The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-15
FOLLOWING DEoREEs OF FASHION.
A Wholesale MilIiner Finds Reasons for His
Vocation in Historical Fact.

gentleman engaged in the wholesale milf.
merry business said to Journal reporter, re-
Gently, that the love of adjournment is of the
Oldest and most universal characteristics of the
human race ssNo matter how far may Ga
back into antiquity. or to what race we may
come he continued. 1--WE shall everywhere find
this clement was going to say weakness-ot
CHI aracter displayed. The savage in the heart
of Africa, the wanderer over the steppes and
des erts of Asia, the Indian IN the forest Of
merica, each has his love OF display. and con-
seouently his rule OF dress. his custom OF deco
ration and his fashion. The empire of fashion
is. therefore, worldwide. its dominion Is I'M
/. circu inscribed by geographical steps or lines,
co mined to race or nation. because II Is ouit
upon characteristics in mans nature which is
universal"
of feminine. fashion and faneyP suggested the
reporter ,.,. :. vhorv
one-sided. We have to do entirely with the
ladies, but it is. you know, much the larger neld
of the two Woman has, OF the two sexes. been
the greater slave TO fashion. She has followed
lie DEGREES more devctediy and obeyed its man
dates more blindly, partly because OF greater
love Of ornamentation and change, partly be-
cause she desired to please more than man.
Mel have often been carried into great extremes
aud absurdities in their devotion to fashion, but
not so much so, nor so often, tnluk, as the
women Why the histories of fashions 10 all coun.
tries are full OF accounts Of governmental and
religious prohibitions of feminine styles OF orna-
ment and dress could cite you any number
of cases. some of them highly amuspg to
ms now. Ministers have acclaimed.
kings and emperors threatened. and popes
thundered against the despotism with when
women have sometimes followed the absurdity
of fashion. but it has all generally been futile.
Innocen ut III issued bull snjoinpc on all WON
en-. married. single, to cover their oosoms.
shoulders and arms down 10 the wrists with
non transparent material on pain of excommuni'
cation. But all was in vain; tie style, you see,
different; exeommunication had brought
nr~0hV rat ia 1mT
IL had no tarrors for the feminine heart In this
instance He might depose princes and set up
states but regulate feminine wearing apparel
-neverl Henry ii and Charles TX OF france
also tried the same thing"
do you think their edicts had any effect
wharever"
"The ladies simply paid the fine and went on.
What were few bits OF gold coin compared
with being out of fashion3 Another place in HIS
tory IL is recorded that certain priest devoted
from o'clock till 10 o'clock in the morning, for
ten days, in decaiming against the feminine
fashions of his day. but all his defamation
amounted to nothing. You see, merely men
tion these Incidents which / have come across
in my reading, 10 show you how people and GA"
pecially ladies, will cling to fashion. Then. as
you know. any amount of torture or trouble will
be patiently undergone in order to conform to
its DEGREES 1t is not necessary 30 prove that
Take the tight facing of to-day as an example,
something that 10 absolutely injurious 70 health;
but how few shrink from ifq II is only an in-
stance of many expedients rssorted TO to beautl-
fly the form or heighteu the appearance accord
coloriug the cheek with sublimate that can only
be endured few hours, painting eyebrows. sit
ting for hours and days in darkened rooms
what is it that women will not endure to look
beautiful and be fashionable"
'.But who starts al these fashionel"
.Oh, some are started in way, some in an
other. The fashions of the world you know,
come from Paris. Tho people of France are. by
reason of their very nature. leaders OF fashion.
Fond of admiration beyond all other nations.
perpetually wanting something new and novel
TO entertain their fancy and affected with am
inordinate desire to please and attract atten-
ton, they are continually on the hunt for aonte-
thing attractive TO wear and something brilliant
to cay. However, great many fashions arise
out of pure caprice. Marie Antoinests stuck
some feathers in her hair one day when stand
ing before Louis XVI Her husband declared
her more beautiful than he had ever seen her-
Feathers and plumes became all the rage from
that one circumstances. Dresses worn by prin-
cesses. by ladies' of rank and by actresses have
ina uguratsd many styles. 1t is grand contest
between dress-makers, inilliners and people OF
rank wealth. who wish 10 lead the fashion. to
see who can devise something new, something
attractive. Generally out OF this struggle we get
the fashi on that rules the world"