Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1851-07-16
Female Dress.

We scarcely open an exchange without finding some
thing in relation TO the style of female dress OF
all the papers, political literary, religious &C. be-
lieve not one in ten can be found which oppose it,
We regard this reform in female attire with more
than ordinary interest We regard il as affecting the
health and happnes and morals of the whole nation
of the whole world. 1t is as impossible for female
who ncloses her lungs and heart a tight bodice and
who wears long skirts fastened closely just below her
lungs, to enjoy good health and TO impart good con-
stitution to her offspring, it is for river up
a mountain. Hence the health of the whole nation is
affected And If the health then the morals for it
impossible willfuy TO violate ply steal laws without
violating moral laws. And if the health and morals,
then the happiness for never be happy in the
violation of physical and moral laws, till God himself
shall change.
If these views correct, land there is not doubt
of itO then there is something than fancy or ca
price in this matter of dress. Every sensible woman
and especially every Christon woman should 90 a.
bout the reform high and holy duty not to aban-
don it at the first scowl of prejudice or at the first
hooting of the rabble.-And whoever adopts the new
dress should, in the commencement make this reform
thorough 1t is not half the reform to shorten the
skirts the rest consists in making the waist perfectly
loose, and IN throwing off all unnecessary skirts She
who goes into the matter from principle will not only
adopt the style, but will help 10 make the style what
the laws of health require.
There is another reason for adopting the new cos
tune which, though not very important is not with
out weight 1t is that it originated in own coun-
try out of the large cities, and among the vrtuous and
good. Now we admit that good fashion should be a.
]
| ions have SO long been the offspring of French m
ners and French prohgates the fashionable world has
almost come to look to those characters for every
change: and with what prospect of hereafter obtain
ing really heathfu comely and useful fashions the
history of the past too plainly shows. Now when the
high minded, vrtuous females of own country
learn that they have the power TO control this matter
of fashions, independent of France or her progate
spawn, it will be great point gained both in fashions
and morals. And when the doubtful characters of our
large cities learn that their services no longer re-
qured in handing French fashions to the inteli-
gent females of the interior, the knowledge will be
useful to all concerned. These considerations there
fore should have some weight with those who are ex-
aiming the matter but still the great question should
be-ls the change that is right9 If So no con-
sideratons whatever should deter any independent f-
male from adopting it,
And when female has made up her mind that the
new style is more convenient, more beahful and less
expensive than the DID, and that it ought to prevail
she should not wait TO whether Mrs. Fearful and
Mrs Doubtful her neighbors who also favor IT, will a.
dept it. Reforms can never be made in that way If
there is an independent female in any neighborhood
who is convinced that the style is better than the
old she should at adopt and continue it, though
foes ridcule and friends desert Let every one who
favors it do this, and the work is accomplished We
admit that four months ago il required an amount of
moral courage which few females possess But that
time has passed and four months have shown that the
reform has the counenance of almost the entire press
and of the greater part of the intelligent and vir.
tuous of both all over the country Then why
should any one now be fearful p WyOaing IN ~
Mirror