The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-05-15
The DANGEROUS ROCK.
How to Overcome the Modern Passion for
Display and Dress.

! How to Overcome the Modern Passion for
! Display and Dress.
A correspondent very APPLY compares
+; the passion for display and dress to a
| dangerous rock, and in so doing he has
| clothed in appropriate words a thought
which must often occur to observant
people. Since reading this unpleasant
truth, SO plainly set before us, have
been thinking whether some sugges-
tions can not be brought to bear on
this increasing evil in time to avert the
trouble which is sure to follow.
The victims of this delusion deserve
much sympathy-more. believe, than
we are inclined to give them-for we
ought to remember how powerfully an
individual is influenced by the actions
of others. Not only is the condition of
those deplorable, who, charmed with
the rapidity of the downward stream,
drift contentedly and self-complacently
with it; but pitiable in the extreme is
that of the poor creatures who at first
show weak resistance, and finding
that unavailable, yield, and are pas
sively hurried on to the yawning preci-
pice. None of us are perfect; each
has faults and weaknesses; if we can
aid one another in this turmoil, let us
do it gently and kindly.
There is a spirit Of rivalry, each
competing to get above somebody else,
and in the struggle, self-respect, con-
tentment and happiness are heedlessly
sacrificed. Why not live according to
our means? There is certain dignity
and happiness in every station of life
which outside adornment can neither
add to nor take from, and PERSONAL
ity showing beneath the plainest hat.
1t is generally admitted that the MAX
ing of garment contributes more to
the good effect than the quality of the
material; has not the wearing of the
garment something to do with it, too?
Then why not select apparel becoming
both our compilations and our circum-
stances9
We may admire delicately painted
yacht with silken sails tied with bril-
liant ribbons and enjoy pleasure trip
in it along the coast on a calm day, but
would we not more readily entrust our
!. lives and property to the substantial
vessel built and equipped for stormy
ocean voyage? Stranded on a danger
Gus rock'' those ornaments will not
save the pretty yacht.
If we find in the garden one little
germ starting into life. we remove the
weeds which were choking it, soften
and moisten the earth and allow the
sun to shine on it until the little seed
ling grows and expands into beautiful
and fragrant flower. The bright tints
may attract the weary traveller, but the
sweet perfume will have more lasting
influence. So the tiny germ of noble
ness, in every heart can be cultivated
by plucking away the noxious weeds,
and allowing the sun of religion to
warm and give it new life.
Again, the greatest musician is he
who brings out most plainly and ex-
pressively the melody. While the un-
trained ear hears nothing but trills and
runs, and the artist follows the air
through all the variations and chords,
even the notes which sound like dis
cord being necessary to the harmony OF
the whole. Let our execution upon the
instrument Of life be so perfect that the
melody will be distinctly heard, and all
these needs and desires only thrown in
to add to the harmony of the whole
Cor. Country Gentleman.