34 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA. 



Does the nurse or the maid speak even sharply to the mistress of the 

 house, she is immediately discharged. The child would thus see his mo- 

 ther's authority verified from the first, and, whatever we may say on this 

 side of the water of the marriage relation in France, the master of the 

 house certainly compels a sort of respect from his servants and children 

 toward the mother and mistress of the house, which goes far toward mak- 

 ing the manners of a nation respectful and polite. 



From the cradle to the grave a French son has one duty, one affection, 

 which is paramount to all others that is, his love for his mother. As a 

 child, as a boy, he treats her with perfect respect and obedience. As a 

 young man, he delights to send her flowers, to take her to the theatres and 

 cafe's. It is a common sight in Paris to see a young man with a gray- 

 haired woman at the public galleries and places of amusement, apparently 

 perfectly happy with each other, tfhe young man studying to make his 

 mother comfortable and amused. Often, in leaving France, a young man 

 asks of his family the privilege of taking his mother with him as his "guide, 

 philosopher, and friend." Before his marriage is arranged, she is his con- 

 stant companion and his best adviser. Never until death separates them 

 does he fail in his duty toward her ; and, after that event has closed this 

 sweet, dutiful history, he keeps the anniversary of her death as his most 

 sacred day, and visits her grave with his children to dress it with flowers. 



A young Canadian, of even the kindest heart and manners, seldom treats 

 his mother with much outward attention. He may, if necessary, work for 

 her ; he would be shocked if he heard that he had been guilty of any 

 neglect of even the most remote duty to her. But he gives her no small 

 attentions, such as sending her flowers, helping her in work, greeting her 

 in the morning, taking her for a drive. Nothing is so rare as to see a 

 young gentleman in attendance upon his mother. Even his manner of 

 speaking to her is harsh and impolite. He goes to her for money, if his 

 father does not give it to him, but he is very indifferent as to his manner 

 of asking for it ; he is full of reproaches if she does not give it to him. 



The men of this continent respect women in the highest sense, and treat 

 them with all the chivalry possible, as far as immunity from insult is con- 

 cerned. The national character of the Canadian in this respect is above 

 reproach. But are they at home amiable and polite ? Do they treat their 

 wives and daughters or their mothers with constant and daily, and proper 

 politeness ? Are Canadian women models in this respect ? Do they remem- 

 ber to be grateful, polite, in little matters of salutations and of compli- 

 ment ? Are they careful to be good-humoured, and to bring only an amia- 

 ble face to the dinner-table ? 



