Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-11-15
CaIICO-THE LADIES.

We used to see it more frequently "De-
fore the war" and we thought it not on
ly becoming to the fair sex, but, when
worn with grace by intelligent women,
we thought both it and them really
beautiful. At cost of from fifteen to
thirty cents yard, q pretty dress may
be had, quite good enough to work in,
to wear while travelling and visiting, or
think the remark not protane-eyen
to worship God in.
Perhaps we do not fully realize the
objects Of female attire. If the object
be to clothe the lady for health and
comfort, then we would study the sub
iect with view to health and comfort.
But if it be for the display of great
quantities of "dry goods, to advertise
the ''latest fashions" that is quite an
other thing, and present styles are ad-
mirably adapted to the purpose. Or, if
the object be to display the human form,
to crimp, cramp, and cruelty it; to give
it wasp-like shape, with dromedary
appurtenance, and, at the same time, to
give the poor victim a donkey load to
carry, then all right-you now have it.
When the sewing-machine was first
introduced, it was claimed to BE bles-
sing which would emancipate woman
from endless slavery and give her time
for higher education, numerous accom-
plishments in the arts, and to elevate
her to greater usefulness, better com
panionship and greater happiness. But
what are the facts of the case? Is she
emancipated ? Have any of the shack
les or bands which bound her been Ia
ken off? Is she more free from fashion,
able folly? Does she give more time
to the study Of science, useful literature,
philosophy, art, or the economical in
dustries What are the facts Com
pared with the condition of things be-
fore the advent of sewing machines,
how is it now ? A moderately fashion
able young lady, almost wholly depend
ent on hardworking young merchant
for support, informed us casually that
there was, on the Summer dress she
then wore, one hundred yards Of hem
ming, all done by hand! Of course,
the palmer parts of the sewing was done
on the machine but why all this work
on single garment Let us look in
to the mysteries of modern dressmak
ing, and see what Acknowledgement
young lady has on, when ready to go
out for ride or walk.
1st. She has on-we will not name
all the under garments, we could not if
we would and even these usually have
any quantity of useless embroidery,
which costs valuable time and labor
then, there is the corset with bones, eye
lets, strings for lacing, and this, too,
must be embroidered and otherways or
namented by hand needlework. Then
come the skirts, or petticoats, and they
must have cuttings" frills, embroidery,
and be "showy," if not loud. Then
conIas the dress with its endless trim
mings, frills, founces, tucks, puffs, bows,
sashes, frlnges, imitation leaves and
shell-work, pockets, big buttons,---for
show-and so forth &? Then comes the
neck trimmings, consisting flies, beads,
rufiies or collars, chains with pendents,
necklaces, tassels and other charms; not
to mention the artificial pads worn in
front and rear,-especially by those
whom nature has not favored. Then
comes the wonderful head gear, and
this, as seen now a-days, is truly ''horri-
bic !" Can we describe it {? No, We
give it up, and turn away with loath-
ing. But, duty compels, and as we
would muster courage to perform a sur
gical operation, so we must look into
and expose this untidy-looking mop of
dead hair, ..jute. rope or wamhum.
"What is it p That depends" In one
case it will be wad of lively hair from
a dead pauper, perhaps. Look at it
through a microscope or magnitying-
glass, and then-run Or, 1t may be
lot of cheap rubbish, half hair and half
iute or hemp, or dried sea-weed, hay,
straw or grass. Anything to make up
pile, and make the foolish little head
look big, smell bad, and give the wear
er headache, and the beholder heart
ache-with pity and contempt. Oh, 1t
is sickening 1t is disgusting We
are not surprised that there are so ma
ny women who cannot sleep well, and,
consequently, become insane. ltwould
be so with men, were they driven to
such folly by foolish fashion. Ladies,
ladies, don't be fools nor slaves, but be
, sensible women
We must also call attention to those
metallic bracelets, something like hand
cuffs worn by criminals-and those lea
ther straps or belts drawn tightly
around their bodies, and fastened with
great metallic buckles, and hung with
coarse. awkward chains. What are
they for? Can it be to keep them from
falling to pieces Would not the old
fashioned hooks and eyes, Or pretty lit
tie buttons answer the same purpose,
and be less injurious
Then the earrings, hnger-rings, why
not Iings in their noses Savages wear
them there.
Then the shoes-and here we record,
with real satisfaction, the fact, that even
fashion has of late adopted more COM
Portable shoe than that worn for the past
few years. The heel is not so high, and
the shoe is wider across the bottom, so
that we may reasonably hope there will
be less stumbling, less falling down
stairs, and less broken knees, necks and
backs. Many deaths have been caused
by high-heeled shoes Any number OF
orooled sbins will be found among