The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1854-11-23
FASHION AND DISEASE.

2tl 10 Nlttl .---l - Z ,a e's4 So0
The editor of the Scalps', in avery inter-
esling article iu the August number Of that
excellen, work, on the crippled condition Of
of the lungs in woman, makes tue following
sensible remarks, which we commend 10
the attention Of every female: , ~ .a
"Only look at the position of fashiona-
| bly-dresset woman, sitting in her rocking
chair, embroiderirg; see the approximation
OF her arms, and the bent neck and body.
The chest containing the lungs has 10 sus-
lain the whole weight of the head aud arms;
they hang upon il almost like pieces of dead
flesh; the intestines are forced down upon
the womb, and the grea. blood vessels ,ha,
supply ibs limbs are compressed. There is
the beautiful spine superbly arched by the
Great Artist, with lis exquisiiely arranged
and graceful curves, TO bring The centre of
gravity between The feet, the very line of
beauty. its unmatched aud unequalleL elas-
tic substance between each bone, 10 take
of the shock OF every step, the coIar-bo
TO keep the arms apart, aud 10 allow the
lungs full play, and 10 show khe beauty Of
the breas, and throat, with beautiful and
grand muscles on the back 10 keep back the
shouders-th e whole woman--sa dream of
Eden when The world was young; and Look
only look at tie best results of fashionable
socriels. Great heavens! Spirits of Guido
aud Raphael, do ye behold her! Shades OF
Hunter and Bell, do not your bones rattle in
your graves al the spectacle Such respira-
lion with The lungs poisoned and ifrilated in
the atmosphere of the parlor, and the rank
and slifine smell of magnificent velvet
carpet, filled with dust, Tor The simple rea.
son tha, it cannot be swept away the light
OF heaven shutou, by blinds and curtains,
will sllae three-quafters OF the natural de-
mand for air; exercise and food, it will con.
gest the hands and eye-lids, rob The color
less blood vessels thai noursh the window
or pellncij cordes of the eye and give il
It's sparkling luslre, and tho skin its fairness,
make The finger nails blue, take away tn
capscily and muscular power to hold up the
head and keep the shoulders back, consti-
rate ths bowels by robing them OF their se-
cretious and the constant motion impaired
by full supply of air 10 their muscular
coat, and make the whole wornenna mere
half-vilalized machine, fit only to give the
sickly replies Of mental insanity to the in
sultng twaddle she expects to receive from
the male fool that sits before her. This is
the actual condition of almost every fash.
ionsble woman, ia the city, and it is brought
about mainly by want of exercise che is
unable 10 take from the construction of her
dress, and the slavish adherence TO fashion;
Indeed she does not dream of its necessity |,
she feels the wrelehed lethargy that presses
with ieaden weight upon her soul; she
knows that ihe glad earth is full Of music of
love and happiness her smoihered instincts
tell hershs oughsto share them, but mo-
notonous conven.ionalism threatens her with
ostTacism if she allows ray of nature To
warm the generous impulse INTO life. Great
God when look upon the beautiful and
fair faces of my country women, as they
move before me like so many automaia, un-
der the iron despolism of that bloodlsss and
slckly thing called fashion, my soul is sick
at the spectacle, and ] am glad to escape in-
10 The forest where can see the wild bird
bymning the praises Of his Creator, and lis.
ten 10 The unchecked murmur OF the winds,
and the loapiog of the dancing rivulet, aud
when | feturn 10 the duties Of lille, | look
from my window upon the little spot Of YER
dure city prison allows me, aud hear the
murmur Of bee, and see the little hum-
mins.bird slipping the nectar from the hon.
eysuckle, my heart yet leaps with childish
deIigh. as the lovely little creatures swings
upon The branches I return 10 my task, and
J. feel ihvt IL I had The eioquehce and be.
nevolence Of Christ, could spend my life
In no better cause than attempting her in
slruciion in the laws Of her being, and
showing her how beauty and lruti. love and
simplicity are insepetable connected with
the sublime science Of life.