The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-07-04
WHAT PUNCH SAYS.

Punch, the inimitable. received by the
Asia, is filed with good things:
CRINoLINE VIEWED AS A DEPOPULATING
lNFLUENCE.-Among the causes which are
cited to account for the decreasing rate of
increase of the French population, it is
thought that the spread of the crinolne con-
tagion is proving most injurious in its eff
fects upon the census. The mode now pre-
yailing is one of such extravaganza. that it
is continually demanding fresh sacrifices,
and ladies have to choose between fine
dress and family, for no income but a
Rothschlld's can provide for both. The re-
suit Is, for the most part, as we learn by the
Examiner, that
"Where you would see with English hab-
its half a dozen healthy boys and girls walk
ing with their parents, you see instead, in
the Bois de Boulogne, IA fine lady in a hand
some open carriage.'
To take broad view Of the subject, We
must look at the wide petticoats, and the
many "widths' of silk which are consumed
in covering them and We shall see at once
proof that the declining census has greatly
owed its decrease to this crinolne influence.
Of course. the wider grow the dresses. vet
longer grow the bills which ladies have to
pay for them, and the narrower in conse-
quence become their means of living. So
much swelling when they are out. necessl-
tates their plnchlng somewhat closely when
at home: and whatever can be done without
is given up at once as not to be afforded
CHILDREN are not in the sGashion, and may
therefore be dispensed with; so that rs the
petticoats expand, the population dwindles,
ar,I lnEu nf b.,t nf
family.
II the census fail to bring th" nation to
its senses. il is obvious that the Government
will have 10 interfere. and devise the means
20 check this forced march of extravaganza.
which is proving dead march TO the nom
rising generation. We should suggest. were
We consulted. that censor of crlnOlnc
should forthwith be appointed. and thai the
shops Of all the miIlIners should be under
his inspection. so that no dress he permitted
of extrayagant circumference, or of such a
richness of material as might impoverish a
family. Ii would, doubtless. much conduce
to the prosperity of Paris, were cradles
brought in fashion. and were crinoline
kicked out of it: and we should rejoice to
hear that coral bells aud baby jumpers were
becoming there merchandise in more de-
mand than air-jupons. All true friends Of
France would rather see household there
of children than of petticoats and tiounces.
and at present only in the mansion of mil
ionaire would there be room enough for
both.
1t has been said thai the French wo-
men display, universally, the best of taste
in dressing. and are. bv nature, gifted with
extraordinary aptitude for learning and
avoiding what is unhecoming to them. Bat
certainly at present they evInce but little
proof of this. We cannot think it in good
taste to show more love for fnery than af-
feetion for family; nor can We regard it
as becoming in wife TO 50 far forget her
nature, and distort her duties. As to ruin her
husband by the richness Of her dress. and in
the blindness of idoIatry to eren sacrifice
her children TO the Juggernaut of fashion.
T An enthusiastic admirer Of the Car
was repeatedly saving 20 stranger: s.The
Car is great" "Yes." was the replv,''
'.but God is greater" "Ah.' exclaimed the
Russian, ..bus she Gar is young ye..''
e WHY should man never starve on
the desert OF Arabias Ans--Because Of
the sand which is there. How came the
sans; which - thereF The generations of