The Misanthrope’s Corner

YOU can tell a lot about a people by what they absolutely will not forgive. It’s a matter of ideals, but more often than not it’s a matter of sore spots.

Take the French. Sanche de Gramont tells the story of a rich gentleman who shot his maid dead when he found her decanting wine with a metal funnel. If the official ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity had prevailed he would have paid the ultimate penalty, but his nation’s most renowned sore spot carried the day and he was found not guilty on grounds of justifiable homicide.

About the Author

Florence King

Florence King was a contributing editor of National Review.

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YOU can tell a lot about a people by what they absolutely will not forgive. It’s a matter of ideals, but more often than not it’s a matter of sore spots.

Take the French. Sanche de Gramont tells the story of a rich gentleman who shot his maid dead when he found her decanting wine with a metal funnel. If the official ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity had prevailed he would have paid the ultimate penalty, but his nation’s most renowned sore spot carried the day and he was found not guilty on grounds of justifiable homicide.