2. "Ladies Dresses," Editor's Drawer, Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 9 (June 1854), p. 132.

Perhaps there is a hit in the following at the prevailing style of ladies' evening gowns:

"When dressed for the evening, the girls, now a days,

Scarce an atom of dress on them leave;

None blame them--for what is a evening dress,

But a dress that is suited for Eve?"

The "Things Wise and Otherwise" column of Harper's Weekly for August 1, 1857 carried a similar play on words:

An old writer on "dress" says that "young women should let their judgment be seen by the frugality and simplicity of their apparel." Our modern young ladies are "frugal" enough in some articles of dress, and as to letting "their judgment be seen," that is nearly all that is not exhibited.