The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-02-05
CHIT CHAT ON FASHION.


we'll enough, and the rules of common
sense are well enough observed by men
But woman is under the guidance OF a
higher law than any relating to her
individual safety. No woman that's q
woman values her comfort, her health,
her life. in comparison with her per-
sonal appearance. She is impelled by a
profound logic-say rather divine in
stinct. On the slender thread of her
personal attractions hangs the very sx-
istepce of human future. The crinkle
of a ringlet, the tie Of ribbon, has
swayed the waveriug choice of half
enamored swain, and given to the world
a race which would never have come to
the ligh, Of day but for the pinch of the
curling tongs or turn of the mil)i-
ner's fingers. 1t is in virtue of this
supreme influence to consequences
this sublime contempt of disease asd
death as compared with the loss Of the
smallest personal advantage-that wo
men has attained the power of resist
ence 10 exposure which 50 astonishes
the male SIX. Think of her thin shoes
and stockings, her bare or scarcely pro-
tpcted neck or arms, her rose leaf bon
net. by the side of the wOollen socks,
the LAYERS OF flannel and broadcIoth,
and the warm hats and caps of her
effeminate companion! We may learn
a lesson in the matter OF clothing from
the trainers and jockeys. They blanket
their horses carefully after exercise.
We come in heated and throw off our
outside clothing. Wedress for summer,
and the next thing down goes the Their
mometer, and we run risk to which
the owner of the race horse wonld not
subject his beast.
The question of hoops has been before
the public for some time now, and 1t
still seems q question in the minds OF
NEST people whether they are fashiona-
bic or not. One thing is certain, they
are more generally worn this winter
than last, and from information recefv-
ed from one of the largest manHactu-
rers, it would appear that the hoops
lately ordered by the ladies of fashion
and the retail dealers are much larger
in circumference than those worn for
the last five years. 1t is claimed also
by manufacturers that the trade
is comparatively brisk. By 60
ing into statistics it is discovered
that never, since the creation, has the
fashion of wearing hoops, when once
adopted, lasted less than fifty years, and
Judging the future by the past, We have,
according to that, some forty years of
hoops, more or less, in store for us.
However, if the ladies of elden times
could stand the ungainly, stiff, poky ar
rangements of their day for fifty years,
we ought, with the light, flexible,
graceful little articles manufacturers
have been to such trouble and expense
to perfect for us, to submit to the intiic-
ton (if it can be so called) thousand
years at least.
A dinner dress Of the latest style is q
changeable poplin, consisting of gored
skirt with five narrow box-pleated
flounces, high perfectly fitting cor.
sage, and q trimmed overskirt; the
front and sides are quite plain and short,
while the long back widths that form
the train are gathered in at the sides
as we'll as the waist; the front of
the oyerskirt is trimmed with
folds of the material and a deep
fall of black lace In lieu of the panier
several rows of the material, lined with
crinoline, edged with narrow lace aud
box pleated, give rotundity to the hg-
ure. Above this large bow, to which
are attached two excessively long sash
ends, which are caught together at in
tervals and fastened to the train by
similar bows. The corsage and bows
are trimmed with box p!eating to cor
respond.
As the selecting of black silk dress
is point upon which most ladies pos
sess little or no information, Ike follow
ing correct t st, if observed, will be
found advantageous when woman
is about to choose black silk, it is well
to pull thread out of the tram or
filing. She must try the strength Of
the thread. If it breaks easily the ex-
animation has gone far enough; 1T Is
wisdom to look further. We will sup
pose the thread has been tried, and
that it indicates some backbone.
Then it is necessary, if the woman is
right brave, aud dares to do such a
thing with a handsome pair of clerks
eyes bearing down upon her like pri-
vateer upon n poor little merchantmen,
to seize the silk by the corner and to
rub it Just as the washerwOman would
do when she Intends to remove stain.
If this awful ordeal can be performed to
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., some muscle
must be brought to play-the silk is
honest and legitimate. If it is heavy
with dye, if held up to the light, slight
traces of disaster may be discerned."