hold the master card you’re bound In most cases to play it second round. Whene’er you want a lead, ’tis seldom wrong To lead up to the weak, or thro’ tho strong. If second hand your lowest should bo played Unless you mean Trump signal to bo made. Or if you’ve King and Queen, or Aco and King, Then one of those will he the proper thing. Alind well the rule for Trumps, you’ll often need them. When you hold live, it’s always right to lead them. Or if the lead won’t come in time to you Then signal to your partner so to do. Watch also for your partner’s trump request, To which with’ f»-s than four, play out your best. , To lead thro’ honours turned up, is bad play Unless you want the Trump suit cleared away. When second hand a doubtless risk you see, Don’t trump it if you hold moro trumps than three. But having three or loss, trump fearlessly. When weak in trumps yourself, don t force your friend But" always force the adverse strong trttmp hand, For sequences, stern custom has decreed, The lowest von must play it you don’t lead. When you discard, Weak Suit you ought to choose, For strong ones are too valuable to lose.