Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-13
SITTING DOWN.
Less Than 10 Per Cent. or the
Worlds Population Do II.

CThe New Review
If the operation be natural, all human
creatures must sit down-and there is an
end of the theory, for they do not. Re-
viewing, I'm fact the population of the
globe. it seems likely that the men and
women who sit are less than 10 per cent.
To begin with, the millions of China and
India must be excluded; only the hum
dreds there turn the cushions to their des-
tined use. so that more than one half
of mankind is excepted at stroke! But
that is not nearly all Japan foloWs,
with the lands and isles Of the far East;
Asia in general, the most part of Africa,
the Indian Territories Of America, from
the Arctic, to Cape Horn. When we look
closely. it appears that only Europeans,
their descendants. and those whom they
had instructed, sit.
The custom Is not universal, even In
Europe At the time Of the war neither
chair nor stool. rarely divan, could be
found I'm a Bulgar house outside the
town y the table was only a foot nigh,
and the family squatted around 1t on the
floor. The Bulgars are not people TO
ADOPT a new fashion readily. Through
out the Balkan principalities indeed,
seats are an Unnecessary article of furni-
I"lNfaf-NANN@f
the divan Is rare in a farmhouse Of Al
bania and Montenegro. 1t is assumed
that Turkish influence or example BAN
isbed chairs and stools. That Is impro-
bable in any case. but when we observe
that outside of Europe nearly all man
kind sauats II becomes far more likely that
these people follow the practice of their
remotest ancestors. The Turk has simply
arrested development at this as at other
points.
TWO ATTITUDES FOR RESTING.
Men who do not sit have two attitudes
for resting; women use one of their own
Squatting ION the heels" is favored In
India and China. In this position the
weight of the body falls upon the toes,
and TO keep the balance comfortable the
arms must lie over the knees, the hands
| dangling. A European trussed in TINS
manner promptly feels pain IN MS
calves. but he can understand that habit
makes it a restful posture. In fact, our
GOLFERS use it. There is a legend current
! in North Staffordshire referring 10 the
embodiment Of militia or volunteers-for
| authorities differ-early in the century.
| After divers eccentric manOeuvres, the
officer cried: "Stand at easel! When this
order had been explained, every man
souatted on his heels like an Indian coolie.
| There is, however, mode of resting prac-
| ticed by some jungle tribes which is ut
terly incomprehensible. Being fatigued,
these people stand on one leg and curl
| the foot Of the other around the cali.
| The same extraordinary custom IS seen
I'm Africa. we ask in bewilderment, why
on earth they DO not lie, or at least squat?
il may be hazarded as a mere conjecture,
without any pretence of justification, that
! they or their forefathers dwelt in swamps
| especiallv malarious. But the custom
shows what unnatural usages men will
| devise before 1t occurs TO them TO sit down
"like Christians"
The cross-legged attitude is general
| from Siam eastward through the Malay
countries In the jungle you will see a man
crouch, the knees raised, the arms folded
over them, and the chin resting on the
arm. Some tribes, as the Dyaks, carry
mat dangling behind as part of their ordi-
nary costume 20 shield them from the
damp soil But seldom will a man sit
upon a log or a root, though there be
plenty around. The idea does not enter
| his mind More rarely still IL that be
| possible. will you observe him squatting.
| Women always crouch. upon the floor. of
course. with the knees bent sideways,
thus resting on the outer part of one
thigh; a mighty uncomfortable posture. as
! IL seems TO US!
II may be assumed. therefore, that sit
| ting down is an acquired habit. If any
savages practice it-as convenience
simply-I have neither seen nor heard of
them But we are all convinced nova
| DAYS that the ideas and usages of the
natural man were everywhere much alike
in that stage OF development. II so. IL
follows that the Inhabitants of Europe
souatted. or stood on one leg-or. at least,
| did not sit. Evidence catnot be expected.
! have seen careful and learned 'resto-
ration" of a lacustrine house. which
reuresents the inhabitants seated upon
logs of wood; but have searched in vain
for the authority. The savant probably
took II for granted, giving no thought to
the matter
NOT A NATURAL HABIT.
Sir Samuel Baker was privileged to be-
hold the first adumbration OF a chair
by one OF the tribes which he encountered
| In ismaila--it Is to be observed
that many negro races have stools, that
IS. the chiefs. but not In those parts.
II was much struck with the simple ar
rangement used by the old people TO
support their backs. In lieu Of an arm
chair" says Sir Samuel They knot'ed