Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-04-16
Forth VERMONT FARFER.
Reform in Dress. =

The extravagant display in dress which is
yearly increasing leads the more thoughtful
to ask "whither will il tendP" Has it not
already led, in many instances. not only to
debt and consequent uneasiness, but to actu-
nj failureP How many of our farmers who
have already lost n farm which they had
fondly hoped would be the home Of their
old age, would, If they would ascribe the
true reason of their failure, declare it to have
been caused by extravaganza in dress,-a
desire not to be outdone in display by the
wives and daughters Of their neighbors.
But why should we experience this desire?
In rural neighborhoods. especially, everyone
knows quite nearly the amount OF his neigh
boris wealth, (more often the depth oil his
poverty) and what honor can woman hope
to gain by dressing in manner which all
who behold her know IS beyond her means?
What pleasure can she experience in deco
rating herself with all the adornments that
ingenuity can devise, and much more than
good taste would suggest, and Haunting them
before her acquaintance. well knowing that
while they praise the magnificent display.
and deceitfully eulogize her taste, their in
ward comment is, "she wouldn't dress so
finely if her husband paid his debtsP" oh,
how can she enjoy the sensation she creates,
even If it is known only to herself and her
own family that, in thus ministering to her
vanity, her expenses are exceeding her hus-
bands incomeP
The fear has lately arisen In my mind that
this evil may bo increased through the very
medium from which we now look for so
much benefit to farmers and tho working
men,-the grange. That is, IL through the
grange we are enabled to increase our in
comes and lessen our expenses, is there not
danger that we may allow ourselves yet
more indulgence IN display of dress, and,
though in the event of increasing prosperity
among farmers it may not affect us financial
ly more than ii now does, yet it is an evil ia
he lamented for other reasons than those
which refor solely to dollars and cents.
If the time that is oonsumodIu the prep
aration of supernu ous 6nery were employ
ed in refining the mind, how much better
would 1t be, not only for the present genera
ton, but how much more ennObling would
be the influence exerted by the women and
girls soft today upon the future sons and daugh
tiers which in the future may be entrusted t.
their care! In many cases, too, time is vast
cd which is needed for rest, and the mistak.
en- woman who thus sacrifices her health L
feed her own vanity and that of her children
must surely be self-condemned.
But is there not also, through the medium
Of the grange, way out Of this quicksand
1t cannot be denied that to accomplish an,
desired object 1t is almost always I'M Rbso
Lutte necessity to make it popular then 10
us sisters make 1t popular to dress plainly.
The organization is widespread, nearly
every state in the Union knows its power
and, surely, through such n medium much
Improvement may be made in this direct
Let us try to promote the social, intellectual
and financial interests OF the farmer and ms
family by a mighty effort to retard the grow
ing love Of extravagant display and unnec
essary and elaborate TRIMMINGS even upol
everyday costumes.
But my pen fails TO express little of wha
might be written upon the subj eot. l hav
merely made few suggestions, Of winch
hope others more able may see the impor
lance, and lend their aid to arouse yet other
to similar views Gladly would l see thi
subject agitatOd, not only through Yer
mont but through all her sister states, anC
joyfully would hail the day when to avoi
excessive ornament and to dress With
ones means, will be not only tolerated bu
fashionable. Il. j.
Lincoln, March 25.