The Washington times., 1907-06-09

IT o BE SURE, the word ''slouching''
is not an elegant one, but, like
many of our slang phrases which
are really distastefuI to US. we
cling to them because they are 50 TO
the point. Some of you. no doubt. will
object to the use of this word. that is
the peg upon which today's sermonette
is hung; but if it is offensive TO your
ears, remember that IL is a word in
good standing. as considerable space is
given to its definition in the dictionary
We never Ike 70 hear truths. II they
are unpleasant ones; It is far more to
our liking TO be hattered, and petted
and pampered, which is sometimes the
very worst thing in the world for US
like a certain amount of judicious cod
ding myself; but, on the other hand.
would far rather be told Of my faults
than TO have them gilded. for 1 can
then set about to correct them.
Now TO the point. How many Of US
are absolutely free from the slouching
habit? Not one in a hundred. 1 can
assure you. and 1t is certainly time that
we realized our defect in this pacticular.
and that we take ourselves IN hand to
remedy the evil. Evil 1 say, because
II one is careless about ones personal
appearance. II one walks badly and ac-
Quires a gait that IS lazy or otherwise
what IT should not be, one will soon
grow awkward and lose ones carriage
and poise, which is certainly very bad
for the general appearance.
Many women Oves, and men, tool look
from five to ten years older than they
really are, because Of the siouchinu
habit We see them daily on the street
in the cars, in offices. in our homes
They walk with heads dropping. eyes
downcast, feet dragging, and with a
general air Of listlessness. If they are
indoors they loll upon sofas and chairs
when reading or conversing. no matter
who is present, and give the general
impression Of laziness.
Would Shame Grandmother.
But this is not all. They sit at the
table. both at home and in public places.
with elbows on the table and legs
crossed under the table, with head
thrust forward chest cramped in. and
shoulders rounded. Yes, they even do
worse than this. They assume positions
in conversing which would bring the
blush of shame to our grandmothers
and great-grandmothers stately danes
that they were. and which call forth
many unpleasant remarks from the
opposite sex.
Who of us has not seen a group Of
girls well gowned-yes. faultlessly So
pretty girls. too, cOnversing on inter
esting topics, music. art. literature. and
sitting in such awkward positions that
they appear anything but refined. Fancy
talking about Chopin, Michael Angelo.
and Dante in a public place and slouch-
ing like the two girls shown in the Ulus-
tration. Even frivolous conversation
would deserve more dignified positions
at least. in public-and we should bear
this in mind. "lest we forget"
1t is no uncommon thing to see a
pretty. daintily gOwned. well-groore5
girl slipping afternoon tea with her ell
bows on the table, the cup grasnad
firmly between her two hands. and
worst of all. her heels on the rounds of
her chair. exposing altogether too much
of the portion OF her anatomy covered
BIZ pretty hose.
French women eschew the rocking
chair because they win not permit them
selves TO fail into careless habits; and
well they may safeguared themselves
for IT is n well-known fact that IT is
their carriage, and not-their figure. upon
which they build. Straight backs. we'll
poised bodies and heads well up count