The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

LONDON. December 28.

As the Emperor of Germany embraces every opportunity of improving the welfare of his subjects, the following edict, however extraordinary it may appear in itself, cannot fail, from its object, of securing the approbation of our readers.

"WHEREAS the dangerous consequences arising from the use of STAYS, are universally acknowledged to impair the health, and impede the growth of the Fair Sex; when on the contrary the suppression of that part of their dress cannot but be effectual in strengthening their constitution, and above all in rendering them more fruitful in the marriage state: WE hereby strictly enjoin, that in all orphan houses, nunneries, and other places set apart for the public education of young girls, no stays of any kind be made use of or encouraged henceforth and from this instant: and it is further hinted to all masters and mistresses of academies and boarding schools, that any girl wearing stays should not be hereafter received or countenanced in any of such schools.

WE hereby also will and command that it be enjoined on the College of Physicians, that a dissertation, adapted to every one's capacity, be forthwith composed, shewing how materially the growth of children of the female sex is injured by the use of stays—for the better information of schoolmasters, who wish to procure a handsome shape to their children or pupils; as also those who are not rich enough to alter the stays in proportion to the growth of such children—or, having the means, neglect to do it. The above dissertation shall be distributed gratis, and dispersed among the public; the more so, that whole nations, unacquainted with the use of stays, bring up a race of children remarkable for the healthiest constitution."