The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-10-11
Mpisern Mournans.
20 tie Edssor Of TIE World

Z
Sif.-In the g Fashion Notes Of last
Sundayss World there were several items
regarding mourning garb. Among them,
ana stating that there was q tendency TO
slhorteH the time OF wearing "the trappings
ana Inc suits OF woe y This seemed 70 us
s move in the right direction, and we Won
licred. as people were showing q disposition
"a leave or their crane and bonnbazine
sooner than they formerly did, IL, with some
from the voice OF public
opinion, they might be induced not to put
them on ut all.
Now-a~dass It'll the Gertrudes and Opheiias
rather than the Hamiets who wrap them
selves In their q inky cloaks." Evidently the
latter have found out that there Is 10 nearer
approach TO the ludicrous than the modern
man faithfully attircd in modern black. the
deep weed on the hat, the black cloth suit,
the gloves, crayat, slceye-buttons, watch
chain, &C.; in short, the general spic-spaln
newness OF the whole, brings about result
that Is far from satisfactory, giving, IN most
eases, an artificial not-to-b e-beiieyed IN sort
;of lock, which 1t Is always desirable to avoid.
] So II comes to pass that we make this APP
peal to give up their mourning garments
more directly to women than to men. There
are so many good reasons why they should
do SO, the chief one being Its unhealthful-
ness. There Is something in the dye OF
Grape which IS injurious to the eyes and
akin, which, constantly breathing, this dye,
added TO the weight of heavy English Grape,
causes much Of the weakness and tired-out
feeling OF which so many complain.
IS Another reason is the eNpensiVeness OF
the dress. The first cost Is large, rs cheap
mourning is not thing to be coveted. Un-
fortunately the best quality dcfaces soon
enough, when it must be renewed, because
shabby mourning is not to be endured for q
moment by the fashionable mourner.
And, again, It is an attire which renders
the wearer most conspicuous. a widow
apparelled as fashion dictates that widow
should be, particularly il she be young, is
the one Of all others to attract attention in
an afternoon walk, when it might seem thai
woman Of delicate instincts would rather
shun than court observation, and, further
more, the widow with comfortable In
come is to be distinguished from the widow
without one, for in her case the Grape does
not stop with bonnet and veil and mode
rate amount OF trimming, but attacks sleeve
less jackets, chatelaine pockets, and sun
shades, and in the end is most ingenious
advertisement.
Thus much for modern mourning wher
once put on; but what shall be said OF thu
:. three days between Qeatn ana the 1uneIal
when the household is given up to putting
it on? Who does not know the amount o.
sending back and forth Of different articles
from friends and dealers, the trying on, tht
hurried alterations, the general confusion
and irregularity of home-liie, at the time O.
all times when it should be the quotes
and most peaceful, when the hush OF tn,
mystery OF death is in the home-a hust
that fashion, above all else, should respec
and keep aioof from?
And so we say, "Reform it altogether
Be sure we shall remember our dead all tn
better and more tenderly il we have not tn
depth Of handkerchief border or the mon
ogram on our note-paper to think about.
The World seems anxious for reform IL
10 many directions, and is doing what
can in some, that we trust in its indorse
ment Of what we have written. SIGMA.