CHARM OF MANNER

New Zealand Tablet, 15 November 1906, Page 38

CHARM OF MANNER

L A gracious gift the two "races— lrish and French— undoubtedly have in common' is • charm of _ manner (writes Miss Susan Gavan Duffy, in ' Donahoe's Magazine.') This charm, though it exists all along the line, is only to be found" in perfection' at the two extremes' of society, for the vast middle • class, -naturally most in evidence, ' has - not wholly escaped the taint of vulgarity aiiS aggressiveness which , has • everywhere invaded model manners. But I hold that those quite 'delightful people, well-bred men and women of French or Irish birth, are as a rule so tactful, courteous and genial, that they are fitted without any special training to take their place in diplomatic circles ; so certain are they to always say the right thing in the right way, to steer clear of embarrassing subjects, to conciliate and win over the people with whom they have dealings, and to make social -intercourse run on pneumatic tires. Indeed it seems to me, prejudiced woman that I am, that a French or Irish grandmother is a luxury no good old English family can afford to deny itself, as the sweetness and light she will have bequeathed to her descendants, will, without undermining the national character, add a piquancy and zest which will probably have been omitted in the pate of which they were originally formed. Let any one count up the brightest and most lovable of their English friends, trace back their descent a generation or - two, and see if it does not lead to this sprightly grandmother. Just a modification of the universal axiom, Cherchez la femme !