Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-06-18
rns enEAr TnowsER MovEaiENr.

ONCh S,OiAiS Oll OOtnSNh
caution with which we contemplate all rash
and novel innovations upon old and estab-
lished customs, and decided tendencies to
favor some change in the reigning fashion
Of female attire. The movement, however,
has assumed a serious, yea, solemn as
pect, and it becomes us to "speak out, and
say under which King"
The issue may be presented in a para
phrase of "HAMLET's Soliloquy. =
TrOwscrs or no trowsers' ,ha, is The question;
Whether Ills better for the sex 10 suffer
The Inconvenience Of trailing dresses;
Or apply scissors 10 the flowing shiris
And amputating, end ,hem' To dof,--to DOM
No more and by one step to say we end
The back. ache, and the thousand Other ills
Entailcd on woman.
Who would fardcls bear,
To grunt and sweat under a score of skirts
But that the dread Of public sentiment
That tyrant grim, before whose lrown, aoashed'
All creatures shrink--puzzles the wills
And makes US rather bear the ills we have
Than fly to prOffercd succOr.
This is the position assumed by those
bold pioneer reformers, of the genuine 60
ahead school, who have not only advocated
the movement, but donned the ''inexpres-
sibles." Every day brings fresh tidings OF
progress, and the hitherto rePuted lords
of creation are beginning to tremble in their
shoes for the safety Of their trousers.
After reflection and elaboration becom-
ing the magnitude and importance of the
proposed change, we have concluded to &C.
cupy middle ground. There are many ar
guments in favor of some curtailment Of the
present fashionable skirt. Comfort, econo-
my, convenience and health all suggest the
propriety of change in the number if not
the length of the skirts now said to be worn
by the ladies'. "The weight of several long
and full skirts pressing on the waist without
support from the shoulders is sufficient to
condemn the fashion" A dress about the
length of those worn by girls of twelve,
with graceful trowsers clasped around the
ANGLES, would, in the opinion of the writer,
be unoblcctionable, if not decidedly prefera-
bic to the present robes Of Grecian length
and useless amplitude. To guard against
upward tendencies, we would have the
length of skirts regulated by law, and le-
gal standard of measurement adopted by
which they might be kept within prescribed
limits.
But we can 90 no farther. With that un-
generous spirit Of usurpation which would
greedily grab the entire pantaloons, cat all
hazards and to the last extremity we have
no sympathy. Unless resisted with similar
determination it may leave mankind not
only minus the inexpressibles, but clad in
the cool costume of Georgia cavalier du-
ring a summer campaign. The signs OF
the times are ominous of fearful innovations
upon the rights and prerogatives of that re-
spectacle portion of humanity belonging to
the masculine gender AS We have had
occasion to remark heretofore, the sword,
IN its process of transformation INTO the
ploughshare, seems destined to assume the
intermediate shape of the broomstick, and
and unless, some powerful astringent be ap-
Piled to the growing spirit of conquest, the
female world will soon be community OF
Mistress CAUDLEs. The unsubdued tenn
per that is now manifested only in the chat
terings of curtain lecture, will give place
to open rebellion and "reign of terror =
The blushing bellies of to-day will be the
dashing amazons ofto-morow, and the lord
| ly gentlemen of the present generation, the
submissive serfs of another.
In view of all the difficulties surrounding
the question we may well advise
| "Be not the first by whom the new is tried
Nor yet the last to lay the old aside;"
and, if this advice is acted upon, We guess
the pettiioones will not make their appear
ance in our neighborhood for some time to
come.