The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-18
Thorns. skewers and Pin

The pin, especially priced and en-
ioyei by womankind, aud contributing
SO largely to the comfort Of all, like
every other contrivanco Of human inRen-
nity. has passed through numerous
changes and improvements since Queen
Boadacia fastened her tunic OF many
colored skins about her shoulders
with one Of natures own providing-a
thorn.
DE-. johnson, in tracing the origin OF
the word pin, refers 10 the Latin Sr the
primitive one-spina, which means
thorn but the popular opinion ~ that
the Angle Saxon verb, pyndan, 70 pm
gave rise TO the noun.
Where the name came from, however
matters little. Pins we have to-day IN
endless quantity aud abundant variety
pins. or their substitutes, we have had
ever since Eve introduced clothing, ana
pins we will have as long as her daugh-
ters people the earth.
As civilization advanced, thorns we're
displaced by pointed sticks made oi hard
woods. and called showers. These, IN
time. were improved upon in the more
EXPENSIVE materials Of bone aud ivory,
and. finally, most costly and elaborate
ones of gold and silver we're manuiac-
tured.
the excavation Of old tombs has
brought TO light various specimens OK
these little Implements used IN olden
times.
From the supulchres Of the ancient
Britons have been taken skewers OF dill
ferent materials and sizes, some OF the
largest measuring five ana SIX inches IN
length. The tombs OF the ancient
Egyptiaus have also furnished interest
ING samples, among which gold ones,
with orGamented heads, and figured
bands winding around the entire length
of the pins, are conspicuous Tor their
elegant workmanship.
Metallic pins, resembling those OF
our own day, were introduced into
ENGLAND from Fr0nce in the year lob,
but in such limited numbers as TO rem
der them very expensive. and prevent
their coming within the reach OF any
but the rich. ~
We read Of gallants Offering New
Years gifts of pins 10 thor lady loves,
and of hu. bands making presents oi
money for the buying Of pins, TO their
wives. from which custom came the ex-
preston "pin money The habit OF
uniting aside certain amount OF
money for this purpose grew 10 be
matter Of 20 much importance that
mans generosity and kindness for has
family was eauged somewhat by tho
sum he allowed for this luxury.
Daring the early part OF the reign OF
Henry the Eighth pins were permitted
To be sold only on two days in the year,
and in the month Of January, when tho
years supply was expected 70 be pro-
vided. Later, however, IN this same
reign, as the demand increased, tho
manufacture Of this useiul article was
visibly improved, and its Introduction
extended 20 different towns by individ-
uaIs whose names are still held m re-
as those OF public beneiac-
t)rs. ,
Dlbden in one Of his popular songs,
the memory OF John Iilsny,
Of Gloucester, vino tlourishei at TINS
time. The ditty ran somewhat as iol-
lows:
"rhe ladies', heaven bless them all,
A sure M I've nose on,
In former times thev hal only thorns
And skewers o stick their clothes on
No dauisCl then was worth pin,
What'er IL might have cost her,
Till gentle John Tilzby
Invented pins At Gioucoslor'
Manufactures were established in
London ten years later, and we're so
as 10 give employment 70
/ 800 people. or course as soon as
these became general, aud the supply OF
pins increased, prices diminished until
the proverb, still used, mot worth
pin," was made 10 express the small
value Of the thing compared.
Old Tusser, in one Of his couplets,
proclaimed that time Of plenty in:
.. His fetch II 10 iattor. TO get what he can3
His purpose once gotten, pin Tor thee thon'
The pins which Grst furnished the
United States were made at Birming-
ham. and, though plentiful and cheap
across the water, cost in this country
directly after the war OF 1872, ono
dollar paper.
Now that we have these manufacto-
ries established throughout our own
aud, the American pin ~ more Rener-
alIy used, though it is not considered IN
Iuality quite equal to the English make.
IL has lately been estimated that the
,otal weight produced in the United
States each week is from eight TO ten
sons.
Fourteen pairs Of hands are required
20 make n pin after the metal has been
formed into wire. The whole operation,
rom the picking Of the wire in acids
10 the sticking of the pins in the papers
after they have been boiled in wine-less
Or sour beer, TO make them bright, is
1ne Of real interest, which every person
who has an opportunity should GER