The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-08-17
From the Mothers Magazine.
TIGHT LAClN4.

TIGHT LACING.
1t is not the lightest part OF the mothers
| duty to superintend tho physical weAare
of her offspring. This complicated and
wonderful clay temple, rendering SO pre-
cious as the shrine Of an undyiDg spirits
worthy Of strict guardianship. The moth
or, appointed TO watch its construction, to
aid the harmony Of its architecture, to re-
joice in its symmetry, who perceiyes daily
how much the mind is affected by the cir
cumstances Of its Judgement, should cher
ish and prize the mortal for the sake of
the immortal.
Does she attach value to the gems Of
intellect? Let her see that the casket
which contains them be not careIessly dis
ranged or broken9 Does she pray for the
welfare Of the soul LET her seek the
good Of its companion, who walks with il
to the very gate ofthe grave, and returns
to its embrace on the morning Of the res
IurrectioD.
But single modification Of this exten-
sive subject is at present contemplated
Yet, as it affects the health and li.o Of our
daughters,it ought not to be regarded with
indifference by their maternal guardians.
The injuries arising from comprcssioR oi
the vital parts are too numerous to be
here recounted. Multiplied forms Of OBJ
structed circulation, nervous diseases, and
organic affection, are to their train A
physician, eminently skillul in the mel
ancholy science, of insanity, asserts that
tight lacing is q prolific source Of mental
arrangement. Another medical gentle
man, who has been led by philanthropy
to investigate this point, assures the pub
lie that thousands die annually from the
severe discipline ofbusk and corset. The
lrightfui internal ravages thus produced,
have been too often illustrated by dissec-
ton, TO admit Of doubt.
Habits oftight lacing are the moro dan
gerous, because no onoawill acknowledge
them. Those evils that shun the light,
and shelter themselves in subicrfuges, are
Fever the most difficultio remedy. A great
part Of that energy which might tend to
their reform is wasted in hunting them
from their hiding places. Has any young
lady been known to acknowledge that she
was destroying herself, that she was even
uncomfortable from tight Iacing? Yet the
suppressed sigh, the Iabored respiration,
the suflused countenance, the constrained
novement, confess wha, the lips deny
ttslmpn~xy and spinal; l;diseaScss sfuhacy and
the grave, rcveas the rest.
But il il possible that in three days orim.
proved and difihscd education, any young
female can stake the well being Of heI
mind, and the duration of her existence
upon circumstance of dress? Can SHE
impede the functions Of these mysterious
agents, which the Almighty has put in mo.
ton, and make irer shortened life living
death? Can she throw binding hlusi or
over those who would save her, and like
the Spartan culprit conceal the destroyer
that feeds upon her hearts blood? We knou
that Il is so! And who that has tested the
omnipotence Of fashion, will doubt III This
is not the only sacrifice Of health which
she imposes But it is prominent one,
and let mothers look 10 it. Let them moi
be satisfied with testimony when demonsira-
lion is in their power. Let them possess
themselves of the rudments Of anatomy
Let them at least be fully aware Of tho
danger Of structure in the region Of tho
lungs and heart, especially during thei
period of development.
| Yet let them not linger till morbid ha.
bit have acquired strenth. Their minis
try is among the elements Of character
Let them teach even over the cradle, tha
"this body is the temple of the K-ly
Ghost" Let them carly root from the
minds oftheir daughters,t that frivulous ant
mad principle. that the heathlul action o
their minds, ard the perfect use Of the or.
gans through which it speaks, are second.
AIRY to the yanities OF dress. IL they have
received from the great Creator, the gifts
of "sound mind and sound body" ina
struct them that they are TO account fo'
both. If they deliberately permit sin tc
enslave the one, or fashion to main the 9th.
er, how shall they answer il to their Judge
find ho,o shalt The mother answer Il, who
when the soul was put Into her hand as 9
waxen tablet, suffered folly to deepen its
impressions there, and vanity to trace its
thousand likenesses, and fashion to pul
out her feverish breath on the liues tha
virtue had written, until what might hav,
been polished for Heaven, was sullied ant
melted away. j.. III. =.
Hartford, Conn. May II, 1888.
Il