Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-27
KNEE BREECHEs AGAIN.
Enthusiasts Figure That the Whole
Community Would Be Benefited.

From the London Gentleman
IT do not think men fully realize the
great benefit they would confer on them
selves in particular, and the community at
large, by wearing knee breeches. They
would cause a revival of the trade in cloth,
satin and velvet. In the knitting industry,
in jeweIry and in shoe leather.
Manufacturers would bring out new de-
signs In cloth, satin and velvet, and by do
ing so would employ artists, tailors and me-
chanics. knitting would give employment
to lonely spinsters and distressed gentle
women. jewelers. would ravish the eye
with unique designs in buckles.
"Shoemakers would bring out patent
shoe which would enhance the beauty of
the instep and be in all ways a perfect
understanding Last and most important
of all, there would arise a new school OF
physical culture-the cult of the calf.
He who had too much would take severe
measures to reduce 1t. and he who had too
little would resort to the school to be
pinched and pommelled into beauty. There
Is Just one more thing l would counsel men
in adopting knee breeches, to beware OF
King Stephens pithy economy:
His breeches cost him but crown,
He held rem sixpence all too dear.
With tina. he called his tailor clown.
cit Is fashion that wears out apparel
and not the man. but fashions must be
knee breaches. Some may quote:
know it is a sin
At him here.
But the old three-cornered hat
And the breaches and all that
Are SO queer.
However, the eye Is soon accustomed to
changes. There are exceptions to all rules,
but for the majority Of men knee breeches
would be most becoming. There would be
1t, %H1 hnOt 20 "a
waiter and the general effect would be
brighter A mans pride is a good shaped
leg and ankle. Why not show them?
Whichever fashion gains, be 1t remembered
the best materials and best makes are the
cheapest.
Costly thy h-bit III thy purse can bury.
But not expressed in fancy; rich, not gaudy;
For the apparel oft prociaims the man
trousers! Who would ever think Of
wearing trousers IL there were possipiaty
of sporting knee breaches? With what
glow of pride one would stalk into the ball
room, confident that II the face failed to
fetch the legs were at any rate sure OF
scoring! Only think OF the differing shoe zoe
bellies demoiselles to the shapely Qf some
what large) feet, and. of course. the crftl-
cising eye could not fail to note the we'll
developed calves OF the proud posSesso..
portly and beaming host was mistaken for
the family butler. and requests for better
champagne' would not be whispered into
the wrong ear.
Hail to the bean who In triumph advances
Clad in knee breaches. attracting all giances.
The "trousered" are simply put into the snaae.
And the 'sbreeched'' are favored by each pretty
maid.
Men say they're like a walter now,
But should they to knee breeches bow
THEY'D only ape with small success
The turnkey at the town address
OF some rich Yankee who'd made money
Perchanee In artificial honey.
Then legs sometimes like SUCK,
And others really very thick.
Some sloping inward from below,
While others arch as in a bow;
Declared, indeed, these fam would Do
From wearing stockings to the knee.
And then what woman. girl or wife
In these fast days would spend her LIE
In making, even for lover.
Long silken hose his legs to cover
And ready made in latest style
At best they'd cost a pretty pile:
&c. long live the worthy Touser leg.
And leave knee breeches on the peg.