Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-02-10
Fact, Fancy and Philosophy.
ABOUT DRESS.

ABOUT DRESS.
"The first appeal is 10 the eye" says
an old writer.-a text from which we
might preach II profitable sermon on the
subject of dress. We have plenty of flip
pant denunciations of fine clothes, and an
abundance Of grave animadyersions on
the sin and folly of extravaganza in ap-
parel but scarcely an essay can be found
touching the aesthetics and morale of
dress. And yet it is study worthy to
be ranked among the Zine arts" not less
than architecture, painting and sculpture.
"Dress your boy like n blackguard," /" said
u venerable man of our acq iaintaintance,
land he will behave like one. Dress him
like gentleman, and he will at least try
to sustain the character 1t was an OBJ
seryation of Lagater, the great physiog-
nomist that persons habitually attentive to
dress, display the same regularity in do
nestle affairs
Young women, saysh he, "who neglect
their toilet, and manifest little concern
about their apparel, indicate in this very
particular, disregard of order; mind
but little adapted to the details of ho1se-
keeping a deficiency of taste and of the
qualities which inspire love- THE girl
Of eighteen, who desires not to please,
will be slut and a shrew at twenty-five |"
1t is great mistake in women to suppose
that they may safely throw off all care
about dress with their celbacy, as if hus-
bands had less taste than suitors or as
if wives had less need than mistresses of
elegant and tasteful apparel, An old
writer says with hearty emphasis; at is
one of the moral duties of every married
woman always to appear well dressed in
the presence of her husband Expensive
attire is by no means essential. The
simplest muslin gown may eyince the
woman's taste as truly as the most costly
robe of moiTe antique. But how rare a
quality is good taste In the mere matter
OF propriety and harmony of colors, there
is material for treatise (Which has vet to
be written) by some one thoroughly pro-
iicient in the aesthetics of dress, Even the
simplest laws, though pretty generally
/ understood, are constantly neglected.
Look at the stunning glare of red, which
comes from all the bonnets at the present
moment, whatever may be the complex
ion beneath them An English poem of
the last century contains some sensible
precepts respecting eolors To brunnettes
the poet recommends gay colors-
''rose," "orange" or even e scarlet" Here
is couplet;
"The lass whose skin is like the hazel brown,
With brighter colors should O'ercOme her
own"
To rosy checked girls he permits 'bue"
and "the color of the sea-" Cautioning
pale women against "verna hues," he
says, quantity and poetieally;
"Lades grown pale With sickness or despar,
The sable's mournful die should choose to
wear
So the pale moon still shines with purest
light,
Clad in the dusky mantle of the night"
PoE-ICAL CoNcEITs,
1t is curious to follow certain poetical
iancies through the various expressions of
different authors. Nearly three centuries
ago William Haddington wrote, among
many fine things, poem to Night, COM
mencing thus
nheh survey the bright
Celestial sphere,
So rich with jewels hung, that Night
Doth like nm Ethiop bride appear"
Shakespeare modified this sublime figure
In the famous exclamation of Romeo
80. she doth teach the torches to burn bright
II seems she hangs upon the check of Night.
Like the rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear:
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear,
Afterwards came Morloe, who gave
another turn to this same imagery in the
following invocation
Z" Fair, eldest child Of love- thou Spotless Nigbt
Empress OF Silence and the queen of Sleep :
VINO, with thy black cheeks pure complexion.
Makest lovers eyes enamored of thy beauty"
Young in his Night Thoughts, changes
the blackamoor for widow, thus
Glow like widow in her weeds, the NIGHT,
Amid her gliumering tapers, silent sitsl'
Bailey tries his hand at the same snb-
ject with striking effect:
" Stringing the stars, at random round her beal
Like pearl network, there she sits-bright
Night." e"'
Then comes Longfellow with the same
idea rendered prettily and lippantly
thus: r'''''''
" The day is done. and the Darkness
Falls from the wings Of Night.
! AS feather is waited downward
From an eagle in its flight
Major General Morgan having retired
| from his position as Military povernor Far |