The Shasta courier., 1859-02-26
Spanish Beauty.

The Spanish women are very interesting
What we associate with the idea of female beau
ty IS not perhaps very common in this country.
There are seldom those seraphc countenances
which strike you dumb or blind, but faces in
abundance which will never pass without COM
manding admiration. Their charms consist in
their sensibility. Each incident, every person,
every word, touches the fancy of Spanish lady,
and her expressive features are constantly con-
futng the creed of the Moslems. But there is
nothing quick, harsh or forced about her. She
is extremely unaffected, and not at all French
Her eyes CLEAN rather than sparkle She speaks
with vivacity, but in sweet tones, and there is
in all her carriage, particularly when she walks,
certain dignifed grace which never deserts
her. and which is very remarkable.
The general female dress in Spain is of black
silk, basquissa, and black silk shawl q man
Httd. with which they usually envelope their
heads. As they walk along in this costume in
an evening, with their soft dark eyes dangerous
ly conspicuous, you willingly believe in their
universal charms. They are remarkable for the
beauty OF their hair. Of this they are very
proud. and indeed its luxuriance is equalled only
by the attention which they lavish on its cui-
ture. | have seen young girl of fourteen
whose hair reached her feet, and was as glossy
as the curl of a Contessa. All day long even
the lowest order are brushing, curling and ar
ranging IT, n lrulI woman mas her hair dressed
with as much care the Duchess of Ossuna--
In the summer they do not wear their mantillas
over their heads, but show their combs, which
are of very great size. The fashion of these
combs varies constantly. Every two or three
months you may observe a new form. 1t is the
part of the costume of which Spanish woman
is most proud. The moment that a new comb
appears, even servant wench will run to the
meters with her old one and thus, at the cost
OF dollar or two, appear the next holiday in
the newest style. These combs are worn at the
back of the head. They of tortoise-shell, and,
with the very fashionable, they are white. sat
next to a lady of high distinction at bull fight
at Seville. She was the daughter in-law of the
Captain General of the province and the most
beautiful Spaniard ever met with. Her comb
was white, and she wore mantila of blonde
without doubt extremely valuable for it was
very dirty. The effect, however was charming
Her hair was glossy black, her eyes like an an
telope's, and her other features deliciousy soft
She was further adorned, which is rare in SPAIN
with rosy cheek, for in Spain our heroines are
rather sallow. But they counteract this slight
defect by never appearing until twilight, which
calls them from their bowers, fresh, though lam
guild, from the last siesta
The only fault of the Spanish beauty is that
she too soon indulges in the pagnificence of
embonpoint There are however many excep-
tons. At seventeen, a Spanish beauty is poeti-
cal. Tall, little and clear, and graceful as a
jennet, who can withstand the summer lightning
OF her soft and languid glance! As she advan-
ess, if she do not lose her shape she resembles
Juno rather than Venus. Majestic she ever is,
and if her feet be less twinklng than in her frs.
bolero, look on her hand, and you'll forgive them
alb. Disraeli, IN Contarina Fleming.