Hiydey of Conversation.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXVI, Issue 3451, 29 October 1915, Page 1

Hiydey of Conversation.

Oftce upon a time there were Salons political and literary that gave free rein and play to wit and whim and humour, to casual chitchat, and sometimes even to schoolboy • horseplay. They had -their faults doubtless—the drawbacks, of parish-idol-worship—but they lent not only a savour, but a perspective, to life, and the sham /celebrity of pretension was not easily confounded with true pretensions to celebrity. That was the day-rif Wot the heydey—of conversation. There was immensely less then to talk - abftut than there is now, but Hiit talk was much better. v. Tt is sometimes said that the * tentacles of the Press have crushed

conversation, much as photography is blamed for -impairing Art. Bat , Ido not think that this is the reason. So far from damaging con- _, versation, the Press should stimu* < late it, for morning and Averting it<, openjs to us the gates of the whole"' / world. It «s **» **ck ot demand// \ causes the lack of supply. Peo-~* i pie are too lazy even in-their lack of leisure, too sloppy in their light-,, ning changes, too preoccupied-with local trifles, over-dedicated to games'. , and spectacles, and nkorfosyliabic -. slang. Conversation is iiotir /• telegraph code. , ' \