Smyrna times., 1866-07-11
Extravaganza and Fashion.

The Round Table is dealing some sturdy
strokes at the eXtravagances the fashions a, 4
frivolitles of the day. 1t declares in a late g
sue that "craziness is abroad in tn la, d.
Some mysterious spirit of evil har led the peo-
pie into the bllndest, widest infatuation. The
one great ruling passion has become the thirst
Tor ,mOney-money for display and money for
reckless excesses Men that once were count
ed reasonable and sensible are carried along on
the waves of wild and foolish snecnlation' and
women that once were decOrous, and modest
and womanly, have dOnned the most shameless
fashions, and fiaunt the most extravagant or
naments. The worst Of all that France can Of
Ter, is poured in upon us with no regard for
either decency and economy. At least One-half
the people are living beyond their means In
fact, the poor half seem to make the greatest
display, and enter into the most objectionable
excesses. The blood of the people is pulsing
quite too fast for health and safety. We are
drifting sadly, terribly away from the old land
marks, and from every beacon of sense and Sc
curlty What madness has seized upon the
people? How far are these things to carry
us r SO dlscOurSes the Round Table, and in
the course of the article the editor also re-
proves that class of women who so greedily ac-
cept the follies which the French dentt-mOnole
bring IN, and declares, with more or less rea-
son, that 1t IS shame to see respectable wom-
en- who should stand out as examples, giving
way to such disgraceful authorities. 1t con-
cludes with call upon all good people to unite
in an effort to stay the tide of wild excess
These things, 1t is true, generally bring their
own cure, but when men get to living beyond
their means, if a wholesome sentiment can be
brought to bear and a timely example afforded
OF disgust at extravaganza and indecent display,
especially among their wives and daughters,
hpP tnI nRNFo ,NVIfx TO- i
feet recovery. Others of our contemporaries
are also getting shocked at the tendencies and
manner of things round about them among the
talrer portion Of the land. When we see such
journals the New York Post, which engages it.
self generally with the graver questions of
State, of finance, and other solid interests
turning aside to array itself against the ladies'
fashions and their dresses, we are constrained
to suspect that there may be something in it.
Far be 1t from us to wantOnly accuse the sex
generally OF any improperly in such matters
To us they always look most lovely but then,
when very sensible, and, withal, gallant CO.
tempOrary-as is the I0St-admits to its col
umns such communication as the following,
what are we to say?
Some few years ago a French dancer ap-
peared in New York, whese style was then con-
sldered so immoral, that very few church going
people would appear in her presence. Last
Sunday attended fashionable church and
there saw that three fourths Of the ladies, in
entering their piews, in consequence of their
style Of dress, made an exposure which might
even shame the French dancer. 1t is not only
in going into pews but in going up stairs, get
ting III and out of street cars, omnibuses car
rlages, ascending stairs, &c, that the morals
of the present day are being impaired. Can
ladies' expose themselves, in their present style
Of dress, without impairing their delicacy?'
Now that is a serious question. But are the
ladies wholly to blame? The fact is, one thing
is exactly in keeping with another. Expansion
and imitation are the order of the day. and that
begins with the men-with politicians, legisla-
tors and rulers Bali. .Sun.