University of Virginia Library

Wednesday, P. M.
DRESS.

“Dress” continued Mrs. Williams to her
re-assembled and attentive pupils, “is an important
article of female economy. By some it is doubtless
considered as too essential. This is always
the case, when it becomes the ruling passion, and
every other excellence is made subordinate to it.
A suitable attention to the etiquette of appearance
is necessary to render us respectable in the
eyes of the world; and discovers an accommodating
disposition, which is, at once, engaging and
useful in the commerce of society. Females are
taxed with being peculiarly attached to, and captivated
by the glare of splendor and show. But
I believe superficial minds are not confined to
sex. Whatever form they actuate, to beautify
and adorn it will be the principal object.

“A certain species of gaiety and airiness is becoming
in youth. Young ladies, therefore, act
perfectly in character, when, under proper restraint,
they indulge their taste in the decoration
of their persons. But they should be efpecially
careful that their taste be correct; consistent
with the modest delicacy which is the glory
and ornament of woman.

“It is laudable to follow fashions, so far as
they are governed by these rules; but whenever
they deviate, quit them with express disapprobation
and disgust. Any assumptions of the masculine
habit are unbecoming. Dress and manners
should be correspondent; and the engaging
softness and artless simplicity, which grace my
pupils, must be quite inconsistent with the air and
attire of the other sex.

“A gaudy and fantastical mode of decoration
is by no means a recommendation. It bespeaks
a lightness of mind and a vanity of disposition,
against which a discreet and modest girl should
guard with the utmost vigilanoe. Extravagance
is a great error, even where fortune will
allow the means of supporting it. Many are the
claims which the children of affliction and want
have upon the superfluous plenty of the rich.
How much better expended would some part of
their redundance be, in relieving the necessities of
such, than in decorating their own persons, with
every ornament which art can contrive to create
expense!

“Neatness and propriety should be the main
objects; for loveliness needs no foreign aid to
give in a passport. Neatness is too often connected
with the idea of a prudish singularity; but no
gaudiness of apparel, no richness of attire, no
modishness of appearance can be an equivalent
for it. Propriety is that garb which becomes our

situation and circumstances in life. There certainly
ought to be a difference between different
ages and conditions, in this respect. Many articles,
ornamental to Miss in her teens, would appear
absurd, fantastical, and ridiculous in maturer
years. Neither should the matronal robes, and
the close cap hide the natural ringlets, and easy
shapes of the blooming girl.

“It is a very false taste which induces people
in dependent and narrow circumstances, to imitate
the expensive mode of dress which might be
very decent for those who move in a higher
sphere.

“To endeavour to conceal indigence by the affectation
of extravagance, is committing a great
offence, both against ourselves, and the community
to which we belong. The means of support
should always be attended to. A conformity to
these will render you more respected for prudence,
than a deviation for the sake of show without
substance, can make you admired.

“Louisa and Clarinda are striking examples.
They were both the daughters of reputable parents,
whose situations in the world were easy and
comfortable, though not affluent. They were
able to give their children a good education, but
no other portion. Gay, volatile, and ambitious,
Louisa was the votary of fashion. A superior
in dress excited the keenest sensations of envy
in her bosom; and a rival in appearance gave

her unspeakable mortification. Dissatisfied with
her natural charms, cosmetics and paints added
to her expenses, and betrayed her folly. She
had many professed admirers, who found her a
willing dupe to flattery, and who raised her
vanity by praising her excellent taste.

“Leander, a gentleman of liberal education,
superior merit, and handsome property, cast his
eye around for a companion to share and enjoy
these advantages with him. Louisa caught his
attention. The elegance of her person, and
splendor of her appearance, charmed his
imagination, and inspired the idea of a fortune
sufficient to support her expensive style of living.
He paid his addresses, and was received with
the most flattering encouragement. But how
great was his disappointment, when he discovered
the smallness of her resources, and the imprudence
of her management! This, said he to
himself, will never do for me. Were my income
far superior to what it is, it would not be adequate
to such unbounded extravagance. Besides,
where so little economy is practised, while under
parental government, what must be the consequence
of that unlimited indulgence, which the
confidence due to a wife demands? Were I to
abridge her expenses, and endeavour to rectify her
fantastical taste, it would doubtless foment dissension,
discord, and animosity, which must terminate

in wretchedness. He resolved, however,
to try her real disposition, by gently hinting his
disapprobation of her gaiety. This she resented;
and a rupture, which ended in a final separation,
ensued. She found, too late, the value of the
man, whom she had slighted; and ever after regretted
that solly which had irretrievably alienated
his affections.

“The modesty and neatness of Clarinda's garb
next caught Leander's eye. Conversing with her
on the subject of dress, the justness of her sentiments
gave him the highest ideas of the rectitude
and innocence of her mind. A costly article
was offered for her purchase; but she refuesed it.
It would not become me, said she, nor any other
person who has not an affluent fortune. If I had
a sufficiency to buy it, I would procure something
more simple and necessary for myself; and
the overplus might render an object of distress
contented and happy.

“Yet was Clarinda always elegantly neat;
always genteelly fashionable. Frugality and economy,
free from profusion and extravagance, enabled
her to indulge her own taste entirely; and
while she enjoyed that, she repined not at the
fancied superiority of others. Leander found
her all he wished, in appearance; all he hoped
for, in reality. As their tastes were correspondent,
and their highest aim, when united, to please

each other, they were not dependent on the
breath of fashion for their happiness. A compliance
with its forms did not elate their pride,
nor a departure from them, fill their hearts with
peevishness and discontent.”