The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-09
Mourning as q Fashion.

The habit of expressing the grief OF
bereavement by outward signs, such as
color in dress, is one that we cannot
find fault with. We think it is not only
harmless, but appropriate. 1t tells to
observers that there has been death in
the family without the asking, and for
bids the levity of conversation that
might otherwise be INDUCED in with
the bereaved. Besides, the habit of
mourning is universal among nations
and peoples. and it would, probably,
be impossible to abolish custom that
has its origin in some deep-seated in
stinct of human nature. But when
mourning becomes mere fashion,
when the hearts grief comes to be
measured by so many inches of black
border to. the veil to be worn before the
world for certain length of time, then
the matter has degenerated into a wick
ed and fippant triflin9 with sorrow. A
bruised heart needs no sable weeds to
express it's anguish. The soul that real
ly and deeply feels its loss when be-
loved one that was its pride, its Joy or
support, has been snatched away, does
not require sombre folds of Grape and
funeral stuff to make decent and
proper proclamation Of its grief. There
lies a shadow on the hearth, mourn
full vacancy in the seats and places once
occupied by the lost one, that does the
work more thoroughly than all the de-
vices and arts of the fashionable mil
liner and dressmaker. 1t matters little
to the bereaved whether she be clad in
black suit of the latest fashion, or in
I. 10, fn hn
worlds opinion makes it advisable, per-
haps, that mourning habit be adopted,
but the genuine grief will rest on the
heart and glisten in the eye, and ex-
press itself in the bowed and humbled
form, whatever may be the cut or color
of the dress. The poor cannot always
wear mourning, yet the poor feel their
losses and mourn them no less than the
rich. Respect for the memory of the
dead is holy and pure feeling, always
to be encouraged; but n conventional
mourning, that varies with every within
of fashion, is a weak and wicked vanity
ANTIQUITY OF THE RAzoR.-It may
have escaped the observation of all.
save attentive Biblical readers, says the
New York Mercury, that the custom of
cutting off the beard originated in the
far distant past, long previous to the
Christian era, it being referred to in
Ezekiel, fifth chapter, first verse; And
then, son Of man, take thee BARRIERS
razor and cause it to pass over thy head
and upon thy beard" The historians
and traditions of all Asiatic nations re-
fer to the cutting of the beard and hair,
according to the varied fashions; but
apart from this testimony, am not dis
posed to doubt that the practice was in
vogue shortly after the fall of man, ac-
cording to the Mosaic account; for by it
we learn that Cain, upon being con-
demned for the murder of his brother,
went off to far distant country and be-
came skillful worker in iron. Twill
assume he was the first manufacturer Of
razors, defying all negative proof. No
historian will possess, imagine, the
termerity to fix AN earlier date to the ra-
zor, for all will doubtless concede that
Gains father, Adam-the first man--was
obliged to pay 80 much devotion to his
new wife, his agricultural pursuits and
the general care OF business, as pre-
cluded any attention to the mechanic
arts. Recognizing the views take TO
(, be sound, the world has possessed
"shavers" for nearly six thousand Year,.