Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1850-05-02
FRIDAY, APRIL 20,

sy~ Fashion rules this world Of sin. 1t
ofiicia,es as presiding goddess a, our birth,
it performs the duties Of god-moher during
all the changes and phases of life, and, at
last, it pioianes the solemnity of the hour
Of death in its mnistratons as grand high
priest. We are uncOnsciously influenced
by Fashion, and we daily do many weak
and foolish things because they are fashion,
able, and we have not the nerve to resist
the infatuated spell which sezes and holds
us, despite the occasional resistance of our
butter nature. How many thousands are
seduced fom the holier path of life by this
inexorable power of evil When once en-
listed under its banner, and enrolled among
its thoughlless devotees, we can hardly sew
or tho links which bind US, AMI stand aloof
in manly or womanly firmness. Many
participate in the delusive lollies of the day,
not from a desire to be always in the thral-
dom. but because they cannot resist the i'm
pulse which drags them into it; yet, if
they had a true friend who dared bid def
ance to the power which seixes and binds
to the wheels of its destructive chariot, who
would kindly and gently guide them into
another and safer path, and constantly watch
over them in the most dangerous moments
Of temptation, they mig I soon be rescued
from the burning course which will nevlia-
by lead lhem to destruction. The mazes
of Fashion are as manifold as the evils
which issued from Pandora's box, and a.
though they are apparently har Mess to ap-
pearance, they are, in fact, blighting in
their operation and deadly in their effects.
There is no virtue, n > morality in Fashion
1t had It's frs. origin in debased hearts, and
although it may commence in innocent
amusements, it c. DIS in dcba ing sin. No
deyolec of Fashion can live in peace, no
child of the world who is a sorbed in the
follies of the age, can live happy or q ho-
ly life, for The irivolllics of Fashion distract
the mind, and inbue it with earthliness,
w,hou, sanctifying il with single virtue.
Fashiona lie pursuits are the iinselled en-
belshnen,s OF life, which may glitter for
tho mumen', and perhaps dazzle the mex
per;enced eye; but in a little time they be-
come worn and useless, and then they only
corrode all which they tonth, and Jlslgutc
everything to which they are attached
Humanity has lis weaknesses, and Fashion
pampers to their frally aud although j!
may haze seductive charm for many, for
period, yet it is all cvarescen', and the
hour must come when the spell will be bro
ken, and woman, especially, is then Ietl
alone on the wild ocean of life, with no
friendly hand to guide her, with no expc-
rienced mind TO counsel her, and with no
true heat TO love her. because sic has re.
isc,ed all these means of happiness in the
unfortunate hour when the demon oi Fash
ion swaycd her soul.
All, she is like a fabric built Of stone,
With fair proportions, but the guest is gone.
Her hope is dead the vital spark is lost
In that black sea whose waves are never to.sd.
No warm tear starts from her wild rolling eye,
And from her bosom comes no deep-drawn sigh;
Her soul is frozen by midnight chill,
She feels not, for she has power or will,-
No strength for aught, except the buried past,
And that is poisoned like the Dead Seas blast.
All, tell me not that this is Fancy's gcam,
The wild romancing Off Poets dream;
Tell me not this, for Woman's self know,
And this is but Il picture of her woc,-
The ghost that's risen in ideal gloom
Of that cold corpse in her hearts colder tomb.