ENGLISH RESERVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23529, 18 June 1938, Page 16

ENGLISH RESERVE

"After a few years as a journalist in England I came to the conclusion that the world is inhabited by two species of human beings—mankind and the English.” said M. Nagib, speaking in a 8.8. C. broadcast in Arabic. “A French writer once said. ‘The English take their pleasures sadly.’ This is an exaggerated description of the Englishman. for. like the Arab or the Frenchman, he is full of feelings and emotions. and only differs in the manner of exhibiting such feelings. In this connection I remember an interview which an English journalist had 17 years ago with the late King Feisul of Iraq during the latter's visit to London. I went to see him in my capacity as the London correspondent of an Egyptian paper. I found the King conversing with a representative of an English paper. The room was cosy and warm, there was a blazing fire in the grate, for the weather was very cold. The English journalist asked his Majesty’s opinion of the English. His Majesty, letting his eyes roam from the fireplace to the window, replied: ‘The Englishman reminds me of the atmosphere of this room—outside cold, and inside warm and cosy.’ This., in my opinion, is the most apt description of the English that I have beard.”