The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1828-03-15
MOURNING DRESSES


Of"Sses, Is taken from an eastern publication.
and i is recommended 70 the candid perusal Of
The reader.
Permit me to ak the attention Of your rea
itrs 10 subject in which all are in,rrested-
Ihe castom of mourning, like many other Gus
IONS, i followed without reflection as TO its IN
trInsic propr-ty 1t has prevailed in one form
Or another in all ages aad among all nations =
The savage imprints the erlb:lns Of his grief
81 his max j skin Eildeous gashes and gro
te~jn- paintings are his mourning weeds. Pc
t.Sh d pagan nations have demonstrated their
GFi,'f by IL wing mourning r,b-s, as vel, ~
th' pomrru' cerem '1ial Of their funerals The
custom tEcn is not cullar 70 christians. nor
derived from heir religion. o. tie contrary,
is not the spl itu4l teacher or Founder Of our
religion opp ,scd to all ou.,car5t show?
The fact that custom regulates the degrees
Of mourning according to thr degree Of rrlt-
tlonship, is proof that it affords no rule bv
which 70 graduate the degree Of sorrow; for it
will no; be believed that prod@al child who
has impa,ientlv awaited the death Of his parent
and counted every day that delays the inhnri-
sancc On which he expects to revel. feels as
H4lch as b" who ilbors by care ani tenderness
So probing his parents life. mournS bis death as
an i7rep arabic loss Nevertheless the symbol
IS the sanr-black garment, and flown. weeds
The mourning dress then is not true indica
zion Of the feelings, AMI is often an Iypocr.ticul
expression Of what has no existence
second serious objection u mourning dres-
ses, is the hustle ani hurry which its prepare
ton occasion, Immediately after Tic event Of
dNA.h Tins is emnontiy tha season 70 com
:1ro" With III heart ana be stW In the hour
Of schema visitation. the feelings even Of the ob
durate, are sot"ned and inpres sbe the un-
thlnki2, are then tb1rehtiul and then should
leisure and retirement BE- ati,rlcd to commune
Wth God--to listen to he voice of his provi
dcnce, to give free course to the tears Of reprn
lance. (whl' h, alas! mus! to- often 1ow when
our friend can no longer he wounded BY our
unIlndness. or made happier by our exertionS)
and t, form holy resolutions for the future. :
rn"s" are some Of the obvious uses Of affection,
ard my form part Of The benevolent purposes
# G, in the discipline he Ill rs to his children
BIT bow is al this conutcrac'c,, hv the bus
J" Of prenar ,trpn for the fl,n"r4l, The neigh
1ours collect together 20 render tl"ir assist
4nr"-thr bnu>e is scene If bns;lr-cai7,.
..anlEorcFi"i, riffs are - y" made: bonnet
,}afterr> to b. selected! artl dresses trimmed
,yth Grape. Ute mla.ls Of ~ Young a'urully
~oi't.l' and Tcpngnant 70 sorrow. ar" IT ono"
turned 10 the frivnNtles Of .iress and a false and
immense imp rtancr is given - what is per
irctlv insignificant
VI iny cases mi ht be cited 20 show the scru
ouln'isnrss Of weak minds N this subject Such
AS a circle OF ladies earnestly debating whether
i wonhl be most :uttc5!s that lady's crane
trimming should be q .artcr or a haf yard
10 depih-an mother differing the burial Of
her child. because the ruff4,s Of her caps were
plated instead Of b. ING quilted
Such f,,u,rt, Of rn,f