Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1877-03-31
rEIGN or THE DECOLLETTE.


Ifthere was ever time in the annals
of female attire when modesty was en-
tirely disregarded, that time is when a
belle of the period dresses for an evening
entertainment or an actress for "swelP'
part. The waist is cut square in the
neck. back and front, and very low, es-
pecially behind, the opening of the dress
extending almost down to the waist.
There are no sleeves, only a shoulder
strap, which makes woman look all
arms, neck and bust-a terrible expanse
of bare flesh, which is sOftened only by
necklace, or a black velvet ribbon with
a locket attached. The waist is cut
basque shape, but plain and tight to the
figure, and comes down to the hipbone;
there the skirt begins, but there is not
fold, nor should there be even wrinkle
in front or at the side; at the back
breadth one or two immense box plaits
are set in to give the requisite putting
and the sweep of the train. The looping
or puff, owing to the extreme length of
the body-for it terminates at the end
of the backbone-must of necessity be
very low down.
Most of the dresses are without over.
skirt, cash, Aounce or trimming OF any
kind. Some of the skirts have full
flounce about foot deep at the bottom
of the dress, in side of which is tackled a
fine white muslin founce, trimmed with
lace to represent petticoat, and this is
said to lie positively all the underclOth-
ing that an actress or dame de soci'te
wears in full dress. Such dress as this,
of handsome, thick cream-cOlOred silk, is
worn by Miss Katherine Rogers as the
princess in "The Danicheffs." 1t GER
tainly looks statesque when she is stand
ing up, but it is laughable to see her sit
down. Her tie-back and scantiness of
material restrain free movement, and so
she eases herself down gingerly; she can
cannot sit down quickly and freely, but
insinuates herself into a seat, always
with her face to the audience.
fortunately she plays part the chief
characteristic of which is dignity, which
is supposed to consist in slowness Of
action and holding the head we'll up
one trembles to think what would hap
pen if some of the strings should snap, or
some one would step on the skirt, tearing
it away from the body. In such an
event, if report be true, Eve herself
would be rivaled in simplicity and
paucity of apparel--becau>e undercloth-
ing, for an ultra fashionable lady, is OBJ
soIete. All the actresses dress the same,
and it reveals, alas! in many cases, less
beauty of form than the sex is generally
credited with. 1t shows the bad effects
of tight lacing, which is not so observable
in ample drapery, which eject is prin-
cipally very small waist at the expense
of good deal of corporation. 1t also
exposes queer limbs, in some instances;
big knees. that stick out, or knock in,
and fearful feet, that find no concealing
folds, and hips--dear! dear. What a
strange assortment Of these-some too
broad, some too narrow, some too high,
and some non cst. Inshort, the statesque
style requires the form of a young Venus
all others it tries sadly. No bustles
are worn--they have gone out entirely,
and it any Ovcrskirt or drapery is worn
it must be draped low down, only little
above the hem of the dress.
Even for street wear the statesque is
affected; the waists are cut into several
seams, which is becoming to a stout
form, and There are fat ladies in exis-
tence, the present lath-like fashion to
the contrary Notwithstanding.