The Jasper weekly courier., 1877-08-17


ately in big, ugly brogans Of boots and
there Il no doubt that IL was larger
step towards real emancipation than
was obtained by the celebrated declara-
tion Of independence and equality which
are foreign to the very nature Of things,
and never can exist, though all the pa
per in the world was employed 10 assert
them; and there is more sturdy inde-
pendencc about a pair Of great, ugly
boots than in cart-load Of documents.
English girls and women are strongly
ridicuied by American women abroad
for their big feet and ugly shoes, but
think It Is more question Of size of
shoes than of feet. Our girls have small
enough feet, but they choose their
shoes, as they do their gloves, size
too small, and step-for they break
down in a walk--as If cramped. An
English girl, on the contrary, is perfect
ly obliyious Of her feet. They do not
look so dainty, il must be confessed, on
the promenade, as those Of all Ameri-
can girls; but then she evidently does
not take them out for exhibition on the
street-she takes them out for use; and
uncovered, have suspicion that they
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than those Of most American girls,
which are nearly always disfigured by
corns, bunions, or overgrown joints.
Shall we ever dare, wonder, TO wear
useful shoes. like men, without refer
ence to their looks? / think should
be better pleased TO see them doing that
universally, and as a matter of course,
than polling vote, for in it would be
more Of future health, happiness and
help for them Not that want women
TO cease to be beautiful, but ones ideas
change about beauty. Take men on the
average, and they are handsomer as men
than women are as women. They have
lost nothing by throwing aside gewgaws
and tight boots, but they have gained
much. The other day saw the pictures
Of man and woman taken twenty-five
years apart, at the time they were mar
ried and on their silver-wedding day.
Her face was sweet, intelligent and hon
est; his, immature and raw. But what
change in twenty-five years. His, no.
BILE, much handsomer than when he was
young. full Of the evidences Of growth
and opportunity; hers, weak, faded,
wanting outline, color, vitality, nothing
apparently behind ii, evidently scared
for woman, whose life had spent itself
in little efforts TO do and be exactly like
her neighbors. Useful boots, when she
was young, would have given her exer-
else, strength, freedom, and changed
the whole character of herphysiognomy,
besides imparting better life to her
children. II is a comfort to see how
quickly American girls get the nonsense
taken out Of them when they 60 abroad
for purpose, 10 work and study for ex-
ample. with only little money and a
great desire to make the most Of their
chances In the British Museum. in
London, and the Museum Of the Louvre,
or Palace Of the Luxembourg, in Paris,
they may be seen industriously copying
in short, dark skirts, blouse belted in
round the waist, dark felt hat, and hair
cut short, no gloves, and shoes Of a
kind that will permit them to walk or
, stand on the hard, bare stone floors.
American girls at home are also be-
ginning to learn that there is something
in the world besides dress. One.
school-teacher, wrote letter recently,
asking for design by which she could
make up dresses which would not look
eccentric, but which would be useful,
convenient, and available for two or
three years, or until the clothes were
worn out. She said she was determined
to dress hereafter without reference to
fashion, make her garments when il was
conyenient-that Is, during the months
Of vacation-and her dresses so they
should be good for two years at least,
using no fanciful styles or trimmings,
but better materials than she had been
accustomed to use, so that color and
texture would remain firm. She said
she was quite determined to do this,
and see if she could not rid her mind of
clothes. And young married friend
had, with the consent of her husband,
agreed TO keep her in countenance by
doing exactly the same. That is little
bit Of true heroism which girl is work
ing out for herself, and, as she believes,
by herself, in Western village, where,
by the way, ii is much more difficult to
do it than in a great city, where few
know or care for you.
She does not know that not only the
more sensible and intelligent Of the
great and growing army Of professional
women do the same thing, but the high
est danes Of France--France that sup
plies the world with ideas in fashion. II
one will stop to think for moment, it
will be seen that the dress Of grand
dame is as restricted in one way as the
dress Of working girl in another. The
skirt must be long, the sleeves and neck
must afford an opportunity for the dis
play OF lace and jewels, because these
are her permanent means Of adornment;
they are not bought every day, or every
week, or every month, or every year
not more than once or twice in life
time--and her dress must subordinate
itself to them. People who only buy
cheap ornaments change them often, but
real lace, or real gold, and real gems
are for generation, and perhaps more
than one. They are evidences Of past