Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-11-14
Fickleness and Fashion.

1t is matter of amusement, to an unln-
terested spectator like myself to observe the
influence fashion has on the dress and de-
pertinent of It's votaries, and how very quick
they fly from one extreme to the other.
A few years since the rage was very high
crowned hats, with very narrow brlms, tight
neckcloth, tight coat, tight jacket, tight small
clothes, and shoes loaded with enormous
silver buckles; the hair craped, plated,
queued and powdered-in short, an air of
the greatest spruceness and tightness diff
fused over the whole person.
The ladies, with their tresses neatly turned
up over an immense cushion; waist a yard
long, braced up with stays into the smallest
compass, and encircled by an enormous
hoop so the fashionable belle resembled
walking bottle.
Thus dressed, was seen, with the most
bewitching languor, reclining on the arm of
an extremely attentive beau, who, with
long cane decorated with an enormous tassel,
was carefully employed in removing every
stone, stick, or straw that might impede the
progress of his tottering companion, whose
high-heeled shoes just brought the points of
her toes to the ground.
What an alteration has a few years pro-
duced We now behold our gentlemen,
with the most studious carelessness and al
most slovenless of dress large hat, large
coat, large neckcloth; large pantalOons, large
boots, and hair scratched into every careless
direction, lounging along the streets in the
most apparent Estlessness and vacuity Of
thought; staring with an unmeaning coun-
tenance, at every passenger, or leaning upon
the arm of some kind fair one for support,
with the other hand crammed into his
breeches' pocket Such is the picture of
modern beau-in his dress stuffing himself
up to the dimensions Of Hercules; in his
manners affecting the helplessness of an in
valid.
The belle who has to undergo the fatigue
of dragging along this sluggish animal has
chosen character the very reverse-emulat-
ing in her dress and actions all the airy light
ness of sylph, she trips along with the
greatest yivacity. Her laughing eye, her
countenance enlivened with affability and
good humor inspire with kindred animation
every beholder, except the torpid being by
her side, who is either affecting the fashion
able sang troid, or is wrapt up in profound
contemplation of himself.
HOW TIE OLD STYLES GOT MARRIED.
There is nothing that seems more strange
II 10 +bo,, h
which modern marriages are conducted. The
parties keep the matter as secret as if there
was something disgracefulin in the connection.
The lady positively denies that anything of
the kind is to happen viii laugh at her in
tended husband, and even lay bets against
the event, the very day before it is to take
place. They sneak into matrimony as qui-
etly as possible, and seem to pride them
selves on the cunning and ingenuity they
have displayed in their man@uvres.
How different is this from the manners of
former times l recollect when my aunt
Barbara was addressed by Squire Stylish
nothing was heard Of during the whole
courtship but consultations and negotiations
between her friends and relatives the mat
ter was considered and reconsidered, and at
length, the time set for final answer
Never shall forget the awful solemnity of
the scene. The whole family Of the old
styles assembled in solemn conclave; my
aunt Barbara dressed out as fine as hands
could make her-high cushion enormous
cap, long waist, prodigious hoop, ruffiles
that reached to the ends of her fingers, and
a gown of fame colored brocade, figured
with poppies, roses. and sunhowers. Never
did she look so sublimely handsome. The
squire entered the room with a countenance
suited to the solemnity Of the occasion. He
was arrayed in a full suit Of scarlet velvet,
his coat decorated with profusion of large
silk buttons, and the skirts stifened with
yard or two of buckram q long, pig-tailed
wig, well powdered, adorned his head; and
stockings of deep blue silk, rolled over the
knees, graced his extremities; the flaps of
his vest reached to his knee buckles, and the
ends of his cravat, tied with the most pre-
else neatness, twisted through every button
hole
Thus accoutred, he gravely walked into
the room, with his ivory-headed cane in one
hand, and gently shaying his three-cornered
beaver with the other The gallant and
appearance of the squire, the
gracefullness and dignity of his department,
occasioned a general smile of complacency
through the room my aunt Barbara mod
estly yelled her couftenance with her fan,
but l observed her contemplating her ad
mirer with great satisfaction through the
sticks.
The business. was opened with the most
formal solemnity, but was not long in agi-
tation. The old styles were moderate their
articles of capitulation few the squire was
gallant, and acceded to them all. In short,
the blushinp Barbara was delivered ND to