ENGLISH AND AMERICAN GIRLS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7329, 15 February 1902, Page 3

ENGLISH AND AMERICAN GIRLS.

A Comparison. fßy DORA M. JONES.) Among my letters this month I found one communication which might, I thought, have a special interest for the girls (of all ages) who read this paper. What men think of women will always interest women, and vice versa ; aindi I could not 'but think that there is more truth than one likes to allow in my correspondent's estimate of the comparative attractions of English and American girls. He gives a little personal experience of his own, which I shall take the liberty of quoting. "I had just seated myself in the car when the two (girls) entered, and having travelled in '.he States and. Canada, I quickly noticed one of the gir-ls was from the other side. The American, without being- at all too conspicuous, was remarking on various buildings and people we passed, and spoke of places she tba-d been to, or intended visiting. Our English gM, however, was not inclined! to enter into the spirit of her friend's chatter; and simply answered 'Yes' or 'Noj' or, iif obliged to say something besides, expressed! herself very shortly and< coldly, evidently afraid to let anyone see ehe took an interest in what to her friend was unusual. The American bravely touched on various topics, only to receive replies that had ai tendency to silence her. "Here was a girl who ought to have been the one to entertain the visitor, to have done all in iher power to give her a good! time, restraining her friend from even talking pleasantly. . . . lam not wishm? to disparage our English girls as a whole . . • but too frequently it seems that some of v them reveal their good _ qualities only on special occasion, forgetting it is the everyday courtesies that axe appreciated." I think my correspondent is qmte right in ihis idea that tlhe big virtues are easier to English women than the little ones. The British girl, and peiihaps especially the Northerner or Scotswoman', is apt to distrust a smooth maimer, and to despise as " silly jabbering " the gentle art of makiiis conversation. The French or Italian pirl is regularly taught the social graces as part of her education ; indeed, as Marion Crawford points out in one of his novels, education" in the Italian sens© 5s simply the •art of graceful behaviour, fliwl ' instruction •• is book learning. The. American girl, if she is not "taiieht manners as part of fier school tr.iininc\ is encouraged to taike iher part in. society at a murih earlier age fbaro the English girl, and' naturally acquires a certain amount of savoir faire and social readiness. Personally, the s?hy, serious, tongue-tvied ■jrirls have my deepest svmiwtbv, -provided they do not exalt their dKabiliKes into virtues and) thnnk ihea-vsn. that they are not as tlhose shallow f cre'ipners. I wow how Shard it is to make yourself agreeable at breakfast on a. winter, morning when, you have a,3ia.rd day before you, or a worrying letter has come by tfoe rooming s post, or your hend aches, or some other me-moer of the family is indulging the ijosyncrasy which srates rvn you most. Thei-e are plenty of people who constantly nwke serious sacrifices in money and time tor what they r«?ard oa " stock!' obiects," who seem to "be incapable of the little bit of selfdenial and self-control that is required to keep the ball of conversation. cheerfully roving at a time like this. Tet **™" possible to weigh in exact scales tne inappi-

ness or misery caused by our actions, one would find that more joy was caused by the simple observances of the little courtesies and kindnesses of life, than by much more ambitious philanthrc-pical performances.