THE ABSURDITIES OF FASHION. Can anything new be said on the matter of fashion and its singular freaks? If we were to be asked, what is the interesting subject to which the most intense study, the most touching devotion, the most undivided attention is devoted, we should certainly replyfashion. There are many churches in our land where worship is offered up to the Supreme Ruler, but the bright goddess of fashion rears a glittering shrine in every household. Old and young, grave and gay, married and single, not one escapes paying more or less tribute upon the altar of the changeable queen. There are degrees, to be sure, in the fervency of the worshippers; and their lives! To drag a trailing dress with a yard or two of unnecessary length, through dirty streets and over muddy crossings, retaining in the passage filth from which every true lady would revolt, was the service required and uncomplainingly rendered a few years ago. The sterner sex, careless or preoccupied, often placed a rude foot upon the rich material, much to the discomfiture of both wearer and offender. To sail serenely down the street with the shining trail of a "best dress," spread out behind like a peacock's plumage, to all appearance the wearer as unconcerned as a child at play, while all the time she had the secret consciousness some seem to be mentally uttering a protest as they obey the arbitrary decrees that cause them so much discomfort and inconvenience. One can easily tell the real honest, singlehearted devotee from the lukewarm, unwilling follower at a distance. It is really affecting, one might almost say heartrending, to see the unswerving fidelity of some of the votaries of fashion. Nothing is too difficult for them to attempt, nothing too absurd to imitate. Their attire is really quite a wonderful study, and the "lilies of the field" certainly were never arrayed like one of these. What a bright reward they deserve for their unfaltering devotion, and untold sacrifices, to say nothing of the gift of the best hours of that one careless footprint would irretrievably ruin it, was some ladies' ambition. Next came the era of short dresses and the "Grecian bend." Our women, to their credit be it said, did not flinch at this innovation. No, martyrs in a common cause, they filled our streets with queer caricature-like looking creatures, who tottered feebly along on highheeled boots, that must have caused torture to the wearers, like veritable modern Spartans. On this page we give a picture of a modern belle in an approved evening costume. Quite fascinating one would judge her to be, from the lingering glances of her many admirers. Here we have the huge chignon, once in Ballou's Monthly Magazine. "What favor, but which suggests the query, On page 409 are engravings illustrating a few of the possible future freaks of fashion, such as naturally rise before the imagination in view of present styles. Why, indeed, may we not have the costume of the upper right hand figure, feathers and all? And why not the towering headdress at the left, with its helmet and drooping curls? The lower right hand figure was evidently suggested by the high heels so popular a short time ago, and with a little practice, the idea might be carried out quite successfully. The freaks of fashion, and the supreme dominion it has attained, present a curious spectacle to those who like to study the peculiarities of human nature. Strange, too, it seems, that no trouble or discomfort can wring complaint from the lips of her eager followers. One of the great lessons of fashion is emulation, and no matter how high m the social scale fashionable people may be, they must suffer great anxiety when they think of the possibility of being outshone or forestalled in the display of the "latest styles." The elegant Mrs. Smith, in spite of her usual ladylike composure, feels her heart troubled and her temper tried, when she views the superior magnificence of her neighbor. Such diamonds! such splendid sables! and costly cashmeres! two thirds border! What, she thinks, is the use of living, if one is to be outshone continually! Then her mind refers to the one whose purse supplies her with her own modest outfits, and the force of her anger is turned against her unfortunate "liege lord." By the time he returns from the business of the day, she considers herself a most highly abused woman, and her husband a 46 mean, unfeeling creature," to keep her so poorly clad. this, only more disagreeable, are caused by the emulation of fashionables. Nor should we forget the harm that is done to the poor by the example set them by the wealthy. upon, but the fact remains the same. In The subject is old, and often commented America, especially, the struggle of persons, keep up with others, who have more wealth who, if not poor, are certainly not rich, to tressing. When we consider the tax on both at their command, is sometimes really dismind and body, of cutting, turning and contriving, which these "poor proud people' have to endure, to make themselves presentable, and how keenly they suffer