Huntsville gazette., 1882-10-28
Toothpicks.

The greatest chemist of modern times
remarks that the civilization of cOun-
try or family is indicated by its con-
sumption of soap. Perhaps as much may
be said of the toothpick, for it is certain
that America uses more tOothpicks than
do the effete monarchies and despotisms
of the Old World. A barbarian does
not use toothpicks, either because his
teeth are sound, which is the rare excep-
ton, or because he is barbarian, which
is the rule. A man who uses a tooth
pick is civilized. But there are degrees
of civilization and refinement, and in
order to find scientific basis for the
proper classification of toothpick using
people, one might either use the mate
rial of the toothpick as foundation, or
the manner in which the toothpick is
handled.
There are toothpicks of wood or
quills, ivory or metal. The wooden
toothpicks may be subdivided into those
of soft and hard wood, of which the
former are preferable. Then, again,
division may be based upon the point
of the toothpick Probably the best
wooden toothpicks come from Japan;
they are short, and can be used without
being noticed. The quill toothpicks are
either simple or ornamented. Ivory and
golden toothpicks are permanent artl-
ticle, while nearly all others are used
once and then should be thrown away.
Good toothpicks are more or less elas-
tic, and nearly all of them are so cheap
that everybody can afford to use them
A .aI- ctr.int tlxy
indifferent-that is to say, it has no
moral or aesthetic value, the latter being
bestowed by him or her who uses it. In
this respect the toothpick resembles an
act-it derives its dignity or vulgarity
from the person behind it. And there
lies the essence of the matter.
Imagine lady in faultless attire,
handsome and admirable, with tooth
pick in her mouth! The spectacle is not
pleasing. Or imagine dinner party,
the last course of which consists of tooth
picks handed around by the walters and
then applied by the whole company.
The sight is perfectly unpleasant. Every
civilized man, woman and child has the
right to use a toothpick, but have they
the right TO use toothpicks to the dis
comfort of others? And to fine organl-
cations the visible use of the toothpick is
a source of disgust. A man who uses
toothpick in public shows either that he
is not aware of the annoyance which he
gives to others or he defies good man.
ners and prefers to be set down indeli-
cate and gross. The rule applies with
double force to a woman, for women are
the natural and conventional guardians
of good manners. When sensible men
are in doubt on matter of politeness or
fine propriety, they consult lady.
What, then, can be said of a lady who
carries toothpick in her mouth? She
might as we'll rinse her mouth or brush
her teeth in public.
The truth is that the associations of
toothpick are necessarily indelicate, for
the toothpick reminds one of bad teeth
or food particles held in the wrong
place. The toothpick is, therefore, a
toilet article, and ranks with the tooth
brush, the nail cleaner or the ear spoon.
These articles have to be used, but not
in public. Every hand is marred by
unclean finger-nails, but the nails ought
not to be cleaned in public. Nor should
teeth be brushed or picked in public. In
hotel lobbies there are always men-not
really gentlemen-and, alast occasion
ally women, with a toothpick in their
mouth. Quite likely these same persons
eat with their knives and cut their fin
ger nails at the dinner table. But in this
matter their example is not commend
able.-Boston Adcertiser.