The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-17

enough to engage their reformatory inspira-
tion in such subjects as they better under
stand, and which wei all know stand in greater
need Of caustic structure?
To men belong habits, extravagant enough,
| demoralizing enough, foul-mouthed enough,
| TO give them fair chance and wide field for
| reformation. But this would be noting the
mote in their own eye, and treading on the
| cor.s In their own shoes. Whereas, fling at
the habits of the other sex, like red flag 70
| Il bull, serves to divert attention from thei,
own vicious propensities. Men are ignorant
OF the philosophy Of fashion and the moral
thereof II is the prerogatlve Of women to
rule in that domain, where, as In every do
| partment properly belonging to them, their
instinct Is better guide than the conceited
wisdom Of meddling moralists, who wear
| boards and dye them after the fashion.
Did you ever know or suspect lady os
wearing a dress or a founce the less, on
account Of any sermonizing against fashion?
| That is the question. If scoldng effects
nothing, common sense says cease chiding
There Is meaning in dress; a deep phil
osophy and an exalted morality. From the
! creation OF man to this hour, it has been an
institution, ruling the moral world with
| power second to no other in its amcliorating
influences. Not even religion, which has
always been jealous Of its rivalry in absorb
| ing the thoughts Of the world, can show
| power so great; for instinct leads mankind,
all with cheerful accord to the one, while the
other demands continued and severe efforts Of
| cloquence and enactment to keep up even
| decent show of devotional submission.
"When go to the theatre" lady viii tell
| you, 81 am not particular about dress, because
the play absorbs peoples attention. But
when go to church, put on the ribbons,
" for peoples eyes have leisure to scan my
dress" They have more than leisure The
attention which flags under prosy sermon or
a formal prayer, finds delightful reliefin scru-
tinizing and comparing each particular article
OF dress; so that, while few can remember the
text, and yet fewer the points oF the sermon
we have yet to find single lady of the con
gregation who cannot tell you exactly what
was worn by each and all Other acquaintances
/" like such church." says a lady from
the country" there is so much to look at and
to admire in the costly dresses, that ones
mind is not filled with horrible thoughts
about the bad place, and how hard is the
r road to heaven, and all that. 1t is more
, pleasant TO contemplate the fashions; II
, gives one so much to talk about, and there
s. is none of that ugly long-lacedness as one
goes home to enjoy the Sunday dinner. For
| % 1 al. 1 hat
with the easiest conscience and most salts
, " factory feelings ever experience"
, What money-hunting, politics. cigar smok-
ing, banqueting, and "taking something"
are to men, fashion is to women. 1t is
, accounted necessary relief from the cares
and daily tolls of domestic drudgery. Against
, the many demoralzing pastimes of men,
women have but one, which the most churl-
ish cynic will admit is comparatively innocent
and iTmeasurably more decent Surely
men who keep snecring at the fashionable
extravaganza of women, might forb0ar, and
turn their eloquence to the reformation OF
their own more vicious hobbies. But fashion
has its uses in the general economy of ciyili-
zation.
Ifit be desideratum that industry shall be
active, there must be a quick demand and
large consumption for the articles produced
Were it not for fashion, three-fourths of our
looms and nine-tenths of the labor that gives
bread to womankind of our cities, would be
withdrawn. 1t is on this account, and in proof
of its providential ordination, that in exact
proportion as population becomes dense, means
OF refined employment multiply; and as raw
textile material increases in supply, machinery
mutiplies to convert it into fabrics, and fashion
demands quarterly and monthly changes to
use up the great production. Mark how al
these work together, and are as links of one
, chain, and one of which being sundered, the
whole would fall.
If we wish stimulation to manufactures
industry, and full and profitable employment
q to those whose daily bread depends upon II
= we should work kindly upon fashion, as al
5 institution that keeps up healthIul distribu
a tion of wealth, which else would make mucl
r greater distinction between the rich and tn
q poor. Compared with ancient times tn
{ poor are not so far from the rich in the com
d forts Of life; and in proportion as fashion ha
r been active and supreme at any period of TIN
5, worlds history, the estate of the poor ha
e been elevated, and the morality of the rcl
d has been improved by the innocent elevation
o it furnishes to the unemployed mind, whicl
else would seek diversion in paths that Nigh
If lead to greater evil.