Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-03-15

In your paper of the 10th inst. find
letter from some lady correspondent,
relative to excessive indulgence in FASH
ion, and such frivOlties as tend to dwarf,
il not wholly to eXterminate, the noble
traits of human nature, particularly such
benevolence as should enrich the heart
of woman.
have been rejecting myself upon the
heartless course pursued by the women
of the south during the war, but more
especially since the surrender; perpetu-
ating the memory Of our struggles, and
that of our gallant dead, by fashion and
revelry. " Monumental partiesn osten-
sibly gotten up for patriotism, admiration
andlove for the FALLEN braves, y under this
guise getting together all the light hearts
and lighter heads in every community,
for scarcely a town or city of the
graced by these mock displays
" Of a noble people weeping over the
graves of the champions Of liberty"
| No wonder our enemies mock at the Ca
| lamities which have already befallen US,
| and go on 10 forge still harder chains
with which to bind US. 1t does seem as
| if they could hardly invent a torture
| that would arouse the mass of our women
/ to a sensible realization of the sutferings
of their country. The soldier, who re-
| turned from the war to exc out his life
| in the gaul of bondage, has all of com
| fort be might enjoy in his family dissi-
pated by the increasing demand Of wife
and daughter for means to keep up
with thGfashions. HaTrassed and de-
pressed by the dark fortunes of his cOun-
| try, the only relief he could hope for is
in the intelligent society of those around
bis fireside, by having his mind diverted
in pleasant paths of literature by ge-
nial and appreciative companion but
no woman full of the d" latest styles" can
I throw a glow of cheer into the home
circle.
| It is said that man or q single set of
men can give character to a nation, an
art, or a science. Now, why cannot a
/ woman or a single set of women give a
/ check to the folly Of fashion, and inau-
| gIIrate new era In the history of her
sex, by introducing what would engage
| her tastes, her affections, her intellect,
| by commencing st once the natural pur-
| suit of a normal mind, the acquisition Of
/ Knowledge, such as can be brought to
| bear upon practical and social life? For
woman to be well informed in history
! is delightful to her husband, and useful
/ to her brothers or sons To be a fine bot
/ anist is pleasant entertainment Tor all
| her lady friends. To be a chemist is in
teresting and instructive to herself. To
be accomplished in music (if the soul
of it be in you,) sweetens every
gift: and to be informed in all
| standard literature makes her home the
| favored resort of the intelligent and eul-
tivated; as a groundwork of all to have
| the graces of christianity to balance her
| character, will lead her to such deeds Of
charity and benevolenee, as the poor of
our country now so much need.
1t is not calico leagues then, nor
"homeSpun parties" which is to turn
| the tide of evils in dress and revelry, but
the pursuit Of such things as are ineom-
patible with the practices of the giddy
and fashionable woman. A home under
the influence of high culture and genuine
piety is like city set ON hill-its light
cannot be hid; some one visiting it viii
go home and do likewise, and soon its
influence would permeate a neighbor-
! hood.
Other thoughts suggest themselves,
and if this be acceptable to my noble sis
ter-wOmen, to whom this is something
of a reply, or to you, Messrs. Editors, /
may write again,