The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-25
THE HOME DRESS.

Inc wife VINO wishes 70 De pleasing IN
her husbands eyes, the girl who likes to
make good impression, the mother who
would retain her influence over her
young people growing up into independ-
emit lives, will be careful about her dress
at home. Let it be ever so simple, plain
and inexpensive, she will see that it is ha
bitually neat and whole, and therefore al
ways presentable, whatever the emergen-
cy. A cheap print, costing only fewcents
the yard. may be prettily made, OF a tint
becoming to the wearer's complexion;
and il finished with linen collar and
cuffs, her toilet will lack nothing in the
way of fitness, and be far more attractive
than frayed wooden or spotted silken at
tire.
The housekeeper, who is over-occupied,
hurrying in the morning to get breakfast
for husband or son, due at the place of
business at an early hour, sometimes ex-
cuses her careless halt-buttoned gown,
her unkept hair and general frowziness,
on the score of haste and deficient
strength. But five minutes earlier rising,
and little judicious planning overnight,
would make it both possible and easy for
the busiest woman to dress herself at
tractively, even with the claims of break
fast on her mind. The FIRE may be laid
ready for match, potatoes pared and
left in water, -four sifted for the morning
cakes, coffee ground and placed in
tightly sealed vessel, and the table set, all
before going to bed. Ones self-respect
is the greater when the body is treated
with the attention it deserves, as the
home of the spirit, and it is certainly a
token of respect for those nearest and
dearest, to let them see the face and form
they love properly adorned.
A pastor not long ago had occasion to
call on a recs ntIy married member of his
church. Coming home, he observed to
the always neat AND bright-looking lady
at the head of his table, ~ feel sorry for
young B; his wife was standing in
the doorway when l called, making bar
gain with one Of those street vendors of
berries, SO 1 escaped the misfortune of
brilliantly for my benefit. As it was, 1
saw her in the dress she considers good
enough for her husband g reception. poor
fellow A very much soiled gingham, no
collar, shoes minus half dozen buttons.
hair which looked as though it had rot
been brushed in a week; tell you, my
dear it was disgusting, and 1 have a
slight opinion of that young woman's
common sense and-piety."
There is certain pleasing quality in
daintiness and perfection of appointment.
The young woman or the older one, who
takes hslf-worn good gowns, to wear in
the kitchen. may suppose herself econ-
omical, but she is really guilty of extrav-
agsnce. The silken garment might have
been renovated for church and street
wear before it hob-nobbed with pots and
pans, but their proximity will have
ruined it for that use, and at the same
it has vulgarized the appearance of its
wearer.
Apart from the moral effect on ones
own individual self, involved in and pro-
ceeding from any careful every day
dressing, the effect on ones home and
household is pronounced in the right
direction. The matron who dresses her
self neatly will not be contented to have
her apartment dusty and disorderly, her
kitchen closets and cellar neglected, her
bedrooms untidy. The feeling of respon-
sibility which leads her to be arrayed for
her work, whatever it is, in fitting way,
will also make her anxious TO keep her
house nice and free from confusion. The
children of habitually neat mother, are
usually themselves neat, having no ex-
cuse for the reverse quality in appear
ance or practice. Example in every d.
reetion goes far beyond precept.
A greater degree Of responsibility than
we are willing to admit, lies at the door
of some OF us, with regard to cur way Of
dressing in church, and on the prone
made. While am old fashioned enough
to like the custom of keeping best clothes
for the Lords day, do not think gay
and elsboratsly trimmed toilets are in
good taste in the sanctuary. Those who
can afford such costumes have usually
opportunities enough Of wearing them,
on social occasions, where they will not !