The Attractions of Whitewash

Southland Times, Issue 12768, 29 November 1893, Page 3

The Attractions of Whitewash

Too Missionary Chronicle says that a missionary stationed atone of the S.-uth Sea Islands determined to give hits resi fleece a coat of whitewash. To obtain thia in the absence of lime, coral was reduced to powder by burning. The natives watched the process of burning with it.tercst, believing that the coral was being cooked for them to eat. Next morning they beheld the miseionary’s cottage glittering in the rising sun white as snow. They danced, they sang, they screamed with joy. The whole island was in confusion. Whitewash became the rage. Happy was the coquette who ’could enhance her chaima by a daub of ths white brush. Con tontions arose. Ono parly urged their superior rank ; another obiained possession of the brush and valiantly held it against all comers • a third tried to upset the tub to obtain some of the precious cosmetic. To quiet the hubbub more whitewash was made, and in a week not a but, a domestic utensil, a war club, or a garment but was as white aj snow ; not an inhabitant but had his ekin painted with grotesque figures , not a pig that was not whitened , and mothers might be seen in every direc. tion capering joyously and yelling with delight in the contemplation of the superior beauty of their whitewashed babes. The foregoing recalls an old custom of Scotch fisherfolk—that of whitewashing tbo 'furniture of their houses—chairu, tables,dressers, etc., all got an occasional coat of whiting mixed with water in which fish skins bad been boiled. It was a lazy habit, but it covered up effectually a lot of dirt, and it made the house look wonderfully clean. At first, no doubt, it was introduced by a lazy woman, but in course of generations it became the proper thing to do and the universal custom. In this connection a good story was often told years ago. These people are extremely clannish aud rarely do any of them marry oulgidere. Occasionally, however, a flaxen-haired ‘ Meggio’ was captured by a tradesman or labouring man and loft behind the traditions aud strong odours of her village. The story goes that such a pair had got married. The young man had been attentive to the matter of furnishing and it was with considerable pride that he introduced hia bride to her home and asked her what she thought of tho spick and span chairs, tables, cheat of drawers, etc., which stood around in all the glory of fresh varnish and polish. After surveying her chattels de-libera-.oly she admitted that they were ‘gey bonnie,’but would ba better looking when sho had settled down. Next day the young hnsba id returned to work and hastening homo in the evening was struck dumb with amazement at the transformation. True to the traditions of her race Meggie had carefully white-washed every article in the house up to the mahogany chest of drawers 1