The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-10-14
Mysteries of the TOilet-HOw French
Woman Makes Herself Beautiful.

llttl AAtC DlC1olAAN Ns7hNA'NJ
sisting'-that is to say, looking on, not
helping-at the toilet of French wo-
man, a genuine Partisan. Twas good
deal surprised, that l admit; and she
was a good deal surprised at my sur
prise. She imagined that the extremes OF
artifciality arrived at in Paris-making
a sort of dual woman, as it were, out OF
one-were known to us; and she con
siders us semi-barbarians since she DIS
covered how much nearer the natural
state we are.
She began, my Franchise, by submit
ting herself to her maid, who on her
part began by subjecting her to face
friction of elder-fOwer water. This ac-
complished, the previously sallow face
became of a clearer hue, an ivory yeI-
low Every particle of impurity IN the
pores had Welded to the influence OF the
elder-fiOwer water, with which hall a
goblet of warm water had been mixed.
The throat, neck, and hands partook OF
this refreshing dew, adding luster to
the freshness given by a tepid bath of
twenty minutes and a shower bath OF
five, gone through with half hour be-
fore the beginning of the mysteries OF
dressing, or the ''getting up"
Next came a rubbing of scented iris
powder to the dark hair, which was
short-that is to say, not more than a
foot and half long-and rather thick.
When the iris-powder was brushed out
and carefully removed at the temples
and the nape of the neck, a delicate
creme, similar to cold-cream, but with
out lard-the juice Of lettuce being Its
main ingredient-was laid over the white
skin of neck, face, and hands, and al
! lowed to remain ten minutes. This,
was informed, was intended to do away
with the contraction of the features
arising from want of sleep, which want
of sleep had arisen from too much cdtt
noir at dinner. l had not observed any
- contraction deS trditS,n and thought
within myself how much fancy woulC
do. The Partisan informed me tina
camphor and creme had Il similar com
posing effect upon the features, especi
ally after the fatigueS of ball.
The next thing done was the remova
of every trace of the creme with an eX
tremely fine linen cloth. This was ;
sllillfui operation, for while rubbing tn
skin into satin-like smOOthneSS tht
temme-de-chan,bre did not make it rec
or in any way roughen its surface. Sh'
seemed to polish and in polishing whittier
her mistress's complexion.
The next process was the application
of yeloutine, a compound of bismutl
and rice powder. having the tiXativ
qualities of the first and the delicacy o
the last ingredient. But ah. the car
with which the maid applied the prepar
alton. 1t was absolutely impossible, i
being thus laid on, to detect the pres
ence of any foreign aid. The skin ha
the firm, clear whiteness of alabastel
with a suggestion of sunny luster an
creamineSs to Subdue 1t.
Then came the grand affair OF tn
eyebrows. These were brushed with
minute soft brush, with dark bristle
and a handle inlaid with mother
pearl, and the least possible tracing
fard indien from small stone jar lal
: upon them.
Under the eves-very fine eyes, an
needing no aid from art-an enstamp
of leather, upon which the fard indie
I was lightly rubbed, laid now dusk
I shadow, which increased the brillianc
of the ewes to a great, and, to my mlnt
7 unpleasant degree. What was to becon
i of this appliance in case of emotion
; cannot say. Perhaps French Woma
Il cries only when she chooses.
; The neck and hands now partook
!; the bismuth powder whitening, and a
Il ter that the hair was dressed very 10
9 on the neck, frizzled a little over Il
: forehead, and with less addition of fail
u hair than has been customary for year
{ A small matte of permanently crimp'
black hair, loOped with a white ivo
II comb cut in cameo medallions, ma,
Il up this part of the toilet, only one smi
y ringlet being suffered to play about t
:. neck.
+ But it was when the large peignC
was removed, and the under toilet |
= ran, that astOnishment claimed me
! its own.
~ First, a corset, of course, you W
I say. But let me remark, there are c(
~ sets and corsets. The one placed abo
II the delicate garment of flesh-color
~ y raw silk, which takes the place of lin
nt with the elegantes of Paris, and elm
o. to the form so as in no way to Increa
10 the size by bulk of folds around
40 40 waist, was a corset of gray silk, stltt
a,. m ed with rose color and edged with V
~ enciennes on the hips and about
IN shoulders. But in the make OF t
~. "article of female wear" there enter
in art that amounted to genius. For,
n in at the hips and making the bust
Il were curved bones that stood out L
ho he swell of several inches and formed
ge incorporate part of the corset itself,
q possible of detection when the skirt
is the dress was placed over it.
zoo Then the fesh-cOlored silk stOckin
- the short cambric skirt with myr
~ tucks. insertions, and flutings OF la
> the delicate bottines of black satin;
white muslin dress, without assista
of color except a rose at the throat,
made so extremely short in front as
oi1- display the entire foot; the one
bv hair pin, with its head at'ae crosse ?
.ai fine, and the careless drawing up OF
nh, draping at one side to display the
cd derskirt of raw silk; this and the u
an, were an accomplished feat and fact
one Let me not omit to say that the 1
na lin sleeve was so extremely tight to
70 70 arm that it seemed like a second
NO Nc II terminated two inches above the
Ia9T 9' rounded vet delicate wrist, whel
ron' quaint bracelet of West Indian bee
> nf the cGdeau of lady admirerfrom Z
,are 70 completed the ornamentatiOno OF so
ers, studied simplicity.
saI, 1t was really very pretty, and
roe lady looked charming-let US say t
the wears old. Her age? Oh-well,
ent- -fdTfS Oo'FeSto''''''"
d to
tbe FORTY-FIvE Indian arrow or
per- heads were plowed up recently