The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-05-19
CLOTHES AND sCARECROws.

modern civilization, and enlarged and rapid
intercourse have done great deal towards
establishing uniformity Of costume through.
out Europe, in the case Of the higher
classes of society. Coat, waist.coat, trol.
scrs and hat are common TO England
France, Russia, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Even the dogged Turk, rs if dcsirous TO
ob'eratc from the memory the fact that he
is at best IN Intruder ON this side of the
l'osplorus, has made advances toward the
adoption Of the standard dress of Eu.
rope. The following extract will show
the writer's treatment Of this suggestive
subject:
Notwithstanding the general uniformity
OF European costume, there are certain
differences in style, peculiar TO the several
nations. In Germany, dress, apart from
official costume, signifies nothing more
than an outward covering for the body,
constructed without any regard to symme-
try, taste or elegance. Very rarely, indeed
| do vou meet with a German, especially of
the central and southern states, whose
clothes do not appear TO have been put on
with Il pitchtork; in fact, the old remark
of Tacitus, that Il German pays no attcn-
ton to the ornament Of his person, is even
yet applicable. "Ncar the frontier" says
he, "on the borders Of the Rhine, the in.
l'ab'lants wear nothing resembling clothes,
but with an air Of neg glect that shows them
altogether Indifferent about the choice."-
1t is right, however, to exempt Berlin and
Hamburg from this general censure, for in
those cities YOU do occasionally meet with
individuals who have hes: owed some at.
tcniion upon the texture and style Of their
raimcnt, which is fashioned rather after the
British than after the French model. 1t
must also tc kept in mind that in all coun-
tries where the military service is regarded
rs the peculiar and appropriate profession Of
the nobility and gentry, he aesthetics Of
dress receive very little attention. Those
who should take the lead in setting the
fashion appear constantly in uniform; and
the cultivation Of ordinary apparel being
left almost entirely to the hur.licr cl:,ss,
whose taste is seldom reiinc.i, it follows, as
natural consequences: that gross slovcnry
prevails.
On the other hand the Dutch, a com
mcrcIa and wealthy people, exhibit con-
siderable taste III dress, being particular as
TO lit and quality, and never launching into
cxtravagance. The iIollan,lcr is not suf1is
cen,ly understood or appreciated in this
country. The absurd idea that he wear
an indefinite number Of brccchcs and re-
scmbes walking balloon, still fingers
among us; whereas Counsellor PlovdclI
was much nearer tic mark in his statement
to Julia Manncring: "Thc Dutch are a
much more accomplished people, in point
Of gallanry, than their volatile ncighbors
are willing to admit. can assure YOU, in
spite OF your scorn, that if you want TO see
handsome men, you must 60 to Holland
Tie prettiest fellow ever SAW WAS Dutch
man."
OF the Swcdes we shall not speak. The
frenchman dresses showily, but he does
moi, to our thinking, dress well. There is
always something outyc and cxtravaganL in
his appearance, rs if the tailor merely con
sidcrcd his customer as a pin or lay figure
on which to display his skill in the art of
iabrlca.ing garments. There can be no
doubt that the Frcnchman dresses rather
for display than comfort. He is fond Of
innovations, new styles of cut, and arlfi-
cIal appliances, SO that with linn the fash
ion OF his garments is always in a state
Of change. 1t is in small things as in
great; the French cannot abide either bva
coat or a constitution. Their present
style, judging from the last human spec
linens and costume pictures which we have
seen, may conscientiously be nominated ex-
ecrablc. A p;nched waist to a man
Is simply a detormity: peg,top trowcrs
are distinct abominaiion.
we have observed with considerable
disgust, that this French fashion of peg
tops has been imported into the British,
Islands, TO the great Disagreement of
those who have adopted it. The gen.
tleman who dresses thus may be truly
styled fish out Of water; for, when in n
state of reposc, his figure bears striking
resemblance to that. Of salmon attempt.
ing to stand upon its tail. The truth is, as
we have already remarked, that the Eng
I'sh are very clumsy imitators, and they
should never, on any account essay to apo
the French, who have at all events that tai.
cnt of carrying out their eccentricitics with
Jaunty assurance and impudent 6onhon,-
m'e which is exceedingly amusing and de-
l!gh'ful. Whereas the EugIishman, though
bold as lion when his blood is up. is
IN matters Of social intercourse re-.
served 1iftitIant md ro,J,os n ,.1-.I