Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-01-26

tattooed, SO that from one point Of the
view they looked like men, while the
other aspect Of the profile revealed
them as women. Now the women tattoo
only the lines Of the lips and scroll
depending from the angles Of the
mouth. They also draw fine blue lines
on their arms and breasts. The practice
Of the New Zealanders shows us tattoo
ing as no longer a torture or kind Of
trademark, but merely form Of per
sonal ornament.
It is in this shape that tattooing sur
wives among the savage and backward
classes Of civilized peoples; among
boys, criminals, and the lower class of
soldiers. This modern tattooing has
recently been made the subject of
special studies, both in France and
Italy. Soldiers are often found tattooed
literally all over their bodies. The men
who are frequently under arrest find in
tattooing help to kill time Whole
pictures copied from illustrated news
papers or the covers of match boxes are
often imprinted on the flesh by the use
Of needles and coloring matter. Mot
toes are also engraved, and marks of
trades or religious and patriotic en-
blems are very common. Places like
Loretto and other centers of pilgrim
ages are also centers Of the art Of tattoo
ing. Sacred signs are stamped, for
small charge, on the bodies Of the pill
grims, and this practice actually pre-
walls in Jerusalem. In Paris and other
great towns there are professional tat
tooers, and the cost of really elabor-
ate design may reach twelve francs or
even twenty francs. The lowest class
Wf women in French Africa are also tat
tooed with iberality which the New
Zealand ''lubras" might envy or despise.
Mankind is naturally prone to relapse
into the barbarous customs of the past
and there can be no better proof Of this
than the extent to which tattooing is
practiced in the armies and prisons Of
France and Italy Indeed, these tat
tooed civilized men have sunk even be-
low the standard of the barbarian of
New Zealand. Civilized tattooing is
mechanical in method and trivial or dis.
gusting in subject, while the "moko" Of
the New Zealanders is designed on
sound principles Of decoration.
The recent French and italian re-
searches prove that tattooing in Europe
is chiefly confined to men. Roger
Tichborn wished to tattoo his
cousin, and Mr.. Payn tells in the
Belgraoia Christmas number q
very moving tale of a young lady
of rank who tattooed her arm, with the
name "Tom." Schoolgirls should re-
member that however devoted they may
be to ssTom" at the age of IA, at 18 they
will find the indelible token Of this af-
lection rather inconvenient. But, If all
tattooers we're as expert as the Dyaks
ladies who love fine china might consent
10 be tattooed. The hands of Dyak
woman in Mr.. Carl Books 6 Head Hunt
ers in Borneo" have the most beautiful
blue ornaments in the most exquisite
taste. We have known aesthetic ladies
who tinged their nails with henna
from this to tattooinga In Dy1k is but
short step. Whether young dandiel
should tattoo themselves is question
that may be left to the cultivated tast,
Of long haired lads who already weaI
bangles and bracelets. The first youns
man tattooed in Nankin blue viii doubt
less have success, but imitation nigh
prove monotonous. 1t is certain tina
Europeans will find no better teacher
in this art than the china-collecting
head hunting Dyaks Of Borneo.- Lon
don Saturday, Re0ieao.