The Russellville Democrat., 1879-10-16
A System of Branding Babies.

The elopement of the daughter oi
 an English nobleman was recently re.
 ferred to by the London Times, and in
 connection with the description of the
 missing lady, the statement was made;
 "She can be fully identified by cross
 tattooed on the right leg just below the
 knee." This notice inspired Phila-
 delphia reporter with curiosity to ascer-
 tain if the practice of tattooing, so largely
 indulged in by English and French wo- men were at all popular in American society. To his intense delight he dis covered mine of interesting informa- ton on the subject. Among other in- formants one physician stated that in
 his practice he had met with many cases, not only of crosses and other marks tattooed on the fair limbs of fair patients, but the initials of favored suitors and ornamental arabesques of much more elaborate character, Finally the inquirer was directed to lady, who made business of tattooing, and who derived quite a handsome living from it. This artist, "a pleasant-faced lady attired in black" was most agreeably communicative. She said many of her patrons belonged to the best families, and described fully the atod,ts 0perdndi and stated that her charge ranged from SIS to $25, and sometimes even as high as $50 for the more difficult designs. Tn quite long interview she gave him so much information on the point that the reporter reached the irresistible conclusion that for some inexplicable reason tattoo marks possess special fas- cination for the female mind in America as well as Europe.
 Whatever may be thought of the ab- surdity of tattooing, there are some sen- sible people who insist that a useful purpose can be subserved by making it, or some similar plan, permanent fea ture in society. They claim that if every member of society bore some distinctive mark, the extreme difficulty of idenfca- ton which often attends cases of escaped criminals, sudden deaths among strang- CTS, and the kidnapping of children would be completely obviated. In St. Louis, Mir. J. A. St. John, of the Central Type Foundry, well-known and pop ular citizen has for many years con- tended that all babies ought to be branded under proper system regu- lated by law. He illustrates his idea by the case of Charlie Ross, whose identifi- cation, after he has passed from child hood to manhood, will be well-nigh im- practicable If the missing boy bore on his person the family brand, of course should he turn up in course of time, his identity could be at once established. The idea expands as it is considered. The family marks can easily be made a species of heraldic devices admitting of the highest artistic finish, and extremely gratifying to aristocratic tendencies, It might become a kind of human fresco- ing, infinitely varied in character, par ticularly if the use of bright pigments could be made practicable. Mir. St. John, who is not jealous churchman, sees no objection to connecting the branding process with the act of christening, so that proper registry might be kept. In course of time it might be wholly rele- gated to the ministry, and the profession thus acquire an additional importance as family markers as well as spiritual guides. This outward and visible sign, quite indelible, would at once fix the religious status of the individual ever until "this muddy vesture of decay" had crumbled to ashes. The is one of infinite possibilities, society by a system of hier- oglyphics, blessed by the priest" and identity amid all the changes and chances of this mortal life.