Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-07-14

most injurious tendency Of fashion, how in
sdious is every encroachment, yet how GER
tain its effect upon the female mind !! 1t is
no uncommon thing to hear women express
the utmost adherence ofthe costume of some
old portrait, who, in the course of a few
years, perhaps months, are induced by FASH
ion to adopt, with uDblushing satisfaction, an
equally, or more Objectionable dress.
The young girl cannot too scrupulousy
shroud her modest feelings from the nnspar-
ing test of fashion. The bloom Of modesty is
soon rubbed of by vulgar contact but what
is thus lost to the young female can never he
restored. And let her look to the risk she
incurs. VIVA, is il : On the one hand, to
be thought little less fashionable than her
friends and neighbors-on the other, TO be
thought little more exposed than II delicate
woman ought to be. Is there any compare
son between the two Or is there one Of
the daughters Of England, who would not ra-
Their be known to choose the former?
If possessed Of any genuine feelings on
these important points, young woman will
know by kind of instinct, that a bare Shout
der protruding into sight is neither delicate
nor lovely object; that dress, either SO
made, or SO put on, as not 10 look secure and
neat, is, to say the least of it, in bad taste,
and that the highest, standard at which right
ly minded woman can aim with regard to
dress, is, that il should be becoming, and not
conspicuous. In order 10 secure this last
point of excellence, it is unquestionably ne
cessary to conform in some measure to the
fashion Of the times in which we live, and the
circle Of society in which we move yet
surely this may be done to an extent sufficient
to avoid the charge of singularity, without the
sacrifice either of modesty or good taste.
Whatever may be the beneficial influence
Of fashion upon the interest of the country
at large, its effects upon individual happ
ness are injurious in proportion to their ex
tent; and in what region Of the world, o
among what grade of humanity, has no
this idol of the gilded shrine, this divinity o
lace and ribbons, welded the sceptrc of
sovereign, and asserted her dominion owe
mankind7 All bow before her, though man,
of her subjects disclaim her title, and profes
10 despise her authority. Nor is her terrific
ny less expensive, because her empire
one of trhes. From the ermine Of the mon
arch to the sandal of the clown; from tn
bishops lawn, to the itnerant's cravat; fror
the hero's mantle, TO the mechanics apron
il is fashion alone which regulates the form
the quality and the cost.
Fashion is unjustly spoken Of as presidin
only in the festive dance, the lighted hal
the crowded court. Would that her influenc
were confined to these alone ! but, alas W
y find her in the most scdate assemblies, COO
ing down each tint of coloring that else migI
glow too warmly, smoothing ofTexcrescence
and rounding angle to one general unlfo,
nifty ofshape and tone. Her task, howeve
d is but short one here, and she passes o
d through all the busy haunts of life, neglect
= ing neither high nor low, nor rich nor poo
n until she enters the very sanctuary, and bow
Il before the altar, not only walking with I'll
j. multitude who keep holy day, but bendr
l. in sable sorrow over the last and deare
ID friend committed 10 the tomb. Yes, thel
II is something monstrous in the thought, tn
ID we cannot weep for the dead, but fashic
ST must disguise our grief; and that we cal
al not stand before the altar, and pronount
that solemn vow, which the deep heart of w
y man alone can fully comprehend, but fashie
Ii must be especially consulted there.