The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-14
because her body had no room for expan-
sion. In those days


sion. In those days
OBESITY WAS held IN ABH0RRENcE.
Young ladies who had n tendency to cor
pulepce sought to aid the effect OF lacing by
the most aDstemious diet and free use OF
vinegar. Some Of them, naturally fine look
ing, reduced themselves by these processes
to ghostly appearance. Nor was this all,
nor the worst. According to the testimony
OF physicians, many women Of fine consti-
tutions and fair promise Of long life brought
themselves to early graves, and others rem
dered themselves invalds and sufferers for
life by following an arbitrary and senseless
fashion. It long maintained it's hold on So
ciety. but finally disappeared, leaving every
body amazed that it should ever have pre-
vailed.
In my boybood the aged people used to
tell OF :-.
THE DAYS WHEN HOOPS WERE IN FASHION
as an article OF dress. In old pictures the
wondering youth had an opportunity OF
seeing how their grandmothers and great
erandmothers appeared when they were
eucompassed by these badges OF gentillty.
| The fashion seemed extremely ridiculous.
1t was supposed that q mode OF dress SO
protesuue and -inconvenient could never
make its appearance again. 1t was the
relic of barbarous age that could not be
thought OF without amusement. 1t Is as
true OIL fashion as of history, that it con-
stantIy repeats itself. Contrary to all eX-
pectation and all reasoning, the hoop dress
came again into fashion. AT first the hoops
were small, giving to the dress graceful
EXPANSION. Gradually they were enlarged
! to enormous proportions. A lady fashionably
| dressed could not enter door OF ordinary
size without tiIting her hoops. In full dress,
she could not ride in Il carriage with Eer es-
cort. Her hoops, in their highest style,
would have made no incOuycnicnt tent for
a soldier. The singularity OF the dress was
| lost sight of IN its commonness. Had 1t
come suddenly into use in its full proDor-
tions,
THE BOYS WOULD HAVE HO0TED
il on the streets; but it was introduced 80
| stealthly that it created no surprise and al
! forded no amusement. 1t departed as it
came, slowly and imperceptibly, leaving
not trace behind it. 1t must certainly be
accounted one OF the freaks OF feminine
| fancy. Small hoops, to give the dress the
needed fulness, may he convenient and
graceful; but the expanded hoops, which
| turned gentlemen from the sidewalks, and
required for their wearers double seats in
! the church and IN the conccrt-room, were
| surrey CVlliueuuCu hClthSi W Soh 'S"t~'SS
nor good taste.
In nothing have females displayed greater
| ingenuity than in the manufacture OF their
bonnets. In size, form. material, color,
and adornments, and for all the purposes OF
comfort and isDlay. they have undergone
perpetual changes. 1t would seem scarcely
possible that they should admit OF any new
modification. We pass by many forms OF
this needed and beautiful article OF Woman's
apparel to notice
THE ''NAyARIN0 BONNET u
because "therebY hangs tale" We know
not whence came the name. 1t was derived,
probably, from the place where 1t was first
manufactured. 1t was made OF paper, hand
somclv colorcd and printed, and OF most
becoming form. 1t came into general use
nearly fifty years ago. When it was in its
| highest glory camp-meeting was held in the
neighborho0d OF Richmond. The ladies Of
the city and vicinity appeared III great num-
bers at the mectin. adorned with their ma
yarinOcS. There came up i rain which for
| its proiusion has scarcely been exceeded
since the Noachian flood. The ladies were
compelled, through torrents OF rain and
overflowing streams, TO return TO their
homes. In spite Of umbrellas, carriages,
and shawIs, the navarinOcs yielded to the
! influence OF the penetrating rain and the
all-pcrvading dampneSs. At first they be-
came soft, then lost their graceful form, and
finally dropped 10 pieces. All along the
roads leading from the encampmcnt
| THE DEBRIS OF THE BoNSETs
were scattered, and the ladies reached their
homes with their heads as little protected
rs they are by the modern adornment called
bonnet, and worn on the roll OF hair af-
fixed to the back OF the head. Navarinoes
| soon went out Of fashion in Richmond and
! l vicinity.
Time would fail us, If memory did not,
| to tell OF the ceaSeleSS changes, in form, IN
| texture, in color, in combination, through
which all the articles OF woman's wardrobe
| have been passing from the time OF my ear
licst recollection down to the present day.
| I must not, however, overlook fashion
pertaining to female manners. Nearly fifty
wears ago there prevailed among ladies OF
] the higher classes q fashion called
TIE "GRECIAN BEND"
It was q certain stoop or carriage OF the
! body supposed to be graceful, and accord
| ing 10 tile taste and refinement Of The
| Greeks. This was soon followed by the
agony u DO not remember it dcScrlp-
tive cpithet-an artificial wri"glim@ OF the
nerson. deemed by those who practiccd it
the very perfection OF feminine cultivation
and art. These freaks OF fashion were
never universal, but were earnestly adopt
ed BY ladies who had leisure, and were ann
bilious to place themselves among the
leaders OF fashion. These customs, per-
| hans. belong rather to the Class OF affecta-
tions than of fashions; but whatever they
NAV be called, they were a singular devcl-
opmcnt OF human vanity, bringing I'M
prcssively TO mind the stanZl OF Burns:
so wad some power the siftic gle us
| To see ourselves Others see lis
| Ii wad frae monte Il hlunder free us,
| And foolish notion;
| What airs in dress and s;lit wad ieac rs,