The Domain of Fashion [pp. 695-702]

THE DOMAIN OF FASHION.
government, without legal authority, would have forfeited
their lives as traitors to the monarchy.
But fortunately for France and the cause of humanity,
Louis Philippe had neither inclination nor taste to conquer a
throne for his grandson, by embroiling his countrymen in civil
war. He preferred an honorable exile in England, where, remote from the scenes of political animosity and political party
strife, he passed the few remaining years of his waning life in
the philosophical quiet of a rural palace, surrounded only by
friends who clung to him in adversity, and who were his affectionate companions in retirement. He had lost a crown and
an empire, which he was unwilling to hold upon the hazard
of a bloody encounter, but he was still possessed of immense
wealth, for he was, at that time, reputed to be the richest man
in Europe. At a subsequent period, however, Louis Napoleon
sequestrated a greater portion of his estates, situated in France,
which reduced his principal resources to foreign investments;
still constituting a magnificent fortune, however, to secure independence, and the respectful consideration of the world.
France has cause to remember Louis Philippe with gratitude. His reign was a reign of peace; and under his administration of the government, the people were prosperous and
happy.
ART. I11.-THE D03IA1N OF FASHION.
IN its narrowest, every-day sense, fashion is a prerogative of
the fair sex, and employed by them to regulate the color, dimensions, cut, and material of their apparel. We should rather have said, to change and vary, than to regulate themn, for
ladies' tastes and fashions are without rule, rhyme, or reason,
and more inconstant than the moon, "that monthly changes
in its varied orb." Fashion is the goddess of woman, because
she is like woman, " Variurn et mutabile semper." Did her
domain extend no farther than that of presiding deity of the
feminine toilet, she would be almost harmless-just swelling a
little the merchants' bills, and compensating us for the outlay
by a rich return of smiles, and charms, and graces. But she
is a household goddess, who presides over all the domestic
concerns, and regulates family affairs and expenditures, by
means of her votaries, the ladies, who alone can comprehend
her requirements, and interpret aright her oracles and her revelations. Fashion, regardless of expense, convenience, utility,
695