EFFECTS OF STAYS. 



a progeny like that shown by Fig. 137. In the first, the 

 parts which are essential to the nutrition and growth of 

 incipient respiratory beings, are so developed as to 

 insure a full supply of lactescent secretion ; while in the 

 second, the corresponding parts present a mere pre- 

 tence, a nullity, a source of starvation, rather than one 

 of sustenance, to the nascent beings, who are so unfortu- 

 nate as to be thrown upon such cotton and wool resources 

 of existence. 



1034. But what possible motive could have induced 

 the females of the present age, and especially those of 

 these United States (where ultraism in respect to this de- 

 formity is carried to a much greater extent than in any 

 other country), what, we ask, could have moved those 

 among us, who have the first care of the species, and who 

 ought to be our examples in moral rectitude and conser- 

 vative discretion, to have thus deprived themselves of the 

 power of fulfilling one of the very first of nature's laws ? 



1035. Can it be for the purpose of making themselves 

 more agreeable, and more acceptable to the lords of crea- 

 tion 1 Then certainly their motives ought to meet with 

 the law of kindness, and the tortures through which they 

 are willing to pass in order to arrive at perfection the 

 sympathy and commiseration of those for whom such 

 perils are encountered. But whatever motives might have 

 led to a deformity so unnatural, it is certain that the Crea- 

 tor intended, that the " noblest work of his hands," should 

 possess the most perfect forms ; and therefore, except to 

 a depraved and vitiated taste, such forms will ever be 

 most admired, and most acceptable to those for whom 

 they were designed. 



1036. It is true that there are parts of our country 

 where the practice of excessive lacing, and therefore its 

 degenerating consequences do not exist ; and whence 

 we are happy to know that many of the daughters of 

 unsophisticated nature are transplanted into our cities, 

 there to become the fostering angels of a renovated 

 species. And were it not that such resources still remain, 

 the consequences of fashion in all our cities would have 

 been by far more degenerating than they are at present. 

 Indeed we cannot but believe, were our large towns 



