Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-04-06
A Moral Sirocco.

The more intimately become acquaint-
ed with the genius Of Fashion, the more
see in il to deplore. l once regarded the
evils connected with il as comparatively
slight-rather as caricatures to be laughed
at than otherwise. They now appear 10
me in different light. cannot resist the
conviction that to these evils there is at
tached moral character-that, as the hot
wind Of the desert blasts every herb and
flower 10 its path. so the influence Of FASH
ion, when il is powerfully exerted in the
family constitution, degrsdes, debases and
blights the heart, and especially the heart
OF the young. The devolee Of fashion can
find little or no leisure for the concerns Of
the soul. No one can serve God and FASH
ion. True, every iudicious mother knows
the evils Of inordiuaie attachment 10 this
idol. But are they all fully aware Of the
extent of thsse evils; or il aware OF them,
are they sufficiently watchful in guarding
their children from the influence Of the
idolf l think not and my heart is sad,
when | see. as frequently do, so much aPa-
thy on the part Of mothers, when they must
perceive that their children are breathing
the infected atmosphere OF fashionable life,
which must eventually exert upon the mind
and soul an influence for evil which ii were
almost impossible to counteraci. How Of.
ten have | heard parents lamentng, with
bitter regret, that their daughters had fall
en- under this influence, and seemed bound
by spell Of terrible power, when, if timely
ccnnsel had been given. or. ghs, is better.
if their children. early in life, had been with
drawn from the sphere Of the temptation, it
appeared morally certain that they would
have escaped. And yet, there are thou
sands of mere children. scarcely able to
speak intelligibly, who are undergoing just
the system Of education that is fitting them
for this condition, directly under the eye,
too, of an affectionate, pious mother, who
would sacrifice a right eye rather than con-
tribute 10 her daughters passion for this
idol.
The other day met lady and her
daughter. an only child, not seven years Of
e,who is now woman, so far as the world
of fashion is concerned. The mother does
not see it but many Of her friends are well
aware of il, aud trembie as they see the
daily and hourly illustrations Of il. | called
the little girl 10 me, when noticed the d.
rection which her mind was taking so pre-
maturely, aud said to her,
"Julio, il you were rich, what would you
do with your money T.
, "Oh," said she, Il would have beauti
fol carriage, lined with crimson velvet jus
like Mrs. BellAower's, and such fine hors
es, and would live in a great house, ant
have ever so many servants. | would have
and here followed catalogue Of dresses
} sufficiently extended and rich TO satisfy AM
reasonable mantuamaker in Paris, One o
} the dresses, j believe, was TO have some 81,
} or eight dounces, and TO DO generously EN-
7 belished with gold-a dress which was Il
: be worn on state occasions only.
a "Bui Julia" said, "what else woul,
I you do with your money! You would no
/. spend il all in this way, would you 7"
Then followed another list Of Fashionable
Q arlic les, such as rich carpets, mirrors an
/; chandeliers. Oh, such grand parties as sh
i would give Everybody would be there.
" There was no place in her mind for any
i thing else. Even the usual establishment
], of family Of dolls, such as children at th
d age very naturally delight in, we're leii e.
a tirely out of the inventory.
l. This childs mind had been develope
q up 10 this period in her history. in fasl
5. ionable boarding.house, where the conye
u hations 10 gIcat eNent, was iespccttl
e these details. The child had heard III
T. gossip, and came logically enough to Il
4. conclusion, that nothing else in the univer
IN was so desirable. Now il does not requi
ID any great shrewdness 10 see that unless the
., is some counter influence exerted upon II
N child's mind. and exsrted speedily. she "
d, enter the vortex Of fashion and be whirls
I'd around in il until she 10 irreirieyably To-
IN The time TO save her is passing rapid
70. away. Why will not that mother see q
&c danger and act in view Of III why W
not all Christian parents take urn ana q
IT. cided stand against the influence Of the !.
RS demon, aud Tesolutely Determine 10 resi-
n! his ingress to their fresides, while The hear
k | Of their children are tender and pliable
rs, Mothers Maga=i'