The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-08-11

|
| immortal statues of old Athens? Ger
tainly the statues had their heads neatly
dressed, and considering that the sculp-
tor seldom cmbarrassed1th rest of the
figure with any superlluous draping, it
| is to be assumed he did his best with
the hair. If this classic principle is car
ried out, we may find it open to a few
| objections. Say that the bonnets vanish,
that the Mandarin and his family are
discarded, what next, and next? The
coal-scuttle, we understand, was in
vogue when blushing was known, but
that art or infirmity being now obsolete,
or being rendered permanent attrac-
ton, we dispense with the coal-scuttle
70 do things altogether as they did in
Greece would scarcely suit. We confess
we do not witness the complete eXtinc-
ton of the bonnet without misgivinr
and regret. "La Tarten does not con-
sole us, and the Mandarin" is an incfii-
cient substitute. 1t will take some time
beforewe are reconciled to lie Caprice" !"
Not that we are heretical enough to
question the propriety of even Man.
darln." In those matters, as we said
before, the ladies should have absolute
authority and control. Only we should
warn them not to be surprised at the re-
marks which the innovations give oc-
casion to. In the commencement of
this season the sex took to what, for
want of Il better name, we shall term
zebra dresses. We beheld our wives
and daughters covered with stripes, and
streaked down even as the wild asses of
the desert. Now we have grown accus-
toned to their streakincss. So we NAV
yet be charmed with the Lamballe"
or with the "Trouville," "having the
borders raised at the side edged with
velvet, worked with beads or straw,
and trimmed with feathers" The black
box which is worn on the head wherev-
er the English language is spoken, shows
how stupid gentlemen are at inventing
hat. Theconservative protection which
keeps up the hideous gear indicates
how we should encourage spirit of in
SNhuitN w ~
wise relapse in the dismal sameness from
which we suffer, But we respectfully,
with Difference, and merely as outsiders,
would protfer word for the bonnet
proper. Is our climate as dry and
warm It's that OF Paris? Are we as sue
cesstul in dressing up to the" Lamballc,"
in harmonizing cloak, mantle, shawl or
whatever ii may be, to the pitch of the
hair, as the French? These be grave
considerations. Shall it be the bonnet
or Clarisse?" 1t strikes our unin-
structed minds as misnomer to call
basin of Grape bonnet, and yet it is Il
bonnet according to lie EOhet, and be-
longs to the genus Fanchon."
The hats are to the bonnets Us croco-
die to an alligator, or as the provcrbial
negro named after tho Roman Emperor
to the other negro. We have mention
ed them indiscriminately. Both are
gauzy and floral. Fashion, however,
should not imita,e Hcliogabulus, and
require peacocks, red-breastS, and king
fishers to grace her dainty dishes. Who
suffers for the flowers we need not de-
tail; the manufacture of artificial flow
crs is not pleasant subject, but Il lady
will have them all the same. One con-
sequence of the mode is, that bonnets
have to be renewed almost as often as
gloves. That fact, however, suggests
a reflection so obviously mean and un-
worthy that we shall not dwell upon
it; we should not complain of what
gives us an opportunity of repeating the
chiefest privilege of IL British father.
Paying for bonnet should be IL pleas
ure, and we have no doubt it is; we
trust, though, that the " Mandarin" the
Lamballe," and La Tarte" are only
temporary, and that bonnet will not
become 50 diminutivea us to puzzlea very
Owen of millinery, who might be asked
to construct one from Il future "Fan-
chon."