River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-08-08
CONCERNING DRESS.
something About Its Significance and Al,
most Unlimited Power.

most Unlimited Power.
Dress has figured in politics. in re-
ligion and in history. In the fashion
plates of any country is written its
history; and in them are seen the rise
and fall of empires.
There is power in dress, and it is
used by women as their strongest
weapon. 1t was Josephine's weapon
against Napoleon when he was about
to Danish the only woman that had
ever loved him. When she stood be-
fore her Emperor to receive the final
sentence he could not conceal glance
of admiration at the royal woman roy
ally arrayed. She had hoped TO save
her happiness in the splendid trailing
robes; but Napoleon, as ever, was in
execrable.
The red necktie OF the socialist, the
primrose worn by the admirers of Lord
Beaconsfeld and the Feuian hat are
illustrations of dress in politics. The
denominational robes, the tunic worn
by many, and the peculiar dress of the
Quakers and Shakers are expressions
Of dress in religion.
Conventional dress is part of the con-
ventions of the world which leave no
room for the development of the true
and the natural
Conventional dress is a part OF the
conventional idiocy of the present time.
which is enough to make both men and
angels weep.
Conventional dress is built upon a
frame of bones and reeds.
The boys jacNuife with three new
blades and a new handle is the same
old knife. Dame fashion, who takes a
new caprice every season clings still to
the same old frame which has worn out
countless bodies and crippled and made
sickly many more
The summer girl is a good speci-
men of conventional idiocy, with
style" from the crown of her pretty
head to the sole of her shapely foot,
which at this season of the year is in
total eclipse under a low russell shoe.
Her gown mag be IA sillten sheath
adorned by floating ribbons outlining
the wearer's figure, while round her
waist is hung a girdle from which the
naturalization Of chatelaine watch,
a glove-buttoner, viniagrette and
other ornaments 50 unsteady wells.
She carries {; parasol, against which
she leans while she calls her little dog
back to her side. The handle could
h., t1xr b aA1a
The big ribbon bow which deco
rates it would make u first-class line
and would attract the fish from the
water as it does fro m the land.
These modest creatures, who object
to the bold Chances of men, appear
upon the street in the most startling
shades and combinations. Beauty un-
adorned is evidently not a motto for
the A American girl
Stunning costumes attract attention,
but not admiration. True modesty has
no desire to make "a show OF. Itself.
The truly modest girl dresses modestly.
and in way to attract the least 1T
tention on the street The young
woman modestly attired will never be
stared at. a womau's dress expresses
the degree of her desire for admira-
ton. Modesty in dress is a charm of
womanhood, "a well as modesty of
manner. II is said that Harriet
Beecher Stowe could be attirei in
nothing that would make her "a
stylish woman"
By their dress women may CON-
mand the respect of mankind; and
when they cease TO be loud in dress
men will no longer indulge in injudi-
cious or extravagant praise. or tell
funny stories at the expense of
women. More instruction. moreintel-
ligenee: more love and charity will
work reform gradually.
Cursed be the 5 cial wants thar SIN against tn
strength OF youth;
Cursed be The social lies that warp US from the
liv ng truth.
Cursed be the sickly forms that err from honest
natures rule.
Cursed be the gold that gilds ihe strnifened
forehead of the fool.
Albany (N. " journal.