New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-29
TIE INDEPENDENT BOSTON WOMEY.

Boston Correspondence Hartford CoUaHt
The women of Boston may not get the Hght oI
suffrage before women elsewhere, but without that
riAht they are the most Independent women IN the
world They possess the most genuine freedom ana
independence, that OF wearing Whatever they "lsh'
whether it be from choice or necessity. Iley are
not dependent upon clothes, or trammeed by
fashion. II their garments have the antiquity Of
fine ark no one comments or calls them odd. Ii is
the season for shopping and all Boston, with her
suburban towns attached, thronss tne stores large
and small. and the streets are tul OF enerR tc
women OF all ages buying clothes one has Dut 10
sit III some qulei open doorway, a. l"u ~" "t"ci
day to see how Boston women work when shop.
ping. How eneIgetcally they stride along, ana
with such a business air on their laccs III Is no
nOnseLse, no peasuridg for them, but real system
attic work. There IS none OF the langnld grace ana
indUlent manner Of women further south ana mono
OF the dash aud COurng as seen IN the tOuet7 OF
New-York women. Blacks and grays predominant
in scryIccablc materials made without regard 10
prevailing styles, and more Tor comfort n wen rs
often for economy. on the part oi me MtaTer. Olu
costumes that would be " gone by IN Oihei cities,
may be worn with great peace oil mind here lhefe
is no shabbIness. for women mere are heatly anu
carefully clad. but whether IN the fashion or out
IL not question To worry them. New loIk' Jauhtl
dashug and fond of cOlOrs IN dress. would can lhe
elite OF the Hub shabby dressed, Tor ONE oil the
swclest' people here dress the PLhnest, not only
in the street but tor church az wei
Boston ignores butterfly bri.liauCy, and H. when
comparrd with other cities. severely plain. And
why mott The women here are more hghly edu
Gated, more learn IA book lore, tdan women
further west and south. They cannot help IL, Ior
study OF the bindings alone would make the ienO-
RAM educated. Every house has library ol books
if it has not much beside. Ii they are superior M
learning 10 otner women. they have also hal
superior advantages. In this centre of intellectual
culture learning aud literary work why should not
the women BIO learned and literary Z Aud they are
For this reason they seem above the tryoltles oI
fashion and tree 70 wear INST what they choose
A woman Of brains and culture Is sure OF herself
and need not be dependent upon tho hne feathers
that do make fine birds. whatever - SAID 60 the
contrary. And yet really think Boston women
cnuld bear little huery OF attire, that niue
colo.ing, even OF the butterfly or rainbow, would
1--WE warmth and relief 10 their 5OmDrc severity
The New England reserve would seem less fOrmid-
able and they would ne tho less tured, either
There is no wasteiu extravaganza IN buying Scolor
that is becoming. and dreS>makers do not charge
any more to put cnping draperes on stout figures.
and puls upon slender forms, instead OF reversing
these styles. At the same time assert that Bos-
ton woman who may be dressed like "a guy IS more
parlonabe than any other woman. because her IN
telectua superiority puts all DEFICIENCIES OF taste
in dress in tie background Boston is asthttc
and the women ought to know how TO dress IN "a
manner that is becoming in color and make-up
Their aesthetic taste 10 the house. anu IN com
biuing elegance with comfort they are ahead