The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-07-17
Rigging that Costs more than the
Hull"

There is general outcry against the eStrav-
agancc Of the times and the Increasing prices
ol food. Where the fault lies, and how The evils
complained of may be remedied, is the subject
ut serious reflection. Some eros are occasion-
ally corrected 10y their mere statement ; Others
arc invincible. That Of which We are now to
speak is one which is patent enough, but we
fear is beyond our power Of correction. We
allude to the extravaganza of the dress of fash
ionablc New York ladies. When we pass enc
of these articles in full feather in Broadway,
We are astonshed at the amount of the decora
tons which they 81 ftscinatingly display. The
tween $l5 and $50. The veil, which is usually
costs from $50 to $3.50. Lace collars and
sleeves. set, from $40 to 500; and these
must be of point d'Alencotb or Valencienncs.
A mantilla of silk, with French trimmings,
costs from $15 to $40 a pair Of boots, "A so;
a rocket handkerchief, from $40 to 800; the
coils Of false hair, $l5, To these must be add
ed a watch, with chain and trnkcts, $3.50
The underclothes, when the wearcrs are par.
ticularly nice in their interior arrangements,
may be set down at $50 and the diamond
rings, which have become an absolute necessity,
arc worth 800 more. The "sum total" of the
best dressed woman amounts, therefore, to $500
III
sables." $50, it becomes 1919 SO, a Iretty
round sum. If there be half a dozen females
in one family, all riyaling each other, we End
| that single change of clothes is a tax upon
| the uulucky husband and father who happens
| to belong to approximation, of $5,S77. But If
we allow three changes Of suits each, less the
| watches. diamonds, lace Observation-Disclosures,
| and few other items. we may set down the
cost of these half-dozen fashionablcs ut about
sixteen thousand dollars. If they constantly
attend balls and dinner-rarties, we may add
considerably more for it is well known that
very frequently one thousand dollars are ex-
pended on single occasion. Well may New
York be pronounced the most extravagant and
luxurious city in the world, and the womcn the
most expensive. ...r .'e..r.a-r.r ~ .r-
How are these enormous outlaysmet What
ordinary business will justify such expendi.
lures ? Is it any wonder that merchants find
themselves very suddenly in failing circum.
stances, scarcely knowing what has pulled them
down Is it strange that SO many families a,c
obliged TO give up housekeeping and repair Il
hotels Is it any wonder that so many iaisons
arc continually going on, with such disastrous
denos1ncats Where the husbands rurse il
unequal TO the demand. other purses must b,
resorted TO, and the consideration is sometime.
one 10 which we dare not allrde. Butt may
DC sald our lecture is too highly cOlored tina
these extreme cases do not exist that our esti
mates are too high. But even if we make al
allowance Of one-half, we only increase tn,
number Of the extravagant to greater extent
The circle Of the expenditure grows wider, ant
the amount of outlay is in fact the same.
Many arts a-e resorted to to conceal these ex
pcnses for time. Thus bills are mad, out a
the milliner's and mantua- makers for less thar
the real amounts due: and the deficiency, keep
out Of view from their husband or rarent. j
made up by petty instalments. and with none,
obtained in other ways. This is sad state q
things, and sad because it is true.
We candidly confess We see no easy remed,
of preventive character. Ruin has to do it
work before the eyes of the gay and iml row
dent are opened. American husbands are nc
toriously indulgent and generous. Nothin
pleases them better than to see their wives an,
daughters well dressed and happy. THIS the
fool them to the top of their bent. They vii
work like slaves for them, 20 shabby them
selves, risk credit and even character to SUI pl
their wants and all that they may apr ear daa
zling ard lovely to others! Yes, like the Sout
Carolinians in the days of the great nullife,
Gen. Hamilton, they twill go 10 death for thci
feminine) sugar.