The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-03-10

NOT 50 BAD, AFTER ALL
If Fashion Dictates That
Crinolines Be Worn, How
Many Will Disobey?
THEIR EFFECT ON OUTDOOR GAMES
And Upon Household Furniture
English and American Manners
Compared.
THEIR EFFECT ON OUTDOOR GAMES

Nothing can exceed the animosity
with which this suggestion (the wear
ing of crinoline) has been received.
John Strange Winter" with her bat
t~alions. numbering 1000 Amazons,
has raised the fiery o against the
invader. Why crinoline should be
more Objectionable than many of the
other hideous fashions in which we
have arrayed ourselves, is a mystery;
but the panic is widespread and i'll
tense. 1t may be possible to crush
the unwelcome intruder, but its
great vitality and recuperative power
in the last 300 years should not
be overlooked. Like the plague
and influenza, it is recurrent, and
we can never be safe from its intru-
sion. 1t dates from the days OF Queen
Elizabeth and survived until the
Commonwealth. 1t appeared again
in III, and was enlarged in 1744, and
continued to the end of the century.
1t was abolished by George ~. From
1856 to 1866 it fiourisned again i'll all
its glory and attained its largest
dimensions. To our modern ideas,
the gigantic hoop of those days seems
hideous and fantastic, yet it was not
then SO considered. 1t was no more
ridiculous or unbecoming than the
eelskin skirts and tight-titting jar-
seys of a few years later, worn like
the hoop by all, regardless OF age,
size or shape.
The crinolines requires tact and
grace in its management. for it is a
most unruly member. Shall we ever
see anything which depicts better its
untamable disposition than Leech's
inimitable sketches of Englishwomen
walking on a pier in a gale OF wind,
or his still more delightful sketch of
Common Objects at the Seaside?"
When we recall the ridicule, and re-
member the power of ridicule, we
realize what vitality fashion has.
If crinoline is going to be the style,
we may shrek till we are hoarse, but
it will be adopted. There are many
points in it's favor if it can be con-
trolled within reasonable limits, and
there are many who for personal rea-
sons will welcome its return. 70 the
numbers of large, w~ell-Srown girls
one sees everywhere, it will be most
becoming, adding dignity and grace
to their appearances; and for a tall,
slight woman nothing could be better.
There is much to be said for crinoline
on hygienic grounds, and those of
cleanliness must be obvious to its
most prejudiced opponents. Boots
and stockings will not need cleaning
every time one ONE in from a walk.
10 those who walk much it will be a
boon, for nothing impedes movement
SO much as clinging skirts
The temperance of crinoline must
produce a change in outdoor games.
Lawn tenuis will be hardly possible.
Croquet will possibly reign once more.
1t must make some difference in furni-
ture, and the arrangement of rooms.
Something will be needed more solid
and heavy than the slight spindle
legged chairs and sofas, that can stand
perpetual assaults and liability OF be-
ing swept away. Drawing rooms will
admit OF fewer guests. Who can for
get the anxiety of a earer entering a
surging crowd in former days? The
fathers and brothers are dumb-per-
haps curiously awaiting results, but
at the final moment we doubt not the
small voice will be heard. Human
nature will not be changed, and the
s'old story will not be cease to be
told, even if whispered at distance
from the object addressed. 1t is hoped
substituting a material called erin
may effect a happy compromise
Lady Jeune in the NeW Re0ieso.
English versus American Manners.