Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-09-12
PEREGRINA ON THE FASHIONS.
WASHINGTON d. c., Sept. 7th.

w ASH1NGTON ID. u, Sept. fth.
GENTLEMEN My grandmother had a
fashion of mourning over the old times,
and speaking .contemptuously of those
customs and practices that are tolerated
in our day. She was particularly elo-
quent on the subject of dress. The fash
ions of 1853 are but a resurrection of
many that were alive when | was Young
and the censurc that my grandmother
bestowed on those Of my day would
apply to those of the present. Dear old
lady! She never tired talking of that
time she went to see Mrs. Gen. Wash
ngton, who wore on the occasion a
domestic gingham apron, and who launch
ed forth on the folly of an inordinate love
of dress, and wished the women of the
United States would spin their own
dresses, and not be so mad after foreign
silks. What would Mrs Gen. Washing
ton say if she could see one of our CITY
ladies dressedup for morning reception?
Wouldn't she open those round eyes of
hers wide enough! How would she look
in a gingham apron at one of our matt
nees! My grandmother was very fond
of eniarging on what she termed the
immortality Of certain style of Dress
She attributed all the sins of the nation
to the monthly importation of the fashion
plates from Paris. She hated French
women because her husband hated French
men.
always attributed my grandfather's
horror of foreigners, to little incident
that occurred when he was taking iaunt
from Philadelphia to New YORK. It was
in the early times, before people were
hurried from one place to another land
often from one world to another) in rail
road cars. My grandfather had occasion
to stay fer one night at little tavern on
the route, and he was forced to share the
sleeping room of another traveller, who
was Frenchman. He was very polite,
very talkative, and very handsome, at
least what you could see of his features
was: his eyes were dark and brilliant,
flashing under pair of heavy eyebrows.
his teeth was dazzling white, and the
little of his checks that was visible slowed
with healthy color. All the rest of his
face was covered with fine crop of hair.
After substantial supper, nay grandlath-
er was assisted off with his fart topped
boots, he was man of some account in
those days. and gracefully bidding the
company good night, he went to bed.
There he tossed and tumbled about, and
wished for the morning.
BY and by the Frenchman came in with
the softest of slippers, and Siding NY my
grandfather's bed, seated himself in the
ricketty arm chair that stood in the
corner. He folded his arms and seemed
about to yield his soul to contemplation.
But after a few moments he began to
shuttle and ya"n, and finally he made his
preparations for bed. My grandfather's
servent had hung his masters dress coat,
buff walstcoat, and ruffled shirt on The
pegs that were fastened in the wall. He
only occupied the half of them, for lie
knew that there was to be another gentle
man in the room and he considcratclv
left half of the pegs for his use. When
the Frenchman showedsymptoms of going
to bed my grandfather modestly turned
his head to the wall, but unconsciouslv
he was soon again gazing at the remains
of the fire, and without intending it. he
witnessed the exertions of his companion
in the way of undressing.
First, he drew off his glossy wig, and
stroking il as child does her pet kitten,
he hung it upon one of the pegs. Next
he took off his whiskers, moustaches,
goatie, and another little tuft he wore
about his chin, and hung them On the
right peg. My grandfather tried to look
away but was fascinated, for there was
the Frenchman with his jaws wide apart.
while ne carefully extracted from them an