The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-11-27
HOmnSOuU-

We are much pleased to find that many papers have
entered the lists in favor of homespun. During the
embargo under the administration Of Mr.. Madison, the
richest and finest ladies in the country We'd with each
other, who could produce the handsomest homespun
dresses, Old pieces of silk was picked, carded, spun
wove, and made into dresses. Mary Of them equalied
the finest silks and chambries. Fourth of July cele-
brations were held where both the ladies and gentle
men were all dressed in homespun. But those happy
days Of purity and virtue are past-extravagance in
dress, and almost every thing else-idlencss and profit
gacy has usurped the place of prudence and industry.
God send that our wives and daughters could be in
duced to initiate the customs of the days of Martha
Washington-then indeed, they would be h~elp-mates
for man instead Of being drawbacks. If we were en-
titled to wear the "robe, =" we should necessarily urge
the people to reform. Reforml! Rcform,.!
The Southern Sparta, La Banner says, nearly every
family in the parish are spinning and weaving their own
winter clothing. Families, who twelve months ago
bought all their Jerseys and jeans are turning out a
prettier and more substantial article at home. Nearly
every parlor in the country is graced with a Georgia
piano and its merry notes can be heard from early
dawn until dusk. Good for our patriotic ladiesi if the
blockade prevents them from DOMINIC silks they can
manufacture their own cotton stripes and do not blush
to be seen wearing them.
The GAINESVILLE Chronicle says, We saw a happy Illus
tration a night or two since, Of the patriotism Of some
Of our young ladies', in dressing il homespun and dis
carding those expensive ppendages-hoops. we could
not see the ladies' faces, but tile balance Of them was
shown off to decided advantage il their simple repub-
lican garb. We would advise all our lady friends (un-
less they are rather emaciuted) to adept it,
There is no dress more becoming our young ladies,
iii these war times, than the above. They may prefer
their silks and satins, dclaines and merinoes, and Zig
themselves off in ]iewelry, like an Indian squaw-but
beauty unadorned, is aIored the most. Give US the
girl in the plain calico drcss-or, what is better, home
spun. Throw your extravaganza and pride away to-
gethcr, young ladies, and remember what your grand
mothers did in the revolution.
The New Orleans Bulletin thus descants-"EIigh
prices are strong attractive forces in which the centri-
petal will overcome the centrifugal power. Meanwhile
something can be done in various ways to undermine
the inflated system prevailing. Persons can and will
practice rigid economy. They will checrfulIy dispense
with what they have been accustomed to. They will
useup the old tools, and put up with the old furniture
and wear out the old clothes! 4 good deal o~frepair-
ing, brushing and relurnishing can be done to dimin-
ish new purchases. Fragments can be saved. Much
skill may be shown in household expenses, and much
of what was formerly thrown away may be turned to
account, Some articles that have hitherto been ex-
clusively bought wiInow be made at home by intrIli-
gent and patriotic housewives. 4 lady with a large
family informs us chat she has made an excellent article.
Of hard soap out Of the elements of ashes and grease
that were formerly wasted. She had no previous idea
or knowledge of the SUBJECT, and not even q ''rcccipt
book, but put her own wits to work like a sensible
woman as she is, and porsevercd until she succeeded.
Saponaceously speaking, she is quite Indifferent now
about themarket and ltughs in the s~oapmaus face
Every ladwof a family may do the same, and be equal
ty Independent. The principle can be extended. Many
things in the way Of clothing can be made. In the
country, the materials can, and viii, also, be made to
a much greater extent than they have ever before been.
Cards, the spinning-whccI and loom can be broughtiulo
extensive requistion. The manufactured products can
find their way to the city, and very materially dimin
ish the prices Of dry goods. Production will bc stimu-
lated, and h]omespun will be the rage, the fashion,
Unless We can reopen commercial intercourse with Eu-
rope soon, our southern ladies will be seen clothed IN
The substantial fabrics which their own hands Of those
Of their sisters have made, and look an tile more beau
tiful and enchanting rs well as patriotic therefor.