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CHAPTER IX. GIRLS' CLOTHES.
THE ideal of beauty in dress which I set forth in the opening chapter is, I fear, far from being common at the present time, and we find much weakness, suffering, and ill-health consequent on the neglect of its precepts. Women, and more especially growing girls, suffer much—first, from insufficient warmth of clothing; secondly, from the weight of clothes hanging mainly from the waist; and, thirdly, from the pressure on the lungs, heart, and other internal organs, caused by bands and garments too tightly made.

It may be thought strange that in such a book as the present, which will, I suppose, be read chiefly by the wealthier portion of the community, I should refer to insufficient clothing as a source of suffering, yet it is true.

Most girls wear short skirts up till the age of about fifteen, and in quite cold weather, as a rule, their legs and feet are only covered by thread, silk, or crape stockings, and calico drawers under loose skirts. The middle part of the body is, however,