Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-02-22

to invest in matrimonial felicity, but
who are deferred from so doing by the
fear that the felioitous part will be left
out, permit me to present for their con-
sideration an infalliblc guide TO a knowl-
edge Of the material out Of which il
created the very best Of good wives; q
woman who is at once refined, vigorous,
accomplished, intelligent, energetic,
useful, handsome and agreeable. As the
poets have, upon this subject, expended
any amount of the moonshine, aud
female novelists have oppressed us with
the wishy-washy, you will readily pardon
the matter of fact style of very plain
and practical man.
Granting, as l do, that the statue
of Venus di Medci, the ideal of the
artist, is the perfection Of animal proper
ton, | cannot lose sight of the highly
important fact that the size and shape OF
the head of this pretty conceit admonish
the scientific observer Of the absence Of
intellect and moral and social worth.
The best wife is made Of very different
material, as follows:
Having arrived at the age of about
twenty.three years, she is a full-blown
and mature woman; her hight is about
Eve feet six inches her weight is about
one hundred and forty pounds; her
figure is full and rounded, but not dumpy;
her bony system is delicate, with small
joints her carriage is erect, dignifed,
but easy her feet are lifted clear, carried
straight forward, the toe we'll to the front
and pointed downward, and placed firmly
upon the pavement; her graceful walk
>of medium speed, and steps perfectly
regular in regard 10 length and
time, carry her body forward in d.
rect line, with an entire absence of pa
rade and studied effect; her fondness for
high heeled shoes and her habit of walk
ing and resting mainly upon the ball of
her foot, denotes a well developed calf,
which draws up the heel; her general
department, characterised by entire
propriety, has in at nothing prudish; ;
her manner displays purity OF
heart, singlesess of purpose, a
gentle dignity, a vivacious intelli-
gence and cordial geniality, which,
under favorable circumstances, surround
her with host of friends composed Of
the incest ladies' and most worthy gem
tlemen. In shaking hands with her ac-
knowledged friends, she offers her whole
hand freely, not presenting in a
careless manner merely the tips of
her fingers. Her voice is clear, elastic,
musical and of good volume. Her
words are distinct and well chosen !;
her conversation imbued with good
sense, and indicating an acquaintance
with standard literature and a knowledge
of domestic and other affairs of practical
life. Her clear skin is suffused with
a slight rosy tint, and is soft, smooth,
elastic and of medium thickness. Her
hair, colored brown or chestnut, is long,
smooth, fine and elastic; is thickly and
firmly set in the scalp, grows rapidly, is
not frizzled at the ends, but looks glossy
without the aid of greasy dressings. Her
appetite is moderate, but not dainty
Choice varieties of women are never
huge feeders. Being in good health
and having frequent recourse to the
bath and to clean linen, the faint,
peculiar and very agreeable odor emitted
from the body, quite obviates the neces-
sity of resorting to perfumery, especially
to those denominations called musk and
patchouly. Her large head presents no
eccentric depressions or elevations; its
thinness through from ear to ear indexes
amiability; its massiveness in front in
dicates acute perception its breadth
and fullness at the crown denotes dig.
nifty, frmness and solidity of judgment;
its moderate fullness at the back part
accompanied with corresponding
development of the bust and
breadth OF the back of the neck
proves the possession of domestic virtues;
her features, though destitute of that ex-
act proportion so dear to the artist, pre-
sent a pleasing, winning appearance,
harmonic, are quite mobile, expressive
and distinctly outlined; her large, clear
and sparkling eyes, colorad brown, hazel
or deep blue, denote vivacity, happy
equanimity of disposition and q good
command of language; the well opened
lids, uncontrolled brow, and moderately
dilated pupils, together with an absence
of any pufiiness about the not very
deep socket, shows the presence of
honesty and the absence Of low cunning
and defective vision; her large nose, well
developed about the bridge, is symptom
attic of the confident individuality of
character; her mouth is large, with dis
tiuct and graceful outlines-for no wo-
man with a small, puckered mouth can
possible have good sense; her lips-full,
smooth and Of rich cherry color-are
highly important symptom of good
health; her teeth, rather long and slim,
are sound, white, and resemble ivory, not
pearl; her neck, of medium length and