[Ads-l] Metonymy: cartridge-box, ballot-box, jury-box, and band-box

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

I was asked to explore a saying about boxes employed by Stephen
Decatur Miller, Frederick Douglass, and many others. The earliest
version I found was dated October 9, 1830 and referred to:

[Begin excerpt]
the ballot box, the jury box and the cartouch box
[End excerpt]

Background and details are available here:
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2018/04/09/ballot/

If a list member can find and share earlier instances that would be
great, but this message is about a citation dated October 9, 1841:

[Begin excerpt]
What boxes govern the world? The cartridge-box, the ballot-box, the
jury-box, and the band-box.--New York paper.
[Begin excerpt]

I am not sure what the band-box represents. My best guess is: fashion
and stylishness.  Following fashion is desirable or necessary; also,
fashionable people exert power in society. The addition of the fourth
box was done with comical overtones, I think.

Any other suggestions?

Here are some senses and citations for bandbox from the OED.

[Begin excerpt]
bandbox, n.

a. A slight box of card-board or very thin chip covered with paper,
for collars, caps, hats, and millinery; originally made for the
‘bands’ or ruffs of the 17th c. Also fig., a fragile or flimsy
structure or one in which the accommodation is restricted.
. . .
b. to look as if one came out of a bandbox (and similar phrases): to
look extremely smart and neat. orig. U.S.

1825   S. Woodworth Forest Rose i. i   He is a genteel, delightful
looking fellow, neat as a starched tucker fresh from a banbox [sic].

1833   Knickerbocker 1 198   The old gentleman..popped into the room,
looking as if he had stepped out of a bandbox.

1869   ‘M. Twain’ Innocents Abroad xxxviii. 410   They are
all..exceedingly neat and cleanly..as if they were just out of a
band-box.
[End excerpt]

Garson

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