The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-01-29
Women and their Adornnnents.


| St. Jerome rebuked the women Of bis
period in the following words: "Shal
| tell you who are the women who scan
dalize Christianity? They are those
who daub their cheeks with red and thei,
eyes with black those who plaster faces
too white to be human, remind US Of
idols those who cannot shed a teal
without its tracing furrow on the pain
ted surface of their faces; those whose
ripe years fail to teach them they are
| growing old those whose head-dresses
are made up of other peoples hair
those who chalk wrinkles into the coun.
terfeit presentment of youth, and who
affect the demeanor of maidens in the
presence Of groups Of grandchildren"
| Imagine the effect of such a bomb
shell, cast by some bold preacher, in the
midst of some modern congregation.
Yet We fear the women of the nineteenth
century are as open to rebuke, on many
scores Of the indictment, as the fair
Greeks whom the good Father so round
| ly abused. .......... ..- g..
Never in the worlds history has tie
passion for cosmetics run SO high as at
this period. Every other advertisement
in certain newspapers contains glori-
fcation Of some new preparation to dye,
or paint, Or brig female faces with
pristine youth? The wonderful foun-
tain of Bimini is nowhere in this gene
raj beautifying, age.arresting period.
We only see old age in some remote
corner, out o! the way of travel. We
dare say we could see it, If we had the
entree to certain toilettes before the
the daily renovating process began.
The most Serious consideration of NOR
alists and philanthropists in this paint
ing and dyeing mania among the ladies,
is the injury which results from the de-
leterious mixtures they use. .~
We do not view the fashion under
its moral aspect We freely acknowl-
edge there is no object under the sun
more disgusting TO US. than the deep
lines which long use Of toilet arts will
leave on it's votaries; nothing more con-
temptible than gray hairs peeping out
from their coat Of dye, and wrinkled
cheeks betraying their harsh lines
through the enaneliBg. But the injury
done to health land life by the perni-
cious practice will shock the world
when statisticians begin to gather the del
icats record, and separate it from other
annals of mortality a <.y ~. .n,5,..
White lead is used in almost all the
whitening preparations, producing eth
or partial Or total paralysis. Death has
ensued in many instances from a con-
tinued use, after repeated warnings,
which the unfortunate votaries of fash
ion either disregarded Or did not under
stand. The ,story Of beautiful Lady
Coventry whom Lady Mary Wortley
dismissed out Of the world with the
mot, g Died of an overtouch OF white
lead," finds many parallels in our gene.
ration. -H@ ....>g'. "s ~ >t
Not content with the paralysis OF
white lead, preparation Of bella donna
is introduced into the eye to dilate and
brighten the pupil. When bella donna
is not accessible. the stramouium James
town weed) which grows within the
reach of every one, has been found to
possess the same properties. Paralysis
of the optic nerve is the necessary. con-
sequence OF this practice. In too many
cases total blindness has enslled, and
yet around US everywhere we See wo-
men in the very madness Of vanity,
destroying health, and even life, for an
hours enhancement of their charms.
Of all extravaganees,4 those which
play the spsndthrift with health should
b. the most severely reprehrnded.
Spent waves have as much effect upon
the rock on which they break as animad-
version on popular evil. But for all
that, we have no right to Withhold CEN
sure from growing i'll. We have no
St. Jerome to attack it, from o seat OF
high authority but I'VE say that the
standard Of popular approval is low,
and even criminal when a woman, to
gain it will make such sacrifices. We
are not willing to believe that there is
an innate weakness in the sex which |
makes craving for admiration weigh |
against the most solemn acquisitions OF
health and well-being; but merely sup
pose that their acknowledged desire for
approval has been illegitimately directed.
If they would only believe us when
we tell them that well-ordered and har.
monious life, free from all these sensu-
GUS appliances, lis more the object of
genera admiration than the best enam-
eled,. best ohignoned belle Of them all.
If we could only persuade them that
human life has higher aim than mere
personal adornmsnt, and that true men
admire and love some qualities distinct
from fine dressing and fine painting.
But we know right well what meas
urs will be melted to us Tor meddling
with matters outside Of our province.
We have said our say, and viii bear
the punishmens which anplsasant truths
always evoke IN. O. Times 1.xras. Il
FooIraH TALErso. The tongue may
be employed about, and made 70 serve
an the purposes Of vice, in tempting and
dsceiying. in perjury and injustice. But
the thing here referred %, 10 talkative-
ness, a disposition to be talking, abstract
cd from the consideration of what is
said with very little or no regard TO-
or thought Of doing, either good or
harm. And let not any imagine this
to be slight matter. and chat it deserves
not to have so great ,weight laid upon
l. Eli L.. has aeansidarad lsrf.af fapil In