The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-07-14
The Use of Initial Letters, and their
Abuse by SnObS.


the last few years, is excessively vulgar
as so manifested. OF course it comes of
a hankering after crests and badges Of
rank, which has been imported from
Europe into this country. But people
of good taste abroad, who are used to
crests and ciphers, and who are entitled
to them, do not display them on every
occasion and in every available corner
of their dwelling, on their dresses,
and equipages. To have your mon
ogram on your China, on your
dogs collar, on the livery of your at
PENDANTS, or on PANEL of your car
rage, is very different thing from
sporting it personally and thus making
yourself a kind of walking advertise
ment of your own initials. Even on
letter paper and envelopes, the greatest
caution ought to be observed not to
have monograms or devices too conspic-
uous. | was told by one who had re-
ceived such letter, that Queen Veto
ria, for her own private correspondence,
used a perfectly plain sheet of paper,
without any coat OF arms, and rather
large, business looking envelope to
match. Your letters should be valuable
for what you put into them, and not
for what you pay the stationer to put on
them. 1t is especially for articles Of
dress and adornment worn conspicuous
ly on the street and in public places
that monograms and initials are in bad
taste. About two years ago an attempt
was made to introduce embroidered in
itials and crests upon parasols in Paris.
| do not know whether the mania was
ever transferred to this country, but it
was abandoned entirely TO parvenueS
and persons of questionable character
abroad. For the same reason the jew
elry that had the initials in diamonds on
a ground of black or colored enamel, or
onyx, was never popular with the best
people.
Monograms on lockets or bracelets
are not so conspicuous, especially when
these are TO be worn only in the house.
But the best rule is to have your per-
sonal mark placed on articles of person
al adornment where it shall be least
conspicuous. You must be poorly off,
if, having no servant on which to dis
play il, YOU make shift to wear your
own livery
The theory Of monograms and crests
sprang from very natural conceit that
know that this or that is my" per-
sonal property But while it may be
consistent to advertise your dog, your
carriage or other articles of personal
property in this manner, it is not neces-
sary to proclaim to the world the fact
that the clothes upon your back, or the
personal adornmcnts in which you de-
light. belong to you and are bought and
paid for People have given you credit
already for owning them, seeing that
you are wearing them, although they
may not b. paid for. And, therefore, as
the principal object for setting mark
on individual wearing apparel and vari.
Gus little articles of personal use and
Establishment is only to serve as q
means Of Identification, the best taste
indicates that such marks shall be as
little obtrusive as possible. What then
shall we think of initiated ear rings
Could anything be more vulgar?
The truth is, that according to the
rules of good breeding, it is not proper
TO obtrude your personality conspicu
ously upon others. And upon thi;
foundation rests the whole superstruct
ure of good taste and surroundings
You are very unfortunate if you are
obliged to advertise yourself and your
business by carrying them into the sur
roundings of private life and if no
compelled to this by necessity, the
taste must be hopelessly vitiated which
is constantly challenging public atten
ton by meretricious efforts at personal
prominence" HoWard Glyndon," IN h,
" 7. Eveaing Mail.
REsPECTABILITY IN OLDEN TIMES-Som,
40 years ago, when mans respectable
ty depended upon his taking q news
paper, certain shrewd individual wa
one morning enjoying the luxury o
perusng his paper-although he labor
ed under the disadvantage of not know
inga single letter of the alphabet-whei
more knowing neighbor of his happen
ing in, perhaps to borrow his paper
observed to him that he had his pape
wrong end up. The old gentleman
drawing himself up in the pomsosity o
affronted dignity, exclaimed woul'
have you to know, sir, that if take
paper and pay for it, l have a right t
read it which end up please"
New AIR BRAKE.-The new air brak
which is exciting so much attention
among railroad men was invented il
Pittsburgh. 1t is automatic and sell
adjusting, but is directed by machiner,
on the engine. This machinery consist
of an air.pump and receiver, which ar
worked by the movement of hant
lever at the fre-box. Pipes connect tn
brakes of the entire train, and through
these, by the movement Of the lever oil
the engine, the air is made to act upoi
each wheel instantly. The expense o
this apparatus is $500 for the engine
$50 for the tender, and 800 for eacl
car.