The Word “Genteel."

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue II, 12 January 1901, Page 67

The Word “Genteel."

A word, a look, or a gesture often Hashes upon the mind the past, with its conditions and experiences, and we live again those days of our grandmothers—those of us who are middle* aged in the present —when old school politeness was in vogue; when, though language was precise and perhaps formal, it had the advantage of being used with discrimination and significance. There is one word, “genteel,” that our latter-day style seems to have displaced, and we seldom hear it used with its fullest sense in modern so-

ciety. Yet there was a time when it see aw d indispensable. There was no other word in the language that answered as a substitute in all the shades of meaning which it conveyed. It meant something more and something less than any of the various terms used to deseri Ire a person who possesses a combination of style, grace, good manners and gentle breeding.

A “stylish” lady in the world of fashion is one who wears the creations of her modiste with ease and grace and with that inimitable manner peculiar to a favoured few—a manner that cannot be copied. But there is generally at least a slight restriction in the real meaning of that word, for style in its primary conception relates especially to an expression of individuality, and the expression of it does not depend upon the art of the one who forms the appeal, for the true characteristic cannot be hidden by even an ill-fash-ioned gown or bonnet. Entering a room of attractive, wellmannered women, one selects from the number the person who owns a distinct individuality, a something that distinguishes her from the others present. She is superior to the petty tyrannies of conventionality. You see proof of the fact in her manner, hei conversation and in her dress. Her clear truthful, reposeful countenance is a mirror for the mind and heart that select their own nourishment and refuse to accept intellectual fads, floating fancies of the hour, or religious makeshifts. Her gown is her own by instinctive selection, and no* thing is left that should be desired. It follows the line of the fashion of the times, with something besides that is indefinable added. She is the genteel woman of our grandmothers' day. who remains regal in her womanliness, superior to cir-

cum-stances and condition. An uncultivated man. as related to choice of expression, in speaking in praise of his mother, remarked, “She was a lady when she washed her dishes." He probably did not imagine how forcibly be illustrated his truth. Hut one who listened to the worshipful words could not help wondering how many women with the best opportunities for acquiring desirable things for the en« richment of personality could stand the dish washing test. Yet there is no reason why a woman should Ire less a lady because she performs the humblest duties of the household over which she reigns. Using the highest and broadest meaning of our word “style” as applied to womanhood we adapt all that our womanly ancestors included in the word “genteel.” and thus refuse to find grace, beauty, or attractiveness outside of it. But it seems to me there is a crying need for the reinstatement of the old school word in our social vocabulary, and the sooner it is brought back into general use the better. It would be sad cynicism to infer that the passing of the word “genteel” was due to the passing of the particular type which it described.