The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-11-06
homely phrase, which, perhaps, COM

prlSeS muCn OF the CeStny ana desire
of women. To beauty of the highest
order, when once considered, benevo-
lence and tenderness of heart are indis-
pensable-a cold distracted look when
tale of sorrow is related, or dull IN
observance when generous sentiment
is uttered, will do worse than point
the nose, or thin the lip" The aifec-
tation of sympathy is many degrees
worse and with Benedict, the keen OBJ
server will declare, "Were she other
wise, she were unhandsome as she
is, like her not''
A general though superficial acquaint-
ance with such subjects as well edu-
Gated men and women talk about in mix
ed society, is absolutely necessary. A
practised eye will easily distinguish the
silence of modest attention from the
mute WEAKNESS of ignorance-the most
inveterate talker, if he be not quite a
fool, desires TO be listened to as well as
heard and a "yes" or g no" may be
placed and accented so as TO shew in
telligence or betray stupidity. Grace
in action and department is SO essen
tial, that it may almost be said TO make
all that is beautiful in beauty. We do
not mean that lady should, in dancing,
walking, or sitting, display attitudes
worthy of painters model. In walk
i Hpl:s we K hofWgeyer. recommend snmethine
oSt"ech the IlstleSs Saunter OF she
dandy, and the busting gait of nota-
Die body, who perhaps saves three
minutes out of twenty-four hours. by
dong every thing throughout the day
with jerk and a toss. Dancing, unless
1t be done quietly and gracefully, with
out the fatal result of shining face.
and red neck and arms, it is far better TO
icrbear altogether-it being very SUI
Periiuous quality to a gentleman
whereas to please by all honest means,
is her proper calling and occupation. -
A high degree of positive grace is very
rare, especially in northern climates.
where the form is degraded and spoiled
by llgatures, and by cold-but every
woman may attain to negutiue grace by
avoiding awkward and unmeaning hab-
Its. The incessant twirling of a reti-
Gle, the assiduous pulling of the fingers
OF glove, opening and shutting book.
swinging a beil-rope, sc. betray either
Impotence and WEAKNESS Of the con-
yersation. disresPect of the speaker. or
want OF ease and selfpossession by
no means inseparably connected with
modesty and humility--those persons
who are most awkward and shy among
their superloars in rank and information.
being generally most overbearing and
peremptory with their equals or inferi-
ours. We are almost ashamed, in the
nIneteenth century, to say any thing
concerning personal neatness; but can
not forbear limiting, that clean gloves
=srv,v70 uiyi tho t5urY-
ers of a lady much more certainly than
pearl earrings or gold chains-th that
clean muslin is more beWitching thaa
dirty blond }dce-and that a pocket
should be like basilisk,
a thing heard of but never seen-we
mean, in the capacity in which our cold
catching rheum-exciting climate calls
into action.
We really are so well aware Of the
inherent lovelness Of women, that we
cannot believe that lady who is very
good natured, very intelligent, Cor de-
sirous of being so, which comes to the
same thing, women not being called on
TO preach and to teach, very affection
ate, very neat and very clean, can help
being very pretty-that is, according TO
our acceptation of the word, very
pleasing and desirable object in the eyes
of men of sense and feeling.