Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-22
UNBRELLAS RELIGION.
Something OF Interest about the Useful
Article.

The umbrella, says the Saturday Re-
view is properly remnant OF solar wor-
ship, and it is only the degeneracy of later
times, and especially the levelling and
democratic spirit OF Europe, which has
debased it 10 the paltry uses OF keeping
ones self dry, and, with few ancient
persons not Oh that account to be accused
of worship or Sabaistic heresies, of
warding off the fierce rays of the sun.
The robust people of old times did not
want to be protected from sun or rain
They We're too hardy and too much in
clined to do nothing unless they could
not avoid ii to care for the elements. If
there was very heavy tropical shower,
they simply got under shelter. Ii the sun
was too hot for work, they were glad of
the excuse for beng lazy. In any case
their occupations were such as precluded
the use of the umbrella as Il mere effemi-
nate means of protection.
Even nowadays the agricnlturist loesnot
hoist an umbrella when he plowshis fields
or hoes his turnips and the nautical
man, unless he be the captain Of Thames
penny steam boat, does not fear rheuma-
tism SO much as to unfurl gingham.
The primitive fisherman rather liked be-
ing wet than otherwise when he hauled in
his nets. The rice cultivator absolutely
revels in slusll. Umbrellas are not, there
fore, necessarily sign Of dcgeueracy OF
the human race, though superficial obser-
vers might think them so. The Siamess
work the "Thai Chang" gives us the
correct notion of their proper origin.
"The expression San kouanS," Chc three
brilliant things,) says the learned author,
'designates the sun, the moon, and the
stars. These illuminate the world by tho
command of the Lord of the heavens, and
disseminate their bcnciicent rays into all
parts of thcuniverse. To point the finger
suddenly at them is n grave breach of re-
spect and merits grievouS punishment. !"
Here, then, we have the true first notion
of the purpose of the umbrella. Weak
human nature is unable so to govern its
actions as to be uniformly mindful of the
celestial powers. In the common affairs
of life men are constantly pointing in all
directions, and might inadvertently stare
rudely at the moon, or the stars, or even
the sun {; though there is not so much
danger Of that. In order to protect them
selves against such thoughtlessness, and
moreover to avoid the danger of unseemly
actions and possibly disrespecful gestures
in full view of the God OF Day, the I'M
brella was invented. Consequently, when
the article first came into use, it was most
generally used in fine weather, when the
sun was high in the heavens, and this was
most liable to be offended. In rainy
weather the danger was not SO serious,
for thegreat lnminary covered up his face
in clouds as with vail, and it was not sc
necessary to guard against being rude tc
him. As natural consequence, when
ever it rained the primeval sunshade in
ventors put down their umbrellas ant
were happy. In later days, skeptica
people who did not scruple to speak dis
respectfully of the sun, let alone the stars
found the parasol-in the etymologica
sense-convenient for keeping off TIN
rain; and, when the pious-miuded wer,
lowering their umbrellas, these heretica
weakings unfurled theirs to shelter thei
sorry bodies. Hence the modern desc
Grafton of the ancient implement of wor
ship.
The umbrella having distinguishes
origin, it is not to be wondered at that i
tho East is one of the chief royal insignia
and is guarded from being put to to
common uses by severe sumptuary lawi
In Africa it is not at all uncommon
find tribe in possession of one umbrell
only, and that umbrella the distinguish
ing mark of the King-his entire regalii
in fact. But in India, and especially i
Indo- China, where Sabaism is not yt
altogether dead, the umbrella is yer
important state appurteuance, and I'll
King of iurmal, as everyone knows,
not only Lord of the White Umbrella bl
of all tile umbrell-bearing chiefs. Thel
is very formidable etiquette of umbrel
as. None but the King and viii
elephant may have white ones. The Xii
has eight Of them, duly carried rouI
about him, all at once, seven feet or mo-
across, anl elevated on 12-foot pole
Englishmen who have unwardly expand'
shades with white covers have explatt
the Nervousness of their offence by pc
ance in the stocks, with nothing to shelf
them from the avenging rays OF the su
kindled to unwonted anger by the b
language the victims make use of on t
occasion.
Next in estimation to tho white III
brellas are yellow specimens, seldom CO
ferred on any except Queens and Pri
cessess who are in especial favor. Gold
umbrellas fall to the lot Of Princes of I
blood royal-when there arc any-en
nent ststatesmen, Generals, tributa
chieftains, aud distinguished Provinci
Governors Then come in their grad
tions red, green, and brown silk cover
umbrellas, with deep fringes or withc
them, and all of the most portentous wid
and elevation. All officials attached
the court are allowed to signalize tn
distinction by vanishing their umbrel
\ black inside. The sun has thus the gre
or difficulty in detecting their tricker
Vl