The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-04-10
How Ladies may always Look Lovely
by MRS. r. II. NICHOLS.

We will presume that every woman has
desire to look as we'll she can--that the
wish to please by her personal appearance
is implanted in her heart by nature; and
gains strength with her growth in greater
or less degree, as circumstances lend their
aid to call it forth, or engage in suppress
ing it. In the second place, we hold it !
to be the duty of every woman to dress as
we'll as she can with good taste and neat
ness, at all times and upon all OCCASIONS
The plainest person, by strict attention to
cleanliness neatness and order in her per-
sonal arrangements, can look, if not hand
some, so very near it that the difference
is not worth anything. In making this
assertion, we wish it distinctly understood
that the qualities referred to must be ac-
companied by the most perfect good
humor and amiability of manner-either
natural or acquired pe:ulance and i'll
humor generally distort the protest face,
and render it SO positively displeasing,
that all the dress in the world could not
disguise or beautify it. Again a cheerful
agreeable temper must be accompanied
by intelligence, to create any degree of
interest for any length of time. The face
may be exact in its regularity of feature,
compilations potlessly beautiful in its col
oring, and the form grace itself, but if
there is no soul to brighten or darken the
brilliant eye, no mind to give expression
to the lovely countenance, how soon the
picture wearies, and how irksome in con-
versation with such piece of uniformed
wax-work.
Ii is certain, then, that good humor.
intelligence and neatness, are three essen
tials to beauty and without either, or all
of these, it is useless for woman to en-
deavor to please beyond the present mo-
ment. We will take YOU, madam, who
are in the bloom of womanhood; or you,
miss, who have just entered the borders Of
that mystical state, and though neither of
you are what might be strictly called
beautiful we will whisper how you may
become so to all no are worth the efforts
you make. You will of coarse, first Gull
tivate your mind, by a judicious selec-
ton of books and an application to some
one Of them for at least an hour or two
every day.
You need not say that you have got no
time you fritter away hours in idle gos-
sip, which if devoted to the development
OF your mental grace, would soon make
you what you are not nova refined and
cultivated woman. And always bear in
mind that smooth brow and smiling
lip are beauty itself, so that although you
are tried by many little household crosses,
and, may be, burdencd with multiplied
cares of larger growth, do not give way
to anger or sullenness, which not only
destroys your looks, but Injuries you in
another way, infinitely more important
If you have any little ones, they soon
take cue from their mothers face. ouif
YOU are a member of a large family of
brothers and sisters, you have it in your
power to make that discord to which al
most any other evil is preferable. We
will suppose that you are now daily grow
ing in intelligence, that you have either
been gifted by nature, or have acquired
by perseverance an amiable disposition
and a pleasing manner, to these you will
add good taste in dress. The first aud
most absolute daily requirement is per-
sonal cleanliness. Of course you battle
it you have not the convenience of bath
house, you have cistern, a wash bowl
and pitcher. A coarse fowl and good
stout sponge and little pure soap, and
you are fresh and elastic as healthful
woman ought to be. Having carefully
brushed you hair, you array yourself in
the early morning in clean, well-titting
calico dress, or wrapper, as it is generally
termed. This dress has collar attached
to it, or if it has not, you add a plain linen
one; you carefully clothe your feet, not
in old, worn out hose and slipshod shoes
but nicely and properly, as if your pen
dial extremities were going to be review
ed by proper authorities. 1t will take
you no longer to make yourself neat and
clean, than to fling on ,umbled clothing
in slatternly manner. If you have to
assist in preparing break fast, you can add
a Bingham apron which can be laid aside
when your mornings work is over, and
you Sit down to read or sew. Never suf-
fer your husband father or brother to see
you in plight that you would be ashamed
any other gentleman of your acquaintance
should behold you in. 1t is poor COM
pliment you pay to those nearest and
dearest to You, when you allow them to
think that you care no longer for their ap-
probation IN regard to your dress. I'm
der such circumstances the husband soon
ceases TO be a lover, and fathers and BROTH
ers soon grow to think that other mems
daughters and sisters whom they see
only in hobby attire, are much to be pre-
terred to their own.
A Love LETTER.-The following letter