The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-19

son is an ill-used man, it is clear from the case
that there must be an error somewhere about
the supposed invariable purity of rural morals.
The Scarlet Petticoat and the White.
Our lady readers-and we are glad to know
that they are counted by tens of thousands, of
course all fair, amiable, wise, tasteful and grace
ful-will hardly need to be told that the Queen
of England has a very beautiful castle at Balmo-
raj, on the banks of the dark rolling Dee, where
she takes her pleasure and the Prince Consort
shoots grouse in August and September, and
from whence certain Caledonian fashions have
lately been introduced by the higher circles in
England. 1t SO happens that the Queen, when
visiting Balmoral, is always received by a sort
of triumphal procession, the prettiest episode
in which is a bevy of Scottish maidens and
matrons wearing the scarlet petticoat, with the
gown looped up at the side, the hem of the pet
ticoat touching the ankle. The Queen has
adopted the fashion, and so have many of the
ladies of the Court. 1t has not been long in
crossing the Atlantic, and was first introduced
at Washington by Lady Gore Ouseley, and has
already received the endorsement of several of
IL RASttiVce PlOhChouSAo Al
The scarlet petticoat, like all petticoats, is a
matter of great interest. Some crusty old fell
lows might inquire what we have to do with
the ladies petticoats at all; but we shall tell
them that the article has been in all ages a
most important weapon in politics, war, diplo-
macy and fnanciering. Where would have
been the fame of Homer if Paris had not inter-
fara1 in a nafticaat cuarral hid NOT Mart
Antony desert all his friends and allow his par
ty to 90 to the dogs while he was " flaming
away his time under the p~etticoat reign of Cleo
patra? Was not Nine. de Maintenon's p~etticoat
the chiefest piece of state machinery in the
time of the Grand Monarch? Was England
ever more powerful than when under the petit
coat government of Elizabeth? A great many
very handsome petticoats she had, too, being
somewhat fnical in regard to the article.
Where would have been the great Duke of
Marlborough but for the ~petticoat influence of
Sarah Churchill? Similar influences in our day
led to the downfall Of the first Napoleon, the
early death of the second, and the success
of the third. And is Ii not gravely urged
that the expansion of the c~rinoline and
sht " tt hVOPtu PtktAIOat6
helped to bring on the commercial revul-
sion? Do we not all remember the incident in
California, where a party Of rough miners who
had passed many months without the cheer of
woman's eyes, accidentally discovered q red
petticoat, paid homage to It, and extemporized
a triumphal dance about itg Who can forget
the stout Jersey matron who gave her single
noffiaoaf IN maka waHHiuo for RavnIutinoarv
muskets! Have not all the poets sung the
praises of the petticoat? Who does not re-
member the lines of Sir John Sucking
Her feet beneath her petiicoat
Like little mice, stole In and out,
An If they feared the light
And Byron, who says 1t is
A garment Of much mystical subiimity,
Whether 1t be OF russell, silk or dimity.
But we will not multiply, authorities. We
state the fact; and II the StarSSpangled Banner
ever fails to arouse the valor Of our heroes, let
it be replaced by q petticoat, like Beatrice's
hair-of any color that pleases heaven. If Gene
raj Walker had hoisted a scarlet p~etticoat at
Punta Arenas, Paulding would have saluted it,
and saved q great deal of fuss and many stupid
speeches in Congress.
The introduction of the scarlet ~petticoat then
is important enough to have a special record.
II was on Saturday afternoon in Broadway,
when the faneurs were astonished and delighted
by two pretty women wearing the scarlet petit
coat. The storm had ceased-the sun shone for
the first time in two days-and the avenue
was crowded with ladies, who had come out for
a little fresh air. The heroines in scarlet
had pretty feet and ankles, and they tripped
daintAy along, holding their gowns clear of the
mud and wet upon the pave. 1t was pretty, neat,
tasteful, piquant and altogether distractingly
tempting. The scarlet p~etticoat has isuses aud
will save many a rich silk from ruin. 1t IL too
short to drabblc in the mud and q spot of dirt
will hardly show upon it. The scarlet p~etticoat
needs, though, a pretty foot, well shaped ankle,
neat boots and white stockings of purity above
suspicion. SO equipped, the slayer Of male
hearts may go forth conquering and TO conquer.
Some Of the petticoats are made with stripes.
which has a pretty effect; and they are all of
substantial stuff, which will not DO blown about
by every wind, doctrinal or otherwise.
So we say success TO the scarlet p%ctticoat for
the street, the white for The drawing room.
Eugene gave us the hoops; Victoria, who is not
celebrated for her taste in dress, the scarlet
p%etticoat. What a pity that some American
princess, just before her husband breaks in
business, cant invent something nice TO send
| them in returnl Won't our friend Miss Flora
MTlimsey try2 DO.
| N-,c,p.cr. wtKFR's VIrN ~ COLONIZATION
- -. 1,.,I IN pvrnvI ~, fIn cfltaH