The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1882-08-31
Mourning.

The custom of outward mourning
means intended to express the feelings of
sorrcwing friends for their lost Relatives
extends, wo believe, almost as far back
as history reaches. The custom of the
themselves in sackcloth and ashes, aud
during the period of mourning, which
was generally seven, but sometimes pro.
tracted to thirty days, they would tear
their clothes, lie on the ground or walk
abstain from washing and Amounting
themselves, weeping ali the while. .
Black is the color used for mourning
in Europe and Rome, and was also used
III ancient Greece. 1t is expressive of
the deepest, inconsolnble grief, and pin.
ing for the lost friend.
Black and white strired is cxprcssiyc
of sorrow and hope combined, aud il
worn for mourning by the South sea
Islanders. Grayish brown il the color
of the earth, and is used by Philippians.
Pale brown, the color of withcred leaves,
is worn in Persia. Sky.blue il express
sive of hope for the deceased and is
worn in Syria, Cappadocia and Armenia.
Deep blue is the mourning of Bokhara,
II, Central A5i,, and is ,.s.ri also by the
Romans under the republic. Purple
and violet, denotes royalty, and is worn
for cardinals, and the kings Of France.
Violet is the mourning of Turkey, and
white of China, and until 1893, the lat
ter was also worn in Spain. Henry the
VIII wore white for Anne Bolryn, who
once wore yeitO,C for Catherine Of ARA.
gon. Yellow may be regarded M token
Of exaltation, and is worn ns mourning
in Egypt and Burmah.
Tho usages regarding mourning have
varied much at different times and in
different countries; but in America, the
custom Of wearing black for the dead. is
now becoming mole extensively practiccd
by Il general class of people than ever
before; and at the same time, the ladies
of our country, are becoming fecbler
and moro unhealthy every year. If they
could be made to feel and believe tho
vanity and toolishness Of such customs,
| the c0untry-yea, world. would be large.
| ly benefited by it.
Why drapc yourself for SO long time
in such & loomy attire9 DO you not feel
enough of sorrow, and experience sutti
cient suffering because Of your loss
without constant reminder always be-
fore you? Why not weep quietly when
you so desire, and laugh when you fee
disposed? 1t appears like mockery te
see lady heavily drapcd in mourning
laughing gaily, or taking part in any
lively affair, and especially dancing; bu
still it is not well to assume grave aut
sanctified expression, as is frequentl,
done by persons in Grape, for months
after the loss of n friend; and AZ moth
ing else is becoming to such grave cos
tunes, it is far the wsest plan to pu
aside tho vain custom altogether, ant
conduct yourself at MI times ACCORDING
to your feelings. OF course you feel sac
and melancholy more frequently thar
otherwise, but if some kind friend shoulc
cheer you, giving you consolation for tn,
time being, or causing you to forge
your sorrow, do not attempt to driv
away the gay feelings "for tho sake o
the dead" and assume grave mir, bu
forget your sorrow as much AS possible
for the sake Of the living ones aroun,
you, as we'll as for your own good. 1t i
strange indeed, that 80 many will per
sist in continuing such injurious habits
in spite Of the repeated cntreaties il
their behalf. The custom of gentleme
to wear only small band of crap
around the hat, is, of course, no harm t
health, but it is quite as foolish and vain
Us that of the ladies. May the day ye
come when the people will abandon al
such idle practices.-iSouthern World.