The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-06-13
PROFESSIONAL COMFORrERS.
A London journal says:

lsonuon JouTnal says
To-day, even the emotions have q
yalne in the money market. There
are. In London, professional sympa.
thixers, who soothe and comfort the
bereaved In return for pelf, perform
Ing the service for which they are en-
gagged in so tactful a way that they
soon become indispensable to their
employers
One who kept hotel in San Fran
cisco during the time when thousands
of men made profits in washing out
gold dust from the Sacramento sands,
said that he kept several professional
companions" as attaches of his hotel.
whose duty II was to entertain visit
ing miners. Many Of the miners who
visited San Francisco were strangers,
and although they had an abundance
OF gold dust, could not enjoy them
selves because they were in fear of be-
ing robbed, or were suspicious of
those who offered them acquaintance
nj" SoSiai dSSistdnce. 10 such min
ers duly authenticated person, genial
and intelligent, became safeguard
and friend. He'was more than cour
Ter. He became a companion for the
time being, and received salary from
the hotel keeper. When the miner
had finished his visit, he generally |
compensated his official friend, and
recommended him to others.
As the advance OF civilization rap
idly divides occupations, the "profes-
si0nal comforter" becomes a social ne
cessity.
The average man or woman is much
more interested in his or her own
personal affairs than in other peoples
affairs, and takes much comfort in
unloading" his or her sorrows and
tribulations upon some friend or ac-
quaintance. This practice of unload
ing which Is usually unnecessary and I
most disagreeable, destroys much of
The enjoyments OF social life. and in a {
higher civilization will be partially re-
moved by the engagement of the pro
iessional comforter who will calmly. G
and with smiling interest, and for rea-
sOnable compensation, take the op- $
pressive load OF others joys and sor- I
rows. A person, disappointed in BUSH v
ness, or In the pursuit OF marriage, t
one who has been sighted in social I
matters, or has any grievance, should l
he able to command the services of I
the comforter at stated hour, just t
as the services OF a lawyer or dentist a
Or doctor are commanded. Even those h
Gho are married, instead OF loading II
zach other up with mutual complaints 7
and reducing the pleasures of home II
NE, should resort to these sympathiz- 81
ing professionals, and obtain from h
hem agreeable and patent medicine" e.
'alms for wounded feelings. "
IL fortune tellers, and palmists, and h
are important aids in So pl
iai regeneration, a higher class of et
professional Is necessary as the affairs In
life become complicated, the time II
d each individual is more occupied. "
'nd temperaments become irritable. Ia
Even an institution in the nature of n,
hospital may be necessary, to which pr
hose who are sore with grievances st
nay resort, and for a reasonable fee, "a
ommand the services of a corps of We
occasional comforters, well versed in tn
he art of "ministering to mind dis an
's see. . aiN TO
The Board Of Education should se- ba
'ously consider the matter of educst- gr
ig such desirable class. f-''". hi!