PROVINCIAL CHARACTERISTICS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE 'SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Your "Provincial Characteristics" are delightful, and we have here an excellent example of the difference between Yorkshiremen and East Anglians, very much to the advantage of the former in all likeable characteristics, and very much to the advantage of the latter in the great art of "getting on." True Clevelanders are undoubtedly Scandinavian. May I suggest that feminine qualities differ greatly from masculine ones, notably in the absence of the humour which is one of the Yorkshire man's most delightful idiosyncracies,—a humour founded on keen observation and a tolerant view of the peculiarities of others P In the South, if we like a friend's bonnet, we tell her so; if we do not like it, we hold our tongues. In the North it is, "You look a perfect fright in that thing," or, if we don't look a fright, silence. My experience—not of Yorkshire folk only—is that those who most readily say rude or uncomplimentary things usually re- sent very fiercely similar remarks made to themselves. If they can but conquer their dread of "insincerity," that unpardon- able fault, no people appreciate a sunny smile and a soft word, better than Yorkshire folk.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Guisborough, Yorkshire, November 18th. E. F.
P.S.—One fixed belief with North Country housewives as that no London woman keeps her house clean or knows any-- thing about cooking or the use of a needle.
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