The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-10
EXTRAVAGANCE OF WOMEN.

In an article on Retrenchment, {
thing imperiously demanded by these
times, the Charlottesville Chronicle
with areckless bravery unparalleled IN
the late war, makes an onslaught upor
female dress. 1t declares that the mum.
Der and quality of products woman
has OH her back is prodigious. II
enumerates all the articles of the female
wardrobe with a particularly that cal
only be the result of long and careful
observation. 1t says that, to rig out one
young woman, there must be an elegant
pair of shoes silk stockings = kid
gloves-a bonnet, which Is world in
itself-pomade-teeth plugged combs,
hair-pins, hair-net rouge, starch. 5000
don't Cologne, earrings, brooch, chain,
crinoline and linen, flannel, finger
rings, fan, watch, bracelet, collar, cuffs,
parasol, and the main dress ITSELF Add
cloak, fiirs, over-shoes, sea foam, baImo-
raj, lace, pocket handkerchief, gold
pencil, porte monnaie. brade, lace, cord,
buttons, flowers, feathers, beads, span
giles, ribands. rosettes, buckles, frrbc-
lows, tucks, fiounces, embroidery, etc /,
etc. n
The Chronicle demands to know
whether women were intended for III!
this commentator. Itasserts that one
third of their life is taken up in buying,
preparing and talking over their dresses;
that among themselves the subject OF
dress Is almost the exclusive subject OF
conversation-which cannot be true in
the neighborhood of Charlottesville for
some days, at least, after the appearances
of this article. 1t is the opinion of the
Chroatcle that about one-fourth of the
time of the human race. and, perhaps.
,One-fourtll Of their earnings are devoted
to the dressing Of women 1t Is especi
ally indignant about bonnets, and in
sists that the Roman ladies never
dreamed of bonnets 1t believes that Il
respectable female may be dressed fol-
one year for about fifteen dollars, where
as they average about one hundred and
fifty dollars. At least six hundred mil
lion dollars year would be saved TO the
country by the enforcement of sumptu-
airy laws compelling the women TO I've
economical IN dress. Tn short. we
should judge from the Chronicles article
that
Mans dress Is Of mans life thing apart
IT'S womau's whole existence
We trust the women will now proceed
at once to reform, retrench, pay of the
national debt, and save the country
Nothing Of the kind can be expected OF
the men. We have always regarded the
female sex, compared to the male, as a
cheap institution. A mans hat, coat.
breeches and boots cost more in general
than n woman's clothing. Moreover,
the men drink whiskey, smoke cigars,
chew tobacco, and eat voraciously.
There are as many male as female SPEND
ttrifts among the young men and young
women of fashion. When women marry
they generally--Outside the great cities
at least-cast off their extravaganza fol-
lies and other nonsense; whereas men
exchange their juvenile wild oats for
politics and other expensive luxuries
that cost the country good deal more
than all the dress expenditures of the
women. Politicians involve country
in debt and war, and then the women
are called upon to go bareheaded, and
dress like Pocohontas, in order to foot
the bill.
We concur, however, in the vital i'm
portance Of retrenchment by both sexes.
Men and women are both spending a
great deal of money uselessiy. There is
an immense outlay upon superfluities,
aud unless greater economy Is exercised,
the times, bard as they are, will become
infinitely worse. No one should think
now Of appearances. There is as much
necessity now for rigid economy as in
the Confederate times. The ladies then
showed themselves capable of self-denial
in dress, table and furniture, and they
have only to realize that the necessity for
retrenchment is as great rs ever to set
an example that the men will do well to
follow. Richmond Dispatch.
READING FOR SOLEMN READERS.
The Boston advertiser states that " the
Louisville. correspondent of the Cincin-
natl Gazette has just seen Kentucl v
farmer in the cars who had not heard of
Mr.. Lincoln's death or of the enamel
patton of the slaves. He is a staunch
dem crat." The " farmer" in question
was in coffin, aud had been dead two
years. If he was democrat. he is
likely to stick TO bis principles, which
is something of praise. The Western
papers are teeming with stories of the
ready wit and peculiar humor of the
late Hon. Thomas Corwin. The latest
one is of the time when arrogance on
the part of the South and submission on
that OF the North was the order of the
day In Congress-. A bill introduced bv
Yr. Clay had been defeated in the
senate: Mr.. Foote, of Mississippi.
rose IN intense excitement and exclaim.
ed, MIR. President, this republic ceases
10 exist by noon to morrow "Mr.
Corwin, who opposed the measure, and