New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-17
SUCCESSFUL RIVALS OF MRS. JELLYBY.

SUCCESSFUL RIVALS OF MRS JELLYBY
Every reader of Dickens remembers the self-sacri-
cing philanthropy of Mrs Jellyby and her brilliant
scheme of reforming the benghted dwelers In Bor-
rioboola Cha by means of the moral pockethandker-
chief That her noble example has not been wasted
upon cold and souless world, an incident that
recently occurred in Brooklyn will demonstrate
even to the most scepticaL Brooklyn claims the
title of the City Of Churches, as Is well known; Dut
recent census-makcrs anG statistlcians have shown
that other cities in the United States have more
churches to the square inch--or, rather, TO the
square man-than our neghbor across the East
River This fact however, has not lessened the ar
dor OF diminished the zeal of Brooklyn church
goers Nay, it has only redoubled their efforts IN
all manner of church work. In this spirit the ladies'
of certain uptown society few weeks ago re-
solved to make up box of clothing
and forward it through tho Foreign
Missionary Society to some needy heather persons
in the islands of the sea or the no less ncvlized
regions of the Eastern continents. The imaginative
reader can picture to his mind the great variety Of
usefu, things that were heaped together IN this
missionary box. It is unnecessary to specify them
in detail-the various articles of use or comfort
which no civilized resident of Brooklyn could dis
pense with, and which savages just emerging from
barbarism may be supposed to pine for and to die
unsatisfed If they have them not.
With that keen foresight 80 characteristic OF the
female sex, two ladies Of the society we have re-
ferred to brought as their humble contribution to
the box that was to carry JOY aud satisfaction to
the hearts Of the fardstant heather. set OF house
hold Announcements without which no home-uo
Brooklyn home. at least-can be considered COM
pete The example of Mrs. Jellyby had not been
set before them in vain. They approved themselves
worthy disciples OF that illustrious woman. Moral
pocket handkerchief were not for them. No! No!
Something that would exert more soothing and
refining influence upon the savage heart had been
suggested to their quick intuition. 1t does not APP
pear that these tendcr-hearted women neglected
their families or their accustomed duties while en-
gagged in carrying out their great philanthroplc idea
But after weeks Of patient labor, when the offerings
for the missionary box were made ready. our
friends hastened to the church with flushed faces
and fast beating hearts, and laid their humble gifts
upon the altar. They consisted of pair of pillow
shans and a sham covering for bed!
The missionary box with ITS precious burden is
now upon its way to heather territory. Who can
imagine the thrill of joy and ecstasy that will per-
wade the breasts of the fortunate family for whom
our two sisters gifts destinedf While their
neigbbors must be content with commonplace
shoes. stockings sheets and counterpanes, the one
lucky housewife pOiul WIN P'iA' I" ''''H .
gift to her. and tho Others will turn
green with envy or pale with rage.
Or. perhaps, not at once percelying the use for
which the "shams" arc primarily intended. the
chief of a tribe may imagine them 70 be for his
especial ornamentation. Can not see him with
one sham upon his back and the other covering
his manly breast proudly struttng up and down
before his tent and giving despotlc commands
to his quverng minions, the third member of the
set meanwhile thrown turban-like around his
head 7
The Imagination stumbles in its rapid course and
breaks down utterly in attempting to grasp the
vast number of uses to which the articles mention
ed may be put by those INTO whose hands they may
ultimately fall. The school-readcrs tell of
a great war that grew out Of dispute about
bucket Perhaps these innocent piow-shamS may
lead to bloody battles between rival chiefs They
many be heroicay carried by the standard-bcarer
at the head of the tribe that holds them In posses
SION and riddled with shot and shell, who knows
but that they may be carefully cherished in the
tribal treasure house among other mementos OF
battles gloriously won ANONYMOUSLY lost
LET our BROOKLYN sisters however rest their souls
IN peace Their purpose has been a noble Que and is
deserving of all honor Not theirs the fault if all
their fond anticpatons como to naught. Not theirs
the fault if peaceful pillow-shams suggestive most
of balmy sleep, should lead to grcen-eyed jealousy
or wars alarums. STRIVING earnestly TO rival, aud
even TO Guido, the self-abnegatng woman of Dick
.ns's creation they may hayo the proud conscious
| ness when they lay their heads nightly where other
n,llow-shams have rested during the waking hours,
of having done their little part TO upft and elevate
and refine the heather heart and soothe tho savage
! breast.
| John Kelly on Sat urday took bold of the straps