The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-06-11
ETHICS OF DRESS.
Tho Connection That Exists between
Morality aud Clothcs.

A'AOA saAAsy 0sAA SAOS1kSos
A biographer Of Haydn statos that
when he sat down to tho composition
of any Of his great musical works he
first arrayed himself in the most bril-
liant and elegant apparel ut his COM
mand; and in like manner Skobeleff-
one of the most brilliant and successful
generals of modern timcs-beforc going
into battle always donncd splendid
uniform of spotlcss white. No royal
bird ever plumcd its feathers with more
pride and care. These eminent i'll
stances, and many more of similar ma
turc might be quoted, to prove that the
self-coniidence of mankind depends, in
great degree, upon the tailor and the
dressnakcr. Did these but know their
power the human race would be us pup.
pets in their hands.
1t is quite obvious to the most SUPER
ficlal observer that there is an estab.
lished relation between certain mental
or moral characteristics and certain
styles or pcculiaritics of dress; but it be-
comes II very difficult although interest
ing question 10 determine which is cause
and which effect. Does tho particular
trait of character, by some process of
natural selection, seek to express
itself in u corresponding style of
man. accidentally adopted. per-
haps, supcrinduce its kindred shade of
character. However this may be. it
cannot DO doubted that in most in-
stances the one is ut least tho reflex of
the other. 1t is not wholly for the de-
location of small boys and nursery
maids that the soldier is arrayed in all
the panoply of war. Nor is it mere
accident that from time iMmemOrial
sack-cloth (of one description or an
| other) has been tho common garb of
the penitent. The shallow vanity, in
sincerity, and pitiful moral weakness of
the shabby gentcel could not be cx-
pressed more plainly than they arc in
the thrcadbare iincry by which they at
tempt TO palm themselves OF for some
thing which they are not These only
excite contempt, whereas all true mon
are glad to make obeisancc to the hon
est darn of what DIR. johnson called
'premeditatcd poverty" A sturdy
beggar in his rags may command re-
spect and even excite remorse when, in
manly resentment of some slight. he
threatens. like old Oclliltrec. to beg of
us no more. 1t is, again. ~ physioloss-
ical fact that there is close relation
between the particular style of clcr-
gyman's waistcoat and his theological
views. Who has ever seen an upholder
of the apostolic succession in u low-cut
vest? Such radical devices arc adopt
ed only by the exponent of lower or
broader theology. Indeed, us the
opinions of the latter become lower
and broader. their effect upon the out
ward man advances 7,ari passu. and
is perceived even in the exlrcmitics,
finally resulting, in some extreme
cases, in the homogeneous combination
of q clerical choker with neither gar
ments of intense secularity.
There is also an orderly and it would
seem inevitable correspondence be-
tween the dress of the placid and self
contained Quaker and those peculiar
traits, which, it is generally assumed,
distinguish him from tho more fiashy
and turbulent portion of mankind.
This is still more apparent and attract
i've in the sedate patterns and subdued
colors-as of soft twilight affected by
the gentle Quakeress. With dropping
lid and glance half coy, half furtive,
she retreats into the deep rccesscs of
her poke bonnet as into sanctuary.
Did mortal man ever presume to make
love TO suchP By what profane steps
is she led up to the matrimonial altarp
Can it be possible that even q Quaker
css will indulge in those frivolties by
which ordinary mortals are woocd and
won? or is it indeed true that her
only communication upon such occa-
sions is verily, yea, yea-or sometimes.
perchance. nay. nayP
The author of "a Trip Through
Nasal Land" gives it as result of his
observation upon the people of central
Africa that there is no necessary con-
ncction between morality and clothes,
for he found that several tribes, which
had entirely discarded, or. rather, never
had assumed, the latter were in char
acter and habits vastly superior to some
neighboring tribes which, in the extent
of their wardrobe, had more nearly APP
preached tho standard of civilization.
From this conclusion of the African
traveller let us hope that the speculative
mind may derive some solace and solu-
ton for the amazement and bewildcr-
ment into which it is often thrown by
toilets of fashionable Europe and Amer
ica.-Boslon Transcript.