The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1877-08-18

upon which the ADVERTISER has frequently GULL
mented-the danger to the state which Is certain
to result from such a disproportion of the sexes
as exists here. This disproportion is daily and
rapidly increasing. 1t is quite true that more
labor is absolutely necessary to ensure the devel-
opment of agricultural resources, and we will
heartily welcome and support all proper meas
ures to procure it; but at the same time we
earnestly warn Government and employers OF
labor that there are certain physical laws to
ignore which must inevitably bring a train of
untold evils and disasters. We propose to refer
to this subject again in our next.
PAUL PRY is a character who is to be found in
all communities; and although his name suggests
the masculine sex, yet he not unfrequently figures
in feminine attire. In our isolated community,
it need not be astonishing that Paul Pry is met
with in the zenith of his glory. Indeed it will be
admitted that Honolulu is a favorite resort of
Paul Pry and his associates, for here no individu-
al is safe from the impertinent meddling of MIR.
or Mrs. P. P. or the whole family of the Prys,
including the Misses Pry. These mischievous
gossips are sufficient in themselves to upset the
peace of families, ruin the reputation of the
most v~irtuous and upright persons, and cause a
general feeling of discomfor and mistrust
throughout the entire community. 1t is worth
while to enter into a consideration of the details
of the doings of people of the Paul Pry stamp in
Hawaii mel, for the reason that it may possibly
operate as a check to a nuisance which is now
become almost uncomfortable. 1t is well that the
meddling class to whom we refer should know
that public opinion is becoming aroused to the
importance of marking with it's disapprobation
the course of the habitual gossip. The proper
study of mankind is-some other man. Thus do
many of those with whom we meet paraphrase
Pope's old declaration, in their actions, at least.
To study into the workings of some other
persons heart to divine mothers motives; to
find out all the real or imaginary defects of
another these seem to constitute the occupation
and chief delight of too many in our midst. A
philosopher-no matter who-says that an un-
generous comment, a " sting or a "dig" never
did any good-never helped any one to be better.
One who falls into the habit of using disparaging
remarks on his fellows soon acquires an lima
tured look. 1t is not always possible to join the
Mutual Admiration Society, but at least one can
hold ones tongue.
Of course dress, here as elsewhere, is a fruitful
source of comment for the gossip. 1t is difficult for
him to meet people without noticing what clothes
they have on, although well-bred people refrain
from making remarks about the clothes of others.
1t is something surprising however to hear how
the genuine Paul Pry gossips about the clothes
and dresses of his neighbors. Their fashion and
style. their apparent cost, the mode in which they
are worD,-ares all discussed One individual
wears shabby clothes; poor man! he Cor she) is
80 3oon h. DouI Dr., nc I;t4lo hokkon kho- n boz
gar. Another is dressed in exceptionally good or
new clothes; what conceit! he Tor she) is pro-
nounced to be deeply in debt to the tailor or
dressmaker. But the external appearance of in
dividuals does not at all satisfy the passion for
gossip of the Paul Pry fraternity-it would be a
blessing were such the case. The social condition
of individuals and families must be raked to the
bottom. This merchant is on the verge of bank
ruptcy that clerk is embezzling the money of
bis employer; this public officer is quite incapa-
BILE of discharging his duties; the doctor caused
the death Of his patient by administering the
wrong medicine; the lawyer took a fee from both
sides so-and-so was seen going into a public
house, and of course was drunk Mrs. Thlngum-
bob's intimacy with Mr.. Whatdyecall'em is a
dreadful scandal the preacher says the most
queer and heterodox things from his pulpit.
These are not even a thousandth part of the topics
which engross the gOssips of the Paul Pry soeia-
bles. No reputation is safe from the venom of
these 7ipers.
1t is astonishing too how easily people of good
character are led into this mischievous practice
of gossiping. 1t is quite sufficient for Paul Pry
and his family to make their appearance in any
society and soon gossip becomes the order of the
day there. Even well-intentioned people are
unwarily led into this mischievous practice of
impertinently meddling with the affairs of their
neighbors. Formal fathers and mothers of fami-
lies, young ladies and gentlemen, legislators,
government officials, merchants, lawyers, doctors
and even divines-in short, every class Of the
oommunity-are often only too prone to indulge
in q fling at their neighbors; and, what is sur
prising, they oftentimes think it no harm in the
world to do so. 1t is the fashion-the custom
everybody does it. In fact, it appears ultimately
to become almost a necessity, a question of self
preservation. People say-the Paul Pry set Cos
sip about me, therefore l must pay them back in
their own coin in defense of my own reputation,
1 must blacken the reputation of my neighbors.
And SO the evil grows like a parasite, and preys
upon the community, whose healthy life is actu-
ally stifled by the envenomed tendrils of the
gossip.
Where Paul Pry with his gossips lifts up his
sceptre, farewell to good nature, mutual forbear-
ance, respect for others, sympathy for our neigh
boFs' misfortunes, pleasant manners, good hum-
ored converse, and every refined sentiment which
lends a charm to human society. General mis-
trust takes the place of mutual confidence, and at
length no one dares to open his mouth, except it
may be to speak i'll of his neighbor. 1t is sad as
well as astonishing what real griefs and often
times heavy losses, That mischief, what disquiet
to families, what heartburnings and misunder-
standings-nay open ruptures and bitter fsuds-
are occasioned by this utterly useless and really
unentertaining practice of gossiping and pryiDg
into the affairs of others.
Where all seem more or less ~culpable, it is the
duty of each member of the community to say to
himself-stop. Let US have done, once for all,
Nv fac;e and universal consank with the upcon.