THE CURSE OF ITALY

National prestige is indeed a delicate plant, influenced by seemingly inconsequential details. Who would have thought that the use of profanity could affect the standing of nations? Yet the central committee of the Anti-Blasphemous Society of Italy urges all the Italians living abroad to abstain from profanity, in order that the prestige of Italy may be helped throughout the world.

With all due respect to the Anti-Blasphemous Society, one might suggest that they are on the wrong track. Italians abroad who do not know the language of the country in which they temporarily reside can curse in Italian without offending the most delicate native sense. It has been often demonstrated that the most musical word in the English language to foreigners is "cellar-door." In the same way, the hasty remarks of Italian wheelbarrow pushers and ditch-diggers smite the ear only as poetical rhapsodies in a foreign tongue.

Furthermore, those Italians who have learned the language of their adopted country must in duty adopt the customs of that country, of which oaths and abjurations, are no less important than sober garments instead of gaudy scarf's. The Italian wanderer from his dative health must also keep his hand in, by liberal excursions into doubtful proprieties of speech, or he will not be able to make himself understood when he gets back home.

The prestige of Italy must be furthered by more substantial means than mere abstention from profanity. From an aesthetic point of view hand-carved pick handles, or triangular macaroni would seem infinitely more effective.