A PLEASING MANNER

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 15, 15 April 1909, Page 597

A PLEASING MANNER

It is a curious fact that nothing plays a greater parr, in a woman's career than a charming manner. Yet nothing is taught and cultivated less. To be gracious without being patronising on the one hand or too gushing on the other, all this requires cultivation and is not attained in a day. That illustrative attribute known as charm is still more difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.. It is not inborn and not to be acquired, strive as we may .ever so hard. Certain it is that this charm is the most to be desired of all he good gifts the fairy godmothers have to bestow. Beauty may fade and riches may fly away .and health and youth be swallowed up by the years as they pass; but that charm will ever remain, more potent, more soul-satisfying than beauty : and riches and even youth itself. How often does not one see this exemplified in society by the popularity of some woman who apparently possesses little or nothing to justify such success and -who nevertheless is courted and admired and of whom everyone says, ' Isn't she charming?' You agree that she is, and wonder why. Other women you know, better-looking, younger, better-dressed — and yet they lack just something which attracts others. What is it, you ask yourself, 'and you come to the conclusion it is something which, for want of a tetter name, you call ' charm.'