The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-06-01
Fashion, Folly and Health.


We seek out for ourselves many de-
vices which entail misery and death
upon the race. Refusing to follow the
suggestions OF common sense, we waste
our earnings and our lives at the shrine
of fashion. If religion and philanthropy
received a 1.-THE of the contributions
which are gladly given to fashion. the
improvement in the morals and the
health of the people would be Great
Well, what are we going to say about it?
Only this, and that only with the hone
that few may be induced to give at
tention to the subject: The partnership
between fashion and health is continu-
Ously injurious to vigorous life, and is
apt to end in bankruptcy of purse and
person. We are aware that few enter
prlses are so hopeless as a contest with
fashion, but still more may be deferred
from following that goddess blindlv.
Medical men tell us that diseases are
multiplying, that new arrangements of
the system are manifesting themselves in
a way which requires new remedies and
new thought for their treatment. In
the science of medicine great PROGRESS
has been made since the beginning Of the
century, but human stupidity and folly
have advanced moro rapidly. With the
invention of the sewing machine (which
rightly used, is of incalculable benefit to
society came in new danger to health
and life. Our grandmOtheTs were con-
tented with six or seven yards of mate
rial for a dress; their granddaughters
VIII not look at anything less than three
times as much; and all this bundle Of
dry goods is suspended from the wasp
like waist instead of the shoulders
Where such unaccountable folly pre-
walls Is 1t any wonder that diseases are
increasing, that half the children die
under five years of age, and that the
percentage of people who go through life
ai1llcted with all sorts of maladies is
greater than ever? Family life is rem
dered unenjOya6le and almost impossible
health and life.
We are not now alluding to those
thoughtless creatures with dragpletaiIs
who are in the habit of spendiES their
nights at the poisonous opera and the
theater, but to the same class of ,,oacocI-s
who are on the church rolls Hero Is
where we look for light and example bnt
we look in vain; and when we look we
see the world pointing its finger of scorn
at us and asking: Where is the difference
between the church and the world? The
miserable sinners" of each are upon a
par. fashion commands to reve1 the
most OF the night in Overheated. crowded
ana badly ventilated rooms. and MANY
obey. The most of the next day they
slumber away in apartments that are moi
managed on hygenic principles. Isit
any wonder so many are in physical
trouble and die as the fool dietb2 Tho
Dalmy fresh air invites us to its embrace
but we are too languid to accent The
cheerful and kindly invitation.
Fashionable society calls such a course
enjoyment and too many Christians (per-
haps emily in Bame) fret that they can
not, with the fullest freedom. mingla
with the devotees Of fashion. Are not
the evil things the natural THINGS and
do not the majority take To them as a
duck to the water? Fashion is the god.
dess that empties the purse, ruins the
body, and destroys the soul. Place
before me, said the dying and imponi.-
tent actress, my jewels and wardrobes
that may take last look at them ere
l die"
With the return of spring the question
in almost every household is again about
the spring bonnet and the new dress
1t Is not only waists and toes that are
subjected to Chinese pressure. but ever
part of the system is thrown out of
healthful equilibrium by the blind fol-
lowing after fashion which seems to be /
itself upon us more firmly than
ever with its dreadful incubus Is there
a remedy? Yes; and it is to be found in
religion and common sense.-N Y. Witness
THE inventor of the quadrille is dead, |
but the " round dance" chap is healthy |
and full of vitality.