Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-18

lecture in the Hall of Philosophy on
"Dress and Ornament" Whence dress. the
three possible origins Of dress are first orna-
ment; second, protectors: third, modest cover
ing. The most important of these is ornament.
What is necessary is less important than lux
ury. In the wild tribes ornament is never lack
ing, and dress often is lacking. There is some
times q sense of shame to be found, but
seldom. Dark-skinned people dress as white
skinned people. There are uncivilized people
VINO would be ashamed and shocked
IL they were to enter a modern BALL
room with its low-necked dresses. The two
things that have been most important in dress
are not shame and modesty, but a desire for
ornament. There Is the northern and tropical
dress. The northern type Is that presented to
US by those who use 1t in cold countries for
protection. The tropical dress is the type used
by those who live in warm countries as a class
OF ornament. Among the Kafirs of Africa we
nnd all the gaudiness of dress. There are the
feathers and furs of every wild animal gathered
upon their girdle. Modesty comes from the
lack of that which we are accustomed to wear
feels himself undressed. In the cold regions
men are driven to a style of Dress Skins were
the natural clothing, because the easiest thing
procured and the warmest clothing.
Variety and the Worlds Progress.
THE desire of dress has led men to look
high and low for material The Hindoos.
civilization. on certain religious festivals take
TO the woods and cool themselves with leaves.
Though bark would seem to be a most un-
pleasant and undesirable material for clothing,
yet 1t is used by many wild races. In the
Polynesian Islands arc trees called lacebark
trees. From the inside bark Of this tree they
make very serviceable piece Of cloth. Mat
ting is step further on in dress. This Is the
time when he had progressed SO far as to
weave fbers together. 1t is the beginning of
weaving, and is far ahead Of bark cloth. or
skirts. The Fills have the finest class of mat
ting in the world, which is made from the new
seal and FAX. Four years OF labor are taken
by these people in making single war cloak.
There are some races who make fine feather
garments. There are two featker mantels now
in this country-one in New York, the other in
Washington-made in the Sandwich Islands,
which are valued at $1,000 each BY means of
an:assistant he showed the audience how the
blanket developed from girdle, and how our
modern dress developed from the blanket
There was time when the toga of the Greeks
and Romans was the customary dress. These
were driven out by the close-fitting garments
Of the North. To-day the dress of the women
is the remains of the old Roman toga. and
mans dress the survival of the garments of
the North. The dress suit. swallow tail coat,
OF to-day is the remains of the times when men
rode horseback great deal more than now.
ease and grace in riding. and a piece left as a
reminder of what was. Two buttons and loops
were placed on it SO it might be hitched up,
anu Lucsc survive unLll LQlS Gay.
The Evolution of the EpnuIette.
MEN wear epaulettes. What do they wear
them for7 They were more useful IN
time when men fought with swords and knives
to protect their shoulders from the blows of
the enemy and were made out of iron and
steel. They are now worn as a badge, dis
tinction, legacy of the past We wear hat
bands. They are of no particular use, but you
say we wear them for ornament Anyone that
can see any ornament in the band that we wear,
about our head covering, has very poor eye
for taste. They, too. come from the days OF
long ago when men fastened piece OF cloth
about the head with a thong or ribbon.
At 400, large number gather in the Normal
Hall for the fourth tourists conference SThese
conferences are very interesting and one can
gather much knowledge concerning foreign
lands and cities discussed. To-day the subject
was: Naples and Vicinity"
AT . a rollicking, jolly crowd of boys gathered
in the Hall of Philosophy for the boys meeting
which has come TO be one OF the regular feat
ures here. The boys enjoy these meetings very
much and we assure y9u thai it it is scar. Carried on
Prof. Cummocks Popular Readings.
A t THE same time at Normal Hall the young
mems meeting was held. Some 30 or TO
young gentlemen were present, and several
topics discussed and opinions expressed. In the
evening Prof. r. l.. Cummock, teacher of
elocution IN the Northwestern University, gave
his thirty-fourth reading. OF all the instruct
ors at Chautauqua none are more popular than
this excellent instructor and reader. Every
one likes him, not only as an entertainer, but
as a man. He Is SURPRISING IN heavy lines. and
the recital OF "Horatius at the Bridge to-
night was one of the strongest presentations
ever given on the Chautaqua platform.
Mrs. W. H. Denniston, Miss Mary Denniston
and Miss Alice Denniston, of Plttsburg, are
located at Point Chautauqua for the summer.
The hundreds of electric lights of various
colors show up very prettlly at LAKEWOOD and
Greenburst in the night time. They glisten
and reflect in the water in myriads OF hues,
and the swell from the steamer makes them
more beautiful and variegated.
A hon takes place every evening at the Kent
and Sterlingworth now. Both hotels are nearly
filled with guests.