The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-11

EXTRAyhGANCE IN DREss-Mr. Stirling, in his
recent published book of travels in the United
States, thus compliments our American ladies on
their extravaganza in dress
''Ihe ladies of New Orleans, like their sisters of
New York are great dressers; indeed, the dresses
of American women generally, at least of the
rich class something fabulous in expense, taking
into consideration the rank and fortune of the wear
ers and their husbands The dresses of ladies in
New Orleans, | am told, land by New Orleans peo-
pie, often equal in richness and expense those of
our crowned heads in Europe. What do you think
of a creole lady's dress powdered over with dia
monds ?-her husband probably cotton broker !
Ladies here think nothing ofexpending argepro-
portion of the profits OF years trade in few dress
Of course must suppose that this is in
most eases, done with the knowledge and approval
of the husband He works, speculates, and his
wife the sl,olid Opinaa
'There is excuse, or at least, explanation of
this, to us astounding extravaganza, in the circum-
stances explained above of American housekeeping
As rule, the inhabtant of an American city does
not keep house. He has no opportunity, therefore,
of displaying his wealth, p0rUenue merchants
and manufacturers do in fine houses, plate and equip
pages Neither is there the same passion for landed
estates in America withus. With land at five sh-
lngs an acre. its possession cannot confer social dis
tnction. The n York stock jobber does not Law out
fl000O on land at per cent. to give him the eaee
to the houses of hafa-do2en neighbors who drink
his claret and laugh at him. He is making probably
fifty, perhaps one hundred per cent per annum
only display to the public in way, by clappng it
on his wife's back. An Americans wife is the peg
on which he hangs out his fortune; he dresses her
up that men may his wealth she is walking
advertisement of his Importance, the sandwich
announcing to Broadway Canal street, that her
husband is a man of money and station. All this is
very sorry work, but | do not see that it involves
any greater absurdity than those displays of plate
and upholstery by which rich yulgarians
nounce their wealth and hide their want of real re-
fnement If sham gentility is to be set forth, it
matters little whether it be done through the in
strumentality of the upholsterer the milliner.
The Englishman loves his house, and he decks it out
when he makes money; the American loves his wife,
and decks her out for want of house. Neither
have much to boast of over the other it is the same
vulgar ostentaton in different FORMS"
4 VISIT TO Mas BRowNNG.-Since Hiawatha
appeared the long poem, which has sold the best in
this country, il ''Aurora Leigh" friend now in
Florence, gives the following account, in a recent
letter, of visit to the gifted author; II learned
that the Brownings had returned, and were at their
old quarters-"Casa Guidi." When rang at the
door, | learned with extreme regret that Mrs
Browning was suffering deep affection from the loss
OF relative Mr.. Browning, however, received
me, and, at his suggestion after lapse of some
weeks renewed my visit. Fancy to yourself an