when, after slights or coolness, the worship of fashion all their efforts, they sometimes meet with proaches more nearly to the proportions of a ceases to bear the name of folly, and apcrime. tify and make a person more agreeable should Yet anything which really tends to beaunot be included among the 66 absurdities of fashion." It is only the useless, grotesque and troublesome extravagances of the mode that form the subjects of this article. A lady of good taste will invariably make such a selection in her dress, as to avoid all glaring and "pronounced" styles. Such a one, will, at comparatively little expense, present a more elegant appearance than others who lavish large sums on their outfits, but who always look dowdy and ungraceful, nevertheless. Let not those whose means are small be discouraged, even in these days of fashionjudgment a coarse fabric may be made to worshipping. With good taste and good look prettier and more ladylike than the most costly silk that is made without grace, in a merely fashionable manner. All styles, figures and complexions, and the first thought however pretty in themselves, do not suit all should not be "is it stylish ?" but, "is it becoming?" Of what use are the most beautiful or expensive articles, if they do not add to the attractions of the wearer? The real secret of success in dress is, to wear those colors which harmonize best with the hair, vidual would exercise her own taste more, eyes, complexion and figure. If each indiand think less of dressing just as other peo The glance the unconscious offender receives is not of the most tender order, and clearly indicates a domestic tempest in store. At first, the husband listens in astonishment, which changes to anger as he realizes the folly of a fashionable woman's complaint. So, at the end of the unpleasant scene, the lady subsides behind her handkerchief, ill-ple do, the effect would be better. Then we used, and a martyr in her own estimation, could judge a person by the dress, and each and the gentleman retreats from the argument with a muttered exclamation on the costume would be an index to the character foolishness of his wife. Many scenes like of the wearer. After all, we are not so sure that men de Heb jerator WHAT WE MAY EXPECT IN THE WAY OF STREET COSTUMES. not directly encourage ladies to dress extravagantly and look absurd. If a lady appeals to a gentleman friend for an opinion regarding certain articles of dress, ten chances to one the reply is a compliment. Husbands and brothers, of course, are not included in this assertion. They are more fond of complimenting other men's wives and sisters than their own flesh and blood, so, as a matter of course, fashionable ladies never hear the truth. They are told that they look lovely, when in fact they appear far from attractive. But while women are the best and sweetest portion of the community, there is a crusade against them in the pulpit, the lectureroom, and through the press, as vigorously as the woman's assault upon man is conducted in conventions, until, if we believe everything, we must judge woman to be faithless, frivolous and wicked beyond conception. But our faith in the sex is maintained by occasional instances of a devotion and goodness which, if not superhuman, are certainly supermasculine. Just now a story comes from Tennessee of the belle of the village, who not only dressed in paniers, chignons and highheeled boots, but coquetted amazingly, and apparently satisfied to the full the description of the useless girl of the period that we know so well. Her lover was in despair, after seven refusals, until one day he had both legs crushed off on the railroad, when the apparently heartless fair rushed to his consolation, and married him on crutches the first day the doctors allowed him to go out. Here is an example which goes far to redeem the sex from reproach; and who shall say that many of the rest of maligned femininity would not, like the Tennessee beauty, give up the happy prospect of a dancing, theatre-going, skating, and otherwise fashionably ablebodied husband, if cruel circumstances should put such a claim upon their tenderer sympathies? As we have told one story with a moral, let us relate another that also has a point to it, and one which should be heeded by the careless. We do not vouch for the truth of the yarn. We relate it as it was given to us. It sounds like a man's invention: About twelve o'clock one Sunday, as people were returning from church, a lady dressed in the height of fashion, with a gorgeous Grecian bend of magnificent proportions, tripped down Tremont Street, in the most approved style, like a cat treading on eggs. Just as she reached the corner of West Street, where the "gentles most do congregate," a newspaper, neatly folded, slipped from her skirt and fell on the sidewalk. A polite newsboy saw it fall, and called out to her that she had 'drapped sumthin,' but she kept her eyes fixed on vacancy and moved straight ahead, without appearing to notice him. A few steps further another paper fell from the same