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Show WOMEN'S CLOTHING. Ol Into there have been many signs that women at last are becoming livc to the strong control of clothes upou their fate. From time to lime we hoar of revolutionary associations instituted to free thorn from the, weight of ruchings, and burst for them the fetters of Valenciennes and ribbons. Now it is a band of sedate English women who are pledging thonisclves to a convenient if doleful livery of perpetual black; now it is the patriotic and contrite ladies of Prussia who, under impeiial patronage, patron-age, swear resistance to their too fondly obeyed tyrants and natural foes, tho milliners ol Paris; now it is a Gory squadron of American amirzona who are onrolliug themselves to do battle with the hoslilo world for health, happiness and trousers. We all lind food lor mirth in such associntions, for, wo aro agreed that dress is a trillo, and the idea of an association at all about such an in Jiflerent matter reminds us of tho famous tempest in a teacup and when trousers get into tho discussions , we laugh b ti 11 more, because it is understood un-derstood that the mere name of trousers trous-ers is a capital joke. Yet, after all, there is something to be said for women who "agitate" about their clothes. There is no doubt that the dress of tho western women ia cumbrous cum-brous and, by its weight and tho impediment im-pediment it puts iu the way of active exercise, a bondage; there is no doubt that it is unduly expensive; and there is no doubt that it sins nearly as often and as much agaiost artistio as against bygieutic fitness. Raiment belter adapted to the net d, lighter to bear, more completo as a protection against vicissitudes of woatber, all tw-ing tw-ing the whole body more play and, il onu may dare to say it, lets display,! more lasting, and more graceful, is an improvement no sauo observer can pronounce unneedod. But a woman of the smulleat self-respect, self-respect, whatever might be her courage, cour-age, would decline to adopt singly, no matter bow rational and modest, a costume which could be a surprise to beholders; and no scattered minaion-arie8, minaion-arie8, though looking never so cora-fortablo cora-fortablo and never bo picturesque, could eulico Ihw female multitude to imitate their venture. If ever a material ma-terial iilUratiun id eflected it mutt be by the union of many. Here is a difficulty at the tbr.thuld, for such union could ill bo achieved except by the eflarts of an association, and iu such a cause the very name of association associ-ation is a hindrance, suggesting suicidal parade and publicity over a reform in which of all others aie unobtrusive modesty would be ci.-en-tial Supposing that difficulty disposed of the ftal difficulty is rorwiod. tVUal -l.r.n'.l ll..- dr.iiM There ia an old round which runs "L"t u be . merry in our ol.l ehithwa Icr no shall nevtir get n?." I'.-r w.mi of ihe perfect" dren ui which a firly repre-ttiilative repre-ttiilative wurmu's parlianunt could begot to ague, th? aulhreio under too much skirt uill havu a g-.tjd many years y.l in which to img to that tlhoruj. Luirl n h's ununr. |
