Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-10-07
MYSTERIES OF THE TOILET.
FROM the METROPOLITAN. D..

MYSTERIES OF THE TOILET.
From the Metropolitan a. III, j
I had the pleasure yesterday of assisting"
that is to say, looking on, not helpiog-at
the toilet of French woman, a genuine Paris.
NIT; and she was good deal surprised at my
surprise. She imagined that the extremes of
ar,iGcality arrived at in Pars--makiog sort
of dual woman, as it we're, out df one--were
known to Us; and she considers Us semi barbar-
iaDs since she discovered how much nearer the
natural state We are.
She began, my Franchise, by submitting
herself to her maid, who on her part began by
suhiscting her to face friction of elder flower
water. This accomplished, the previously sal
low face became Of clearer hue, an ivory yell
low. Every particle of inpurity 10 the pores
had yielded to the Influence of the elder Alwer
water, with which halt goblet of warm water
bad been mixed. The throat, neck, aud hands
partook OF this refreshing dew. adding lustre
TO the freshness given by tepid bath of TWEEN
,y minutes and shower bath of five, gone
through with half hour before the bcgipoing
of the mysteries of dressing, or the getting
up
Next came rubbing of scented iris s-powder
IN the dark hair, which was short-that is to
say, not more than foot and half long--and
rather thick. When the iris powder was brush
ed out and carefully removed at the temples
and the nape OF the neck, delicate creme,
similar to cold cream, but without lard-the
juice of lettuce being its main ingredient was
laid over the whole skin of neck, face and
hands, aud allowed 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 two much cafe uour at
dinoer. had Dot observed any contraction
des traits and thought within myself how
much fancy would do. The Partisan Informed
me that eamphor and creme had similar com-
posing effect upon the fea lures, especially after
the tatgues of ball.
The uext thing done was the removal of
every trace of the crem: with 90 extremely
hne linen cloth. This was skilful operation,
tor while rubbing he skin into satin. like smooth
ness the -de-chambre did not make it
red or 10 any way roughen its surface. She
seemed to polish and 10 polishing to whit, o
her mistress complexion.
The uext process was the application of We
loutine, a compound of bsmuth and rice DOW
der, having the 6xative quality OF the first aod
the dellcacy OF the last Ingredient. But ah
the care with which the maid applied the pre-
paratlon. 1t was absolutely impossible, 10 be-
ing thus laid oD, to detect the presence of any
foreign aid. The skin had the firm, clear
whiteness of alabaster, with suggestion of
sunny lustre and creaminess to subdue it.
Then came the grand affair of the eve
brows. These were brushed with minute
soft brush, with dark bristles and handle
inlaid with mother Of pearl, and the least
possible tracing OF fard indien from small
stone rlaid upon them. .--~
Under the eyes-Very fine eyes, and need
ing DO aid from art-an estampe of leather.
upon which the fard iOden was lightly rubbed
laid now dusky shadow, which Increased the
brllliancy of the eyes to great, and to nv
mind, unpleasant degree. What was to become
Of this appliance in case Of emotion, | cannot
say. Perhaps French woman only cries wh en-
she chooses. !
The neck and hands DOW partook of the
blsmuth powder whitening, aud after that
the hair was dressed very low on the neck,
frizzed little over the forehead, aud with
less addition of false hair than has been Gus.
tomary for years. A smale matte of per
msoently crimped black hair, looped with a
white ivory comb cut in cameo medaons.
made up this part of the toilet, only one
swall ringet being suffered to play about the
neck. - ~ t..
But it was when the large peignoir was re-
moved, and the under toilet began, that aston
ishment claimed me for its own.
First, corset, of course, you will say. But
let me remark, there are corsets and corsets
The one placed above the delicate garment
OF flesh. .colored raw silk, which takes the
place OF linen with the eiegautes of Paris,
and Icllngs to the form so as 10 no way to- 10.
screase abe size by bulk of fjlds around the
waist. was corset of gray silk, stitched with
rose color, and edged with Valenciennes on the
md nh L., - -
OF this article offemale wear" there entered
art that amounted to genius. For, set in at
the hips aod making the hustle, we're curved
bones that stood out in swell of several inches
aod formed 40 incorporate part of the corset it,
self, impossible of the detection when the shirt
OF the dress was placed over it.
Then the 'sh-colored silk stocking, the
short cambria skirt with myriad tucks, inser.
tlous, and futings OF lace; the delicate bottines
OF black satio; the white muslin dress, without
assistance OF color except rose at the throat
and made SO extremely short in front az to dis.
play the entire foot; the one long hairpin, With
Its head une crosse perle foe, aud the dare
less drawing up of the drapug at one side to dis
play the underskirt ofraw silk; k;ths and the toilet
were an accomplished feat and fact.
Let me not omit to say that the muslin
sleeves was so extremely tight to, the arm that
~ seemed IKE q second skin. 1t terminated
Two inches above the we'll rounded yet delicate
wrist where quaint bracelet Of West Indian
beetles, the cadeau ofa lady admirer from Cuba,
completed the oroamentation of 50 much studied
simplicity. 80 -
:, 1t was really very pretty, and the lady looked
sGSiarming.let Gi us say thirty years old. Her age
Oh-well, fifty. ' '-'''.' - 90
An Euglshman was boastinp to q YanLea
that they had book 10 the British Museum
winch was once owned by Cicero. ..Ob. that
mu1. nan nothn,,". retorted the Yankee; ''iu the