The morning comet. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1856-1856, 1856-12-27
Written for the Gazette and Comet.
A STRING OF BEADS.
BY MMB. II. M. =.
CHARTER Afr Dress.

ted a more Or less expressed rebellion
aga nst the dominant fashions desires not
matured into intentions, intentions not
carried into practice to reform abuses in
the manner of clothing, have pervaded
the community very generally. 1ifaeed
there has been ladies convention at
the North, the object Of which was to
bring abottt'a simultaneous action to this
end. 1t appears from recent accounts
TINT the ladies of the French Imperial
| Court have been entertaining a similar
idea. How FIR the views Of the French
aud American women coincide, does not
appear from the reports which have reach
| ed lis. IF However mere common sense
we're exercised in both cases, there must
have been some thoughts in common
| Gentlemen have taken one rational step,
at least, in substituting the pliable easy
soft hat, for, the, absured stove pipe, but
ladies need to model their costume, fTem
the crown of the head to the solo of the
lbub. L EiH tttSbHu bDubEb 10 VI NV NSV
whatever The pretty "Frenth Cottage"
worn ten years since, which covered the
head shaded the eyes and protected the
complexion from sun or wind was exceed
ingly simple, graceful and becoming. =
Why not return to it again. Again who
will defend the present magnitude and
length Of sHirtss Would any painter or
sculptor Of good taste and judgement have
represented this beau-ideal of womanly
beauty, in such d garb9 The very idea
provokes ridcule. It reminds one of q
painting not long since exhibited IN New
York. The subject " The Prodigal's Re
turn, the painter-s Spaniard Of the
nineteenth eentuary. The repentant prod
igal presented himselfat the arched portal
of palace in the Spanish Costume; short
cloak over the left shoulder, ptmed cap
and the inevitable guitar slung at his back.
The dignifed old Don, bis father, was be-
cloaked be-plumed and be-daggered ae-
cording to the reigning mode tho sisters
with hailing skirts, lace inantillas and
futtefihg fans were veritable representa-
tives Of the court ladies of his most Catho-
lie Majesty, Ferdinand. To return to my
subicct--one would scarce have her full
length portrait taken in the present cos
tune. 1t will soon become obsolete, and
then the preposterous bad taste of the
dress will b'come SO apparent THAT the
picture although executed in the highest
style of art, would be only the more alb
surdly ridiculous.
The term dress, implies greatly more
than mere clothing 1t involves the idea
Of ornament, the exercise of taste, the ex
preston of character and the indication of
the social position. To combine all these
with convenience, healthful adaptation, as
clothing, to the requirements of climate,
to the physical organization, together with
fitness for times and seasons, may be
somewhat difficult, but not a hopeless task.
sense and propriety, which we must per-
ferce to do in some manner.
1t is very desirable, that the hoped for
reformation extend beyond diminish
ing the length and volume Of skirt. The
innumerable fantastic aud troublesome de-
tails Of female apparel should be discarded.
This would give q charming and dignlfed
simplicity to the attire, ease and dispatch
in dressing would be secured, and the
mind be thus left free for nobler and bet
ter things. 1t is indisputable that the
greater part of a weman's life is consumed
in trlfes, and if she would gladly come to
knowledge of herself, and her capacity for
intellectual development, let her joyfully
hail anything that promotes even in
small degree, her disenthrallment from
the thousand pettinesses and Contempt
BILE little cares and avoeations which de-
grade her into mere lay figure, swathed
in silks and velvets and bedizened with
ribbons and laces.
If it we're felt to be really vulgar, as it
is ungenerous to those poorer, to appear on
the ordinary promenade in any fabric
better or more expensive than cotton, lin
en- and wool, land these include fabrics of
great taste and beauty the sentiment
would be most decidedly republican, and
breathe trucly American spirit, exeelling
Rome's best days, and surprising in true
humanity, Rome's noblest women
Invidious distinctions bespeak groyel-
ling soul, and have often wondered that |
n woman from whom if il naturally ex-
pected delicate generosity, couM parade
upon her person, expensive textures and |
ornaments, with which not one in ten Of |
her com peers, fellow country omen, SIS |
ters in the great human family, could com
r Sc rNef fL,-s