Now I think there are few among you who will not
confess that to be well dressed is a desirable thing, but dif-
ferences of opioion may very probably commence when we
begin to discuss the meaning of this term "well-dressed,"
and much must necessarily be left to your own good taste
and experience. There are, however, two or three essentials,
and these, as is proper, shall come first. Cleanliness and
Fitness, you will see at once, are absolutely necessary and
are within the reach of almost everybody, while the third
essential, Comfort, is seldom sacrificed, except by unwise
people, who fancy that to distort and cramp different parts
of their bodies is the way to obtain grace and beauty, which
is undoubtedly one ot the important ends for which we strive
in the endeavor to dress well.
Having established, then, our three primary essentials,
Cleanliness, Fitness, and Comfort, we have come to a point
where the differences in the dress of the sexes make it neces-
20 ON HABITS AND MANNERS.
sary for us to divide our subject, as the rules binding upon
one sex are not always equally binding upon the other, and
both fashion and common sense ordain that there shall be a
marked distinction in the dress ot men and women. Our
next chapter, therefore, will be especially for young women.
CHAPTER IV.
FOR YOUNG WOMEN.
Taking the articles of your dress in their customary
order, I shall first speak of the underclothing, which is of
primary importance to your health and comfort.
Next the skin, flannel should always be worn, heavy in
winter, but in summer as light as possible ; and the reason
lor this is a sanitary one, for nothing so effectually protects
the skin from the effect of cold in winter, and the danger of
chills during the profuse perspiration of summer, as some
woolen material, flannel being the best and cheapest.
These garments may be made in different ways, but
should always come up to the throat, entirely covering the
chest: should be made with sleeves to reach at least half way
to the elbow (for the under part of the upper arm and the
armpit are exceedingly sensitive parts of the body), and
should come well down over the hips. Once a week these
-under jackets must be changed, lor the excretions from the
ON HABITS AND MANNERS. 21
skin will thoroughly soil them in that time, although no
stain or mark of dirt may be apparent to the eye. All
the cotton garments must also be changed at least once
a week, and it is often desirable to change them more
frequently, while with the stockings (which should be wool-
len in winter and cotton in summer) the only safe rule is to
change them whenever they are soiled.
The corsets, which are so dangerous a stumbling block
in the path of young girls, are so universally worn that the
harm which they do is a serious matter, and I want you to
whom I am writing these words, and who, in years to come,
may be able to do much to influence other women, to give
me your sober attention while I ask a question or two and
offer you a few facts.
Page 7
Presented as published in 1888. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Now I think there are few among you who will not confess that to be well dressed is a desirable thing, but differences of opinion may very probably commence when we begin to discuss the meaning of this term "well-dressed," and much must necessarily be left to your own good taste and experience. There are, however, two or three essentials, and these, as is proper, shall come first. Cleanliness and Fitness, you will see at once, are absolutely necessary and are within the reach of almost everybody, while the third essential, Comfort, is seldom sacrificed, except by unwise people, who fancy that to distort and cramp different parts of their bodies is the way to obtain grace and beauty, which is undoubtedly one of the important ends for which we strive in the endeavor to dress well.
Having established, then, our three primary essentials, Cleanliness, Fitness, and Comfort, we have come to a point where the differences in the dress of the sexes make it neces-
sary for us to divide our subject, as the rules binding upon one sex are not always equally binding upon the other, and both fashion and common sense ordain that there shall be a marked distinction in the dress of men and women. Our next chapter, therefore, will be especially for young women.
CHAPTER IV.
FOR YOUNG WOMEN.
Taking the articles of your dress in their customary order, I shall first speak of the underclothing, which is of primary importance to your health and comfort.
Next the skin, flannel should always be worn, heavy in winter, but in summer as light as possible ; and the reason for this is a sanitary one, for nothing so effectually protects the skin from the effect of cold in winter, and the danger of chills during the profuse perspiration of summer, as some woolen material, flannel being the best and cheapest.
These garments may be made in different ways, but should always come up to the throat, entirely covering the chest: should be made with sleeves to reach at least half way to the elbow (for the under part of the upper arm and the armpit are exceedingly sensitive parts of the body), and should come well down over the hips. Once a week these -under jackets must be changed, lor the excretions from the
skin will thoroughly soil them in that time, although no stain or mark of dirt may be apparent to the eye. All the cotton garments must also be changed at least once a week, and it is often desirable to change them more frequently, while with the stockings (which should be woollen in winter and cotton in summer) the only safe rule is to change them whenever they are soiled.
The corsets, which are so dangerous a stumbling block in the path of young girls, are so universally worn that the harm which they do is a serious matter, and I want you to whom I am writing these words, and who, in years to come, may be able to do much to influence other women, to give me your sober attention while I ask a question or two and offer you a few facts.