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The mirror of the graces; or, the English lady's costume: combining and harmonizing taste and judgment, elegance and grace, modesty, simplicity and economy, with fashion in dress; and adapting the various articles of female embellishments to different ages, forms, and complexions; to the seasons of the year, rank, and situation in life: with useful advice on female accomplishments, politeness, and manners; the cultivation of the mind and the disposition and carriage of the body: offering also the most efficacious means of preserving beauty, health, and loveliness. The whole according with the general principles of nature and rules of propriety
(1811)
On the peculiarities of dress, with reference to the station of the wearer, pp. 85-105
Page 92
92 MIRROR OF TUSE GRACES. Love, friendship, and real taste, are alike de. licate. To the exposure of the bosom and back, as some ladies display those parts of their person, what shall we say? This mode (like every other which is carried to excess and indiscri. minately followed) is not only repugnant to decency, but most exceedingly disadvanta. geous to the charms of nine women out of ten. The bosom and shoulders of a very young and fair girl may be displayed without ex- citing much displeasure or disgust; the be. holder regards the too prodigal exhibition, not as the act of the youthful innocent, but as the effect of accident, or perhaps the de- signed exposure of some ignorant dresser, But when a woman, grown to the age of dis. cretion, of her own choice "unveils her beau- ties to the sun and moon;" then, from even an Helen's charms the sated eye turns away loathing. It has discerned the licentious heart beneath the swelling breast, and its beauties no longer captivate. Again, I repeat, the li-
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