Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-03-03
Sensible Young Ladies'.

Sir Edward Thornton and family set
most excellent example, In the matter OF
dress, to Washington society, and one that
Americans generally might heed to ad-
vantage.
This declaration is called out by an in.
cident which occurred on the avenue
few bright days ago, when all Of fashion.
able lite here that could get out was on
the promenade. The matinee at the prin
cipal theater was just pouring out its
crowd, made up largely Of young ladies
dressed in all the agonies Of the styles; to
swell the tide, when the English Minister
and two daughters appeared upon cross.
ing which led diagonally along the line OF
The 500 bedecked American women.
AS II by common impulse the whole
crowd caught the sight, and all caught
themselves taking good look at once.
Sir Edward Thornton is known TO all i'm
Washington. His is a striking figure, and
he walks and rides so often that every one
recognizes him. II was not his appear.
ance, however, that drew such sudden at.
tention from this crowd of silks, laces,
feathers and jewelry, but the dress of the
two daughters walking one on each side
OF him There was the titled Minister of
one of the greatest nations of the earth,
iANihk htlt III bit lblktSl DldIHlDu vi lIt
city, and giving now and then such enter
tainments as eclipse all others for their ell
eganco. His establishment is a shrine
where all fashion which can obtain adj.
mission worships. But for all this here
were Sir Edward and his daughters out
for walk, and by chance passing in re.
view before hundreds of American women
tricked tin all that the fashion plates pre-
scribe; and being out for walk, these
high-born young ladies were setting their
American cousins a lesson which should
have put every one Of them to blush The
English ladies had on heavy boots to begin
with, so heavy that ii was entirely un.
necessary TO dodge around the damp spots
in the avenue crossing. Next, their arms
were free, and not engaged in holding up
the training dresses in which American
female idiots will persist in sweeping
through the filth of the streets. Their
skirts not only did not touch, but they
were not so low that every step spatlcred
them with concentrated nastiness. The
skirts were plain, and of plain material
There was also nm absence of the
intricate humping-up, reeting in, pulling
back and punching. out which distinguish
those whom Americans adore. But in
stead Of all this, each wore a plain, COM
Portable and decent walking-skirt. Each
had on substantial cloak, but, horror
upon horrors, they were cut in the style
OF two winters ago. The chances are that
the cut was that Of three seasons since
AT any rate, that was the prevailing opin-
ion in one group of Americans that dis
cusSed the question with that eagerness
which its importance demanded
"The horrid things" said one, as she
stepped into puddle and splashed her
white stockings and the whole side of
white lace skirt she displayed as she was
trying to hold it ou. Of the mud I" the
h0rrid things, those cloaks and skirts are
four seasons old, as I'm alive. And all
the money they've got, toor
Abominable" gaspcd another, in an
under tone as her own train of silk
swept off the curb and into the gutter,
where it soaked moment, as she com.
plcted her observation and remarked:
"Abominablel What can the Queen be
thinking about, if she knows what guys
her immediate representatives make of
themselves in the Capital of American"
And so the Minister and his daughters,
all the pictures of health and vigorous
life, moved along the front of the crowd
quite unconscious of the universal atten-
tion they were exciting, or of the valuable
lesson they were giving those who chose
to learn it. But few of those who did
lay the lesson to heart will dare to prac-
ticc it, and probably not one who moves
in the fashionable life of Washington
will have the courage to initiate the good
example of those English ladies of rank
For if they did, you see, the young gen
tlemen who give the Germans-gentle-
men who would atany time exchange their
own number seven heads for number four
| tcet-would never be seen with them on
the street, or at the opera, and would new
er invite them TO those "divine dances"
And then what would life be Y'-W Wash.
thst0n Cor Cincinnati Gazette.