Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-11-16
lFor the REPrBLIoAs.I
The Evils Of the Times.
Absurdity of the Fashions.
BY EDWARD D. CLAIMING.


+cised thereby, but too often ex-
cites the spirit of hatred or revenge.
Knowing these things, we enter up-'
on our subject with fear and trem-
bling, for, while we may be deliniat-
ing our own weaknesses,we may alas,
often touch upon the failings Of
Others. In speaking of fashion we
will limit ourselves to the figure
and style of dress, though we might
expand on all custumary usages,a land
modes of action; in the former sense
however, the word is most generally
used. Historians and writers of all
ages, have dwelt more or less re-
motely upon the habits and dress
which were prevalent in their times;
and the penman of the inspired
page, early gives us ideas of the ar
tifce of our primitive ancestors.
But, however interesting and agree
able it might be to trace the course
of ingenuity and genius IN raising
the crude materials to their present
adaptability to our wants, we con-
fine our notice to the errors of the
present.
Clothing is designed to protect
the body from the inclemeney ofthe
weather, and the more perfectly we
satisfy our necessities, and abandon
the fitful requirements of fashion
and style, we will add to our com
fort and happiness. Some may pre-
tend to deny this fact, claiming
that the new inventions are minis
tiers to our comforts and sources of
our joys; but let the victim Of la
cling, with a waist like wasp, and
suffering from dyspepsia if she has
any stomach at all, decide; or the
poor unfortunate whose cup of hap
piness is embittered by the oppres-
sion of her tender toes. Men are
not carried away by fashion SO east
ly as the gentler sex, in fact true
common sensed men are not at all
subject to its influence. hf-
But boys hardly over the blissful
sensation of cay-love, or laboring
under the effects of sickly mus
tache, rejoice in the display of flow
ing scarfs, or Immediately fitting
box-toed shoes. Thinking proba-
bly, that their future reputation, and
happiness depend entirely upon the
cut and quality ofa coat, they perse-
cute few struggling, sandy colored
hairs SO that their chins resemble q
newly laid egg. 1.-the able-bodied
fellows for the sake of style carry
canes or don spectacles, assuming
the attendants Of weakness and old
age. But these faults could be pass
ed over, or even pardoned in com
parisyn with some of the extrava-
gance Of ladies. Though far be it
from us to speak derogatory in the
least of the soundness of their
Ijudgement,or to dnduly criticise OBJ
jects of their regard; still it must
be admitted that it is through their
instrumentality and exertions the
rage is carried on and increases.
| The investigator having passed
the threshold of the arcanum of wo-
mans domain, stands appalled, at
lnumberless varieties of the articles
of every conceivable material, shape,
form and use which are presented
to his gaze; as he goes forward his
limbs are impeded and entangled in
crinoline at every step; he is suffo-
Gated by the dense, aromatic per
fumes of the tropics wings of birds,
cunningly devised flowers on wire,
and the ravaged plumes and furs, of
the fowls of the air, and the beasts
of the field, of every color, and of
every shade bewilder his senses.
Upon Sc ing all these things a gen.
tie wonder is excited in his breast,
how it ever entered into the heart of
woman to devise the remarkable in
ventions she daily displays; but in
deed, it seems that the fair charmers
are endeavoring to verify the quaint
and homely proverb, that "the fea-
thers make the bird" Women,
with their hands hanging helplessly
from the wrists, with bodies like an
inverted interrogation point for
straightness, with expanded skirts,
compressed waists, jewelled fingers,
and painted cheeks, marvellously
composed of hens, flounces, tucks,
and frills, glorying in golden chains
or portable teeth, are the common
objects of everyday life. And
their hair!-frizzled and tonseled
and curled- composed Of tow, rats
and pads, is wonderfully contrived
to excite the curiosity of the Lords
of creation. The self. sacrificing
martyrdom they endure, wearing
No. 2, gloves and in 'finitessimal
shoes, deserves the commisseration
of every kind-hearted soul, so, ap-
preciating their heroic devotion to
the accomplishment of their whim,
we abstain from prosecuting them
father rAm i'.;a "'t .
Plainliness in dress is preferable
and desirable, though color is by
no means Objectionable in modera-
ton. Neatness and simplicity OF
apparel, is as sure an indicative of
a gifted intellect, as gaudy dress, of
the shallow-minded fool. The emf
nent men of all times are noted for
their temperate habits, simplicity of
manners and want of ostentation.
The good old Methodist preachers,
well declaimed against this, the ris-
ling evil of their day, and it still is
true that those who put their trust
and affections upon the evanescent,
perishing things of this world, will
learn alas! too late, that the staff on
which they lean, is but a broken
reed which pierceth the hand of him
who trusteth thereon. 4a sia -a
A GENEROUS GIFT. at..
| III