The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1891-06-27

Thoughtfnlly Discussed For Careful
Readers.

We all know people who seem IN
able to have all details of costume in
proper trim at the same time. A
stylish dress is spoiled by the ap-
pearancc of worn unpublished shoes,
and we cannot but remember the gor-
eeous bird whose plumage is said to
droop when he catches glimpse of
his rough, ungainly feet.
The effect of a dainty, becoming
hat has been lost because, although
perfect in its way, it was unable to
monopolize the attention of its ad-
mirers, and their eyes fell upon fin
ger peeping out at the end of glove
"A very pretty finger. perhaps, but
its unexpected appearance was not
in harmony with the hat
In dress, as in other things, it is
the person who gives attention to de-
tail who brings about satisfactory re-
suits, and of the feminine portion of
humanity it is often said, that atten-
tion to these two articles of toilet
gloves and shoes-gauges the amount
of refin~ ment of the individual wear
ing them.
We frequently hear that if the
hands and the feet be properly ar
rayed, it is not a matter of much
moment if the gown be of somewhat
antiquated construction; that if
gloves and shoes are in good condi-
ton, one may feel well dressed, even
though basque seams may be rusty.
Not very many women, however, can
soar aloft oblivious to the fact that
their friends recognize their style of
dress as belonging to past age, and
it may be a consolation, but not a
wholly satisfactory one, to know that
other women can say, "She must bs
refined woman, anyway, even if
she is old fashioned, for see what
nice gloves and shoes she wears"
-
1t is not only women who are OBJ
servant of the rapidly changing styles
Of dress. One man looking at the
picture of another few DAYS since,
said, THAT must have been taken
quite while, or he is considerably
behind the times. We wore those
collars and cravats two years ago."
Society has never taken the pains
to tell us by what outward signs we
may at once understand the degree
of mans refinement. 1t is unfor-
tunate, too, for although we may ex-
pect different quality, and may,
with the English, call man who
possesses the feminine variety a
'finick," yet we cannot overlook the
absence of refinement, and since a
mans gloves and shoes do not seem
as demonstrative as a women's we
just have to blunder along and be-
lieve the best, until words or actions
acquaint us with a second test, or a
minus quantity. There might be a
great deal of time saved if some re-
sponsible person would only give us
as infallible rules for Judging the
masculine as the feminine portion of
humanity.
However, it may be that men can
not be judged by rule. We read very
often that women are all alike"
and are frequently assured that when
we know one we know all. If this
be true, of course it is easy to fix
rules by which to measure them, and
not at all difficult to assign them &C
curately defined spheres" bat when
man holds such an opinion, what
a dreary monotony womankind must
seem to him!
Whatever may be true of women,
we are fully persuaded that men are
not all alike, but we fain would have
it so that glance at shoes, or gloves,
or cIavat would indicate at once the
desirability of an acquaintance, and
save the valuable time spent in max
ing mistakes.
s*#
John Ruskin says that it is wo-
mans duty to dress as beautifully
and becomingly as she can, and Tai
mage says it is a matter of congratu-
lation that so many of the richest of
the jewels of the earth are coming
into the possession of Christian wo.
men, so that if it be necessary they
can build another temple from their
free-will offerings of precious stones.
1t is true that Paul seemed to disap.
prove of contributing to feminine
vanity, but the majority of women
are better content to act upon Rus
kin's statement, and believe that Paul
was not looking forward to the sort
of woman who lives to-day.
1t certainly is not low ambition
to desire to make the most of ones
personal attractions. 1t would be
little thing to allow it to usurp the
whole of ones time, but it should oc-
cupy a proper portion of it.
Carelessness in dress is right
good indication of carelessness in
other matters, and this is surely
rule that may rise superior TO sex,
and be applied to our brothers as
well as our sisters.
Carefulness in dress does not mean
that garments must be of the most
stylish cut and expensive texture.
Nor does itmean that onhigh days and
holidays we can come out in all the
glory of immaculate linen and patent
feathers, and be Indifferent to the re-
quirements of neatness during the
intervals, but it means daily care
for ones appearance habit of per-
sonal neatness, habit which it is
perfectly natural for finer nature
to demand of itself, and one which
is susceptible Of cultivation bv those
who find they stand in need of it.
az
Practically, carefulness in dress
does not allow man to go to the
store with unbrushed coat, nor sit
down in his home with the dust and
disorder of the days work upon him.
1t does not mean that he will allow
a weeks growth of beard to disfigure
his face, and his hair to grow shay
gy for lack of cutting.
We hear a great deal, but not too
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