"It is impossible that we should be unaffected by the impressions the
mind receives through the medium of dress; we ought not to be so. The
indifference in modern times to grace and harmony in dress is a strong
reason for concluding that pleasure in what is beautiful--or, which may
sometimes be accepted as an equivalent, interesting--a sense so strong
in former ages, is extinct.
"I think I said that it was more easy to say what should not be, than
what should be. Good taste must be outraged when deformity is suggested,
but even that may be passed over when such things are perfectly
extraneous. When they tend to produce permanent deformity, it is a pity
they cannot be suppressed by law, as unquestionably the race suffers. No
healthy, well-made young girl ought to be allowed to wear stays
compressing the ribs; after thirty, there may be reasons; and by that
time nature would have asserted herself, and no great harm would be
done. But as long as men have the degraded taste to prefer a pipe to the
beautiful flexible line, which might always, with the greatest delicacy,
be evident, there can be no hope. Again, this thing is hardly short of
wicked. Put together, you have this--uncommonly like a cloven hoof. I
wish the ladies joy of it!"
[Illustration]
MR. G. D. LESLIE, R.A.
Riverside, Wallingford.
DEAR SIR,--I alluded to the subject of ladies' dress in an address I
delivered at Southampton on Art. It is a short allusion, but if you care
to publish it I have no objection, and could send you a copy.--I am,
dear Sir, yours faithfully,