The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1873-03-28
AMERICAN GIRLS NOT TOL
GRATED IN GERMAN
SCHOOLS.

| In the course of an article entitled
ornament. and dress in the Herald OF
Health for March, DR.. Mary Stafford
says
ut pains me to say il, but perhaps we
may be benefited by seeing ourselves as
others see u.s. tho opinions that American
girls in Europe have won are anything
but creditable and desirable. While
visiting school at Frankfort-on- Main,
| asked If there were American pupils
and the preceptor replied. no, we do
not take them; they dress SO extrsvagantly
they think and talk so much of
their clothes, tina. they disturb tho quiet,
simple ways of our German girls; and We
find their influence does US more hurt than
their money does us good. In Dresden
knew an American lady who could not
lind private school where they would
take her daughter for similar reasons.
Who could have imagined for moment
that, when the bondage of trailing street
dresses was once removed, and
short ones sanctioned, YOU
could ever find human beings in
the shape Of women yield
ing homage again TO that most filthy
and aboininable of ali fashions? But you
see, even now, the ruins of burned cities,
trailed offerings Of silks and tbibets. SO
long rs women were kept in idleness, or
allowed To do only such work as confined
them in doors there was need of practical
ity in dress. Now that she completes with
men ia most of the acuvi-
ties Of life shall the STYLE
of dress not be changed TO meet this new
Or shall We still see her In
this bondage OF attire, that enslavos her at
every step? Icu will find weeks Of her
labor spent with each change of season
In making or remodeing clothes that do
not stand gagged by the latest ukase OF
fashion. lou are invited to an evening
entertainment in Germany, at the house
oil u professor perhaps, where you NEE,
win persons the most intelligent and cul-
tvated-persons whose names are known
and honored in all lands the hostess APP
pears in q quaint dress OF drab silk,
that served as her wedding one fourteen
years before; the bodice is long, the
sleeves are mutton legged but dear Mrs.
Grundys presence is not fell; no one
seems 10 scan her from head 20 foot ana
nxclaim, How horribly she is dressed, |
how dowdy she looks" Six months time,
NJ least, would have been expended upon |
hat dress had it kept pace oil OF those
years with the ever recurring changes |
Of fashion; and in that time, with |
The cares of family-and they are
cot few that devolve upon the wife |
Of a scantily-paid German professor-shs
las learned, with her children, to speak
English SO well as to be able TO entertain
hose Of the guests speaking only that Ian.
,uage. You will find, US rule, in all
ands, that the most cultivated AMI best
'red people are the most simply and un.
'retendingly dressed. You find in Europe
women dressed suited to their occupations;
ne French shop girl is neatly, plainly.
made black alpaca. The homespun aud
'oven WOODEN gown Of the German ser.
ant girl meets her necessities for years.
The dress Of tho English and Irish ser.
ant girls is made of tho same substantial
material. But let them emigra,e 10
america and what do you see the epi.
emic rage for dress attacking them i'm
nediately. As soon rs Bridget has gath.
RED together few silver dollars, she
axes her mistress for prototype, and
oes forth, with prayer-book in hand, to
I. Aaviers s, rs gorgeously arrayed as The
Mistress TO st. Paurs