Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-02-09
Bob-Tail Fashions.
a Blast from Fanny Fern Agai,s. Feminine
Foy9ieS.

When 1 say that the street dress of the
majority of respectable women of New York
to day is disgusting, l but feebly express my
emotions say the respectable women, and
vet, save to those who know them to be such,
their appearance leaves a wide margin for
doubt. The clown at the circus wears not
more stunning or particolored costume in
fact, his has the advantage ofbeing sufficiently
'aut''-to use nautical phrase-not to inter-
fcre with the locomotion while thcirs-Shat
With disgusting humps upon their backs and
big rosettcs upon their sides and shoulders,
and loops, and folds, and buttons, and tassels,
and clasps and bows upon their skirts, and
striped satin petticoats all too short to hide
often clumsy ankles-and more colors heaped
upon one poor little fashion-ridden body than
ever were gathered in one rainbow-and all
this worn without regard to temperature, time
or place. say this presents spectacle which
is too disheartening even to be comical.
One cannot smile at the young girls who
are, one day-Heaven help them to be wives
and mothers. Wires and mothers = ] say
to myself, as 1 see the throat and neck with
only the protection of gold locket between
itself and the cold autumnal winds, Wives
and mothers l say, as | see them running
their feet and throwing their ankles out of
shape, in the vain endeavor TO walk on heels
like cork, fastened far into the middle of the
sole of their boots and those boots so high
upon the calf Of the leg, and so tightly button
cd across it, that circulation is stopped, and
violent headaches follow, Wives and mothers
| say, as [ sec the heating and burdensome
pannier tackled on the most delicate portion
of n woman's frame, to make still surcr con-
firned invalidsm.
What fathers, husbands, brothers, lovers
can think about. to be willing that the woman
they respect ard love should appear in public,
looking like women whom they despise, is q
marvel to ne. ...-.
Why they do not say this to them, and
shame them into decent appcarance-if
their glasses cannot effect-I do not know
Oh the relief it is to meet a lady, instead of
ballet-girll Oh, the relief it is to SEQ a
healthy, fr;n.atepping, rosy, broad-chested,
bright-eyed woman, clad simply with dress
all of one color, and free from punches and
tags! turn to look ut such a one with trtie
respect, that she has the sense and courage.
and good taste, to appear on the street in a
dress befitting the stl Get leaving to those
poor, wretched women, whose business it is to
advertise their persons free field without
competition. IF | seem to speak harshly it is
because | feel earnestly on this subject. |
had hoped that the women of 1865 would
have been worthy Of the day in which they
live. / had hoped that all their time would
not have been spent in keeping up with the
chameleon changes of fashions too ugly, too
absurd for federation.
1t is because ] want to be something, to do
something higher and nobler than peacock
might aim at, that | turn hcart-sick away from
these infinitessimal trippcries that narrow the
soul and purse, aud leave nothing in their
wake but emptiness. Nor is it necessary, In
avoiding all this, that woman should look
'sstrong minded, !" as the bug. bear phrase goes.
1t is not necessary that she should dress like
her grandmother, IN order to look like decent
woman. 1t is not necessary that she should
forswear ornamentation, because it were hetter
and more respectable to have it confined to
iestal and home occasions and less to public
promenade. She is not driven to the alter
native of muffling herself like an omnibus
driver in January, or catching consumption
with her throat protected only By gold locket.
Oh, how wish that bevy of young, hand
some girls, of good social positions, would
inauguratc plain, lady-like costume for street
and church wear | say young aud hand
some, because if an old woman does this, the
little chits toss their heads and say, ooh. she
has had her day, and don't care now, and we
want ours"
Now, that is perfectly natural and right
too, that you should, as girls say, "make as
much of yourselves )" but in doing so, don't
you think it would be well not to lessen or
cheaper yourselves and / submit. with all
Difference, TO your dress makers and mammas,
that every one of you who appear in public
in the manner 1 have described, are doing
this very thing-are deflins womanhood and
are bringing it into derision and contempt,
whether you believe it or not.-Fdnny Fern.
Notable Dream.