The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1882-05-26
snslIsh and American Iadies' Dress.

kngiish and American LADIES' Dreses
Mrs. Scott-Siddons is quoted as hay.
ing said: can American servant will
tie on her veil in natty, graceful way
that an English duchess knows nothing
about" Mrs. Siddons will not be charged
with an over-strained regard for the
Yankee, or wish 10 favor them at the
expense Of her own countrywomen. In
thus placing the servant and the duchess
in contrast she was simply emphasizing
a truism which was less q fact at that
time than IL is at the present hour. For
among all civilized people the English
women are the most addressed, and
seem TO lack the natural gifts, the self.
reliance and ability Of choice and selec-
ton which are the Unborn attributed OF
American women. An English nursery
set OF against nursery in this country
may be taken as type in miniature Of
the taste in dress and all that the term
involves OF the differences which charao-
terises the women Of the two nations.
In this country little girls find constant
satisfaction and congenial employment
in arranging and adjoining their dolls
apparel. Left 10 their own intuitions,
and hampered by little CT no pupilAge
from their elders, Il must be owned that
the taste and ingenuity which they dis.
play are often simply wonderful. An
English lady who passed thirty years OF
her life in her native land, and who has
lived in this city half Of that time, once
said:--"The homes Of American girls,
SO far as I am familiar with them, are
schools of art in dress adornment and
whether their taste and skill are natural
gifts, or acquired by observation, / do
not pretend TO say, but there is nothing
to compare with il in our homes in Eng
land" Consistent with this admission
is the almost universal tone Of the
English press andoi most travellers who
visit our shores from other lands. That
English women study comfort and
provide themselves with rich fabrics and
costly adornment in dress Is past dis
pute. A dowAger or duchess arrayed in
gorgeous silk, satin or velvet attire,
with the complement Of green gloves
and yellow ribbons, and shod with
broad, heavy, loose-fitting boots, is
hardly q pleasant though II il con-
stantly recurring, picture of taste in
dress among the wealthy classes in Eng
lishNlife. II the wearer has any idea Of
the contrast Of colors, any perception Of
The shocking incongruities which the
'ouf ensemble Of her costume presenta
o cultivated eye, nothing Is seen Of IL
n the ease and self-satisfaction Of her
iemeanor. While the fact remains that
American women are tho best dressed
adiss In the world, il il also 10 DO re-
that while they, with q vast
majority Of their sex. yield 10 the cur
emit Of prevalent fashion, ID 10 not q
blind or slavish submission; they think
or themselves, and stoulty, on coca
ion, assert their own individuality, and
efuse 10 succumb TO the dictates Of |
ashton, modiste or milliner. Their |
latural or cultivated good taste, which |
Includes the lines Of beauty, which Mr..
made himself merry over re. |
emily, is generally all.sufficient in doubt |
nd emergency. Their GLORY" ia TO
ress tastefully and becomingly. Their |
hallejuah Is the acclaim Of sue |
essfully contaminated purpose. --New
FORK Evening Post.