The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-22
How 70 Tell . Beautiful hand.
TEE.

We often see hands that are soft and white
IS snow, with slender, tapering fingers, and
skin transparent that the blue tracery of the
| veins may be seen beneath and such hands
arc considered beautiful. Then there are
| Others of quite . different type, round and
pldmp, with palms like rose-leaves and finger
tips like ripened cherries,-and dimpled 30
| they have a merry, roguish look about them
| these hands are also deemed beautiful
But there is q third variety, extremely rare
and infinitely more beautiful than the other
two. Now, as all young ladies desire to know
whether their hands are really beautiful or
rot, let all such select their standard, not
| ei:ber of the first two types. bu. the one we
shall now attempt to describe
The color, shape or size of the palm does not
signify but the hand itself is considered beau
tiful if il has never been raised in anger, or
oOtstretched in scorn if it is often employed
in welding the useful broom or in managing
the convenient duster; if it snooths the hair
from troubled, little faces if it caresses, with
tender touch, hot feverish brows; and holds
the cooling draught to parched and burning
lips.
Bat to constitute perfect whole, each
of the individual parts must itself be perfect !;
and we will, therefore, describe each finger of
this beautiful hand.
The little finger has no particular duty to
perform, yet its perfection depends upon its
use. If it be an idle member, spending much
time in twisting ringlets, in pointing in a con-
ceited manner, in standing erect in an affected
position, or curling up in dainty fashion
while its companions assist at meals, then it is
not beautiful. IT, on the contrary, it is much
used in writing dutiful letters, charitable sub
scriptions and good thoughts in journals, with
all its motions easy and natural, then it is en-
titled to our admiration and may Justly be
called beautiful. -
We next criticize the fourth finger. Like
the little finger, it has particular task as
signed it, but may be considered beautiful if
1t oftener helps to make beds and cut clothes
than TO glide over the keys of the piano or
touch the strings of the harp, and also if its
natural grace is not destroyed by an over
burden of fancy and meaningless jewelry.
Not many words are needed to discuss the
middle finger. We will simply state that it
has matronly air and an important look, as
one well acquainted with certain small inn
plement often used to adorn its tip. Yes, it |
knows better how to use the thimble than to
turn the screw of the opera glass and is more
willing to push the shining needle than to
touch the hand of a partner in the dauce
The index finger next claims our attention. |
Like the last, it is often employed in the do
mestic arts, is familiar with the scissors, bod |
kin and knitting needles, does not spend much |
time IN tying fancy bows, looping stylish |
dresses, in artistically laying on prepared
chalk or in bar oT
ready to point the way to strangers, to trace
With patience the alphabetical lines that little
students find SO hard to learn !; and is quick,
vita gentle touch, to silence muvmurug or
complaining lips.
There are many other acts that constitute
the beauty of the fingers, but we will pass on
to an examination of the thumb.
The highest praise that can be bestowed
upon this member, is to say that it has u ever
turned the leaves of immodest, or even q
frivolous book. When this is affirmed of
!sdy's thumb, she may rest assured that there
is none more beautiful in all the world.
Having now described the beauty of the |
fingers, we glance once more upon it as
whole and then present it to our friends as the |
standard of true beauty for q woman's hand.
This perfect hand is clasped each night and |
morn in prayer, it often wipes the tear from
Borrowing eyes, is always kind to little child |
rem, no matter how peevish they may be, is al |
ways sincere in the return of friendly grasp, |
is habitsally gentle in its dealings with in |
feriors aud often gives willing alms to Gods
beloved poor.
When fulfilling all these obligations, it mat
ters not if it has smiling dimples, or snowy
skin, or Pearl-tinted nails, or rosy, taperipg
is a hand of exceeding beauty, a |
beauty that will not fade with time, but will |
grow in added loveIiness until it puts on the
glory of Immortality.
NIGHT AND SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR BOYS AND