Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-06-29
ORIGIN OF BUSTLES.

lhe Origin of Bustes; chapter taken from
Kate in search of a Husband" We take it as
granted that the ladies will be edited by the fol-
lowing history. and for explanation to them, we
remark that Kate - was supreme in all matters
ing conversation and wager, she had worn a very
fantastic dress of orange silk so arranged as to
endue her with wild appearance. This orange
silk took and became the rage:
"She accompanied Lizzy and Dan Grant, and
both herself and Elizabeth were arrayed with ex.
treme simplicity; but what was Rates vexaton
on entering the rooms, to see her aunt decked out
in a tawdry orange silk and what was still worse.
when thebride appeared, she too was arrayed in
a dark orange color! Ellen had naturally a pale
ana sailow countenance, and her dress made her
look ghasty. There were several other ladies'
present, who also had "tolloaoed The fashion,
"A company Of yellow BIRDS" remarked Kate
to Lazy; land the gentlemen in their black
dresses, we may call crows.
{" lou are to blame for all this,'' replied Lizzy.
"And so SUPPOSE continued Kate, :" must
never be guilty ola folly, nor wear my nght.cap
wrong -sIde-out, for fear the whole world will copy
my pattern. If they are such fools, will make
them all manner of birds before the winter is
over"
|
approach Of Mrs. Marvin, kate's aunt. "Whv.
nlece." said she (for she was fond of proclaiming
their relationship "why did you not wear your
splendid orange! %
" never would have worn it," replied Kate,
"lt had thought it would have made spirit
bride and wrinkled witch" Mrs. Marvin. an
CRY with vexation, did not reply.
" " hat looking company we had last night"
remarked Doctor Sprague the next morning. at
Mr. Grants. 1.-The butterflies have made their
appearance so soon, that we may anticipate an
early spring.
Your evidence of spring must have originated
IN Miss Marvin's BRAIN" replied Dan.
"lrue," rejoined the Doctor, and lhoreby
Is illustrated a favorite opinion of mine, namely.
'haI Inc mass do not think, and consequently have
no no taste. The many are dependent upon the few
Discoveries are made, and theories Introduced not
by communities. but by individuals. 1t is the
same IN matters oftasto and fashion the multitude
follow tho leaders,
:. lou are very fatering TO the ladies' general
Iy," remarked Lizzy. Mot more so than tru,b.
becoming TO their own persons and compexions
and II IS followed, without the slightest variation
or adaptation. by cthers.'
"Now, doctor,' interrupted Dan, {" YOU are get
ting INTO one Of your sweeping lectures. and do
not allow for anything but your own individual
UpiUiUn.''
"Aly opinion reioncd the doctor, -. believe
IS correct, and founded upon impartial observa-
ton. do not caro- how ridiculous a fashion the
leaders Of the ton may adopt provided it does no,
sacrifice more than half tho modestv and nine
tenths of the common sense of tho ladies, il will
receive the sanction of the mass. Perhaps few
Will prefer 10 retain their own Judgment but thev
will be sneered at, and called prudcs.''
What loss TO society and taste, doctor, re-
marked Aunt Martha, tha: you were not born
a mner, lnstea$ of a philosopher"
''Probably for as great power, of mind have
been exercised TO invent, construct, and adapt
novelty of fashion. as were brought into acton by
the invention of any novelty in mechanics" re-
joined the doctor.
doctor, we must allow you to enjoy your own
opinion, for with you well know that an argu-
ment is but the loss of ours,'' remarked Dan.
"But could give you positive dem onstration
of the truth Of my position"
"W hich one - asked Kate.
"That the mass do not think in matters of taste.
any moro than in the problems of science. If
| Miss Elizabeth and Miss Marvin will adopt any.
thing that may suggest-and will not ask them
10 violate any principle of proprety further than
the adoption Of some ridiculous fashion, some dis
torton Of form or feature--l will lay wager
with you, that within six weeks it shall begin to
be adopted by others, and within six months we
shall find copies of it in all grades Of society,""
'Done," replied Dan; "done for a wager of
one hundred dollars"
"And shall | have your assistance, ladies %
asked the doctor.
"Upon the condition that win the money,
whoever may loose it," they replied. Sand now,
what is it to be -
81 must have time to decide upon that an.
swered the doctor.
"Have the girls copy my crooked spine,'' said
Aunt Martha
"No, no. interrupted Dan. not that. Our
deformties Of person, aunt, you know, do not ef.
feet the love and respect that our worth Of mind
and heart command from particular friends; bu
but"
"But-but. Dam continued Aunt Martha, "
know what you would say, but-but fear to wound
my feelings. You think, moreover, that an actu-
al dcformty would not find admirers, and it would
not be giving the doctor fair chance. But SC
much the better for you, my honorable, sensitive
nephew and would it not be deed Of benevo
lence to bring your, poor deformed aunt into fash
jon not follower of fashion, but the fashion it.
self? What say you, doctor! Your meditation
is profound.'
"What you have suggested is a hard trial
nevertheless, if these ladies' have the courage to
copy your crooked spine -" las you call the un.
fortunate deformity of your person,) and wear ii