The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1869-09-22

be classed as exploded superstitions,
may include the circulation OF wedding
cards and wedding-cake among the friends
of married couples. The cake went first,
and the cards are fast following. am
not quite sure that the omission. in either
case, is an advantage. People always
liked getting the cake. though it is hor-
rible thing 10 eat, and the cards certainly
answered their intended purpose-that of
marking the feeling towards old acquaint-
ances under new conditions, and influencing
them in paying congratulatOry visits.
Now, under the new arrangement, half the
acquaintances of the bride and bridegroom
are uncertain whether to call or not and
as they are very apt to give themselves the
benefit of the doubt which gives the least
trouble they frequently remain upon ano-
malous terms with the happy pair for an
indefinite period-determined in the end
perhaps by an accident.
The superstition which dictates the use
of cards in general intercourse is not like
" to die out. Society cannot get on with
out them. But calling-where you act
ually want to see the people-has been re-
lieved Of half its horrors by the practice OF
appointing certain days for being at home,
and adding the attraction of tea, which,
whether visitors want that refreshment or
not. at least gives them something to do.
A great many people would prefer that
these rites should be performed after din
ner instead of before, and it would be well
to allow them the alternative. l dare say
we shall come to this some day. Mean
while many take kindly to what has been
called the social treadmill, and grind away
for the fun of the thing. 1t is hard, per-
haps. to have to drop additional cards after
having dined at house, and such 1isiteS
de digestion are usually paid with the kind
of gratitude known as lively sense of
benefits to come.
Among existing superstitions that which
necessitates introductions at balls in pr-
vate houses has great many heterodox
enemies. They are mere matters of form,
since the persons introduced are frequent
ly no wiser as to one another's personality
than they were before and the observance
has the effect of curbing individual order.
There is no harm in them; they are often
an assistance; but they should not be held
necessary, and in happier state of exist
ence | dare say they will be dispensed
with.
Among exploded superstitions upon
such occasions may be reckoned speeches
after supper Where there is no regular
supper to make speeches after, the evil ma
turally cures itself but even where there
is. the bore in question is never met with,
except in Extensively old-fashioned society.
So much the better say all sensible peo-
pie. Speeches after dinner, when the din
ner has business object, of course can't
be helped, and come under different cate
CORY.
While on the subject of dinners, may
mention custom which is surely founded
upon superstitions, and ought to be BAN
ished forever from civilized society-the
only society in which it prevails. Why
should we be Obliged to perform the not
very difficult operation of dividing our food
into morsels fitted for the mouth with a
weapon so formidable and effective that
we could employ it with the greatest ease
to cut the throat of our next neighbor from
ear to ear? Had we TO kill the meat in
the first instance one could understand the
propriety Of being so armed for the sake
of carving joints that bore and birds that
bewilder, such an instrument is appropriate
enough. But why place it in the hands Of
persons who have only their own mouths
to accommodate ? 1t is enough to embar-
rass nervous man, and how that very un-
comfortable person, 1.-The most delicate
lady" manages to survive the responsible
ty Is one of those marvels which can be ac-
counted for only by custom founded on the
grossest superstition. The anomaly exists
but in association with European manners.
The natives Of the East, and semi-civllzed
people elsewhere, would not dream of such
an enormity. | do not insist, of course,
that people ought to eat with their fin
gers; and chopticks are naturally untitled
for dividing steak. But when knives are
wanted-and they are not wanted, nor
used, for many dishes-why should we be
made to use a murderous weapon? One
can fancy them fitted for the DAYS Of old.
when knights carved at the meal in gloves
of steel and drank the red wine through
the helmet barred but in those times peo-
pie used their own knives at the table, and
employed them, upon occasion, in casual
combats. Such is not now the custom.
though there are instances of the proceed
ing on the part of violent persons even
when engaged at the meal itself and the
temptation is one which should not be
thrown in the way of men of ungovernable
tempers, exasperated, it may be, by the bad
dinner of humble life But these enor-
nous knives are given US advisedly. and so
careful is custom in measuring the sup
posed necessities of the case, that for the
lighter descriptions of food smaller knives
are given, so that you are supposed to cal
culate the amount of force required at
every course, and always employ it accor-
dinghy. 1t is always comfort to get to
little knife after large one-it is like the
sense of peace and security that comes af-
ter fray-and no knife need be larger
than the silver one put on for dessert, if
indeed it need be so large and l need
scarcely add that forks might be modified
in proportion.
There are few superstitions in connec-
ton with our language which may be
pointed out in this place. There have
been a great many IN most times but
some have disappeared while others have
arisen, and there are not many now remain
ing. Among them / will note only some
peculiarities in pronunciation. We still
call Derby, Darby, and Berkeley. Berkeley,
Pail Mall, Peil Nell, not to add other in
stances. Contradictions, too, are not un-
frequent. Thus, we cannot ask if the Mar
quis of Cholmondeley is at home, giving
the syllables their legitimate sound, with
out running the risk of being told hv ia