The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-11-15
MISCELLANY.
From Godey's Lady's Book for Eoucm
WELE-DRESSED.

A woman fond Of dress is a term of op-
probrium. What does this condemnato-
ry phrase mean-if it has any meaning?
Is it that the woman negIects her mind,
her manners, her husband, and her chll-
dren, while she trims tawdry yellow with
sky blue Or that she tries to be neat,
clean, and clothed in manner becoming
her position in life, her age, her figure,
and her complexion? Dress has been
described as afording an index to a wo-
mans character 1t does more; it actu-
ally affects her character A woman well
dressed, and conscious of being well dress
ed. becomes a very different person when
she is put into slatterDly clothes. In the
first position she respects herself; in the
second she feels not only discontented
with herself, but with her neighbors.
Goldsmith, in the Vicar of Wakefield"
says: GA suit OF mourning has transform
ed MY Coquettc into Prude, and new
set of ribauds has given her younger sis.
ter more than natural vivacity."
1t is a question open to some debate
whether manners have affected dress, or
dress manners. No one can deny that
the one has always reacted on the other
Stiff, elaborate dress is connected with
stiff and courtly manners; the high flown
compliment, the minuct, the rivota. No
knight could have borne arms in defence
of BIoomer, nor could the most deter
mined lover drink toast out of Balmo-
raj boot. The hair in long ringlets, or
wrapped round classic brow, speaks of
poetry, music, painting, and all that is
refined. We imagine these visionary per-
sonages thus clothed, walking on some
pleasant terrace, feeding peacock, whose
graceful rlumage harmonizes with the
costume of its fair owner. A woman is
decidedly initiative; and when you put
her into the wide-awake, the short skirt,
the jacket, into the pockets of which she
is very apt to thrust her hands, you will
generally find her sayings curt, aud her
laugh loud.
We applaud connoisseur who buys
picture because it is beautiful piece of
color Why should we not have these
charming combinations. in woman's dress p?
How often little bit of scarlet velvet,
well placed, gives value and tone to the
dress When the eye is cultivated, it is
as irritable as musical ear, and equally
panied by discord. In many pictures,
the sole charm arises from harmony of
color "a harmony which the eye drinks
in with delight. The French have an
innate sense of color; we see this in all
the trifes that adorn their shops; little
box is painted with two colors which are
so harmonious that it Is delight to look
at them. The English choose two colCrs,
but, as long as they are opposed to each
other, they consider that sufficient; but
these being often dscords, give pain.
AS you look from your window III Paris,
observe the first fifty women who pass
forty have noses depressed in the middle,
a small quantity of dark hair, and swar-
thy complexion but, then, what toilet! !!
Not only suitable for the season, but to
the age and complexion of the wearer.
How neat the feet and hands How we'll
the clothes are put on, and more than all,
how well they suit each other Not one
color swearing at another color. We have
been initiating the French for centuries
in the matter of dress yet how little
we have succeeded in learning from them! !
If we were asked what would secure sue
cess in dress, we should answer, Fresh
ness, before all things; better clean
muslin than tumbled satin. A lady once
held I'D collar and said, 4" Is it soiled 2"
Yes" Why, you never looked at it,
/" No; but if there is any doubt, it as
soiled."
You ought neser to buy an article be-
cause you can afford it. The question is,
whether it is suitable 10 your position,
habits. and the rest of your wardrobe
There are certain clothes that require