The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-19
From Use Cincinnati Times.
The Turkish Drcss.

From Tie Cincinnati Times.
The Turkish Dress.
There has been great deal Of twaddle published
lately to show how daring the ladies are going to
be. in introducing style of drcss. We see it
stated that it will certainly be done-that certain
ladies have ventured to appear in tho streets OF
New York, Philadelphia, and Syracuse, &c. The
origin Of this foolery in the latter place, vii
lage in wsstsrn New York. district of country
famous for innovations ON established landmarks
in morals science, politics, and common sense.
Thersabouts, when boy, we first heard of steam
doctoring, and learned that Johnny RaO, fresh
patent, be qualified 10 practice medicine on the
steam prin cipIs. The Millerism a few years since
had armies of disciples, and, more recently, that
smart For family called spirits up from the Vastly
deep for dollar sight, to rap the small remains
of common sense cut of the weak noodles Of the
credulous, par excellence. There the pure aboli-
tionists give vent to tho rawlings of troubled
sciences, and pass resolutions insulting the Gov
eminent. only to demonstrate their entire igno-
rance Of morals, government, and patriotism.
This is an ago of excitement and innovation.
Changes in all matters connected with real pro-
grsss are frequent, and unhcsitatingly entered
upon.
But the thinker and the scholar know that the
dress or costume of people is never changed sud-
denly, AND great innovations are only made in it
by slow degrees. The dress of people is q part
Of their character. their civilization and existence.
You might well attempt to change their Ian
guage, religion, or government. II has been
changed in nations, but only after their complete
conquest and subjugation Fashion, that tyrant Of
the hour, may sometimes modify it, SO as almost
to effect . change. but only to come back to its
original starting place. The head-dress OF gen.
tlsinan in western Europe and America. for the
last thousand years, has been a hat.
Sometimes it has been high, and shaped like a
sugar loaf-sometimes low. and slouching-at
others, broad and hcavy-but it has always been q
worn turbaps. The same may be said OF every
garment of dress. The sh ,rt clothes and doublet
Of the l4th and 18th centuryrNrc nothing more than
pans vest, and cloak Of our day, different in style
Where people have been conquered, it was the
frequent practice of the conqucrors to root out what
remained of the national spirit by compelling them
to change their dress. Hence, in l745, after the
conquest of the Highlanders of Scotland, and the
ruin Of the adhorents of Charles Stuart, the Brit
ish government determined to compel the High
anders 10 change their dress in order to extingush
the martial spirit which its associations Inspired.
After the chiefs of the clans had been banished,
mandng points filled with forts and soldiers, the
order Of the government was issued and vigorously
enforced. The cries and sobs Of the Gael sounded
through tho world; but the thing was done, and
the pride of the Highlander disappeared.
Zhengis Khan, the great Tartar conqueror Of
China compelled tho Chinese to change their drsss
and to shave their heads, all but the long tail,
which they wear plated at the top Of the crown.
Il was done TO distinguish the conqueror from the
conquered To this day the Tartar soldiers, through
the empire of China, wear their hair rs straight
and long ~ the European. No great changes have
ever been made in the dress or style Of people
cept by violence.
The flowing robes, which ia tho present dress OF
| the females of Europe and America, has been hal
lowed by time for thousands of years. 1t is re-
| lnarkable for is modesfy and dignity. 1t can be
| accommodated to all changes OF climate and lati-
tude; and to tall fine figure, with an animated
walk, what can be more becoming and enchant-
ing e.. .p;., a..,, b., .d,,,,.r. y .,,,,,, -
be admirably adapted to the character of the ma
ton who wears it. III light, fantastical, and flip
pant.
cept excite desire, minister to the pleasures OF
the "lords OF creation" They are closely confined
| in the house, and uneducated, except in triies.
The daughters of the rich are given away as pre-
| SCENTS, and those of the poor sold as property.
Their dress, like their character, is intended te
excite the dallianco of the hour. We know not
what our ladies can see attractive in such ex-
arnples.
| In our society pure religion and more elevated
| philosophy has enlarged the heart of man, and
drawn woman towards him as his friend, most
dear-as his companion, most near-to mitigate his
sorrows. or 70 share his prosperity. That empire
and purity Of character. 1t can only DO preserved
by cultvatng the instincts Of the true woman. Her
very delicacy and feebleness her best defence.
| Tcrmagants and men women may hold conven-
tions and pass resolutions about the rights of the
| sex-the inconvenience of their dress, the tyranny
| of men, &c.-they are but the gaseous exhalations
of the corrupions Of the times, as leeting as the
air.
| The sphere of woman is in the domestic circle.
| She is not expected to encounter the dangers and
perform the duties for which nature seems cspeci-
ally to have adapted the sterner The beauty
Of her form, the delicacy of her mind, have given
to her different, though not ess important desti-
ny. Let no frivolous love of change or giddiness
| Of mind weaken those instincts OF modcstv ard
| Of dignity which cothe her with divinity.
| We shall lose that confidence we have always had
in tcomans tact, If the suggested change in her
| drcss receives the least countcnancc.
| NorIcE OF THE IRrsH soNosrR Ess, MISS HAYS
The following notice Of concert given by Mis-
Hays in London on the evening Of the 18th OF May
appears in the London sun Of the following day:
Yesterday morning Mig Catharine Hays, tn,
English prima donna assoluta, who is, we are sorry
to say, about to leave shores for America gave
| : Grand fnrcwelI cOncert At he Hanovcr Soma RI