The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-05-23

ana DrulSeQ bhe tnOrn-crOWned head.
- q 80. ~ 40 10 ~ o, Lord, our Lord!
How great is thy compassion! -.
Woman and Her Costume. 'i'
Avery sensible woman makes, in the
Rerol,atot newspaper, the shrewdest sug-
gestion we have yet encountered in regard
to feminine costumes. In the first place,
she pertinently asks if the Sorosis ladies, in
condemning sfashions that expose the per.
son moro than good taste or good sense
would warrant" allude to the eight waists
and tight basques which give such immodest
prominence to the bust? or to the hoops
which, upon, the slightest provocation,
make such pnseemly displays?'' That is 0
good hint at a piece of indelicacy very com.
mon among the ladies, for nothing could
we'll be more suggestive than the fashion, in
this fat7oheested country. of stufing the
bust of dress out like the breast of 9
pigeon, or that of O military coat. We have
seen lady furtively conceal variety Of
household 'tsmall ware" in her bosom,
merely to make believe that nature had
formed her with a special plumptitude in
that region. But the sensible woman we
allude to says:
Exposure of that which was intended tc
be hidden attracts attention and excites
coarse thought; but that woman should al
low the world to discover that she is O crea
This is true, and in countries where
women expose their limbs habitually, the
exposure occasions less observation than il
does here, where it is only done as if acci
IDENTIFY and when it becomes fashionable.
"a dress that more nearly resembled that
Of man would render woman less conspic
uous, and, therefore, more at ease in public
places. She would not have to brazen he,
front as she does in her present attire
cah, 81 Ia ks~,.1 a. A
attract attention to her SEX"
There is much food for reflection in this
paragraph, although it does not justify the
Bloomer costume, nor make masculine gar
ments becoming upon the fair sex. The
Reroluti0n itself upon this topic remarks:
"As to woman's dress, we think it super
latively ridiculous, from her heels to hel
head. sheer invention of the devil to be-
fool and belittle her, and just as fast as she
seeks active work and amusements, she will
lay It aside. Already, at the gymnasium
that leaves their lungs and legs free. The
idea that woman is made like churn on
casters is fast passing away, and it will not
be long ere she, too, will honor the bifur.
Gated garments, and find new health and
vigor in the deep breathing and freedom OF
locomotion. - 10 a'A.7o :, Ton.
This is the kind OF extravagant rhodo.
montade that tempts men to laugh when
ever the ''strong- minded" mount one OF
their hobbies, and, instead of modestly
amblinglih any direction, commence indulg.
ing in such exaggerated performances that
they seem only fit to go.afoot. A woman's
dress is not g. %shesrp invention, of the devil
to befool and Stelittle her, "Jand none but q
woman who befools and belittles herself by
absurd speech and ACTION would so denomi
nate it. A woman s dressis not rs fitted TO,
laborious pursuits as MANS but it is salways
enaine6tly graceful is often very digpifed,
and Qet us whisper this fact) is the only
thing about notTa few women that com
mands the respect of gentlemen. Put those
women in male attire and they would only
inspire contempt.
That woman is not ''made like churr
Oh casters, y the age is certainly beginning
20 realize, and hence to say 'Iegs" to
woman does mot; now consign gentleman
10 social Coventry rs it used to. Wher
women forbade us to speak of anything pu
limbs" or OF t.s;continuations, OF o.
walkers" they inferentially commanded
US to infer that .ianabes we're not attribute.
of their sex, and, of course, they proper
tionately stimulated male curiosity wher
they displayed ever SO little of what they
insinuated they had not Less prudery OF
their part would often have suggested NOR.
modesty. AS it is, their excessive pruder,
is fading away. Legs are presumed to be
long to all human beings, and, for want @
piquant aliment, curiosity ON the subject il
dying out. But would not ''bifurcated gar
ments" on women (meaning trowsers) reviv,
that curiosity in all its coarseness? Th,