Wilmington journal., 1869-07-16
How Should Woman be Adorned p!

To adorn that which is already beautiful,
requires not only high degree of inteli-
gence, but the exercise of O. most refined
taste. That which is really beautiful when
unadorned, is then adorned the most
That which makes the human face almost
divinely attractive are the graces of the
mind and heart, which give life and light
to it. It is melancholy and ludicrous to
see how much more earnes; and anxious
most ladies are to adorn their persons than
their minds. They never dream that the
outward adorning must be the result of an
educated mind and refined taste. The
mind must first be adorned with the graces
of spiritual not material life. All dress
to be ornamental must be true outward
expression of the spirit within. Material
Jewels are real defolmities when there are
no spiritual gems to correspond. The de-
sire for ornamental display seems to be
peculiar to woman. 1t probably originated
in her dependence on her appearance
She can attract if so disposed, but she can
| l1Ob luaA6 duSdACCS 1G ID pGIltCily IlSut
and even necessary that ladies should en-
deavor to render themselves pleasing -
But great display of jewelry for the
purpose of winning the esteem of others, is
opposed to good taste. Then the beholder
decides that, though beautiful in outward
apr earance, there is void within which
costly array and pearls can nereT fill. And
the more dazzling and expensive the out
ward attractions, the deeper persuasion
exists of the absence of mental iewelry,
which is Of priceless value. Woman has
ever been distinguished for her unceasing
effort to add new beauties to her person.
EueryoUhere-in all lands more or less of
her time has been occupied in arraying
herself in pleasing and becoming style.
She has not deemed it sufficient to
attire herself in tasteful apparel alone
but has exerted herself to enhance
her attractions by the most variegated
productions Of art. The world Of
fashion has been assigned to her, and her
waking hours have been employed with
the idea of exhibiting another charm
another attraction. Behold the lady of
fashion, commencing her career at the
toilet Many an hour is occupied in way
ing and crimping her glossy hair, until she
is confident that each braid assumes an
annat,rul position. Then it is rendered
brilliant with sparkling diamonds, and
bands of gold. jewels Of All alarming g
length are hung in waving splendor from
her ears, and a string of pearls encircle her
just received the finishing touches from
the most fashionable milliner, is put on
See her advance to the mirror, and then
retreat rs she beholds the reflection of her
personal decorations. Ribbons, bows,
hounces, puffs and hosts of other things
are scattered in wild profusion over her
gay attire. Now u slight inclination
of the head and shoulders is prac-
ticed, that she may not fail to
regulate her carriage in the latest Gre
ciom style. But how strangely different to
turn from this brilliant scene to lady
attired with modest simplicity. Not the
gay sDlendor Of the suntlower elevated
and exposed to view with an air that seems
to ask-Do [ not look charming !? is most
admired, but the modest hidden beauty of
the tender blue-eyed violet. True modes
ty asks not for the admiration which at
fractions win. 1t is one Of the chief excel
lences of the female character, and charm
with which they captlvate The heart won
by modest and retiring manners IS caph0e
for life. No fears are then entertained
that when the brilliant attire of fashions
gayest court is thrown aside that admira-
ton will celse lL0lesty is expected of
woman and the contrary will at once serve
to shock and astonish the beholder.-
One of her brightest ornaments is
we'll cultivated intellect. There
is nothing SO great as the mind,
perceptible. It must be cultivated to
awaken, unfold and polish it. Thus, when
we behold faultless beauty immensely
rich in the furniture of her mind, our ad-
miration and affection pay homage to her
charms. Yet it is not beauty alone that
excites the greatest admiration. When
looking around us those regarded with the
highest esteem are sometimes found to be
only ordinary looking, while the really
beautiful arouse but little admiration. -
Perfectly beautiful ladies are often so IN
fortunate that their beauty renders them
vain and affected. Yet, why should it be
thus, when we think of the shortness of
its existence. All things that appear most
beautiful to us, whether in the sky or Oh
the ground, convey to us the impression
of brief duration. How many have gazed
on the grandeur of the sunset and been
hushed and awed by the faultless natural
beauty there visible in such display of
brilliant and dazzling colors Yet this
magnificent scene is short lived, and the
splendor soon vanishes and beautiful
softness is spread over all things. The
delicate flowers that bloom so beautifully,
and are so much loved and admired by all,
are fieeting and soon fade and pass away.
But after all
"What is beauty? Not the show
| OF shdpely limbs and features. No.
Those are but flowers,
| That have their dated hours
| To breath their momentary sweet, then go.
Ills the stainless soul within
| That outsbines the fairest skin.'
| Now look ye on the plain and modest guise
| OF yon unlovely lower-unlovely no
Not beautiful, it's true-not touched with hues
| Like hers We late have gazed on !; but so rich
In precious fragrance is that lovely one.
SO loved for her sweat qualities, that
Stould aroo her first amid ,co1zd Of fo,oers.'
| None fail to admire the graces of pure
and loving heart, and it is greater source
of enjoyment and bliss than all the aids of
birth or fortune. It seems to confer charms
where they are not naturally possessed,
and give passing beauty to homely faces.
| Then let not the ornaments of women "be
that outward adorning of plating the hair,
and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of
apparel !; but let it be the hidden man of
the heart, in that which is not corruptible,
even the ornament of a mack ord ouiot