New-York tribune., 1886-03-18
MISS CLETELAND on IMMODESr DRESS.
ANSWERING SOME CRITrCIsMs-rHE LIMITS OF
PROPER DRFSS DEFINED,

ANSWERING SOME CRITfCiSMS-FHE LIMITS OF
PROPER DRTs. DEFINED.
BOSTON, March II tNpeodh.-Miss Cleveland has
been sharply criticised tor encouraging at tie White
House immodest dressing in society. lady sends the
following letter " ! be Transcript which she re-
ccived from Miss Cleveland in response to note of
inquiry the subject:
81 am very glad yOu have spoken to Inc ah5u: this
mat er for it gives opportunity to say to you,
and through you perhaps tc others. what have long
wished but have had no opportunity to say. The
newspaper statement with regard TO my immOdcst
dress and lie influence in encouraging shocking
scarcity of waists and sleeves in other womcns dress
la, been sent me several times with accompanying
comments. but always anonymously, 80 that | have
been unable to reply had deemed the ann Of the
communication honest enough to Justify an honest re
spon-e hat ha, not always been the case. But TO-
day received a note from person who speaks OF
himself as an aged clergyman who signs his full name
to the communication and to be genuinely con
carned and friendly although scarcely can reconcile
the True interest aud true respect with which he
gns himself as consistent with the credence which he
has cyen apparently to the statement which forms the
occasion of his protest should hardly feel true in
tprest or true respect for person whom believed to
be doing what the newspaper slip represents me to be
doing namely using the brief prominence of my posi-
on 10 encourage habits in dress and manners winch
are sujver-iye of whatsoever things pure lovely
honest and of good report Such believe the i'm
modest dress OF some few society to be, and
against such imuOdesty have made that silent pro-
test which 1t is every wOmans right anC duty 10 maze
by ha, ing my own dress waist cut in style which 80
fan a. modestv i, concerned shoud be quite willing 10
have all women to whom this style of dress is becom-
ing and comfortable follow.
approve of evening dress which shows neck and
arms do not approve of any dress which shows the
bust Between the neck and bust tLert is lnc
alwavs to be drawn and il il clear to the most
frivolous society 10 the anatOmists. This
line need never be passed and fashionable wOmans
ow-neckcd evening dress need never he immOdest.
Iiitis so it Is because she prefers to be 50. 1t is
wholly false 80 far have observed that shocking
scarcity of waists aud sleeves mark the gowns of so
ciety women lhis l. sady and painfully true OF a
few. society omen and II is indeed shocking, nause
ating revolving and deserving of the utmost denuncia-
ton On the sc of morality beauty health and
other consideration which good men and women
should cOnspre preserve and exact. There Is need
of very few words this subject and argument
ANY American woman can wear the waist II her even
ING dress 10 the obes OF ber if she likes There
il no queen to command her appearance In low corsage
She can also alas conrive her dress that Dy the eI
posure of her person all social ethics and asthe
ic, a. well reyoited Between the two there Is an
appropriate and bauIitul and modest which all
can il they will follow