SCARE RO. 



201 



possibly have been successful : — for, say what you 

 please, I denounce the turgid, angular, and inflated 

 dresses of these our modern times, as folly's worst 

 inventions. 



This young lady's newly assumed costume, might 

 have suited Harlequin in its upper parts ; and 

 Mahomet in its lower ones. She told us that she 

 was a Bloomer, but omitted to inform us, how, 

 or whence the fashion rose to notice. 



So far as I can recollect, I am not aware that 

 she stated it to have come originally, either from 

 Asia, or from Africa ; or whether, the wise women 

 from the West, had sent it for trial, to those of the 

 East. 



However, this peregrine visitor was well received 

 at the Mechanics' Institute in Scarbro*. During 

 the course of her evening lecture, she made some 

 observations on the now fashionable mode of femi- 

 nine attire, which coincided with my own. She 

 pointed out, with excellent humour, the extreme 

 folly of ladies wearing long attire, when taking 

 exercise in the open air ; and she said that it was a 

 pity for ladies to conceal their feet and ankles 

 at any time. In this, she would have the united 

 support of every lady in Spain. They consider 

 a well-formed foot and ankle, of great value ; — and 

 take much pains in exposing them, whether out 

 of doors, or within the house. 



