Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-11-02
RELIGIOUS MISCELLANY.
MOURNING APPAREL.

There IS, IN the annexed cOmmunlCa-
tion-which comes to US in an unknown
hand-such a touching earnestness, and
such dep felt conviction, as Of themselves
to commend 10 attentive consideration, the
pat forth against the custom Of
wearing mourning apparel for deceased
relative.
Coincidihg, as we do, moreover to
great degree, IN the sentiments here ex-
pressed, we the more readily give place
to them-N. Y. Amer.
So bigoted do we become to long estab-
lished usages, that we too rarel y ask of
our proper pride, the question, Are
these customs based upon correct princl-
Piles, upon motives honorable to human
nature, or human intelIect-or are they
the offspring of prejudice and superstition
of an enlightened age-of narrow
minded bigotrv, which should find little
sympathy in an age when education in
every form is 50 easil y attained 2" have
read many rational tand feeling para
graph within the last ten days, on the
subject which suggests these reflections
| mean the custom SO widely prevalent, Of
wearing mourning apparel at the death Of
friend. 1t seems to me that the strongest
circumstances which can be adduced in
support Of the custom is its antiquity: and
AFFECTIONS may be urged to it, which have
the more important sanction Of reason and
good feeling. feel deeply the difficulty
as we'll as the deIicacy of opinion on
subject like this; and were | not myself
among the Dereaved-had | not tasted the
cup Of aflliuticn-I should feel that | had
not the right TO touch upon, much less to
dictate in a matter thus connected with the
finest scnsibiIitieS and the hottest impulses
Of our nature. Those possessed Of the
strongest feelidg5 and the warmest attach
ments 10 family and friends, would natu-
rally be the most difficult to persuade that
this outward manifestation ofgrief for the
loss Of relative could be dispensed with,
without di>Yespect to the memory of the
depat1d: for the association of black gar
ments with death, with consequent sorrow,
the solemn procession, the yawning tomb,
and all the sad accompaniment of this
mournful ceremony, is so direct, that it
seems d rude, an unholy liberty. to break
the chain. Yet who of those whom fate
has made familiar with these heait-rend-
ing scenes, but has felt the dreadful, the
sickenin9 appropriateness of the prepare
| tions which custom has ordained to break
| in upon the poignant sorrow of the be-
reaved? Who has not felt, when the
heart is mourning by the scarce cold clay
of the friend whose spirit has just fed its
earthly tenement, that the sight of grapes
and stufs, the presence of mantua-ma-
ker or a tailor, the process Of measuring,
Of fitting and Of consulting about the form,
the fashion, and the price; who has not
felt say deeply, and with disgust, that
these preparations are a cruel outrage to
nature and to sentiment? Oh | have
felt it-sadly and sorely too have felt, as
stood by the remains OF nv beloved broth
ers and sisters, as one by one they have
fallen under the unrelenting hand Of dis
ease, leaving the heart desoIate and the
hopes withered. Never, never shall |
forget the feelings with which l crept
through the streets with swollen eyes and
bursting heart, to tailor's shop to be
measured for suit Of black clothes, when
death had just made his first inroad into
our then large family! We had never,
till then, known affliction. A beloved
brother, saint in character, and the eldest
Of the family. to whom we all looked up
for counsel and example, was taken away
after long illness and great suffering
1t was then, though quite young, that |
was first impressed-and deepIy-wnh
the cruelty of this heart sickening custom
and wept in vain, when assured by my
parents that its observance was necessary.
; That sacred grief which such bereave-
: ments call forth, intuitively shuns obser-
: walton, and had not the season of mourn
} ing better be passed in quiet meditation,
undisturbed by the Earring. and the sicken-
ing subjects Of dress and fashion7