St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-12-07
TO KEEP THE HAT ON.

One had better be Sioux Indian and
be made fool of, both by nature and
the white man, than to live with people
of the machine pattern who have
no sentiment. Without it the aSSo-
Citations of life would be as inspiring
as the herding together of greedy cattle.
But the sentiment that becomes mere
sentimentality, and is irrational or per-
niciouS. often is so intrenched i'll usage
that common sense is unable to disturb
1T. Men who could face the hon, at
least under favorable conditions, dare
not disregard conspicuous conven-
tlonal usage, particularly if there are
feminine observers. An Illustration
specially pertinent to the season and
climate may be noted. People go ont
to graveyaIds to the funerals Of friends
or neighborS, and stand with uncovered
heads while the final words are being
said, and perhaps prayer offered. This is
eminently proper when the air is mild
posture. The immediate discomfort is
not material, but colds and affections
that imperil life are often contracted.
1t was the theory of very intense i'm
merSioniSt IN religious forms that some
providence obviated any possible harm,
even if the delicate female were pushed
through the ice heavenward. How
ever that may be, it is matter of fire.
quent observation that the exposure at
funerals has resulted in colds that have
brought on pneumonia OF consumption,
and made new funerals and more expos
ure necessary, Not long since GLAD
STONE took occasion to strongly con-
denim this practice. and it has
not been observed that PARNELI. took
issue with him. There is no sensible
excuse for the custom More than one
occasion is recalled where, in the case
of society lodges extending their court
estes to the remains of their departed
member, individuals have contracted
lung affections that very soon caused
death. The results of this exposure, as
so often noted, are such as to induce
some to object to the visits to the GENE
terry of the friends who attend the fun
eral. Mention has been made of the
reform system introduced in some of
the Eastern cities that has the religious
and other obSeryanceS at the house in
the evening. and the interment the next
day is strictly private. Much can be
urged in favor of this on similar lines.
as in opposition to the uncovering of
the head at the grave in unfavorable
weather. The welfare of the living
should palpably have consideration be-
fore any mere conventionalism of re-
spect to the unconscious dead.
There are other occasions also where
men suffer discomfort. if not incur dam
ger to their health, in this same matter
of uncOvering the head. There are gen.
tlemen so gallant, or controlled by what
seems to them proper sentiment, that
they will stand on the street with the
hat in hand. often for a considerable
time, in conversation with lady friend
they may chance to meet. 1t has been
asserted that such parties are more fire.
quently bald-headed, but there is no
hirSute philosophy that is brought to
the solution of such problem. This class
is not in the majority among gentlemen
who assume to be social adopts. Most
of them have sense enough to put on
their hats when the head is in danger
of being affected by the weather. One
other occasion offers some perpleXity to
the observer: a portion of the cultivated
male element insists that courtesy de-
mands the removal of the hat in the ele-
vators now so common in all the cities.
The DIRECTORS leave the covering on the
head and Stoutly assert that there is no
more reason for taking off the hat in the
elevator than in the street car. Both
are public conveyances i'll which people
meet and do not speak. The tendency
of the times is. perhaps, to the increase
of forms of courtesy, but the sanitary
feature should evidently have chance
to suggest where it is involved.