The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-12
PHILOSOPHY OF POCKETS.

PHILOSOPHY OF POCKETS.
Some Of Their Meanines-They Are a
Indicates OF, Civilization.
The civilized or partially civilized
man may perhaps be differentiated
from tho savage by his possession of
pockets, and his position on the ledder
of civilization may be accurately
gagged by the number of them that he
wears. The higher product of social
evolution may have any number from
one to two dozen. He must have peck
cts for his watch, handkerchief, loose
money, purse, tobacco, railroad ticket,
keys, besides other pockets for pur-
poses not strictly defined. That peck
cts are . mark in the scale of civiliza-
ton Is shown by the sense Of order and
nicely which demands separation OF
different articles. The mixing together
in one common receptacle OF unlike
things is sign Of coarse mind in
capable OF discrimination.
The schoolbcy shows his undeveloped
nature by his accumulation of incon-
gruous articles in his pocket. Who has
not been amazed by the sight of
echoolboy's pockets turned inside oct?
Before the object required is found. Il
indeed it makes its appearance at all,
we have a full view of the knife, dirty
handkerchief, pieces of twine. candy,
beeswax. etc. From this point Of view
it is sad to see what low position the
feminine sex takes. A woman has never
more than one pocket-that Is, a pocket
intended for use. Even the solitary
pocket that . woman possesses she
treats with scant respect. She places it
SO far out of reach of her eyes and
hands that she is frequently unable to
find It, and has to carry her purse and
other articles IN her hands, just like the
primevul man of the woods. If at any
period of history we read of women hav-
Ing pockets, we, find that they were
merely used for purposes of adornment.
In list of different articles of dress
necessary for the attire of q London
lady of fashion in the year 1910 we come
across the item, pockets of Marseilles
quilting, costing the large sum Of S6.75.
which shows that they were intended
for more than mere utility; and the
usual absence of mention of pockets in
the history Of costume shows that
vanity. being more powerful than use
fulness, acted contrary to the true
course Of civilization. -
For want of pockets tho uncivilized
man has to suffer many difficulties.
The Mohammedans of India carry their
snuff boxes in their turbans. Certain
tribes of Central Africa form their
locks into a sort of hollow cylinder, in
which they carry about their smaller
implements. The Maoris Of New Zea-
land. in the days before they were
clothed, used to makelarge openings
in their ears. in which they carried
knives. The diamond stealers of KIM
berley make use. of their cheeks, nos
trils, arnpits, and even their stomaohs,
as receptacles for the produce of their
thefts. The Jewish women of Tripoh
keep their money attached to the rib
bon around their foreheads. The Scotch
as late as the Eighteenth
century, instead of pocket, carried
a purse called sporah, attached by
q tassel to the waist. IN fact, it is diff
cult to imagine stronger argument in
favor of wearing clothes than the fact
that. they bring pockets with them in
their train, and it is one that, at any
rate, might be used by missionaries
with advantage.
Perhaps the best proof of the advance
of the japanese in civilization is to be
found in their use of pockets. The peo-
pie of that country have usually six or
eight pockets cuuningly inserted in the
cuffs of their wide sleeves. These peck
cts are always filed with q curious mis-
cellany. As common as the Irvine in
the pockets of young Americans is the
prayer amulet, written on sheets of rice
paper and composed by the BONES. In
accordance With, their faith, these ANU
let's are swallowed, like q pill, in cases
of mental or physical distress. Another
seldom missing is a fitfmber OF
small squares of silky paper. These
are put to unexpected uses, such as to
hold the stem of a lily or lotus. to dry
a tea cup or towipe away tear. Among
the Chinese and other nations pouch
is used instead of pocket.
So Important is the pocket to man
that the word has come to be used met
ephorically. The pocket means espe-
cially that which Is contained in it.
that is. money. Thus the pocket is the
principal part of the man, apd its con.
dition, as regards being open or shut,
is the main concern of his fellow crea-
lures. In other ways, too. the term
pocket is bestowed with sense of ap-
proTal. Applied as an epithet, it ex-
presses that an article Is small and
recherche. A pocket Venus is petite
young lady, possessed Of superior
charms Of person. A pocket pistol does
not always mean q dresrm. A pocket
book sometimes contains the trans
liberation Of the innermost penetrali1
OF a mans mind. A pocket borough in
In the good old days Of politi- |
cal corruption meant an easy and con-
venient way of getting into parliament
for the possessor or his nominee Even
in inanimate things the pocket IS dis |
tinctly precious.-N. Y. Post.
An Electrocuted Mouse
-