region, and there was a diminution of the hump on her back. The boy yelled after her again, "I say, missis, you're losing all your papers!" The only sign of hearing him that she gave was a quickening in pace, as if she was anxious to get away from the vicinity as fast as possible. A kind-hearted lady who was walking behind her, and who understood the situation, at this moment hurried up alongside, and whispered that she was losing her bend. This information caused her to turn into a friendly stairway to repair damages; but just as she put her foot in the door, a bundle of papers dropped from beneath her skirt and rolled upon the sidewalk. The newsboy indignant at the treatment he had received, and apparent disdain with which his polite attentions had been met, on this rushed forward, and seizing the bundle of papers, startled Sabbath stillness on the streets with "'Ere's your extra pannier!" The lady, it is needless to say, didn't stop to take an extra, but passed on in a state of collapse, and with the firm determination to put no trust in newspapers hereafter. The freaks of fashion cause some curious transformations in the appearance of people from time to time, as the modes differ in their requirements. The enormous hoops and excessively full skirt, thought so graceful and becoming a few years ago, would look queerly by the side of the short scant dresses of the present period. The most wonderful power the fickle goddess possesses is that of rendering whatever she happens to dictate pleasing in the sight of her followers. No matter what it may chance to be, the present mode is always the most desirable, and all other previous styles look "positively horrid" when contrasted with it. The influence of dress is very plainly seen in even so common an affair as shopping. Who has not witnessed the obsequious air and beaming smiles with which clerks and attendants greet the richly-dressed customers who come arrayed in silks, velvets and cashmere shawls, with diamonds flashing their liquid light from fingers or ears? No trouble is too great, no time too precious to devote to the satisfaction of their wants and caprices. On the other hand, who that is at all observing, has not seen the ill-concealed looks of contempt, and the grudging courtesy vouchsafed to the poorly-dressed? Let a woman go into one of our fashionable stores attired in a cheap dress, and wearing over her shoulders a common, serviceable plaid shawl, and her status is at once decided upon by the inspectors behind the counters. If our readers doubt this let them investigate for themselves. THE JOYS OF A MINER'S LIFE. A miner's life is one of hardship, of severe toil and privations; yet there is a freedom in it that is so fascinating that thousands of men rush to the gold fields and patiently toil for years in the hope of making a strike that will repay them for all their sufferings. Take the territory of Nevada, where gold and silver are found in veins of quartz, and where the miners are buried in the bowels of the earth from daylight until dark, while the only amusement and recreation that they can indulge in is a nightly gathering at some saloon or an occasional bet on monte, yet cially toward the east, where it is crossed by the Sierra Nevada range. One half of the entire area is occupied by mineral lands. Mining is the chief occupation, and but little attention is paid to farming. It is rich in quartz. The number of quartz mills in operation is quite large. It borders on Utah, and is drained by Middle and South Yuba rivers. The area is estimated at one thousand square miles. A traveller who has recently visited California, passing through the whole of Nevada, gives expression to his feelings in the follow how few of these same miners desire a change, or take advantage of a streak of luck to leave the wild scenes of their adventures for more civilized communities. Perhaps the happiest moments of a miner's life are when the toils of the day are ended, and he finds himself and mate in their rude hut, preparing supper. Then all the good qualities of his nature are brought out. He enjoys the occasion, and shows his skill in the art of preparing a meal that will be relished because hunger and good digestion wait on appetite. Such a scene is depicted in our engraving. Even the dog shows that he appreciates what is going on around him. Nevada is a mountainous country, espe ing language, while crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains: "But a few hours ago we were passing through a region in which desolation reigned supreme; a region of sage-brush and alkalidust, of bitter water and unkindly skies. The icy winds of the snow-crowned (Sierras chilled us to the bone. But the transition was sudden and the transformation magical. The sun descended in a flood of glory toward the Pacific Ocean, while the train was spinning down the ringing grooves of the mountains. The canopy of azure overhead, unflecked by a cloud and spangled with myriads of brilliant stars, surpassed in loveliness the most serene sky of the blue Mediterranean." |