Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-12-19
EXPLORING EXPEDITION.
From the Albany Daily .4drerti'er.
Modern Manners or the march Of Improve.

anenf.
Either this must be the age OF perfection, or
our ancestors must have been the most stupid
dolts in the world, or else the present genera
ton must be composed OF the most abomina'
BILE concerted persons who have ever YET graced
this world with their presence; for il this is not
the case, how are we to account Tor the opln-
ions, the fashions, aud the customs TO which
we now subscribe, and by which we now are
governed?
In DAYS Of yore, when folks were not so wise,
so enlightened, and so refined as a. the present
day, men dared~.o express their opinions and
| heir feelings In the MISREPRESENTATION ne
besi gafde FOR 1r:sr exeYtions. and their con.
| science was The only approver or condt inner
OF those acis But time b. IS indeed wrought
most important change-men have now be-
| come far too wise and too polite 10 follow the
dictates Of nature; or the fashions Of their fore
fathers, for we row use words 10 express feel
ings which we do not feel, to say what we do
not intend, aud to promise what we do not per-
form The heart is now no longer consulted,
except SO far IS its dictates NAV happen 10 &C.
cord with the ruling opnious Of the world, s.
as for conscience, that has gone n'irely out OF
date. Society has brown of and discarded the
rustic simplicity and plain heartedness which
was once considered it> greatest namen,, and
has new nodded aid refined The old fashioned
!orrns, until sc arce an original feature can be
distinguished, and it is 10 this superb refine
ment we are indebted Tor those delightful intri-
cacies, those charming ceremonies, and those
beautiful fvrms which Distinguish the fashion,
able society Of the present day.
l. was once the fashion for ladies' sometimes
10 be found al home; but thank, 10 The march
ofimprove ment, it is now considered "quite "a
bove." Hoop'd petticoa.s, high dresses, pro-
tecting ,tomachers, NUTS tippets, and all such
trumprry, are now laid aside as relics OF the
folly of our grandmothers, and along with them
are thrown the high boots and tight breec his
Cf our grandfathrts as not at all suiec to the
elegan; make ofthis spindle shanked gtBe.
ration.
Some old fashioned folks used TO think that
a ship decorated with all its colors, its ensigns,
and its unspotted sails, was the most beautiful
object in the world, but whoever ventured such
an opinion, could never have seen the magni6-
cent sight Of an elegant modern young lady
sailing down Stale street or Broadway, before
fine breez-, arrsyed in all the flounces Of FASH
ion, adorned with all the colors Of the rainbow,
intersecting each other, and dispersed in the
form Of ribbons, chains, glasses, watch hes, ipds-
pensibles, and all The paraphernaia attendan,
upon fine lady's aress-thc whole surmount-
ed by tremendous Navarino, embel i,hed wi h
all the flyers and top gallants which the taste or
ingenuity OF millin.r can devise. wonder
what some OF The robusr, hale, hearty, homespun
gentlemen OF the last century, would say, could
they be terminated, and behold their liver look
lug progeny, with their feminine appe arance,
their dandy trim, and their mlncimg llsping,
exquisite conversation; really, | believe they
would think that The progress of refinement haG
polished away The substance, until nothing save
the dross REMAINED. Ii would be still more
laughablt 10 behold the queer laces which some
OF our old faIsdious aunts or grandmothers
would make upon beholdng modern young
lady fashionably aIlired at one OF our balls or
public assemblies, in full dress, that is to say,
her arms, neck shoulders, all uncovered, their
old IA >hioned notions Of delicacy could never |
the shock which such an exhibition |
would occasion,