Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-06-15


sons. and render them more attractive is not of mo
dern origin, bat most probably originated with our
great mother Eve The earliest and most delightful
record have of u continuance like the corset,
among Ehnc writers, is Homer's account of the CIR
die, or cestus, OF Venus, mother OF the Loves and
Cruces, which even the naughty Juno Is tabled to
have borrowed, in order to make more profound
impression upon her rather unnIanageable husband,
Jupiter. This girdle invested by the poet with
magical qualities which rendered the wearer irress
tibly facnating:-
| l.. this was every ar, and every charm
! 80 w,n the wises and the codes, warm
| Fond love, the gentle VOW, the gay desire,
The kind deceit, the still revivms fire.
Persuasive speech, and more persuasive sishs.
Silence that spoke, and coguence Of eyes
| PcPE Niad book xiv, line 247, &C.
This, after oil. we are persuaded, was nothing but
such corset have described i'll the beginning,
worn by on elegant form to which it was accurately
adapted Even Venus herself could not look other
Wise than awkward and repulsive in of the arma
dillo shell like machines which sold fashioua-
bic without any regard to their nelegance.
The costume of the ancient Greek ladies was, in
every particular, opposed stiffness pc .sonal re-
strant, and we find that the cestus. girale, to
gather the flowing redundince of their robes around
s.:cr waist considered sufficient for the display
of their enchanting forms The Roman ladies were
great adopts In the mysteries of the toilet, though
not possessed OF the grace and eeguncp of the Gre
clan beauties.
We find among them rudmcnts of the corset, in
the bandages which they wore around the chest for
the purpose of preserving he shape of the BOSOM
| and displaying it to advantage. Phey were Common
~ made of woollen linen cloth, and are alluded to
| IN several instances, by the poets Thus in Terence
we ind Clnrea saying to hs servant, concerning III
unknown beauty who attracted his attention. This
! girl has nothing in common with ours, whom their
mothers force to stoop, and make them bind their
bosons with bandages in order to appear more
! slender"
writer in rhe French Dictionary of Medical
Sciences in article corsets, which the reader
may compare with the present. states that The whale
boned corset dividing the female form into two parts
rnln of fha
still to be seen IN some pictures of celebrated mas
sers We are not, however, prepared to retract
opinion, that snch CONTINGENCIES first resorlc
to in OF deformi'y; for, inquiry, find thai
the German females, described by the Roman
writers dresses tight to the person, though
mention is made of artificial contrvanccs to give
peculiar form The dress of both sexes was similar
consisting ut sCSum or cloak clasped the throat
and vest or tunlc which fitted tightly, and showcC
5 all the form. 1t might prove interesting to inquire
into the influence which the costume of the mailed
knights during the age Of chivalry. had upon female
dress, and whether much of the disposition display
the entire 6gure as far possible, did arise from
display constantly made by the male SEX in their
It closely nting armor. It would lead far, boy
ever TO engage IN such an examination here; neither
shall we attempt to copy Al. de Jouys account of the
thoraoic corset of the Bayaderes of india Ia finely
o woven net made of bark, which is worn about the
breast and never laid asde having but little rea
= ton to the obi ects VIC have in view. Throughout
our observations, we hape spoken of certain
degree OF display of the female form, as not
incompatible with correctness Of manners. But
there Is limit which We believe cannot he e,,
ceeaed without Immediate detrment to public morals
and positive offence to delcacy. spirit of rivalry
and emulation to excel in dress has frequently bctray
cd females OF unqhestlonabe character wearing
costumes which their modesiy would shrink from un
Ger ordinary circumstances Perhaps majority O.
them, exclusively intent upon their own adornment
do not reflect upon the consequences that may result
from their appearance IN public. 1t is certainly
acting great deal OF young men, in the full vgor o
hfe to expect them to behold, unmoved the most Sc
ductive of FORMS displayed with all the alurenens o.
dress IN such q manner scarcely to leave apy
thing Tor the imagination; it surprising tina
their passions should be excited and their PRINCIPLES
shaken, when, in the street, in church, and in short
every where such exhibitions are constantly placed
| before them. 1t cannot be doubted. but that this
cause daily operates 20 the deterioration Of the public
morals; and 1t is full time that should receive the
serious attention Of parents and guardians There
was time when this mode Of dressing to display ev-
cry personal charm vas peculiar to an unfortunate
Class OF beings, regarded lost to all the Ioodesty
and dignity or the sex; but it melancholy truth
that this distinction between the lost and the reputa
b!e 10 longer exists IN great Cities where leaders
OF ieshion and celebrated beauties, claiming the high
est RANK ana character, most remarkable for the
soiiclInde with which they prepare their lovely per
SOUS 10 be gazed and admired, in all their honor
tons, by the passing crowd! We should not have
alluded to this subject, did not hope that sllrb
animadversion upon its evil tendency would helm to
produce Its correction 1t has immediate influence
IN lowering the sex IN the estimation Of men, since it
lessons their reverence for beings they would other
wise always look upon with due respects and surely
the fa sex have not yet to learn, that modest reserve
ana retiring dellcacy among the most potent mug
iIaries OF their charms That they should rush into
the extreme we have deprecated, appears to result
merely from inattenon and we sincerely hope that
put short time will elapse before they will strictly
respect the boundaries established by good sense and
good tnste united with the lovely purity inherent in
their sex, remembering the exclamation Of the Poet
40. Beauty is a IL ly thing
Nhen ue'ted and crrtdiued from Uft siohs
Of the gross Worid Ilmnining
One only mSnsion with her light"
ILk1bA Room,
h5-oa tie Baltimore american.
ALGIEkS.-The notices which have OCCASION
ally been presenl ed nmr rendnrr LIZ .=..a:-