The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1858-03-10
correspondence of the Day Book.

WASHINGTON, ID. e., March, y.
Ny Deer Dag Book:
What a glorious institution woman is! No
matter how old crusty bachelors censure ard
abuse her for her ways, and condemn her
fashions and tixings, yet they can't, to save
their lives, sustain themselves in their posi-
tions by any manner of argument. Now my
vinegar friend, just try to prove that woman
is wrong, and YOU will soon prove that wo
man is right and you wrong, and a condem-
nation of woman's fashions, is virtual &C
acknowledgement that you are both wrong and
inhumane. For woman's fashions are found
ed on mans tastes-that is, the fashions we
see for no woman dresses as you, fyou old
grumbling rejected) see them, to e,se her
own sex. Just go into her chamber (but you
can't get there, hank gracious) and you will
see my statement verified. In a small
room, you will find some half dozen girls
dressed to suit themselves, not to suit men,
because it is to be supposed that there is no
man there to see thcm and how is this dress
you will say? Well, my blighted friend, III
tell you; for my happiest moments have been
spent Just in their midst und;r such circum
stances, when was considered as girl. 1t
you happen in there (Which you never willy
just as they are coming in from an outside
exhibition, the first thing you will be startled
by, will be sundry explosions followed by
corresponding pufS, as certain loose frames,
., how loose are unhinged, and each girl
is successingly ushered into life and motion.
That operation over, the next thing observ-
able, will be a slight attenuation OF garments.
0 don't get scared and run stand the fire
my old friend, they are just beginning to suit
you now; you know you cant bear the fash
ions, moreover they will not get much deeper
in before they will have to sop and begin to
expand again. Well, now they have come to
the stopping point, just ready to begin to
dress to suit y.,u. Those little white dresses
are little short; but you like that you
know, you abhor this fashion of dragging
their dresses through all the mud in the
streets; and moreover, as you never will
own pair of sweet, oh, how sweet. little
tootses and ankles, all to yourself, yoa GER
tainly can't object to taking a sly, peep at
them as they dance about the room rejoicing
in th:r freedom. But now you are suited
entirely the ltoi'g dress is complete; just
one long gown hanging gracefully from
shoulders to ground, terminated by pair OF
slippers as wide as the feet constitutes the
dress which you desire so much to see inau-
gurated. Ladies, will one of you ask my re-
forming friend otake a promenade with you
now, Just as YOU are on Pennsylvania aven-
ue? Good heavens you are not going TO
run sir? why the lady means you no harm,
she will take your arm and walk along as
quietly as a mouse. Come back sir! the lady
is ding to wear the dress you admire so
much, declare she Will, she will be the
same size from top to bottom--not compress
ed nor inflated at any point. Well! well !!
WE'LL !! sneaking off are you just hold one
moment Look here-you old uncompromi-
sing, obstinate F(any Out, hencetorth hold
your tongue about wOmans fashions-you
are the cause of her COMPRISING herself so
much; and yesterday, you old crnsty wretch,
you made a terrible fuss in the Senate gale
ry, because the girls could keep crowding in
between two files of men only six inches
apart. If you make them compress them
selves from the time they are born to the end
of madenhood; is it not perfectly natural
| that they should become fond of being
squeezed? Don't you, you one eyed woman
halter, like to fret and quarrel ? Then why
do you abuse woman for becoming fond Of
| her habits; and habits too that you have
| taught her. But see that you have not
sense enough to comprehend the depth of
woman's philosophy; so | will dismiss you
with this little piece OF infornation: Wo-
man shows more knowled. c Of man-nature,
in her dress, than you do OF all things com
| bined. And moreover, she can prescribe for
/ herself much better than you can for her
Now 90 and shut yoarsslf up never to be
seen, and be thanS.su.. 1t is s.. aii~A;; Dear
| Day Book, that some men will not stop
showing their Ignorance and disappoint-
| ments, by constantly attacking their Superior,
women. | may be wrong, but il am, please
never tell me of it. For woman, as she is to
me, is a word of more pleasure than all earth
| ly things else combined. Her fashions and
| fxings too suit me to nicety. | see that
Jimmy Old Maid has been expressing herself
in terms of utter disgust concerning the
Southern habit of wearing low necked dress
| es. Now, might dispatch her with small
piece of advice, viz: For mercy sake keep
yours high neeked, as high as possible high
er the better, and will guarantee that no
| body will ever ask you 0 lower it. But
appeal to any man to say if plump smooth
| round neck and shoulders are not much pref.
err than all the dyed stuffs in the world and
| am SUI that there is nothing more perfect
" innocent and harmlessly fascinating. But
| the angular lady said further, that there was
time and place for all things, but that tie
bali room was no place for woman to ex-
hibit her bosom. l agree with you. madam,
cxactly, when it ia coAcave instead Of con-
vex. But MY letter is growing much longer
than had intended on co2nmcncing il; my
interest ia the ju,t hcation of woman in her
fashions, arts, AID destinations, bling so
I y A.. 9 II