The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-03-21
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Alice LOGe0 IN rnciSCo -
J NIf thstS ess e$er atimein the annah.
of female attire when modesty was en-
tirely disregarded, that time ID wnen Y
belle of the period dresses for an evening
entertainment or an actress tor "sweir
mart The waist is cut square IN tne
neck, back ard front, and very low es-
pecislly behind, the opening OF the dress
extending almost down 10 the waist.
There are no sleeves, only shoulder
strap which makes q woman loon Oil
arms. neck and bust-s terrible e1parse
of bare flesh; which is softened only oy
NECKLACE, or q black velvet ribbon win
a locket attached. The waist Is cut oas-
que-shape, but plain and tight 70 the
figure, and comes down the hiPoonei
there the skirt begins. but there Is NOT
a fold, nor should there be even wrinkie
in front or at the sides; at the oaok
breadth one or two immense box plants
are set in to give there quisite pufnng snu
sweep of the train. The looping or pun
owing to the extreme length OF the
body-for 1t terminates at the END OF inc
bsck.bone-must of necessity De very
low down.
Most of the dresses are without over
skirt, sash, founce or trimming OF any
kind. Some Of the skirts have full
flounce about foot deep at the bottom
o, the dress, inside OF which Is lacked q
fine white muslin founce, trimmed with
lace TO represent a petticost, and this Is
said to be positively all the undercloth-
ing that an actress or dame de soc,ste
wears in full dress. Such dress rs
this. of handsome, thick cream-colored
silk, Is worn by Miss katherine Rogers
a. the Princess in "The Danicheffs." Ii
certainly looks statuesque when she Is
standing up, but it is isughaoie TO see
her sit down. Her tie-bsck and scanti-
ness of materis restrain free movement,
and so she eases herself down gingerly;
she can not sit down quickly and freely
but inslnustes herself into seat, always
with her face to the audience.
Fortunately she plays a part the
chief characteristic of which Is dignity
which is supposed 10 consist in siownes;
of action and holding the head we'll up
-one trembles to think what would hap,
pen if some Of the strings should snap, OF
some one should step on the skirt, tear
| ing it away from the body. In such an
event, if report be true, Eve herself would
be rivsled in simplicity and pauclty Of
apparel-becsuse under-clothing, for al
ultra fashionable lady, Is absolete. Al
the actresses dress the same and 1t re
vesls. alas! in many cases, less beauty o.
form than our sex is generally credited
with. Itshows the bad effect Of tigh
lscing, which is not so observable il
ample drapery, which effect is principal
" very small waist at the expense of {
| good deal of corporation. u also ex
poses queer limbs, in some instances; oiG
| knees. that stick out. or knock IN, anc
fearful feet, that find no concealins
folds, and hips-dear! dear! What
strange assortment of these some to-
broad, some too narrow, some too high
and some non est. In short, the statues
que style requires the form OF youne
Venus-all others it tries sadly. NJ
hustle $ are worn-they have gone out
entirely, and if any overskirt or drapery
is worn it must be draped low down
only a little above the hem of the dress
But AS the Lenten season has now SET in
it is no, necessary to discuss ball. eve
ming dresses; rather should the fashion
writer treat OF ssckcloth and ashes.
Even for street wear the ststuesque !:
etfeted; the waists are cut into severs
seams, which is becoming to a stout
form, and there are tat ladies IN existence
the present lsth-like fas hion to the con-
trsry notwithstanding.