The Crinoline Case. Unconscious of the danger, she descended; When the Defendant's negligent conductor, Ere her catabasis was fully ended, Started the car, — the nail held fast, and chucked he1 Heels overhead, and calling on her gods, On the hard road, and yanked her several rods.
Defendant's counsel asked the Court to charge (His mien more mandatory was than prayerful) That when young women wore their skirts so large They 'd got to get around uncommon careful, Or bear the damnum (!) consequent on wearing Things that scare horses and set men-folks swearing :
That when a nail sticks out, enough to pester with Its undue prominence the female skirt, Woman must use the eyes that Heaven has blest her with To look about her lest she come to hurt; That people who can't see impending dangers Mustn't get mad and lay the blame on strangers:
That " a hoop-skirt is not a needful article Of ordinary feminine apparel;" That there's no sense nor use, the slightest particle, Of rigging out one's person in a barrel, — "Folks that tempts Providence the way that some does Should n't sue us for what the wrath-to-come does!"
That horse-car companies have rules which go With ordinary cases, and provide How high loose nails shall be allowed to grow, And what to do when skirts are not too wide; But are n t to be enslaved to female passions For dress, or change their rules to fit the fashions.
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