soon becomes perceptible; weakness is noticed; but instead of correcting this by the only rational mode, that of invigorating the weakened muscles, mechanical aid is called in to support them, and laced waistcoats are resorted to.  These undoubtedly give support—­nay, they may be so used as almost wholly to supersede the muscular efforts, with the advantage of not tiring, however long or continuously employed.  Improvement of carriage is manifested, the child is sensible of relief from a painful exertion, the mother is pleased with the success of her management, and this success appears to superficial observation fully to confirm the judgment which superintends it.  Yet what are the consequences to which her measures tend, and which such measures are daily and hourly producing?  The muscles of the back and chest, restrained in their natural and healthful exercise by the waistcoat called in to aid them, and more signally, in after-life, by the tightly-laced stays or corsets, become attenuated, and still further enfeebled, until at length they are wholly dependent on the mechanical aid, being quite incapable of dispensing with it for any continuance.

By and by a taper waist becomes an object of ambition, and the stays are laced more closely than ever.  This is still done gradually, and, at first, imperceptibly to the parties.  The effect, however, though slow, is sure; and the powers of endurance thus exercised come in time to bear, almost unconsciously, what, if suddenly or quickly attempted, no heroism could possibly sustain.  This increased pressure impedes the motion of the ribs.  For perfect respiration these motions should be free and unrestrained, and perfect respiration is necessary to those changes in the blood which fit it for nutrition, and the other purposes of the animal frame.  In proportion as respiration is impeded, is the blood imperfectly vitalised, and in the same ratio are the nutrient and other functions dependent on the blood inadequately performed.  Here, then, is one source of debility, which affects the whole frame, reducing every part below the standard of healthful vigour.  Quickened respiration soon ensues, the heart becomes excited, the pulse accelerated, and palpitation is in time superadded.

There are still further evils produced by tight lacing.  For the pressure being chiefly made on the lower part of the chest, the stomach and liver are necessarily compressed, to the great disturbance of their functions; and being pressed downwards too, these trespass on that space which the other abdominal viscera require, superinducing still further derangements.  Thus almost every function of the body becomes more or less impeded.

And again, the girl not being able always to have her body cased in the tight-laced stays, some relaxation must take place.  Under it the muscles of the back, deprived of their accustomed support, and incapable of themselves to sustain the incumbent weight, yield, and the column of the spine bends, at first anteriorly, causing round shoulders and an arched back; but eventually inclines to one or other side, giving rise to the well-known and too frequently occurring state of lateral curvature.  This last change most frequently commences in the sitting posture, such females being, through general debility, much disposed to sedentary habits.  Such, though but very slightly sketched, are a few of the evils attending this baneful practice.