Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-27

mendation. A singer IS fashIonable--an ac-
tor. a lawyer, a preacher; and thus quoted,
eacn is A |, as if song and elocution, law and
gospel, derived their value from the tickle
verdict,
OFT gained without desert,
As often lost unmerlted.
We are even told of fashionable underta-
kers. And, while our steps were one day re-
Gently arrested by long funeral cortege, we
heard the claims Of fashion recognized IN the
choice of the last resting place OF poor NOR
tality. Enquiring as to the destination OF
the procession, we were answered. don't
know, but | think -. That 10 now the
most fashionable Gem etery."
Fashionable cemetery! The causslc lines
of Pope lose their extravaganza after the fact
such an expression supposes,
"One would not, sure, be frightful when ones
dead
And-Betty-give this cheek little red"
Fashion certainly should cease to be thought
of, when the fashion of this world has passed
away, and the clay cold Limbs heed not their
resting place. We must do our informant
the fairness, however, to say that he did not
represent the friends of the deceased. lie
had no part in their sorrow, or he could not
thus have spoken. What was noticeable IN
his remark was only the strange inappropri-
ateness Of the adjective fashionable" az ap-
piled to burial-place.
Yet it is used in many cases which do not
seem absurd, only because there is not quite
so shocking q contrast. The discrepancy,
equally palpable, is not so offensive. What
conpexion can there really be between the
fashion Of a coat, and its comfort. What has
the fashionable name of a cook to do with the
merit of his dishes? So far as fashion shows
that thing has many judgments in its favor,
the evidence is something, certainly. But
mos, fashons-like the Chinese custom of
piucbng the feet-only show that absurdi-
ties may be extended snd endorsed by the
consent of people to submit to then; aud
that man, the initiative animal, will put him
self in pain, rather than not be like everybody
else.
The argument that fashion indicates ap-
proval, and thence implies excellence, is con
tradicted by the fact tba; when every body
has come into theory, the fashionable must
Immediately get out of it. 1t is no more fash
ionable, but vulgar. Fashion has two faces.
1t is now universal, aud anon exclusive
You must wear what everybody wears, and
you must not wear what everybody can pro-
cure You must think as everybody else
does, and yet you mus: not be without or'gi-
nalty. You must pursue certain uncer-
tain fixed yet inde6nal, something or moth
ing and be all your days IN quandary
about the opinion OF Mrs. Grundy-an oracle
as little reliable as it is possible to conceive
n person as uupersonal as the Maid OF the
Mist. The thing we need in order to give
tone and character to society, is more indi-
viduality of character, and less desire to find
and follow a standard which nobody can fix,
and which, could it be found, would be as
lit;le desirable as joint proprietorsbip in the
egg one takes for breakfast. Fashion, the
bait wbich interested dealers spread to catch
and caioe their customers, is such recon-
menG Gation as supp oses the follower lncaps-
bic of Independent thought OF action. 1t is
the cause OF more folly and absurdity, wrong
judgment, and ridiculous weakness, than all
things else-not absolutely criminal-which
could be named. Fashionable" is such a
snobbish cOmmendation, that it is wonder
anybody can submit to entertaio it; but when
it is not only tolerated, but highly desiders-
ted and greatly admired, there is but one
compensatory reflection, and that Is, that
there may be found test Of excellence adap-
ted to the very neanest capacity, and that
therefore DO head, however empty, and no
ambition, however pitiful, need ~ without
subject and object t--PhH. Amer.