Year: 1875

1t is an idea we are not disposed to com.
bat, that people look better in fashionable
clothing, however ridiculous the fashion
may seem to be, and in matters of mourn
ing its sway is as potential as in anything
else, undoubtedly little more so with the
women, for TO the most of them fashionable
mourning weeds are very becoming. To 9
great many minds, though, every Ameri
can custom pertaining to the loss and burial
Of the dead is perfectly absurd, and those
to whom these customs do not seem absurd
will admit that the architecture, so to speak,
of funeral, including the shape of the
coffin, the shape Of the hearse, the shape
of the grave, and the shape of the under,
takers hat, is quite enough to drive ghost
Of any taste away from the surroundings OF
his earthly home in double quick time.
The fashion Of wearing black for the dead.
although extending throughout this
country and continental Europe, is
by no means universal among civilized
nations, and, in comparison with some other
mourning fashions, it is of quite recent
date. Purple and white, in the older civil
lizations. were the principal mourning
colors, and to wear purple and white in
honor of those who have been saluted by
the saints may strike some as being little
more appropriate than the black emblems
of executions and endless imprisonments
However, we would not like to be under
stood as speaking against what is probably
an impregnable custom.


London journals Of the period are dis
cussing with some warmth the value of q
new society which has been formed in the
fashionable circles Of that city for mitiga-
ting somewhat the burden men bear in fur
nishing expensive and extensive mourning,
and this society has framed code of laws,
of which the following is copy:


1. That the putting on of mourning for any
person deceased be limited to bona fide mourn
ers-i. e., very near relatives.


Q. That 1t be strongly recommended to men,
bers Of this society to shorten the period dicta-
ted by custom for wearing mourning, but that
the exact period be left entirely optional.


8. That the heavy and extensive Grape trim
mings on skirts of dresses and on mantles be
disused, as tending TO extravaganza and osten-
tation.


4. That the custom Of wearing "complimen-
tary" mourning, viz, for connections, distant
relatives, and friends, be discarded by men,
bers of this society.


5. That children under four years of age be
not put into black clothes, and over that age
only on the death of parents, brothers, or sis
ters.


@. That servants of household where a
death has occurred be not put into mourning.


2. That the use Of mourning stationery be In
no case deemed essential, and that Its entire
disuse be recommended to members.


s. That 1t be optional with all members, on
the death offriends, connections, or distant rel
atfves, to wear as token of respect band of
Grape on the arm or hat in the case Of men,
and in the case of women black sash or scarf
over one Shoulder and crossing the breast.


9. That the previous rule be applicable at
will in the case of servants and children.


Now what will Washington ladies think of
thatf When the times are so hard wouldn't
1t be well to have similar rules adopted
heref The last thing on earth wise man
would attempt would be reform in woman's
dIess. The man who attempts it exhibits
the concluding efforts Of an imbecile mind.
In matters of taste and the eternal ftnesJ
of things" women are their own judges,
butit would strike the average male intellect
as being true that they can, without any
very great inconvenience to themselves or
disrespect for the dead, exercise reason
able economy in getting themselves up in
q Grape harness.