Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-05-05


isfed that it is henceforth to be considered
entirely as thing gone by-without mo-
mentary spasm of the heart. Young people
forget this as completely as they forget that
they themselves may one day experience the
same, or they would net be SO ready to laugh
at even the foolishcst of those foolish old Vir-
gins, who deems herself Juvenile long after
everybody else has ceased to share in the
pleasing delusion, and thereby makes both
useless and ridiculous that season of carly au-
tumn which ought to be the most peaceful, |
abundant. safe, and sacred time in woman,s
whole existence. They would not, with the
proverbial harsh judgment of youth, scorn
so cruelty those poor little absurdities, of
which the unlucky person who INDUCES there
in is probably quite unaware-merely dresses
as she has always done, and carries on the
harmless coquetries and mip,audertes of her
teens; unconscious how exceedingly ludIc-
rous they appear in lady of-say forty =
Yet in this sort of exhibition, which society
too often sees and enjoys, any honest heart
cannot but often feel that of all the actors
engaged in it, the one who plays the least
Objectionable and disgraceful part IS she who
only makes fool of herself
Yet why should she do it? Why cling SO
desperately to the youth that will not stay
and which, after all. is not such very pre-
cious or even a happy thing Why give her
self such world of trouble to deny or con-
ceal he- exact age, when half her acquain-
tance mus. either know it or guess 1t, or be
supremely Indifferent about it Why appear
dressed-ue-dressed, cynics would say-at-
ter the pattern of her niece, the belle OF the
ball; annoying the eye with beauty either
half withered, or long overblown and which
in its prime would have been all the ioyeller
for more concealment?
} In this matter of dress, word or two
There are two styles Of costume which ladies'
past their premiere jeunesse are most prone
to fall into one hardly knows which is the
worst Perhaps, though, it is the ultra-Ju-
venie-such as the insane juxtaposition OF
yellow skin and white tarlatane. or the anon
alous adorning of gray hair with artificial
flowers. 1t may be questioned whether al
e any age beyond twenty ball-costume is re-
ally becoming; but after thirty, it is the We
: ry last sort of attire that lady can assume
with impunity. 1t is said that you can only
make yourself look younger by dressing ht
j tie older than you really are and truly
have seen many woman look withered ant
: old in the customary evening dress which
Y being unmarried, she thinks necessary t.
S shiver in, who would have appeared fair as
n sunshiny October day, if she would only hav
i done nature the justice to assume, in her au
# tumn-time, an autumnal livery. If she wo''
It only have the sense to believe that gray hal
If was meant to soften wrinkles and brighte
e faded cheeks, giving the same effect for whic
:; our Youthful grandmothers wore powder
IN that flimsy, light colorcd gown, fripperie
u over with trimmings, only suit airy figure
e and active motions that a sober-tinted sui
re stantial gown and pretty cap viii any da
Is take away ten years from lady's appear
D. ance Above all, if she would observe tn
one grand rule of the toilet, always advis;
or Bile, but after youth indespensible-th tn
II good personal points are by no means Wa
- rant for undue exhibition thereof, no poir
u that is positively beautiful ought ever, by an
>, pretence of fashion or custom, to be showr
as seThe other sort of dress, which, it must
$. owned, is less frequent, is the dowdy styl'
SIS People say-though not very soon -"Oh,
o. am not young woman now 1t does ~
ne signify what wear Whether they qui
i'll believe it, is another question; but they sa
i'll it-and act upon it when laziness or lndltfe
Tn ence prompts. Foolish women! they forg
t. that if we have reason at any time more tha
d, another to mind our looks, it is when OF
D. looks are departing from us. Youth can {
ny almost anything In the toilet-middle age ca
hit not yet is none the less bound to present
on her friends and society the most pleasing e
les terror she can. Easy is it TO do this wh'
tn we have those about US who love US, and ta
to notice of what we wear, and in whose eye '
N would like to appear gracious and lovely
1t the last. so far as nature allows; uot ca
lat when things are otherwise. This. perhaI
to is the reason why we see SO many unmarri
,ut women grow careless and old fashioned
ho their dress-sWhat does if signify ?-nobo
ID, cares
es, | think woman ought to care little
,x- herself-a very little. Without preaching
uc vanity, or undue waste of time over that mi
.ir thankless duty of adorning ones self for I
! is body's pleasure in particulars it not still
er- right becoming feeling to have some resp'
for that personality which, as well as our so
rly Heaven gave us to make the best of! And
,st, it not our duty-considering the great numt