THE GOLDEN HOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11148, 5 August 1914, Page 4

THE GOLDEN HOUR.

Psychologists have scrutinised it, philosophers have discoursed upon it, cynics have sneered at it, bigots have j thundored against it, artists have paint- j ed it, poets have rhapsodised over it. j Yet no one has ever completely caught . it—this hour of radiant girlhood. And naturally enough, for it is the most intangible and fleeting hour in all life. It marks the passing forever of the j days of dear mud pies and dolls. And j a greater poet has hinted that with the i relinquishment- of childhood come the shades of the prison-house. But was he j not wrong? Is not- rather this young j girlhood the sp&n which seems to catch i and mingle for one magic instant the i unreasoning blitheness of childhood i with the tenderness of maturity? And i iihs vivid and vital young girl herself i —what shall be said of her? Shall one j emphasise the mere external details— j the lengthening of dresses and the loop- i iris up" of hair, or the host of inter- j changed confidences with girl friends, j or the comradeships with boys _ which | now suddenly become tinged with all I manner cf moonshine and innocent co- | quetries, or the romantic dreams, or I the iirst actual romance—in truth, a passing trifle, but filling the sky for the moment and never quite forgotten?

No one of those mil make tho picture —it needs a little of all. Neither poet nor pedant can analyse the fragrant eh a nil of girlhood, and in that very fact lies the real secret of its charm. Surely here is tho tiniulessence of all living beauty, this golden instant when the dreams of youth eonie their nearest to fullillment. 'By tho more sight of il the whole workaday world is enriched.