Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-01-20
From the Scalpel
HOPED SKIRTS-ARE THEY HEALTHFUL?

BY EDWARD II. DIXON, II. d
THERE are few subjects about which more
stupidity iIl-natured remarks have been made
by thoughtless people, than that simple de-
ylcctOr woman comtOrt-the hOoped skirt.
We always thought fayorably OF hoops from
early association with that glorious race OF
women, our revolutionary grandmOthers,
when We listened to the description of one
Of those stately minuetS given in honor Of
the Inauguration Of General Washington as
President Of the United States Hoops
We're Invariably worn on all occasions OF Ger
emOny It's true, we then had no omnibus
or railroad cars in which women OF bad breed
ing, and often worse temper, could display
these accomplishments, by nIlstaking the
vehicle Tor ther own private carriage, should
any hurried or wearied pedestrian seek a
seat beside them r1t yYas IL IiI0GI customary
to go to market OF shopping in an evening
or ball dress even on grand occasions, the
train was lo0pcd up on one or both sides
becanse the wearer had the good sense to
see that an apartment was OF limited space,
and a man could not annihllate himself for
her convenience 3; bat the hoops were am
pie, and srindIy did they become the wear
erS. for they too were grand and ample WO-
men we have seen the costly brocades and
the iigh-hee slippers, but the hoops long
since went into the oven or great Franklin
or Ten Plate that warmed the par!0r or cook
ed the dinner in those primitive and anti
shodiy days. The hoops were made tsub-
stantiai hickory; and we have often trapped
rabbits on the very spot where some Of them
grew. The ladies We're usually content with
three circles, 50 disposed tlat they gave the
m0St elegant and artistic disposition Of the
rich and heavy iabTics, which, unlike most
of the modern material, would almost stand
alone without either the wearcr or the
hoops
In those days when most Of the wearers
were no strangers TO a horse back and the
broom or breaduay, those cunnlngly devils
ed little springy circIets that now give such
an exquisite and Fenus-like curve to the
tournure as it sweeps downward and falls
into the grand and locp-iikc folds Of the
skirts, were entirely unknown. You may
clothe barrel with the stoutest
hickory without impairing It's excellence
bur we should be 10th to waltz with part
mer thus arrayed, even if opr ardor in the
dance would permit us to ignore the con-
tact of the lower circles with our tibia and fl
bula, or breathe it softly our shins.
Truth to speak, however, dear ladies,
the smaller circles were quite unnecessary
for women in those primitive days had a
fairer chance for life and beauty Muscle
and a superb outline, were not considered
vulgar nor did she of the acuminated elbows
and anatoinized bust and hips, have a cOad-
tutor In the crOchet-needle and the vinegar
bottle. in her malicious ridicule OF a young
women whom nature had formed as woman
ought to be formed, with the vital organs,
breasts and pelvis, adapted to the grand end
and object Of her creation-the crowning
glory of her sex-a family of healthy chill
dren
We consider the modern hooped skirt one
of the most admirably artistic and health
giving devices of our time; and no sensible
person can fail to appreciate its benefit to
the young girl or woman; we will give our
reasons for this opinion OF course they
will be entirely professional, for we are no
man -mililner.
1t is conceded by all correct observers, and
fully recognized by our anatomists and gym
nastic teachers, that the muscles of the thorax
and its appendages, the arms and abdomen,
are not used more than one fourth as much
by our modern women as they are compell-
ed to use those of the legs nearly all the
which our unfortunate young
people are PERMITTED to perform by the in
exorable fiat of ,Japonicadom are what may
be called passive her hands must be rev.
erentlv and lovingly folded across her chest
in order that their whiteness may not suffer
by permitting the least motion; the lungs,
of course, must be kept quiet, not only be
cause she is not allowed to walk fast enough
to require much air, but because the posi-
ton of the arms and the weight OF the fore
= The negroes sold them in Washington, or as
it was then called. Bear Market A lady might
often be seen carrying them home on her arm
with the family dinner following her on that OF
her servant.