Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-04-24
Notable ASSOCIATION Of .7ierand,fa.

To TIE Editor of the Phenir Gazette.
SIR: herewith hand to you for publication,
by re quest of the Secretary, the proceedings OF
the "Notables" at their last meeting. There
having been many and valuable members add
ed to the Association, since you. sir, were kind
enough TO publish the former Report, the Hall
was so crowded, that, if the institution con;i-
nues thus TO increase in numbers, new wing
10 the building will be absolutely necessary,
and that soon. The whole of he annexed reso.
luions, with the exception OF the iUo last, were
passed unanimously; and on these Two, though
carried by ma ority IF at least nine 10 one,
there was considerable and animated dis
----....s5er- ..----.s~>.S "~."s S''""Sy
opposed % thf m. Doe in particular, MIR ULYs-
SEES MANLY,-a gentleman Of gre at mental pow
ers, sound sense, and finished oratorical attain.
nts,-most strenuously objected to said re-
solutions, in speech of al lrsst an hours
length, and equal, in point of elegance and
energy, 10 any speech delivered out of the walls
of Congress for The last ten years. AS took
down the whole Of his speech in short hand,
am enabled TO give you pre,y correct idea Of
his style, or, as Thespian would term it, his
line OF speaking; and therefore, with pleasure,
'ranscribe The following bref and pom ed pa
ragraph: but sincerely wish YOU could see the
whole Of said speech, for t. cough you might diff.
fer with Nj. Manly in opinion, you could no,
avoid admiring his boldn' SIS, his zeal, and his
forensic talents.
"what!" said he, attempt to improve Nature! as
we'll might puny man attempt to vie with the elephant
in strength or, destitute Of wings, to follow the
ing eagle to the sky! What! improve the female
form Observation-Disclosures idea easier would it be
for to add to the brightness of the lightning the
beauty of the rose. What! recommend to our fair
countrywomen internal engine, whose application is
torture, disease and death-s it not enough that the
perncious practice Of corsetng and handIacing al.
ready spreading in families a most alarming en-
tent, that must also introduce new tangled mode
Of COMPRISING the female form by STEAM! Good
heavens had the immortal Fulton For a moment ina.
gned that the poeer which he designed for the pro-
peng of boats, would ever have been applied to the
compression Of female waists! he would have npped his
discovery in the bud aud willingly sunk an expected
fame in eternal oblivion, rather than have been the
means, however unntentio his part, of thus in
uring the Fair, and of dsgracing the Land of Coum.
bus Nature is all perfect-and has been peculiarly
lavish of her vors to the arer part of race; and
it is hey ond the power Of m to add one particle ofim.
provement; for, Burns simply yet expressivey de-
clares,
"Auld Nature swears the lovely dears
Her noblest work she classes D:
Her prentice ham she try ID on man.
And then she made the LAssEs o."
"Womsn is the bright beaming star of society, yet
dependent upon man; and it behoves man to Prove
himself the philosophical guide of her inexperence-
and not the unprncipled pandour Of her thoughtess
follies! Fellow Notabies consider we'll what We are
now oing asye would not, every one of you, repent
when it is too late BY your honor, Americans and
by your accountability, men, call upon and pray
We to reject, now and forever the resolution now be-
fore YOU"
Several amendments were offered, proposing
the minimum Of Beauty TO be fixed at 10, IL, and
IL inches circumference. These amendments
were all negatived; and the original resolution,
of inches circumference, passed, as it appears
in the report,