[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] Sts, — " Lancastrian "
refers to a disposition for friendliness and good fellowship which seems to be a pre-eminent quality in the industrial worker in the North of England. This friendly attitude and freedom from gaucherie in the presence of strangers would appear to be engendered by a discriminating self-respect coupled with a large-hearted sympathy—the ego is suppressed (or non-existent for the time being) so that no feeling of nervousness or self-consciousness obtrudes itself. I shall never forget a descent of Rigi, made about ten years ago, in the company of one of these " nature's gentlemen." I and my young people had just emerged from one of that mountain's famous mists, when my attention was directed by a stranger to the gorgeous vista opening beneath. The stranger was a Lan- cashire working-man, and proved most interesting in conversa- tion to my children and myself as we descended the steep slopes together.
It used to be quite a usual thing for a workman from the industrial north, upon entering a railway car, to pass the time of day with the occupants already seated, but further south a stare or derisive smile would result from such greeting. A railway porter in the north is a much more gracious being than those we encounter south, and directions to platforms, in response to queries, often mean personal guidance with a ready hard outstretched for luggage; a tip, moreover, seems out of place to a man whose manner gives the idea of working for pleasure. During the war I have noticed in the London hos- pitals how friendly the north countryman has become in his " ward," and, in spite of broad dialect, would hold his own and command liking and respect even from the more polished of his confreres; his dialect might at first cause some amuse- ment, but his companions soon found themselves respecting his independence of character, and admiring his good fellowship and readiness to help others. Should we not, as a community, gain immeasurably if we adopted some of this bonhomie and dropped our " insular aloofness "?—I am, Sir, &c., A LONDONER OF THIRTY YEARS.
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