The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-04-02
Clothes and Conversation.

FROM time to time wall comes to US,
now from the city, now from the country
for the village seems as burdeDed as
the town." Our social life is gone.
Hospitality is dying out, and converse
ton is q lost art. Tell us what to do"
If this were one form of the mild
pessimism fashionable just now in some
circles, one could let it go with the COM
Portable certainty that the evil com.
planned of had either righted itself before
its existence had been positively formu-
lated, or had been taken in hand on the
instant of its discovery by the energetic
reformer always lying in wait for bud
ding evils, whether in morals or mar
ners. That something more and deeper
is involved is soon found to be the fact,
and Goodwin Sands are responsible for
Tenterden Steeple more nearly in this
case than in the original difficulty on
that point. fr'.|
Clothes and conversation would seem
to the casual observer by no means
necessarily related, unless it be through
the reflex action referred to BY Emerson,
the peace of mind enjoyed by the wearer
of perfect garments "only second in its
nature to the consultations of religion"
and thus admitting that entire serenity
and poise essential to the unbiased con.
sideration of any topic. In reality,
clothes are at the bottom of half our
social acknowledgements of all, the pres
ent one. In every circle we, all have
knowledge of at least one woman whose
gifts and tastes fit her in the highest de-
gree for broad social life, yet who
avoids carefully any chance which may
draw her into such life. 90 Perfectly
charming when you know her, but she
won't allow anybody to have that salts
faction" is the puzzled comment; and
there it ends. ~ua .af .....
There are others without all the gifts,
perhaps, but with strong social longings
and admirable for many social purposes,
excellent administrators where manage
ment is required, and filling essential
places in their own way, who still re-
main in the background and allow af-
fairs, whether of church or everyday
life, to remain in hands often far less
fitted to carry them. Each village, shut
In and remote as it may be, holds one or
more who could mold the daily life and
thought if they would, but whose infu-
ence remains unfelt or known to only
one or two. And from all comes the
same answer: "Yes, we know it. We
want to do this and we ought to do that,
but don't you know this dreadful clothes
question is always in the wayP We have
not money enough to compete with the
people who lead in town. Indeed,
we do not want to compete; but, say
what you will, there is a certain mental
depression when alpaca, encounters vel
vet and diamonds which is not condu-
Give to the best relations. 1t is easier to
do so come to u.s." .uta.ls. i4.. As.
Here comes the point upon which this
matter hinges. Why not one unchang-
ing black silkp-black, while open to
some objections, being the one color adj
hitting the wearing of any shade with
it, and always capable of simple ele-
gance. Why not, if made in style
which may be always picturesque, DO
matter what the mode of the moment
may bep Worth has reproduced in
| some of his latest dresses exact copies OF
pictures of Catherine de Medicis and her
contemporary, Queen Elizabeth, fabu-
lousy rich as to material, but 80 thor
oCghly departure from the fashions Of
the day that they may serve as texts for
general departure. The dress;ooat
remains much the same from one year
to another, the points of variation being
discernible only to the eye of tailor or
the professed dandy. Why not, then,
the lady's state dress? and why should
not some woman of sufficient wealth and
assured position inaugurate q fashion
which only needs such Endorsement to
become an established thingP Elaborate
toilets have their own place, and may
be beautiful and legitimate in that
place, but for all of moderate means
and busy lives permanent fashionis q
necessity. A moderately trimmed dress
cut with square neck, filed in with soft
lace, and half-open or, tight. fitting
sleeve, according to age and taste, IS
becoming to all alike, and once accepted
as the standard for all small gatherings,
would simplify life and give us the many
who now shrink from the demands OF
trimming.-H. c., IN Lippsncott's Mago-
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