OCR Text |
Show EAR RINGS. The query who invented ear rings does not rise so often in the minds of intelligent people as does the inquiry, why will persons in this enlightened land continue to wear them. It is an easy matter to give a full and comprehensive answer to the former question. Ear rings, nose rings, and rings from every angle of the body were, and are still worn by barbarians and semi-civilized races. The love of adornment so characteristic of the human race in its primitive condition, not satisfied with teeth and tusks, the skin and furs of wild animals, grotesquely arranged plumage of birds and highly colored products of the vegetable kingdom, could not be satisfied till the morbid desire reached one step further, the body was punctured and the glittering gold was made pendant from every prominence. In the process of development the mind came to dwell on things more subjective and those outward adornments were cast aside as things of the past, suitable objects to be thrown onto one oblivious pit with all the useless accompaniments of the dark and primitive origin from which they were introduced. Where native ignorance holds sway, can still be seen the untutored son of Adam, wearing on his person all the grotesque ornaments and gaudy colors which his crude ingenuity can devise. Happily among the more favored descendents of the original man, who have enjoyed and profited by the teachings of centuries, no vestige of this primitive taste exists, excepting the impertinent earring. And still, to retain this auricular appendage, the young are duped and the old hoodwinked by the false love of beautifying their persons. The obedient little girl is made to protrude her tongue to its greatest extent, that she cannot cry under the excruciating pain caused by the pointed instrument which pierces her ears, her older sister will faint at the sight of bodily injury, but with the utmost gravity and self-possession she can look on while holes are being punched into somebody's ear. The mother who in every other way would protect her daughters from wrong or injury, gladly consents to her little girl having her ears disfigured, and attaching to the torn member some glistening ornaments. The responsibility of reform in this line rests solely with the mothers. If earrings must be worn, something other than that of ornament must be offered as an apology for wearing them. - Hawkeye |