The Savannah morning news., 1901-07-14
THE FASHIONABLE GRADUATE.
Timely Protest Against Elaborate
Commencement Gowns.

Timely Protest Against Elaborate
Commencement Gowns.
1--WE have heard the praises of the
''sweet Girl Graduate" sung, ever since
sweet girls were allowed to graduate,
which has been fewer years than most
of us realize There is an implied charm
in the words, an understood simplicity.
We have visions of fresh, pink faces In
fresh, white settings; of coy curls; OF de-
mure hands folded over the little sheets
OF the commencement essay, or grasping
the diploma, half as big as its recipient.
But whittier is the High School girl OF
modern America drifting?
To-day, the graduate is a thing OF fuss
and feathers, of French furbelows and
frills Her gown is of billowing mousse
Saline de sole over taffeta silk, or even OF
the richest satin and the colors OF the
rainbow. She is immersed in clouds or
tulle, her hair a creation worthy of Mad
anne de la Pompadour, her lingerie sug-
gests the Partisan soubrette in its lace,
gauze and general fiufiness. Her hose
are white silk cobweb, she is shod IN
white satin slippers with French heels
She is a marvel of The modiste, thing
of amazement TO the masculine eye, or
mingled pride and horror to papa, who
a
er of the corner grocery store, or the
hard working clerk in a down town
freight office Memories Of Priscilla have
we lost all sense of maiden simplicity, OF
appropriateness?
Let us hurl no stones at Dame Fashion.
When woman occupies a high place in so
ciety It seems necessary that she dress
elegantly and extensively; even a young
bride is supposed, If she have a large
he
for the girl graduate of sweet sixteen
especially If in a public school, to emu
late the leaders of fashion is the hight
of absurdity and a sad commentary upon
American shoddiness.
Nor is it good taste alone that is be-
ing violated by thousands in our cities
every season. A very serious. evil is be-
ing fostered. 1t is not uncommon for
commandments to cost each individual in
a class as large a sum as 500, which is
more than many of the pupils possibly
afford. In private or finishing"
schools, the graduates expenses are OBJ
ligatory. Ut is as compulsory for a stu
dent to bear her share for engraved in
vitations, opera house. orchestra, etc, as
II is to pay for tuition board and books
during all the years of schooling. Econ
on,y is absolutely tabooed Although this
is the custom in academies and boarding
schools, it has the merit a least of not
affecting the very poor, but the evil Is
most lamentable when 1t dominates the
public schoolsl
A short time ago. conditions brought
about a crisis in Chicago, and prominent
educators and editors felt compelled to
interfere in behalf of the pupils with in
sufficient means. A High School class
refused TO pay a per capita for opera
house and accessories of an elaborate
commencement programme. A million
aires son generously offered to pay the
entire expense of the graduation exer-
clses, but this offended the pride and
democratic principles of his classmates,
and at last, the whole scheme was aban-
doned, and the exercises held as they
ought to have been in the High School
building.
Country parents and those of the mid
die classes in cities. who have struggled
TO give their children an education are
burdened and embarrassed by the fnan-
cial expenditures necessary to get them
out of school The demands of custom
and conventionality are as potent as any
school rules could be, and the poor stud
ent who cannot aecede to them is over
whelmed with shame.
Periodically. the sensational papers
bristle with readiness to the effect that
Miss -- graduates one day, and weds
some distinguished individual the next
If there is anything more vulgar than
such taste. any greater parody upon edu-
cation than such conduct. 1t is yet to
flash forth. A callow maid. in the midst
of examinations in Virgil and Geometry.
writing a thesis probably upon Life. /
know not what thou art" with the COM
prehensive mind and experience of seven
teen % and in the dressmakers hands
not only for the graduating gown but
for an elaborate trousseau, and having
also the distractions of courtship. Pass
ing over the very thorough education
the young miss must have gained under
such reposeful circumstances, we must
enter protest against that magnificent
graduation gown, the envy of her school
mates, the despair of every woman of
good taste who reads OF it. because it is
the sign of degenerate class in Amer
deal
All. girls be simple. II you have no
regard for the canons of good taste and
appropriateness reflect upon our democ-
racy. think of the schoolmates soon to
leave your side for their so different
paths and having these last days embit-
tered by the contrast you force upon
them. Do not try to be a society queen
and startle the community with your
modish costumes when you stand upon
the brink of life, just budding into the
rose of girlhood. In mind and heart and
garb, be simple. w. II. Cooley.