Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-12-09
INDEPESDEET WOMEN or
+ BOSTON.
Intellectual Superiority that
Overoomes al Discrepancies
An Dress.
Hartford Cournnt.

AAtuofu Oournnts
The women of Boston may not get
the right Of suffrage before women
elsewhere, but without that right
they are the most independent women
in the world. They possess the most
eenuine freedom and independence,
that of wearing whatever they wish,
whether 1t be from choice or necessity.
They are not dependent upon clothes,
or trammeled BY fashion. If the
garments have the antiquity Of the
ark no one comments or calls them
odd. II is the season for shopping,
and all Boston, with her suburban
towns attached, throng the stores,
large aud small, and the streets are
full OF energetic women OF all ages,
buying clothes. One has but to sit
in some quiet open doorway, as | did
the other day, to see how Boston
women work when shopping. How
energetieally they stride along, and
with such a business air on their
faeesl 1t is no nonsense, no pleasur-
ing for them, but real systematic
work. There is none of the languid
grace and INDECENT ann of women
further south, and none Of the dash
and coloring as seen in the toilets
Ut New York women. Blacks and
grays predominant in serviceable ma.
t~erials, made without regard to pre-
vailing styles and mote for comfort as
well as often for economy on the part.
Of the Wearer Old costumes that
may be Como by in other cities, may
be worn with great peace of mind here.
There is no shabbiness, for the women
here are nearby and carefully clad.
but whether in the fashion or not is
not a question to worry them. New
York jzunty, dashing aud full of colors
in dress, would call the elite of the
Hub shabbily dressed, for some Of the
'swellest" people here dress the
plainest, not only 10 the street but for
church as well. O. l
Boston ignores butterfly brilliancy,
and is, when compared to other cities,
severely plain. And why not2 The
women are more highly educated more
learned in book lore than women fur
Their West or South. They cannot
help it for they live on such an atmos-
phere of books that the study Of the
bindings alone would make the igno-
rant educated if it has not much be-
side. III they are superior in learning
to other women, they have also had
superior advantages. In this center OF
intellectual culture and literary work,
why should not the women be learned
and literary And they are. For
this reason they see the friVolities of
fashion, and are free to wear just what
they choose. A woman Of brains and
culture is sure Of herself and need
not be dependent upon the fine
feathers that do make fine birds,
whatever is said to the contrary. And
yet | really think Boston women
could bear a little more fiery of attire.
that a little coloring, even of the but
terfy or rainbow, would give warmth
and relief to their somber severity.
The New England reserve would be
less formidable, and there would not
be the less culture, either. There is
no wasteful extravaganza 10 buying a
color that is becoming, aud dressmak-
ers do not charge any more to put
clinging draperies on stout figures and
pufs upon slender forms, instead of
revealing these styles. At the same
time, 1 assert that a Boston woman
who may be dressed like a guy is more
pardonable than any other woman,
because her intellectual superiority
puts all deficiencies of taste in dress
in.the background. Boston is aesthetic,
aud the women ought to know how
10 dress in a manner that is becoming
in color and makeup. Their aesthetic
taste runs to the house, and in com
bining elegance with comfort they are
ahead"