The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-18

| large or twice as small as they are now, they
wouio De entirely proper and appropriate. One
kind OF bonnet is, in the nature of things M
more out of place or in place than another.
how do you like my new hat?" asked a mer.
ry giri OF her practical, middIe-ased cousin.
wen, was the reply, that is good which
iuihis the end for which it is made" l beg
leave to inquire what is the real end and aim of
bonnet? To cover the head? By no means
Know that commonplacedom lifts its hands in
molly horror, and cries, "St. Paul commanded
IT.; Marry, did he; but did he mean that the
whole head should be covered, or only part of
II! III the former, put your head in bag, and
draw the string tightly about the neck. | see
no otner way to obey his injunctions. If the
iaI'er, pray, how came you to know that he
meant the top of the head, and not the front
st. Paul, forsooth Just as if the holy men of
old were moved by the Holy Ghost to prescribe
the particular fashion of a nineteenth century
head.dress
LIZ the OBJECT of the bonnet to keep the head
warm But woollen comforters wrapped about
the ears would far better accomplish that pur.
pose: Is 1t to protect the face from the sun ?
Not IN the least Parasols are all sufficient: and
I are there not shakers and broad brimmed hats
Tor the seaside and the mountains? You NAV
as well confess at once. Bonnets are worn. be-
cause 1t Is the fashion to wear them If we were
IN those parts of Europe where bonnets are
discarded IN favor OF caps, we should discard
bonnets, and favor caps. If the mode were to
wreath the tresses with green veil, everywhere
green wells would wreath the tresses. lit were
to fasten palmleaf fan on the top of the comb.
everywhere combs would be attached to palm
leaf fans. This is as it should be. When we
are In Rome, We should do as the Romans do.
unless the Romans sacrifice to idols. The whole
tone OF thought and feeling which underlies the
fashion may be wrong, but the fashion itself.
being but the natural product of the soil, is not
reprehensible. 1t would be illogical to saw that
the Panamaian, in his national costume of a
straw hat and cigar, is addressed, though it
would be very logical to educate him so that he
snail desire a less simple and primitive garb
1t has been said by excessively modest people,
that the present style of bonnets is bold and
brazen. pray to know if the head is thing
to be ashamed of. Women go into crowded
and promiscuous assemblies without any bon
nets at all, and no whisper of reproach is
breathed. 1t 1t were the custom to 60 into the
streets IN the same way, it would be equally
innocent. The whole matter is conventional
She Is modestly and well-dressed, who does not
attract attention; and when all bonnets are
small, small bonnet does not attract attention.
The great question with me-" said
gentleman, "is, whether women wear bonnets
at all. cannot, for the life of me, find out"
My good sir it is not of the slightest Importance,
whether you do or not. You may 90 down to
your grave in the same blissful ignorance, and
the world will wag on not whit the less mer-
riy. only, II this is the great question which
sgitates mems minds, Heaven save us from the
little ones
The only objection that has the least SEM
blance of sense is, that the exposure of the head
induces tlc-doloreux, headache, and a variety
OF acute diseases, too numerous and too horri. !
BILE to mention. But the appalling catalogue
VIII be stripped of half its terrors when you re.
hect that it comes from the doctors-you can.
not be so simple as to suppose that they would |
write and speak against any fashion that really |
did bring them in such feast of fat things
BY continuation ofthe same illogical reason. |
ing, or, rather, the same lack of reasoning, that
prevails in respect of the bonnet proper. the
cape comes in for share of the general obiur.
CATION. Don't buy a bonnet" said young
husband, deploriugly to his wife, which shall
She assented, like the dutful wife that she is I
but l see no reason why narrow cape is any
more desirable or proper than broad one-why |
a cape should not come half the way or all the |
way down the waist; nay, there are decided |
reasons why it should, in regard of the pro-
lection it gives the neck so if women should |
tacitly agree to have eapes yard long, there
would be no room for cavil.
My private opinion, summed up in few |
words, is, that if men would let bonnets and pet |
ticoats alone, and look a little more to the af- |
fairs of state, and strive to avert the dangers |
that threaten their hearths and homes, it would |
be better for them, and better for the world, !
and Just as well for the petticoats and bonnets.