The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-03-04

assume the straight jacket We guess, however,
that pride has some voice in the matter. And yet
it is rather singular that pride or desire to magnify
beauty, should lead its possessors to lace them
selves so completely out of proportion that simple
nature should blush at their deiornily. "Ihey
are lacing themselves 10 DEATH, said sob, heart
ed brother, while a class of females were under
going examination at Seminary. We assure our
friends Of the fhlrer sex, that remarks OF this kind
are common, although some Of the more vulgar
class rather ridicuie than lament the folly oil tight
lacng. We think the votares OF this vanity, could
they hear but half that is said of their grolesqnc fig
ure to say the least, would despair Of making nat-
monial or other honest love by thus shining against
nature. That tight lacing is carried on for this
purpose we do not assert. But what can the mo-
live be- Surely none can feel better or enjoy bel
ter health, with lungs, heart and liver all struggling
vuinIy for freei action. On the contrary allie I'M
natural compression Of the vilals, tends directly
and speedily, to undermine health and destroy life
The lungs are most sensitive of any mlerier-
ence.
1t is strange, then, that these important organs
should grow languid and sickly, when the ribs
slernum and back bone are all compressed as
absolutely to ohslruct their free and natural expan'
sion? Is il strange that the action OF the liver
shond grow morbid, as the ribs encroach upon it,
press it inward, and as sometimes happens become
embedded in it, Is it STANCE that the heart should
palpila,e, and finally give death beat, when the
vessels of circulation through it and around il are
half collapsed by the cruel aclags' In a word is
it strange that such restraint upon the vital action
should produce papila'ions, Paintings, languldness
and death'
Blu, those who lace tighy'will suppose they do not
lace tight enough to njure themselves. Blu, all Ia
cling, which in any degree restraints the (reest and
fullest expansions of the ribs tends, to these terrible
results. Perhaps the majority of females will, up
on observation discover tina! when they attempt
draw long breath, and deliberately to expand the
chest, they are quite unable to do it as they can
when the lacings are removed These may also
notice that when their clothing is suddenly remov-
ed they fee, Il disposition to breathe long When
laced they unable to sing very long strains with
ease Individuals of this class are ujuring them.
selves in no small degree. Some there are who
feel weak and faint without their lncngs, and rs
they think quite unable 10 labor without what they
deem support, They feel as the drunkard does
without his wonied glass, This is most alarm
ing stage, and bids the person loose her clothing
upon the pain and peril of self destruction.
A physician, some time since, said TO his patient
well, can only sayio you, you must bid fare
well either to good health or TO tight hcing,' We
doubt not that many an invalid has sckened her
whole system with active internal medicines, while
the SIMPLE act of loosing her stay-acin5s would
have set nature free and restored health,