The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1872-01-25
CHILDHOOD "a La MODE !"
Misses Of Seven Arraysd in Silks and
0littering with Diamonds The Road

Misses Of Seven Arraysd in Silks and
0littering with Diamonds The Road
to Ruin.
The frlvolity Of the fair sex is the
leading topic Of the day. 1t lis the
theme of strong-minded women, and
the pet hobby of weak minded men,
Everywhere you hear it discussed
and wondered at. The fact is ap-
parent, but the cause is obscure. ii
is argued that never since the world
began was there so much culture,
and so much intellectual brilliancy
displayed among our noted women
as at the present time. Why then,
in the midst of so much intelligence,
is there such largo number of vain
and foolish women To this query
we offer the following:
Much of the affection and shallow
ness attributed to "our girls of the
poriod" is due to the unwise mango
ment of vain mothers, who, in haste
to display the charms and accom-
plishments Of their children, bring
them ont in society almost in their
infancy.
Among the recent holiday parties
given to children, We describe one
which is not exaggerated. and which
is fair specimen Of hundreds. The
entertainment occurred in one Of the
most fashionable streets of Brook
lyn, and at the residence of one of
the weathiest men. The mother is
one of the most cultured women
who grace our land, and is, in the
main, . common sense, practicable
woman. But she has gone fashion
NADIA prevalent epidemic. 1t was
q full dress party. The hours ap.
pointed were from 8 to IL p. m.
About ono hundred guests were
preeent, who wero received by their
young hostess (a miss of ten years.
with as much ease and self-posses
sion as matron could assume.
The dresses consisted of white,
pink, yellow and blue silk, elaborate
" trimmed and decked with spang-
les. The little misses had their hair
dressed in the best style, friszed,
puffed, powdered and adorned with
flowers. White kid gloves were gen
orally worn. Only one thing was
lacking in the miniature representa-
tion OF an adult party, viz, enam-
elled faces. Powder, however, was
freely used. One little girl, (if she
could be recognized ~ sucb) particu-
larry engaged attention. She was
ten years of age. In ad.
dition to the powdered ha,r and dax-
cling costume, she sported with true
appreciation, paiyUl diaS1Ond ear
rings, ! gold chain, and . locket
with diamonds. Upon each
arm was bracelet OF elaborate
workmanship, which she held up for
display, exclaiming to her admirers
a. she did 80 "There's no sham
akiSth shkHiSth tsSaafs sSsf addaAe5fe AeaJ JFed ntbiaqf.
ing to believe. If tho above seems
Incredible, what will the following
be2 A little girl of seven summers
was arrayed in a rose-colored silk
81 per yard, point alique flowers,
galaxy Of diamonds, and other ex-
pensive jewelry. A gold belt, the
buckle OF which was studded with
diamonds, . band of gold encircIed
The head, and from pendant on the
forehead sparkled a solitaire Ut great
value. Her mother was heard TO
exclaim exultingly, that the price of
her child's outfit, for that evening,
was 5000. Another mother, jeal-
ous Of the sensation caused by such
a display. remarked that "upon the
next occasion mine shall be dressed
in tea-rose silk, which is by all means
less common than pink, as my child's
is such that she can wear
anything" If children at the tender
age of ten and seven represent the
iollies Of fashion what will they re.
quire at twenty-five2
Music, dancing and charades oc-
cupied the evening. The supper
was all that could be desired by the
greatest epicure.
The party broke up about mid
night. The adieus were spoken
with sufficient grace and ceremony
to safety the most ardent devotee
OF modern etiquette.
"Here endeth the first lesson" and
the stepping stone 20 bankruptcy.