The morning times., 1895-07-14

the length OF asserting that no more prac-
teal work was ever achieved by mortal
woman than Mrs. BIoomer, .unaided, per
formed. The monument, when il is com
plete ana dedicated, VIII show an admir-
ing world exactly how Mrs Bloomer looked
when she GonDed the first pair Of those
immortal things.
The hlOomcr has conquered. There is
10 doubt whatever about that. AT the
same time the lady who led it to victory
has received but small share Of the glory
that by right is hers. There is something
particularly interesting in the story of how
the blOomeT was first worn. a glance at
the picture accompanying, which is taken
from photograph of Mrs. Boomer, made
in 1851 and now very rare, viii show
exactly how the primitive garb-for 1t
was then primitive, whatever it may be
to-day-lOoked. 1t was at bali given
on July 23 in the year named that the
heroic lady first displayed to an aGmlring
world her idea Of the new woman. 1t
is a little singular that not until the
bicycle came into vogue did the bloomer
conquer. Few women, perhaps, who now
toll along in the habit think Of what
their dead and gone sister endured for the
sake Of the progress.
Mrs Bloomer. at the time of her bifur
Gated campaign, was editor OF a temper
anCe paper published at Seneca Falls in
New York state She had advocated in
her little publication the deSirability OF
the change iu woman's attire; but expert
enCe convinced her that lf she wished to
make any impression in the matter at all
she must herself lead the way. Mrs
Bloomer had undoubted social position,
a fact which aided her materially IN her
efforts, and when, in July, the great bail
Of the year came off at the house OF
leader of society in her town she profited by
the occasion 10 don her new garb. Those
who have access to the columns of the Lily,
a publication now repOsing in bound form
on the shelves of quaint old libraries
willbe edited by perusal OF Mrs. Bloomer's
own ideas on the subject
IF delicacy," asserts the lady, re
quires that the skirt should be long, why
do our ladies a dozen times a day commit
the indelicacy Of raising their dresses
which have already been sweeping the
sidewalkS, to prevent their dragging III the
mud Of the streets? Surely few spots Of
mud added to the refuse of the sidewalk on
the hem of their garment are not to he
compared TO the charge of lndelicacy TO
which the display they make might subject
them. -
Thus reasons progressive Mrs. .Bloomer. 4 nd
she carries her theories into practice bravely
enough. That ball was one of the best
attended functions of its year, and the
in a night She attracted more attention
than any other woman in the rooms An
English historian who has undertaken to
make the matter one of official record-see
'.The Book OF Days" by r Chambers, Edin-
burgh's great publisher and authOr-makes
the following compliment:
1T was an attempt to substitute for the
cumbr Gus. inconvenient, ineleg ant, in
many other respects Objectionable dress
which then and has since prevailed, one
of a light. graceful and convenient char
aCteT."
Mr.. Chambers continues to remark that
in no part of the world, perhaps, would
such q reform have been attempted but in
one where, for some time, women had
been endeavoring to assert an independence
and an individuality hitherto unknown.
But, like many other reformers, Mrs.
Bloomer, we are assured, lived before her
proper day In the pleading she made for
the proposed change in her magazine she
defended it from the charge of being
either immodest or inelegant She told OF
the picturesque dress of the Polish ladies,
with high, fur-trimmed boots and short
tunic skirt. 1t is particularly important
to give in Mrs. Boomers own words a
description of the garment S she intended
it TO be- Quoting her language from those
invaluable files Of the Lily, we see:
we would have n skirt reaching down
to nearly half way between the knee and
the ankle, and not made quite so full as is
the present fashion. Underneath this skirt
trousers moderately full, in fair, mild
weather, coming down 10 the ankle mot
instep), and there gathered in with an
elastic band. The shoes or slippers to
suit the occas ion. For winter or wet
weather the trousers also full, but coming
down into a boot, which should rise some
three or four inches at least above the
ankle This boot should be gracefully
sloped at the upper edge and trimmed
with fur or fancifulIy embroidered, accord
ing to the taste oGthe wearer. The material
might be cloth, morocco, mooseskin, and
so forth, and made water proof if de-
sirable."
Mrs Bloomer argued that If the cos
tune advocated by her were adopted,
there would be less soiling from muddy
streets; that it would be cheaper than
an ordinary dress, as having less material
in il; that it would be more durable, be-
cause the lower edge of the skirt would