The Phoenix herald., 1879-06-28
Moral and Physical Beauty.

single attack of illness, and it Is sure to be impaired or obliterated by advanc- ing years. It is at best but feeting possession. While it lasts, 1t is justly an object of admiration and of personal pride. It is a precious boon which ought to be jealously defended against the encroachments of time. Dazzling as may be the charms of elegant feat ures, and of a well-moulded figure, they are doubly attractive when accompa- nied with intellectual cultivation. This Is the perfection of beauty. Handsome men often degenerate into mere dawd- lers and dandies, and female beauties are frequently so exacting of homage that they are incapable of loving any body but themselves. Some have such an exalted idea of their Vaccinations that they reject the worthiest of suitors, be- come chronic coquettes, and either marry not at all. or, as a last resource, when their beauty has faded, accept whoever offers himself. These are the ill-assorted marriages which make both parties miserable, and which, if not ruptured by divorce suits, are endured only because it is better to bear the ills they have than fly to others that they know not of. When, however, mental graces are added to natural attractions; when the manners are courteous and captivating, and the power of pleasing is enhanced by polished wit, well informed mind, refined imagination and liberal culture, such person, to the latest hour of life, will be the cen 1 ter of delight to the circle in which she moves.
 The art of pleasing is studied with such effect in France that ladies like Madames Recamier and De Stael never grow old. Their saLo,aS were the ren- dezvous of the choicest spirits of their time. Philosophers, statesmen, sclen- lists and poets mingled in the society that frequented them, and found sym pathetic welcome from the intellectual hostess. Youthful beauties solicited the privilege of exhibiting their loveIi- ness in such assemblages, and of being honored with the patronage of the queens of intellect. The commingling of these varied qualities gave chival ric tone to the intercourse between the two sexes, and shed a halo of elegance over all their relations. Madame de Stael was not a comely person ; her l taste in dress was bad, and she was egotistical and vain. Her mind was rather masculine than feminine. In spite of these repellent characteristics she was the most interesting woman of her day. Napoleon dreaded her tongue and pen and social influence to such a degree that he did not feel himself safe so long as she remained in France. Even in exile, he recognized her as one of his most formidable enemies. When engaged in animated conversation her countenance was lit up with bright irradiation, her eyes flashed with un- wonted fire, and she seemed the image of intellectual beauty. Bright as may be the natural expression of the eye 1t is intensified when the soul shines 1 through it, when it beams with intelh gence, and bespeaks cultivated mind and feeling heart. There is no cosmetic like natural or improved intellect. It gives luster to the features that lasts as long as life itself 1t preserves the soul from decay, and amid the physical | wreck 1t Eliminates the waning years, and surrounds the possessor with re- spect and admiration. The most pitia- ble of spectacles is a beautiful but emp.y-minded woman, deserted by all who once admired her for charms long since passed away, and whose vapid mind condemns her to the society of persons of like mental caliber and shall lowness. As a last resource she be- comes a gossip and scandalmonger, seeking to revenge the neglect into which she has fallen by an indis- criminate warfare against the peace of society.
 Apart from individual benefits. there is no doubt that men and women be come more interesting to others in pro- portion to their intelligence, the supe- riority of their education, their varied attachments, and the extent of their knowledge. Whatever they lack in the choice gifts of nature is made up by artistic and literary acquisitions, by the infinite capacity of pleasing which they give, and by the supremacy they exer- else. The dull look up to them as beings of higher order, and the intel lectual recognize them as equals and worthy associates. They live Tn an ele- vated atmosphere full of light and beauty. The most unprepossessiDg of men and women have often been the leaders of society on account of their intellectual qualities. It is well to pre- serve natural elegance by artificial ap- pliances, but 1t should always be re- mem bered that moral and intellectual beauty is mnch more lasting, and may still be lustrous when the former has long ceased to exist. = Phitadelphia Press.
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