Springfield Globe Republic

The Politeness of French Children.

From an abstruse principle of political
economy to the little responsibilities of
French households may seem a somewhat
abrupt digression. French children, if not
better than American children, are certainly less aggressive. They are not often
seen to quarrel among themselves-they
are docile and tractable, comprehend and
apply the common forms of politeness, are
kind and affectionate to their parents and
respectful to their elders. This is relatively true of the children of all classes, whether
of the rich or poor, whether in the city or
country Even the Paris gamin, who is
considered the type of all that is bad in
French childhood and youth, rarely insults a stranger. He may be rude, noisy
and indirectly troublesome, but he seldom, unless provoked, becomes meanly
aggressive.

A foreigner may go into any part of
Paris, or into any city or village of the departments, and no matter how peculiar
his appearance, though he may be curiously looked at by the younger portion of
the population, should he be hooted or
sneered at, it would be the most extraordinary exception.

When you enter a
French family the younger members come
to greet you with the rest. When you
leave they are present to bid you a kind
adieu. Little ones in France do not talk
too much at table. In the family circle
they are content to remain in the background. The politeness which seems artificial as they get older is with them grace ful and natural, the genuine inspiration of
an amiable character. Although there are
family quarrels and disowned sons, especially among those who have fallen victims to the fascinations of Paris, the mutual affection of the members of a family
for one another is one of the most charming features of French domestic life.- Paris Cor. San Francisco Chronicle.