The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-08-30

In some localities OF the northwest
there is very interesting revival Of the
curfew custom, said to have been iUtFo'
duced in England by William the Con-
oueror. Historians are not agreed tnas
the custom originated with tho Nor
man conqusror, some Of them being OF
the opinion that it was practiced in
England before the conquest,
The word, at least, lie Of French orig
10, being derived from the vcrb "couv.
rir," to cover, and the noun "isu," fire.
"Couvre.feu" was covering the fro.
When the bell rang all lights must DO
put out, and the fire, made in tho mid
die Of the floor under hole in the
roof, was to be covered for the night
This was a wise procautou to prevent
destruction OF life and property by fire,
tor Ia thoIe days tho paid fire depart
msnt was not skilled in the use OF tho
steam or the chemical engine
William is thought to have looked to
more than this, for after the curtsw bell
rang everybody was required to be
within hi, own doors, good preventive
Of gatherings OF conspiratOrs against
the new sovereign. II was also general
conservator of the peace, for while mon
were at home thew were not out paint
ing the town red" Being without light
or Gre 1t was expected that they would
20 to bed. At first tho curfew rang at
seven o'clock in tho evening. The time
was extended until in some parts Of tho
kingdom the bell rang as late az ten
o'clock, but at the time Of tho repeal OF
the law in 100 the usual hour was nine
o'clock. This in brief is the ancient
history Of the curtew.
The history which it is now making
in this country is even more interest
ing. Where the custom has been intro.
ducod the curiew rings at nine o'clock,
when all persons under sixteen years Of
age must disappear at once from the
streets and keep their homes until five
o'clock in the morning. Tho obvious
intent Of the law is to keep boys and
girls of tho streets at night. lis inter-
estiug to know that tho regulation has
not only the cordial cooperation Of
parents, but rs we'll OF tho children, who
yield cheerful obedience. When the
bellstrikes, those OF them who are away
from home scamper chcorfuIly in that
direction. When there is public per.
Torrance which it is thought we'll for
tho children to attend, and which would
keep thom out after the curiow hour,
tue mayor OF the town grants u dis.
pensation.
Whether tho curiew wouli work sat.
islactorily evorywhere-in Wheeling for
examplo-i' 3 question that would BIO
answered by the experiment That in
all ordinary cases children under six.
teen years Of asc, and some older oHos,
arc better oil at home than on tho
atrcots after nine O'Clock Mt night. canno!
be- quo,tiouod, Tho uiSht.hawk habit
Ia bad for boys and girls. thousands oil
whom mako their start to ruin from
nights on tho Streets
Parents should regulate this matter
for themselves, without tho assistance
OF curiow Law, but tho streets oil
every CITY and every hamlet give dole.
full testimony to tho TACT that parents
are negligent or poworlcs,. Every
iamilYcan have u curIow custom Of It's
own, insisting OIL tho childron being
within doors at reasonable hxod
hour, aud seoing that they arc there on
time. This Is as much for tho wollarC
Of tho children as their food and
raIment.