Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-26
MEN HAVE THE SAY.
FOR THEM TO SAY WHETHER cRINo-
LINE SHALL. BE WORN.
Series Of Lenssn Entsrtsinm ments for the
Library--Litersry-cla Lob aisetipg-smali
Parties and Personals.

| Never since the Pawnee war has there
been such agitation and panic in cur midst
as the crinoline question has raised in the
last few weeks. Not only with us, how
ever. Is the subject one of grave debate;
all over the world the dress-makers stand
with measuring-tape across the shoul-
der and scissors In hand. while
far customers await with bated breath
tho result of the Queens draw
ing-room 70 give the word of COM
maud. It is an awful state of suspense.
| Nervous prostration. insomnia, loss OF ap-
petite, and all sorts of evils will result
| from the strain. Springs suits cannot DO
made. not even bought: merchants stand
in agonized uncertainty as to whether the
expensive patterns in French novelties
will be found sufficient for crinoline de-
| mands or be relegated to their shelves un-
til hoops shall have had their sway.
Ii is marvel that with all the ably
directed and weil-sustained assaults against
crinoline IN all ages the fashion-makers
should ever dare TO reyiveit. But through
each season of its sway the hoop-skirt has
been proof against ridicule and indifferent
to reproach. When they were first INTRO
duced in England under the name of var
dingal or farthingale Bishop Latimer
preached a sermon against terming them
"roundabouts. which the devil IN all cum
ming mad invented as an instrument of
pride" Nearly two centuries later. IN
I'LL. after a long period Of neglect. Sir
Roger dc Coyerley mentioned "the new-
fashioned petticoat which made lady
walk as if she were in go-cart."
In America, too, 1t seems the hoop-skirt
was not regarded with favor. for in an old
magazine we find it stated that until the
year 1770 the following law was in force
"in England and her American colonies":
Whosoever shall entics into bonds of
matrimony any male subject OF his Ma
jesty's by means of rouge. white. paint.
Spanish cotton, steel corsets. crinolIne, or
high -heeled shoes. shall be prosecuted for
witchcraft. and the marriage declared null
and void"
But still the hoop held tyrannical sway.
different-sized hoops being worn for DIFF
ferent occasions. In the incoming lady
put on a small pocket-hoop"; for occa-
sions not quite full dress there was to be
worn q " bell-hoop." whilst for full state
there was hoop so monstrous that writers
say people saw half OF it enter the room
before tho wearer." In vain may critics
invegh against tho fashion a. i'm
modest, because the fashion of the
close-clinging, tailor-it of women's
skirts Cor the last few seasons has been uni
yersally denounced as ndelicate and unbe-
coming. The truth is, women have hard
time dressing. especially to please mascu-
line critics, and yet. after all, the discom-
forts and absurdIties of female attire are
attributable to these same merciless critics,
for arc not the fashion-makers mon? No
one who had ever worn "a laced taboy
stay" or farthingaie" could doubtit.
The Literary Tea" to be held in the
four rooms of the Rosemary Public Libra
~. corner of Main and Second streets. on
Tuesday evening from to 8. will DO
charmingly informal aud agreeable enter
tainment. and all who are interested IN
the success of the library should give sub
stsntial proof of interest by their
attendance. Those attending the church
services on that evening may stop on their
return and be erefreshed by a cup of 0olong
or of chocolate and a sandwich, and help
the ladies' who are trying 20 increase tho
resources and benefits of the public libra
~. The "tean will be Of O simple ma
ture and in no sense elaborate, but the
arrangements will be pleasant and at
tractIve. This being the first OF series
of four entertainments should insure the
success OF the three which will follow az
intervals of q fortnight.
Amusements of literary character will
be arranged and prize of years mem-
| bership awarded to the guesser who will
| interpret the greatest number of book
! puzzles, which are being prepared by some
of the young ladies. Mrs. Edward L.
Crump will be the hostess Of this occasion,
| and Will be assisted by Mrs. James Baylor,
Mrs Frank II. Mcclure. Mrs. George Ben.
Johnston. Mrs. Beverley L. Crump. Mrs.
r. n. Carter. Mrs. Camm, Mrs. Levin
Joynes. Mrs. Robert G. Rennolds, and
Mrs. Wyndham Il. Meredith. The young
| Indies who will serve the tea and contri-
butte to the general pleasure OF the eve-
nIng will be Misses Stewart. Mary Morris
Jones, Bessie Addison. Elise Williams,
Leila Myers, Meme Myers. Netta Potts,
| Bessie Fauntleroy. Gertrude Camm, Annie
Leigh Camm, Mary Cameron, and Parke
G. Bagby.