The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1875-05-14
An Interesting Letter .

Having seen that you have taken
charge of the BULLETIN, knowing you
both, and believing there arc none to
whom | could apply, in my distress, who
would be less likely to sneer at, or ridi-
cue my girlish inexperience, (Which
mamma, would, doubtless, say, is fully
demonstrated IN consulting gentlemen
about a matter -yUur which they can
know nothing), yet, feeling as sured that
you would counsel me as you would
one of your family, venture to send you
this letter.
Let me premise by stating that am
deeply attached to nay dear mamma,
who is a lady of fine sense ami judgment
in all things, except Il hope l am not IN
dutiful in saying it) in one-and that is
where fashion in dress is concerned.
She will insist upon my Dress
ing in the extreme of fashion,
not only to my discomfort, but to
my great disgust. Now, Messrs editors,
am not so silly as to think young lady
looks as well in a dress that is behind
the fashion as in one that is sufficiently
fashionable as to escape observation
and comment My objection is simply
to the unreasonable ex treme to which
fancy carries the Imagination in robing
ones person in what is termed the most
attractive and fascinating m ode. Under
mammals supervision my last silk, and
what is still more unaccountable, my
everyday calico, in which have to do
the portion Of house work falling to my
share, is made so uncomfortably tight in
front, and so voluminous behind, where
sixteen of the twenty yards of which it is
made, is gathered into an unseemly knot,
which, after fruitIess Efforts, l have en-
tirely failed to convince my taste, is
either womanly in appearance, or be-
coming to the person. Pardon me-,
Messrs editors. that in long suppressed
agony, in the struggle between modesty
and good taste on the one side, and
fashion and mamma on the other, have
have been forced to bring my griefs be-
fore you, hoping you may suggest some
plan of relief, from which | may find n
for my daily mortified and
a3ashed modesty. Do not start at the
confession. 1t is real, unfeigned, and
deeply Notifying, and SO covers me
with confusion that [ fail to appear to
that advantage which my good parts and
comely person entitle me.
Recently | made a trip on the cars to
visit my relatives, and, of course, was ar
rayed in a new gown, which mamma, in
ecstasy, said showed me off to tn very
best advantage. Think of my deep NOR
LITIGATION and intense chagrin, when ,upon
entering the car, found myself the "ob-
served of all observers" My dress was
so tight in front could scarcely stand
up without q very uncomfortable feeling;
and, as for sitting down with ease, the
thing was simply impossible. Near me
were three old gray~headed gentlemen,
whose impertinent looks were fastened
upon me, not in that genuine admiration
and respectful homage always paid to
beauty, (for, Messrs. editors, it is no
vanity to claim that which my glass tells
me plainly possess) but in a most inn
pertinent manner, as if inspecting a
specimen of art The impairment Stare
of these old folk [ will say it, although
they may have considered me a
young goose) caused me the
most uncomfortable ride, of six
hours of untold agony, it has ever
been the lot of modest girl to suffer
If there is beyond this world a more
acute inflictiOn awaiting the transgressors
of the moral law, how deep will be the
expiationl
Ny troubled thoughts eventually Sc,
tied down to the conclusion that the
blame was in myself, and that my suffer
ings were the result of m own impru>
dence. Was it the fault of the old
grandpcpls that my dress so closely
fitted me that could not cross my feet
without the most earnest deliberation,
and careful consideration, of how it
could be done with propriety and deco
rum ? Self>condemned, ! seized 4 friend
ly newspaper (heaven bless the newspa>
per makers) and beneath its v0lumInOus
folds, oblivicus to its ISLANDERS, its poison
bearing jests, its Gatherings to the vicious
tastes of society, it's corrupting display,
in its inky columns of the short cons
ings of humanity; its six-coiumn display
of the Beecher>Tilton stuff, (Which nam
ma says it is not proper for me to ready
and safe beneath its friendly and prot ect-
ing folds, | lay sheltered from the pitt
less world, and blessed the typos art,
reached the friendly shelter of my kim
dred's home, full haIf-rebel against the
despotism of relentless fashion-a wiser,
trust, if not 4 truer daughter Of Eve
Messrs. editors, is there no relief
for distressed damsels in my deplorab' c
condition. Can successful rebellion,
based upon good taste and PropTiety,
make Roadway against the unreasonable
and ridiculous demands Of fashion or
are We doomed by its inoxorable DEGREES