Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-02-05
The scarlet Pettlconr nnd The White.

Our lady readers-and we are glad to know that they
are counted by tens Of thousands, of all fair ami
able, wise, tasteful and graceful-wl hardly
need to be told that the queen of England has very
beautiful castle at Balmoral on the banks of the dark
rolling Dee, where she takes her pleasure and Prince
Consort shoots grouse in August and September and
from whence certain Caledonan fashions have lately
been introduced by the higher circles in England 1t
SO happens that the queen, when visiting Bamoral is
always received by sort of trumphal procession the
prettiest episode in which is bevy of Scottish madens
and marons wearing the scarlet petticoa with the gown
oOped up at the sde the hem Of the peticoat 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 the pettest prom
enaders in Broadway.
The scarlet petticoat like all peticoaS is matter of
great interest Some crusty old fellows might inquire
what have to do with the ladies petticOats at all
but we shall tell them that the article has been in all
ages most important weapon in politics, war; diplo-
macy and the tinanciering. Where would have been
the fame of Homer if Paris shad not ntereered in a
pettcoat quarrel? Did not Mark ANTONY desert all his
friends and allow all his friends and allow his party to
go to the dogs while he flaming away his time
| under the petticoat reign of Clcparatra? Was not
Nine dc Nantenons petc0at the cheest piece of state
machinery in the time of the Grand Monarch? Was
England ever powerful than when under the pet
ticoat government OF Elizabeth? A great many very
handsome petticoats she had too being somewhat fnca
in regard to the article Where would have been the
great duke of Marlborough but for the petcoat influence
of Sarah Churchhill? Similar influence in our dav led
to the downfall of the first Napoleon the earv death OF
the second and the success of the third And is It not
gravey urged that the expansion of the crnone and the
imitation of the hooped pettcoats helped to bring on the
| commercial revulsion? Do we not all remember the
incident IN California, where a party of rough
miners who had passed many months without the cheer
of womans eyes, accidentally discovered red petit
coat paid homage to it, and extemporzed triumphal
dance about it? Who can forget the stout JERSEY ma
tron who gave her single peticoa to make wadding for
revolutionary muskes? Have not all the poets sung
the praise of the pettcoats? Who does not remember
the lines of Sir John Sucking p
Her feet beneath her petticoat
| AS if they feard the light
And Bryon, who says it is
A garment of much mystical sublmity
Whether it be of russet, silk dimity.
But we will not multiply authorities. We state the
tact and If the star spanged banner ever fails to
the valor of our heroes let it be replaced by peticoat
If General Walker had 6osted scarlet pettcoat al
Punta Arenas Paulding would have sauted it. anc
saved great deal of fuss and many stupid speeches
congress.
The introduction of the scarlet pettcoat then is i'm
portant enough to have special record 1t was OF
Saturday afternoon in Broadway when the fa,aeur,
were astonished and delighted by the pretty womer
wearing the scarlet petticoa The storm had ceased
the sun shone for the first time in two days-and tint
avenue was crowded with ladies' who had come out fo
little fresh air The heroines in scarlet had pretty fee
and aukels, and they trpped dainty along holding the
gowns clear of the mud and wet upon the pave 1t wa
pretty, neat tasteful pquant and altogether dstractng
y tempting The scarlet petticoat has its uses and vii
save many rich silk from ruin. It is too short t.
drabble in the mud and spot of dirt will hardly show
upon it. The scarlet pettcoat needs, though, prett,
foot, well shaped ankle, neat boots and white stocking
of purity above suspicion So equipped the slayer of mall
hearts may go forth conquerng and to conquer Some
the petticoas are made with stripes which has prett
effect and they all of substantial stuff which will no
be blown about by every wind doctrnal or otherwise
So we say success to the scarlet petticoat for th
street. the white for the drawing room. Eugenic CAV
the hoops; Victoria, who is not celebrated for he
taste in dress the scarlet petticoat What pity tha
some American princess just before her husband break
in business can't invent something nice to send them
return! Won't our friend Miss Flora McF limsey try
Do.-N. 7. Herald