g.'" Now is not
all this unworthy a rational and immortal being? Shall even the
sanctuary be profaned by this polluting intruder? It is only our
familiarity with such scenes, that prevents our shedding angel tears
over this sin.

Why should it concern us, that Paris is glittering with some new token
of her passion for outward adorning? It is sad to see the devotion of
this young republic to the customs and follies of the old world. The
gardener tells us, that a tree or a flower, unless imported from abroad,
has almost no value in the sight of our boasted horticulturists. Let us
reform this spirit of servitude, and, repair to our own fields and
forests for specimens of beauty. Let the good sense and the good taste
of the American woman, shew to the nations abroad, that we will not
servilely depend upon them, for every turn of a collar, or form of a
bonnet. Had we more of "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit," yes, a
quiet, contented, and Christian spirit, we should devise for ourselves
meet fashions and modes of apparel.

My reason for dwelling on this subject is, that it has important Moral
relations. I do not deny that dress may be properly regarded, both from
a reasonable conformity to custom, and as an expression of the sense of
beauty. Nay, I believe it may minister to several of the virtues.
Neatness, economy and purity, rank high in the Christian scale of
attainments, and all these are promoted by propriety of dress. It is
indeed a good index of one's character. Modesty and simplicity, those
prime moral qualities, are very often manifested by the mere materials,
or the construction, or adjustment, of the dress. Let it never,
therefore, be viewed as a matter of indifference. Still less should a
lady excuse herself in negligence in this respect, even for the care of
her family, or the culture of her mind. Least of all should she affect a
total unconcern about dress. The wife of John Hancock was remarkable, to
the close of her life, for her attention to the neatness and beauty of
her apparel. "I will never forgive," said she, "a young girl who does
not dress to please, nor one who seems pleased with her dress." Literary
ladies are sometimes strangely negligent in this respect. They may
imagine that carelessness about personal appearances will be taken for a
proof of genius. But men do not thus judge. On the contrary, they regard
her as truly great, who is eminent for learning and talents, and at the
same time n