, 1880-06-27
COMPLIMENTS.

Inc word Is of French origin, aud is usually
understood to mean less than it declares, beint
properly " complement" something superduous
OR more than enough. The French languag
peculiarly adapts itself to the honeyed utter
ances of society, and yet some of the compii
ments handed down to us by this lIght-heartet
nation have been singnlarly unfortunate. Mime
Denis had made decided hit in the part O.
Zaru, and, in reply to one Of the many dattcrint
uttcrances from crowd Of admirers In tht
green-roon. she said. ''To act that part per
son should be young and handsome" To whtct
answered he who had been warmest in his praise
'Ah, Madame, sou are Il complete proof Of the
contrary" Miratores, trying to iugratiate him
self with Nine. de Lieyen, was not more hnpD,
1n:expression. The chartns Of younger women
fraiehe; !aime les ,fcmmes, in. peu pas.
s.es with J. tender look at her: -, !, =
the vii! OF another. having desire to please OF
fatter any weakness or prejudice of theirs, und
In excess Of the truth as rule. But colnpli-
ments are the current coin Of society. The man
the delicacy OF feeling OF the recipicnt, ana il
such mAnner as to insure belief, Is certain to
secure good will and success in the world, for
the better to cement the!r lisings for each other
It is necessary that everybody should show of
his neighbor in the best light. Lord Chesterfield,
length on the enecessity Of studying the weak
nesscs Of others, and aattering their ranity,
more especially with regard to women and their
beauty" upon which," he adds, scarce any
fia1tcry Is too gross for them to swallow" In
deed, most. of the writers Of pAst days would
seem to assign to women u special complacency
with regard to compliments.
a we'll turned compliment throws grace over
society," and to produce the best effect 1t must be
premedltated wlthout appearing SO. 4 hundred
years ago It was part Of the education Of youth
to pay pretty compliments with the air Of be-
leting them. Judging frnm the vapid, fulsome
strain ia which many handed down to us in the
= Academy OF Compliments" are couchcd, tho
women of that day must indeed have shown
amiable complacency. Whit would he said now
to q man who would address woman as follows:
Venus; for your comeliness, Palms; for your
honor. Juno. should show myself inscnstble
we're not amazed with the curiosity Of youA
beauty. at last. O fair one cast the eyes Of thy
resplendent presence on thy ab1ect creature
that by the brightness Of those eyes bis baseness
may at be turned through thy ge55ee ton into
tho " Art Of Co1nplasance" men are instructed
to consider ladies' society merely pleasing
amusement or school Of politeness. lest, per-
gals and periwigs.
As long ago as 1910 compliments we're de-
scftbed us collation. Of sweetrneats to bnn-
guet4 pleasing the duintlest tastes, the quintcs-
sence OF Wit, the refncrs OF speech, the minds
fine exercise. '.They have" tho writer contin-
YES, certainly r without auttery, :. some dross in
bell metal; for wit and women are frnfi thi1ps.
g1lded hypocrits to which compliments like
lions, though the body itself be small. Ther nr.,
multiplying clusses and tiatterinr mirrors thar
for the moment.' Yet shakspeare wrote; 0o0~@
..'Twas never morrY world
Since lovely feiunino was caijej commitment
And Steele VINO knew the worl1 Weii. snnaka
with contempt and pity IF those sn1emn ernress
sons of resnect and kindness which nnes ho.
tween men who perhaps never met hefnrn r,G-
5,,ni,- 49,. ~ ~. ~ - ntIo ouAu.e SUI