New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-27
tFor the Republican,
IL 1T OUR FAULTS

Yes, / ask, is it our fault? Are we to b
censured for displaying our love 70
"Grecian curls and short dresses? Ar
We not encouraged by smiles and looks G
admiration from the "sterner sex!" Whe
We promenade, freshly coated over with re-
and white enamel, are we not greeted OF
every side by looks OF appreciation? Do W
not hear: Beautiful" "stylish," "b
George, she's beauty?n Now, ever,
modest woman detests open fsttery, an,
dislikes open compliments, however wei
turned. Yet, to hear the words when no
intended for her ears. she can not prevent
feeling of vanity or pleasure stealing through
her veins.
Follow homely-faced girl, "plainly bu
neatly dressed" into one of our fashionable
stores; her feet warmly and comfortably
clad, only her natural hair coiled in sim
pie knot, her face guiltless of paint or pow
der-she will be politely met, of course, by
one. or perhaps two clerks mot those with
hair parted in the centre OF the head, they
are always engaged), but while extolling
the beauty and durability OF an article, his
eyes are wandering forever to the front
door; he gallants her about half way out,
when they meet butterfly of fashion J" the
grave, bored expression leaves his face; he
bows, hobs and smiles by turns, pulls half
the goods from their places, strains his
joints Tor pants, Ishould say,) in his haste to
restore her perfumed kerchief. After thirty
minutes hesitation, she buys half yard OF
hair, trips ont of the store, leaving him in
state of delight and perspiration. That
many women have been educated into 8
f0ndness for fnrbelows and finerv-made
real Flora McFlimseys, in SHORTS sad
truth, that we do not wish to deny or apol-
ogize for; ard also that absurd extravaganza
has grown to an uDjustiiable and evil excess
a. mil 90 Ivp,tt h,.x n 1.
frivolity, all the love of show, and all the
ruinous expenditure Of this fast age is the
fault OF the fair sex, we do not admit.
Would not the cost of wines and cigars that
gentleman at his club, or his exclusive
male parties, INDUCES in during one
year dress his wife for three; then her
dresses are of some use; they last for years,
but gentleman's superfuous Injuries have
neither use nor beauty. They are the mere
qualifications of an hour, of an appetite,
and when we deduct smoke and headache
nothing remains. A lady with ordinary
features and ordinary abilities may make
home very pleasant and agreeable, but let
man select companion for promenade in
our fashionable thoroughfares; ordinary fea-
lures will not be his choice; he is everTeady
to escort 'beauty" to concert or ball;
ready flow of conversation, captivating
in its vlvacity, with any fashionably
dressed, brilliant complexion aud spark.
ling eyes, invest the evening with
peculiar charms. With satisfied smile he
bows to friends, no matter if all her beauty
and charms are borrowed or purchased, she
is the "belle" of the evening, land supported
on his arm. Why does a wife take such
pains to appear we'll? Simply that she may
see pride cleaning in her husbands ewes
when he hears she is the most beautiful
woman in the room. Now, say, men are
partly to blame for woman's follies and ex-
travsgance. If they did not like it they
would not encourage it. 1t is the same of
women. Who likes to be escorted by man
dressed in the fashion of our grand
fathers, no matter if they are encroachipg
on our rights, they are fashionably
dressed; if some woman had not admired his
hat with feather in it. he certainly would
not wear it. There are, We firmly believe,
but few women, young or old, who would
not give up fashionable display, retrench,
if they were candidly dealt with by their
husbands, brothers or fathers. If you would
only show them, that self-denial would be an
advantage to those they love, and that love
and real tenderness would be the result
and the reward of their economy, the greater
portion would 60 bravely to their duties.
But they must have some assurance that
men will also retrench, so that what is
saved by the wife's economy, be not dissi.
pated by the greater indulgence of the hps-
band, in wines, cigars, fast horses, and
other expensive fOllies Of men.