St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-07-20

talk is to deSecrate it. Some time we
shall, perhaps, have reached a degree
of purity that will admit of all natural
and healthful treatment OF our bodies
without question and without merely
conventional restraint. But at present
we have not arrived at that point, ana
we ought to show some little consist
ency, and not affect modesty amount
ing to sQueamishneSS in certain ways
and upset it all in others, showing there
is nQAreality in it.
The material of which bathing dresses
are made is important for health and
comfort, as we'll as appearance. Inc
best, so far as known, is heavily tWllled
flannel, with the dress finish. This al
serbs less moisture, throws 1t more
readily, is warmer, less clingy, and
more easily recoverable than any other
material. Undoubtedly the best color
is navy blue, and the only ornamental
ton permissible little white embrold-
cry or white braid trimming. This COM
bination is atmospheric. 1t falls in
with the blue of the water and the
flecking of the sky; it does not disturb
the line of vision or shock it, like red,
or seem incongrous and out OF place,
like white, or penitential like gray
Blue is always joyous. 1t suggests
movement, activity, out-of-door life,
and the white mounting-not broad OF
too much, just enough for suggestion
the innocence of the enjoyment.
The best form at which we have ar
rived, so long as skirts are considered
Indispensable, is the closed trousers,
pleated into a band through which a
casing is run for drawing ribbon, and
a high blouse, buttoned well over In
front with skirt attached by belt, but
toned in line with the bodice.
The Neck,
the wrists. the belt, may be outlined
with three or five rows Of narrow white
braid, but no sailor" or other
or cuffs should be added. for these only
add to the weight and wet and spoil the
outline. 1t may be objected that blue
would become very monotonous II all
bathers wore blue. But there are many
shades of gray blue, cadet blue and
the like which are suitable, particularly
to the young, and for change there are
smoke grays and very quiet peach tints,
which are unobj ectionable.
The bodice should be gathered, not
pleated or laid in folds, and the skirt
should be gored. and the fullness. what
there is, masSed into pleats at the back
and upon the hips. 1t should descend
several inches below the knee, and the
trousers will be neater if lightly gath
cred into band which may be buttoned
on the inner part of the ankle: Canvas
shoes may or may not be used in walk
ing over the sands, but they should be
taken off before going into the water
There is no object in the frippery which
it is becoming the fashion with some
houses to attach to bathing dresses.
Coarse lace, tinseled braids or embroid-
cry, cords. pendants, fancy buttons and
the rest of it are all out OF place, and
only vulgarize and cucumber, without
adding any charms.
Sea bathing at its lowest natural esti-
mate is a natural and healthful form of
activity and enjoyment, but we ought
not to make of it a vulgar spectacle or
allow it to become the minister to coarse
caprice. Indeed, the number OF those
who will lend themselves TO these things
is very limited, areason why since bath
ing became more public and means OF
display it has been on the decline. 1t is
time now that an intelligent public
opinion should frown upon attempts to
reduce its sanitary value and make it
part of that eternal procession of fads
and fancies by which womanhood is
lowered and its place occupied by a
thing of successive shredS and patches.
JENNY JUNE.