The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-02-01
NISCELL ANY.



therefore no more than fair, that We
should remain corered. while we are init.
Mr.. Printer, am a Bachelor, and con
sequently have the honour and good
fortune to be introduced occasionally in
TO the society of the young and the gay.
| love 1t, sir, il warns my old blood and
makes it course more quickly through its
channels it gives me life and animation
and arouses the drowsy powers of the
mind and body, which grow torpid in the
uninterrupted pursuits Of business, or
when we remain too much retired from
the society around us. | therefore en-
courage social parties, and occasionally
dance, and without protesting to be
very high in favour with the fair, am at
all such times, very happy fellow.
But | confess, | should be still more har-
by, were it not for the sensations after
produced within me by seeing so many
poor and unfortunate girls in these cir
cles, who have not rag of muslin 10 COW
er and keep warm neeks, shoulders and
bosoms, literally "pinchedn black and
blue by the desolate north winds. | shv-
or now with the very thought of it and
the sensations fpain and distress are al
ways more keen when the objects are
actually in my presence. The other
evening, | was almost tempted to bor-
row beautiful linen cambrick handker-
chief, which bean was gracefully -four
ishing m his fingers, TO cover a neck and
back quite exposed, to hide it from the
coarse vulgar gaze, and protect il from
the chill air. | dislike to sec that ex-
quisitely modelled part of the human
frame, which nature, our very sensible
and modest mother never intended to be
carried and exhibited in an indiscriminate
and desultory market so prodigally dis
played. To sci myself up, as censor
of Dress. Is the last Office | would wish 10
assume; and were alone in the orin-
ion here expressed, would repress it !;
but sir. the world talks loudly on the SUBJ
.ject, and newspaper is perhaps the
most proper place. where one may speak
freely, without offence TO those in whose
characters he is interested, on a subject
where delicacy might shut his mouth in
private. The common apology of fash
ion which we frequently hear, is not a
sufficient vndication of a custom, "more
honoured, indeed, in the breach, than in
the observance" nor will it prevent the
skin from assuming the varied hues Of
marble without its polish 10 be sure,
which are becoming in ornamental furn-
iture, rather than on the shoulders ofthe
fair. But the plea of fashion is not true,
for this iberality o. dress, far from being
a general practice in this place. forms only
an exception. and we arc very happy to
observe il. of that lovely, winning, inbred
modesty, which prevails in our society.
Those who make this public exhibit Of
their charms, arc not aware, truly be-
lieve. that the effect produced is so very
wide from their intention, but lest they
should remain ignorant longer. we will
inform them that every man ofpurity Of
thought and principle, feels disgust steal
upon him. with every gaze and all fc-
males of delicacy OF feeling, almost hear
the blood as il rushes in their faces. for
very shame at The suffering reputation of
the sex: who .ihen is there left to derive
peasure from the exhibit him. indeed.
whom girl of any sensibilify or moral
feeling would be least ambitious to please
the proving libertine And what is
the price. she pays for the pleasure of
facinating this description ofpersons and
corrupting the morals of the young ?
why. the rum of her constitution, the loss
Of the respect and esteem Of the ,irtuous
of both sexes. and a miscrail lie chcapen-
ing of the article SO literally carried TO
market. looked round the other even
inc in very pleasant company. where
most of our ladies were assembled. ont
Of curiosity. 10 observe the style of dress
and compare il with the known charac-
ter Of my acquaintance, and found
without exception. that those whose rep
utation was highest. for purity Of senti-
ment. delicacy of department, and cult
walton of mind. displayed the most taste
and modesty in ornamenting their per-
sons. so that came TO the conclusion
Il Il 4 l..