Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-05-04
An Appeal to the Ladies.

MR. EDIToR--We desire to make an appeal to the ladies, but hardly know how to begin.-- The subject if not an important one is, at least, delicate one; and so writing with delicatelv nlbbed pen upon sheat of Reardon's finest cream laid paper, I approach it as gingerly and softly as if walking upon eggs or attempting to steal kiss. If the dear creatures knew nv motive they would pardon the presumption, for l write not to find fault with that which exists but with what fear may exist. This is rot nlt against fashion but an appeal to good taste We live too much in the minds of others and too little to our own hearts, to our own con- sciences, and to our own satisfaction We are more anxious to appear, than to be happy. According to the present modes of living and ideas of propnety, an ostentatious appearance must be at all events, and in all instances, sup ported. If we can preserve a glittering and glossy vanish, we disres .rd the interior ma terals and solid substance. Many show dis position m every part of their conduct, similar to that of the dandy, who had rather % with out shirt than without ruf1les; rather starve as a man of leisure than enjoy independence as an honest mechanic. Our women idolize the rich and the distinctions of fashionable life, with an ldolatry so reverential and complete that they seem to mistake it for their duty towards God. For to use the words of the catechism, they appear Ito believe in them to love them with all their hearts, with all their mlnds, with all their souls and with all their strength; to worship them to give them thanks, to put thelr whole trust in them, to call upon them, to honor their names and their words and to serve them truly all the days of their Ilie." As they worship false gods, their bles- slngs are of the kind which corresponds with the nature of their deities. They are shadowy and unsubstartial; dreams, bubbles, and meteors. which dance before their eyes and often lead them to perdtion. Dress is fashioned in uneasy forms and with troublesome opportunities or un- comfortable defects, just as that Proteus fashion, issues the capricious edicts of a variable taste. We eat and drink, see and hear, not according to our own appeti5es and senses, but as the pre- valent taste happens to direct. In this refined age we are ali persons of refined taste from the mistress in the parlor to the feld-hand. The question Is not what is right, prudent, pleasing or comfortable, but what is the ton and the style. Hence beggarly fnery and fine beggarv
 But 1 started to write about certain gar ment-a vestment-no not hoops, but in short "a petticoat! The Queen of England while on visit to Balmoral castle, in Scotland saw the peasant girls in their picturesque costume, pro- mlnent among which was the red petticoat, and was pleased with it. Prince Albert, when appeal ed to, gave it as his opinion that it was demmed tone." Thereupon, majesty (Vctoria and not AIbert,) donned the red garment and forthwith all the female nobs and then the female snobs literally followed suit. It soon spread to that emporium of tiunkeydom, New York, and fin ally, we see that Lady Gore Ousley has ntro- duced it at Washington, so there is every req son to fear general epidemic of this new scar let fever
 Mackay, the song writer, seizng on the sa- lient points of the age has written q sono T sensible song on the subject. How do like this verse?
 'Oh the red the faun ing petticoat.
 hat courts the eye of day
 That loves to flare and be admired
 And ollnks from far away:
 It may delight the rowing sight,
 And charm the fancy free
 But II its weaFcr's half so bold.
 II pass and let her be-
 With her rel her fauntng petticoat
 She's not the girl for me-"
 All writers upon the aesthetics of female dress have borne testimony to the beauty and appropnatness of white for under garments.- Hence the old painters represent their saints and angels clothed in white; for this reason some nations clothe their dead in white to signify the purity of their lives, and all over christen- dom btide is attired in white as emblematic of her purity. Think poetical reader. if you can of the lady in comus, who is the incarna- ton of chastity,in red petticoat;pcture to your self virgin, 8 saint or angel represented as clothed in crimson under garment. No, ladies, no, pile garment on garment amplfy and ex- tend them, but always choose the pleasing. cleany white for those dresses not purposely worn outside for display.
 Here is another of Mackay's verses:
 ' But the white, the modest pettcoas.
 As pure drifted snow,
 That shuns the gaze in crowded ways
 Where follies come and go
 It stirs the primrose on its path,
 Or daisy on the lea;
 Or if the wearers like the garb
 How beautiful is shel
 With her white. her modest petticoat,
 Oh she's the girl for me-"
 Snare us then wa hasaach you any disnlava