The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-01

in our social life, welding the scepter that
rules the world" yet from this backward
tendency they still turn our drawing rooms,
theatres and fashionable hotels into kind of
matrimonial market, where they display
more than the most exactiag lnirels or the
enlightened public sentiment OF our times re-
quire.
Second-Under the head of health, enough
has been said already in our physiological
journals ON that point to arrest the attention
of the most needless votary of fashion. Who
can question tn damage to young and deli
cate girls of such wholesale disrobing in our
cold and changeable climate. Think of high
necked, long-sleeved dresses and tiannels all
thrown aside for a fashionable ball, reception
or dinner. There is no part of the body
more sensitive to changes and draughts than
the throat chest and shoulders. A current
of air ON the back of the neck is fraught with
dangers. Every year this craze for artistic
effects is demanding the sacrifice of new vic
tins, that new charms may be revealed. I'm
der clothing above the waist is a thing of the
past. There was time when fragment
of sleeve was vouchsafed by the goddess of
fashion, and only the upper part of the bust
was exposed to inspection, but now the de-
mands are growing more and more ex-
| tended and exacting-a sleeve is but
memory of by-gone days. The
curve of the shoulder is called for and no
band or ribbon, however minute, must now
intercept the view from the tip of the ear to
the end of the finger. The shoulder blades,
too, must be visible, that the first appearance
of the angelic wings seen i'll prophetic
visions, may in their growth be unimpeded.
Verify, it looks as if Carlyle's weird imaginings
in SaItor Resartus, were soon to be realized
If our men can only be persuaded to second
the earnest endeavors of the women, to return
to the simple costume worn in the Garden of
Eden, all this "clothes thatching" will soon
be but painful dream of former bondage,
and all badges of caste and clan speedily dis
posed of; for without clothes, said the great
Scotch iconoclast, how could you tell prince
from peasant
But if our women cannot be reconciled to
such stringent measures, as draping all their
charms, the display of the lower limbs would
be less injurious to health, as none of the
vital organs are located in that part of the
human organism. The Scotch Highlander
bares his legs with impunity to- the fierce
winds on his native hills There would be nc
special danger of following his example in
our comfortably heated drawing rooms. The
curve of the legs, feet, ankles, and theil
graceful motions in walking and dancing, are
always attractive, and to leave them free and
drape the upper part of the body, would seen
more rational If denuding these must be tc
verify the hereditary tendency tc
old customs, the experiments should
not be made on the vital organs
How many more of our lovely girls must bt
sacrificed to this absurd fashions How many
more must be carried off with bronchitis
pneumonia and neuralgia before sensible mel
and women combine, with pen and tongue, t.
depounce and ridicue this vulgar custom on
of existence9
Third-As to the moral aspects of this ques
ton, there can be but one opinion. Ou
fashions come mainly from the courtesans o
France Their chief study is to play on tn
passions of men, and all dressing is with tina
, view. To attract their attention there mus
be something striking. To hold it there mus
be change from time to time. As soon as tn
eve becomes familiar with one style anothe
!, must be presented.
Our innocent girls mistake the example G
this class of women, without understandin
the philosophy on which their fashions al
. based without ever asking themselves: Whe
is the significance of this fashion! What we
> its origins What are its advantages Is
artisticl Is it usefull Does it rouse the highe
> sentiments? Does it benefit the wearer, elevat
the observer, and cultivate the good tast
, of society," No! no! a full evening dress
: neither comfortable, convenient, artistic no
: decent for a refined, educated woman.
When was last in England wanted yer
much to pay my respects to the queen, but o
learning that a court dress involved bar
neck and arms, abandoned the idea of shiy
ering in a cold ante-room for one hour an
losing my self-respect to enjoy that honor
had heard so many boasts among EngGs
women that their queen had always KEEP
her court so clean, that l wondered sh
should not only tolerate, but insist on SO de
moralizing fashion.
How fathers, husband and brothers, wit
common sense and refinement, can consent t
, their wives and daughters thus degradin
themselves in public, and how women then
; pelves, with one grain of modesty can be viii
ing to expose themselves to the gaze and rt
marks of such promiscuous assemblies {
, men, as congregate in Washington society
passes all comprehension
1t is bad enough for young girls to attrac
Tue dUUeHJlOH VI young IeH ny buCu uCUo, Ill
to demoralize them by such exposures, bu
! for mature matrons, women of 40 and so year
of age, to be guilty of such vulgar vanity j
displaying their persons, and with a flu
knowledge of the significance of their action
their behavior is as unprincipled as it is III
,, becoming.
The disgust with which all persons Of r,
fnement regard such women should hav
: RELOCATED these fashions long ago to that cla'
! whose profession compels them to displa
their charms in the market. Why shoul
we, the greatest nation on the globe, if "
except Russia the only one still in the act {
i, growth, consent to follow the antiquated GU
= toms of those nations, that have long sine
passed the zenith of their power, customs s
unworthy the higher type of womanhoo
America boasts tO-dayA
So long as there is no admission into coul
!, circles except through such huhiiations of
woman's proper pride and delicacy l conjui
all American women to forego the suppose
honor of being presented to the crowne
heads of Europe. And let us in turn estal
. lish the custom that women cannot be az
!, mitted into the best American society wit
!, their necks, shoulders and arms uncovere,
Sitting at dinner once in fashionable hot
= at Washington, discussing woman's conve
ton, then in session, with some gentlemen,
\ lady Extensively in the opposition, as ind