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Bibliographic Information

Clare, Ada. "Thoughts and Things." New-York Saturday Press. 14 Jan. 1860: 2.

Type: newspaper ; Genre: review

Abstract

In this column, Clare expresses her views on women's fashion and men's role in the determination of fashion trends. She argues against heavy, straining garments that preserve "public modesty" but that endanger a woman's reproductive organs and general health. While she feels that the hoop skirt's ability to make a dress less burdensome is a step in the right direction, Clare argues in favor of the Bloomer dress, citing its potential as a stylish garment that could promote social and physical reform. Her focus is largely on women's health, and Clare feels that the Bloomer costume, more than any other woman's costume would allow for regular outdoor exercise and improve the health of women, their children, and men. Clare concludes her column with a brief mention of Winter's "Song of the Ruined Man" and Whitman's "A Child's Reminiscence."

People who Created this Work

Clare, Ada

People Mentioned in this Work

Whitman, Walt [pages: 2]

Clare writes that "Whitman's 'A Child’s Reminiscence' could only have been written by a poet, and versifying would not help it. I love the poem" (2).

Winter, William [pages: 2]

Clare writes, "I hear Winter's 'Song of the Ruined Man' much eulogized. I cannot admire it. With the text he begins with, a practised versifier might go on rhyming until the seas were dry. All you have to do is to conjure up all the things that one should not laugh at, and then laugh at them, and there’s your poem" (2).

Related Works

Whitman, Walt. "A Child's Reminiscence." New-York Saturday Press. 24 Dec. 1859: 1. [more about this work]

Clare writes that "Whitman's 'A Child’s Reminiscence' could only have been written by a poet, and versifying would not help it. I love the poem."

Winter, William. "Orgia: The Song of a Ruined Man." New York Saturday Press. 7 Jan. 1860: 1. [more about this work]

Clare writes, "I hear Winter's 'Song of the Ruined Man' much eulogized. I cannot admire it. With the text he begins with, a practised versifier might go on rhyming until the seas were dry. All you have to do is to conjure up all the things that one should not laugh at, and then laugh at them, and there’s your poem."