The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-09-26
No.


ways has been fckle and inexplcable
jade, whose extravgancies and nconsist-
encies goodly number, especially of the
fair sex. have ever shown themselves anx-
ious to follow. fashion, sol,ng as she in
duces departure from convenience and
good sense only. merely excites our laugh
ter or contempt; but when with her firm
and long established prestige, she influ-
ences her gentle votaries to part company
with meek eyed Modesty, she richly de-
serves to be decrie,l.
To eschew as useless homely, and
come at once to our point, why is it that
ladies of fashion and position, as they are
happy to be considered, can so far forget
what belongs to proper decorum and del
lcacy, as TO adopt a style of dress to which
1t would seem no truly virtuous woman
can submit without flushing? Why is it
that they can expose to the gaze of ever y
roue and idls lounger > portion Of those
charms, which no condition of social eth
les, no regard for dienseance, no jealous
love OF honor should for moment toler-
ate?
Have the days when modesty was re.
garded as the cheifest of woman's Jewels.
passed away? Has purity Of mind, and
much more purity of semblance, ceased
to be held in estimation among the fair
daughters of our land? We trust not in
deed though daily oceular experience
would point another faith.
1t has lohg been mystery 10 us--aud
Its solution we have resolved in vain
how women-not ladies', for that is false,
flimsy and unpoetioal term-who think
rightly and would cause holy thoughts in
others, can SO far forget what self-sespect
claims, and what modesty demands, as to
expose in the most tempting shape and
attractive fashion, part of the human
form with which only the dearest and
most tender ties should render man famil-
lar. Are their motives innocent, or is
their judgement deficient? One or the
other surely must be the case.
We are not squeamish nor prudish, wo
think; (; and perhaps in our anli-journalis-
tic capacity, we might have no objection
objection to the prevalence of fashion
that is so generally admired by rakes and
lovers of the mysterious beautiful in nature
well it may be too, furthering as it does
the designs of the former and the gratif-
cation of the later ; but as supporters of
proper delicacy and well wishers of soeie.
ly, as admirers of genuine female loveli-
ness ond conservators of public morals, we
advocate the abandonment of "open boz
sons mot in metaphorical sense
which are most artistically arranged
To double every charm they seek to hide.
Fielding well advises women who would
Dc always secure, to guard zealously the
nest remote outworks of their virtue !; for
hose conquered, the citadel itself stands
n emminent danger. His thoughts has
pertinence to our present SUBJ
ect, we opne.
Men must indeed be Josephs now.a-
lays, since they are confronted hourly by
manifold temptations that would endanger
he most rigorous Carthusian's peace.
Do our fashionable ladies 60 half-clad
Or the purpose of having what is denud-
d gaved at? Have they determined to
xpose their bosoms to the Of curious
onnoisseurship? Are they rivals of each
ther to attract the warm and licentious
lances that we have always been taught
rue chastity sought to shun?
We are not Of the daughters Of Eve.
nd hence cannot answer ourselves. VIII
ome charitable lady of fashion enlighten
S and inform us if the days of Charles
le Merry, and Louis the Voluptuous.
ave dawned again?
We are earnest in our enquiries, and if
nr laudable curiosity in this cannot now
e satisfied, we may make inquiries to
otain response and in conclusion, we
dulge in the hope that some of the fair
lughers of our Western Metropolis will
ratify our humble selves without delay.
Cincinnati Daily Times.