FRENCH AND THE PICTURE POSTCARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11811, 21 December 1912, Page 3 (Supplement)

FRENCH AND THE PICTURE POSTCARD.

The French hare 3 reputation for being a thrifty nation, careful of the cents, economical with the silver and so strongly attached to gold that they find separation from it almost impossible. But the French are not mean, and there are many points in which they part with their money more easily than the freer-handed English-speaking races. In the matter of tips, especially to waiters and those who minister to their creature comforts, their generosity ;s wide and ungrudged. A lottery or the chance of winning more than the same sum would buy will always entice money from a French purse, but there is one form of extravagance to which every Frenchman, woman or child is an easy victim, the picture post. card. No holiday is complete to a French family unless it has showered picture post cards on all its. relations and friends. Such cards can now be bought for one cent almost everywhere, hut it was just the same years ago when their cost was double or more. But while the French father did not mind paying for the cards he objected strongly to paying the postage. A card on which nothing was written except an address could be sent- for one cem as printed matter, but that hardly satisfied the sender, so after some agitation the postal authorities were induced to allow five words with the signature of the sender for the one cent rate. But the five words were to be ordinary formulas, no personal and particular expressions were allowed; nothing but mere formalities was to be admitted. Of course this gave rise to some dispntes as to what phrases were admissible and what not, the authorities holding out to prevent the use of one cent cards for business purposes. At last the authorities gave way and agreed to take any five words, much to the delight of every good father of a family. But the latter's difficulties were not even yet altogether ended, for it is not always easy to find five words, and if several pest cards are to go to the same house he needs various phrases. A collection of "formulas for post cards, limited to the five regulation words and applicable to all possible conditions and circumstances" has now been published, which relieves him of his last source of

.. -ich relieves him of his last source of embarrassment. The author begins With forty-four phrases for use when travelling. They begin with a commonplace.

I "Best" regards when passing through X," but later warm ui> to "However distant think of you," "Another staao another proof friendship," "Delightful scenery inspires my friendship," and end with utilitarian "Keep me room, arrive Thursday." "Taking steamer today for Algiers." Formulas are given for pinking, accepting, refusing or postponing appointments, for wishes for birthdays and other anniversaries and congratulations on. being decorated come first. The five word limit -allows you to say io the newly adorned ribbon wearer: "Sincere congratulations well deserved nomination." "Nomination honors recipient and donor and a. dozen such phrases, while the receiver is furnished with an equal number of replies. "Thanks for vour excellent recommendation," "Yoar influential intervention most valuable," etc.

In case any one wishes to send hi's sympathy, owing to a death in a family. our guide supplies him with a selection of suitable phrases which will allow lii'ni to express his grief a: a one.cent postal rate. "May my affection bring consolation," "Loss irreparable, time alone consoles," "Count on me to-mor-row's funeral" arc examples. The lover whose penury condemns him to the cheapest form of postage is well supplied. He can use "My heart remains near thine," "Scarce gone am longing return." "Time passes but lore remains," "Always sad far from thee," "You are my only joy." and thirty other variants.

Queries and replies about' health are given as well as a highly useful number of "business phrases.'' These last begin with useful phrases to reply to the "tapeaur," as French slang denominates the "toucher." vlnipossible new render you service." "Impossible yet count on me," "Can send only half sum."' "No work; impossible pay today." "'Would grateful loan hundred francs."

Then if the inveterate pose card sender wants to have his little joke, he can send unsigned messages to arouse the interest, such as "Guess what friend writes you." "Anonymous kisses but very affectionate," "Your son-in-law perhaps. husband never." "Have learned your heart's secret." These are especially recommended for use en April 1. The young soldier who has just taken up liis military service will find a lot of handy phrases to send to any fair lady who has charmed him, many of them are plays on military words, "Prefer be in your company," for example, and the last will give him the chance of showing liis erudition. "Salute of Mars to Venus." In fact this handy compendium has removed a-huge rock from the pathway of the post card sender.