Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-09-21
MISC nLLANY
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HIGH FASHIONS.

HIGH FASHIONS.
Ynu have 10 doubt observed, Mr.. prin- /
ter, fashion among the lalies wiln have
lately visited uur city, especially those from
Canada, which though it may qromi Sc some
benefit on the score OF eeonuny ia these
hard times, is nevertheless, calculated, Il
think, to ,iiwini$h the salutary influence
OF the female sex upos society, and to ex-
cite serious apprehensions for the health
and comfort OF our sisters and daughters In
the approaching iuclement season. al
inde 70 the fashion OF substituting kelts for
the four breadth old fashioned petticoats of
our mothers. In u female circle the other
evening this Innovation upon the cGsteiIls at
our grandames became the topic of c5nser-
saton. Being considered an inofieusiye
fellow, my presence seemed to DC no bar
TO the freedom of their debate aud think
ing the public may be benefited by their
deliberations, L send you al abstract for
publication.
twas contended by the advocates for
kehS, that they had exposed their arms,
necks and bosoms, till these beauties had
lost their novelty, aDd had absolutely
ceaaed to attract the attention Gt Che beaux
land one el their fair disl .Ut,nts declared.
IL atfirmance of thisiact, tina. she tecently
overheard gentleman oesice his friend
to behold her lovely bosom, (Which she
confessed she had taken some pains to dis
play to advantage when the brute turned
away with utter indifference, barely OBJ
servings pretty enouSli-but Ihare seen
ii before" 1t was further urged, that as
they had carried fashions as low as decen-
cy and health would permit, there could
certainly be Eo harm in raising them es-
pecially us the practice Of the aborgines
piainly Indicated, that short petticoats APP
preached nearest to primitive simplicity.
could not but remark that those who
opposed the innovation were principally
those to whom nature had been least lavish
OF her gifts, aud who perhaps from neces i
y, had stroye 10 niake up TO- her nisgard-
hess by assjdu0us cultivation Uitlleig minds
aud acquiring knowledge oidomesGc du-
ties. oae, not the most fair, repeated from
the poet, lhougt rather muliciou3ly,
81 The gaudiest fruit ATTRACTS the f:es"
This part OF the assembly .c6ntended
warmly for double ruff, and lurbeioes.
which they insisted were the legitimate
guardians OF female chastity. Female
charns, said they, derive their potency
from iascjed Tlere ibhn intrinsic value -
AMI to turn them 10 advantage, We must
take care not tn giut the market; they soil
by exposure aud SO selfish are the me,, tat
II they cannot mod0pulise the c:,ar,hs OF
the oae they would we'd, they pref. to
rosm single, tasting the proffefed sweets of
many. Such preic;n;nant power has no
vclty over tue men, said one, dat if we be-
pa to uudiess { om below, VIC shall soon
have n0tlling leIt to excite curiosity, or to
reward the iidelty OF lovers
" Admit item once -elind ,h- scene,
What IS tlere further TO be seen Z"
Indccd, said she, coalorm to this hig;
fashion, and you at cree throw the gaunt-
let, when the men, ii they are not silly
fools, ADD cold as iceicles Will SOON accept
Ind tbeo farewell 60 all true lovers
except for OUR money. No wonder. she
contiQued, that gitis Whosd pit this fashion
are anxiOus to cover then. heads with curls
ard basket bOnnets; that flcy may not be
seen to blush for tl,cir nakedness
You cannot conceive. Ir. Printer, the
warmth with which this argument was
maintained, u1tii my aunt Catrintie, who
seemed absnbed in dee p thought duii Jag the
DEBATE, raised her voice. In moneHt'all
w1s silence, and every ear was anxiousy
Opcn ~ catch tie acCe. IS of her tOngiie-
For, you mu know, that my aunt Catrin-
je hayiue giveu upail hopes Of matrimany,
aud possessing naturally, an intelligent
mud and sound judgment, is often called
upon TO ACT as umpire between the girls, x
her opinion is submitted to with Difference.
this instance, from the whole assembly, aad
adjusted her tucker, my aunt straigitsned
herself in her chair, and With somewhat re
an authoritative air, gave her decision, o,
rather decree. ia the following terms
" Young maidens. DESTROYS oimatrimony
and Of suitable age may fairly ex; ose their
ancles, as tokcutha they arc willing to
lake chareg Of family MGi3cns over 2g
may RAISE Their fashion in proportion rs
tneir de-ires increase or their hopes dissi-
pate. Cpnrtezars only shall be permitted
10 aea- keifs. And as for married danes
she said, forbid, absolutely prohibit them
from selling by ite public glare, those
beauties which belong to their husbands a.
lone, and which they once solemniy CON
secrate'l 10 them IN wediock.',
Oh how ny heart bounded with ioy
when saw my TITLE Eliza, t. whom nave
thoGghts Of making seri0us offers, inyolun-
tarily cover her fascinating bosom with her
shawl, and hearh bei whisper 70 her coma
paui0n--'' am resolved to preserve my
charms for sweetheart"
Yours, NATHAN.
BONAPARTE.
From q history Of tie Revolution in France in
IQIE Aln-rr