The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-07

~ A correspondent of the Public Ledger
makes some curious remarks on the pro-
posed change Of dress for the gentler sex As il ia
impossible to introduce 30 great an innovation
suddenly, even If the present fashion was ever
30 ridiculous, incomodous or indecorous, we
would suggest to those among our fair ones
who wish to try the experiment, to commence
by wearing the outer dress so long that the
trousers shall scarcely be seen. Thus without
offending prejudices too openly, the improve
ment, u improvement ii is, would surely work
its way into public favor. Frock- coats had bet
ter not be adopted simultaneously
FRocKs AID TROUsERs.--WHATI rs MoDEsrY
.Messrs Editors The fashion of frock and
trousers for women. which some of the sex in
the State of New York are endeavoring to in
troduce, is generally commended by the press.
The New York Tribune quotes the approval of
a great number of respectable journals. There
are few doubters and carpers. however, the
substance of whose objections, when sifted,
seems to be solely and simply that short skirt
and pantaloons is an immodest style Of femin-
inc costume Now, what is modesty in dress
i Ho luth Is Windy cOuVtHtlOHdI. IL may Dt
anything that custom makes it. We have author
ity, which few are willing to dispute, that The
only recorded instance Of absolute innocence in
man and woman was when they lived together
in state of perfect nudity. If they sinned af-
forwards in this state, it does not appear that
the want of clothing had anything to do with
their lapse from virtue. But it does appear,
most expressly, that when once fallen, their own
Imagination, not Gods injunction or the primal
suggestion of pure mind, made nakedness
shameful. If it was so with the first pair of man.
kind it il so still. Modesty in dress is an affair
Of the Imagination, which may become prescrp-
tive, and therefore seem natural to those who do
not reflect on the subject.
Protection from the influence of the weather
on the person is necessary. Common sense says
that this necessity should be supplied with the
fewest possible drawbacks; and taste says that
when art hides nature, it should be done attrac-
lively, or at least agreeably to the eye. This is
the whole philosophy of dress. If it appear that
a fashion is inconvenient or ugly, that is reason
enough to change it, and no argument can stand
againt such reason. Our prudish women think
themselves abundantly modest when their robes
sweep the ground. A Persian would look upon
their naked faces as fragrant breach of deca-
~. If We may judge of our grandmothers cos
June by their time-honored portraits, their con-
in snce must have been very questionable, as
'uming bare busts and easy virtue TO be convert
BILE phrases. And yet their memories need
shrink from no other test. There is profound
ruth in the motto, "honi sol qui mai pense"
EVIL be to Him who evil thinks. A prurient
ancy may feed its fire with the cold marble of
he Medician Venus; but chastity like charity
hinketh no evil. If no improperly ia intended, |
propar mind will diocnvar mana Modaot,, IN
lress must be guaged by this rule and this only. |
1t is more than doubtful whether the land of
Sutanas will find majority of practical ad-
nirers here in this matter of female costume |
Habits and prejudice are too strong for so great
reform. But many other things are not which
ought to be. There is no question that women
suffer materially in health and comfort from the
present style of dress-to say nothing of the
nastiness Il use the word thoughtfuly as a just
" expressive one) of sweeping the streets of a
city with costly trains, the weight of several
long and full skirts pressing on the waist, with
no support f:om the shoulders, is sufficient to
condemn the fashion. And yet it will prevail
here rs long as il has the sanction Of European
Boast we may Of our national independence,
we are still in many respects, in which reason
demands liberty,- mere slaves of our cotempora-
ries abroad If Victoria were to take it into her
head to wear buclskin breeches and a jockey
jacket, there would be little difficulty among
our prudish danes in discovering the pink of
propriety in that mode Of arraypg themselves.
Here is after all, the secret of opposition to the
Turkish innovators. They have no court sane
ton this side of Stamboul. The time will come
when this country will dictate ideas and customs
to the world, in other than political matters, as
in these it is already doing. For that time our
fair reformers must wait patiently. Meanwhile,
if they must fall, let their virtue at least suffer
no impeachment SHORT SKIRTS.