100 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



The taste in dress is chiefly English, extremely 

 simple, neat, and elegant. The finest cloth and the 

 finest linen are the greatest adornment. Only a few 

 young gentlemen, especially those of the army, approxi- 

 mate to the French cut, but they by no means give them- 

 selves over to the ostentatious frippery by which, here 

 also, certain Frenchmen are distinguished. The 

 women, as everywhere, seeking to please allow them- 

 selves more variety of ornament. Every year dressed 

 dolls are brought them from Europe, which, silent, give 

 the law of the mode. However, distinction of rank 

 among the feminine half, is not striking as a result of 

 any distinct costume ; in the item of dress each selects 

 according to her taste, means, and circumstances. 



The women of North America have long since been 

 the subject of particular praise, + regarding their vir- 

 tue and good conduct, rendered them by both travellers 

 and the homekeeping. It is not easy to find a woman, 

 remarks one of their panegyrists, who makes a parade 

 of unbelief, although they are not always members of 

 any particular sect. Gallant adventures are little 

 known and still less practiced in this last refuge of 

 virtue pursued. Conjugal disloyalties, on either side, 

 are punished by ineffaceable infamy, and the culprit, 

 however protected by wealth, position, or other advan- 

 tage, soon finds himself without honor, distrusted. 

 This is no extravagant praise, and the Abbe Robin 

 himself admits that his countrymen did not in America 

 meet with their habitual good fortune in affairs of 

 gallantry. The feminine part of America is none the 

 less made for pleasure and partakes, and Rochefou- 

 cault would have likely assigned another reason for 

 their virtue. Thus, a traditional practice of bundling, 



