Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-12-23

~ Our facetious friend, Merry An
drew" comes to the rescue of the Ladies in
the following article in favor Of Hoops
Is he a married man We think not How
then, came he to know so much about the
utility of these thoops'' and the ponderous
skirts he so much deprecates Ali per-
haps he is a doctor, and is solicitous about
the health of his lady friends. Very consid
~erate-very. But with all his partialities he
tells us the exodus of 'shoops" is at hand
What then will the grumbling lords growl
over? --EDIrREss.
For the Spirit of the Age.
Hoops.
A great deal has been said within the last
eighteen months about hoops. The Press has
ridiculed, the Poet satirized, the Pulpit anath-
ematized. and mankind in general sneered at
the alledged innovation ; yet they have still
continued to grow in power, and to increase
in magnitude, until they bid fair to spread
themselves over the whole face of the earth
But why fret about that which cannot be
helped ?-as well attempt, Kolus like, to
tie the blus~teringwinds upina bag,t o cross the
I w lldaiI III IAC OONi VI dCDOOh- ~ Ctay
the laundering cataract of Niagara with our
hat-to strangle the great Mississippi with a
silken thread-to pluck the Andes from their
everlasting foundations with a dog-knife-or,
to smother the eternal fires of Heccla with a
bandanna pocket-hankerchief, as to try to
stay the triumphant march Of Eaahion-a Aan
rs a Tom Thumb, a pigmy, a L1llputlan, whose
power when opposed to this understanding
giant, dwindles into utter insignificance.-
But, fortunately, fashion, like all other world
ly p~otentates, can only reign for a season; he
dies, and, like the tabled Phoenix, from his
ashes springs his successor. This is at least
some consolation to those opposed to hoops
The days of Hoops are numbered: according
to the laws which universally govern in the
case, they will most assuredly soon be named
among the things that were and the lovely
creatures which they now e~ncircle will ere
long begin to grow beautifully less by de-
grees," until we shall see them arrayed in
lank, 'slabsided" dresses, and as thin as a
June shad. Such are the strange freaks Of
fashion-"ever studious of change"
But, being myself a strenuous advocate O
hoops, | hope that they, at least, may long
maintain their sovereignty. ! said that | was
an advocate of hoops, and | am. | have new
er yet heard a reasonable objection without
perhaps IL IL the space Lney Occupy-anu Uni
will not apply to one case in ten thousand
there being room enough in the world fol
All the women we have, and as many hoop
o. Sthey are able to carry urged against them
N,ey are, without a doubt, conducive t
ere @th, inasmuch as they preclude the ne
y. OsNy Of overlooking the person with ponde
V%%irts-which cause her in moving abou
. esSSne fatigued, and subjected to ''tak
nan COW And no one-the harpers even-wi
,;tb unaeENketo deny the fact of their adding t
.ne personal charms of the wearer-givin
cen ner more light, and consequently a NOR
'-af- graceltn and nymph-like appearance. L
be point Oh eC0ngny-which is a matter of not
cve- Just nowI@ey have greatly the advantag
over the "oA AAion." Therefore 7 see e
en- reason why ,ESg should not be UNIVERSAL
but "patronlzed MERRY ANDREW.
az r. r. Springs No