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Literary
September 16, 1789
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
An essay critiquing excessive fashion and court etiquette, arguing they diminish natural beauty and obscure true character, hindering genuine admiration and social equality. It advises women to prioritize simple neatness over conspicuous dress.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
[No. XLV.]
THE TABLET. No. XLV.
"And each short maid in spite of nature
May add a cubit to her stature."
I have often admired at the condescension that women of intrinsic elegance shew, in submitting to an excess of fashions, which only diminish such charms as have a real existence in nature. Simple neatness gives a beautiful person far more pleasing attractions, than any ornaments, which fancy or artifice can invent. The most therefore that a fine woman should aim at, is to avoid singularity. If in her dress, she assumes any unusual glare, her appearance may dazzle the eyes of beholders more, but it will affect their hearts less. The forms of etiquette are designed to bring persons, who associate together, on some degree of equality, for the time being. It hides the deformities of one, and veils the excellencies of another.
In a circle of ladies highly dressed, it is not easy to form particular attachments. Those causes that excite admiration seldom engage the tender sentiments of the heart. For this reason, a woman often has many admirers, who has not a single lover. A towering fanciful head-dress and other flaring decorations may be an advantage to a girl, whose size and figure are not naturally favorable; but they have the reverse effect on one who wears the graces of native elegance. In short, a woman of inherent beauty commits an imprudent act, whenever she makes her dress so conspicuous as to be looked at, more than herself. It is rather a discredit to a charming girl, that her most dangerous rival should come from a milliner's shop.
The etiquette of courts, like that of dress, is calculated to obscure the real character. Those who assemble at the levees of princes, all appear under a mask. There are no circumstances that indicate the peculiar qualities of men, on these occasions. If a blockhead commits no mistake, he passes for a fashionable man, and meets with attention from philosophers. If the most solid merit is unattended with a knowledge of etiquette, it will pass, in such a situation, as a thing of no value. Those rules, which knaves have in all ages invented for the sake of deceiving and managing fools, have obtained a currency among the wisest and best of men. It is necessary that it should be so.
THE TABLET. No. XLV.
"And each short maid in spite of nature
May add a cubit to her stature."
I have often admired at the condescension that women of intrinsic elegance shew, in submitting to an excess of fashions, which only diminish such charms as have a real existence in nature. Simple neatness gives a beautiful person far more pleasing attractions, than any ornaments, which fancy or artifice can invent. The most therefore that a fine woman should aim at, is to avoid singularity. If in her dress, she assumes any unusual glare, her appearance may dazzle the eyes of beholders more, but it will affect their hearts less. The forms of etiquette are designed to bring persons, who associate together, on some degree of equality, for the time being. It hides the deformities of one, and veils the excellencies of another.
In a circle of ladies highly dressed, it is not easy to form particular attachments. Those causes that excite admiration seldom engage the tender sentiments of the heart. For this reason, a woman often has many admirers, who has not a single lover. A towering fanciful head-dress and other flaring decorations may be an advantage to a girl, whose size and figure are not naturally favorable; but they have the reverse effect on one who wears the graces of native elegance. In short, a woman of inherent beauty commits an imprudent act, whenever she makes her dress so conspicuous as to be looked at, more than herself. It is rather a discredit to a charming girl, that her most dangerous rival should come from a milliner's shop.
The etiquette of courts, like that of dress, is calculated to obscure the real character. Those who assemble at the levees of princes, all appear under a mask. There are no circumstances that indicate the peculiar qualities of men, on these occasions. If a blockhead commits no mistake, he passes for a fashionable man, and meets with attention from philosophers. If the most solid merit is unattended with a knowledge of etiquette, it will pass, in such a situation, as a thing of no value. Those rules, which knaves have in all ages invented for the sake of deceiving and managing fools, have obtained a currency among the wisest and best of men. It is necessary that it should be so.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Fashion
Etiquette
Beauty
Social Norms
Courtly Manners
Natural Elegance
Literary Details
Title
The Tablet. No. Xlv.
Key Lines
"And Each Short Maid In Spite Of Nature
May Add A Cubit To Her Stature."
Simple Neatness Gives A Beautiful Person Far More Pleasing Attractions, Than Any Ornaments, Which Fancy Or Artifice Can Invent.
In Short, A Woman Of Inherent Beauty Commits An Imprudent Act, Whenever She Makes Her Dress So Conspicuous As To Be Looked At, More Than Herself.
The Etiquette Of Courts, Like That Of Dress, Is Calculated To Obscure The Real Character.
Those Rules, Which Knaves Have In All Ages Invented For The Sake Of Deceiving And Managing Fools, Have Obtained A Currency Among The Wisest And Best Of Men.