The National tribune., 1883-01-11
W0MANS WORK.
Home, and How to Make It Beautiful
and Happy.

can do no better than give an outline of a book
written some time ago by w. and q. Audsley.
In the preface to a reprint of this work the
publisher SAYS: This little work, by the broth
crs Audsley, has been received with such apprO-
baton in England, and has been acknowledged
by leading artiStes and mOdistes to be so cor
rect, that It's reproduction in this country can
not fail to extend the domain of good taste and
knowledge of harmonious arrangement OF
COlors. In this belief the work is submitted to
his countrywomen."
The authors start out with the assertion that
it is not the material worn, but the judiciou5
choice of colors which indicates the true lady.
Beauty is often diminished by an improper
selection and arrangement Of the hues of the
dress, while an increase of the natural charms
may always be secured by the artistic applica-
tion and grouping of harmOnizing tints. And
first" continues the writer, 1T is necessary in
the choice of colors for every lady to consider
carefully which best suit her own complexion.
In general way we divide compilations into
the blondes and the JriRctteS. Blondes, again,
are either fair or TUddy; and brunettes pale or
forid The fair blonde has a delicate white
skin, light hair, ranging in color from golden
hue to yellow or orange brown, and eyes OF
gray or light blue. This type, in periods of
buoyant health, may have slight tones Of rose
on the cheeks, and richer tint on the lips. In
the complexion itself, rose-cOlOr or red may be
wanting. 1t may be that the hair should have
n more decided hue, or, if its own hue be ObjeC-
tionabie, a change for the better is desirable.
All this can be accomplished by the proper
selection Of color in dress.
"Of all coors for the dress, green is most
favorable to the fair blonde, because it imparts
to the delicate tleshwhite of the complexion a
tint of red, forming by union an agreeable rose
color. Delicate green is most suitable being q
good contrast both to the face and hair, eSpe-
ciaily ii the hair be golden, or incline toward
orange. Thus we see that the most becoming
colors to associate with green are red, orange,
and gold color. Green and gold form rich
harmony. \ scarlet is more agreeable with
green than acrimson-rcd; but if a red inclining
to crimson be used, orange or gold color should
be added.
Green may be associated with shades of
ITSELF but the combination is notctlective unless
enlivened by other harmonious colorS. A green
bonnet is suitable to the far blonde; it may
have a small proportion of r0se-colOr in its
trimmings associated with white, and a white
feather. Too much white, however, with
green produces a cold effect, and therefore
does not aid the fair complexion to the desired
degree Orange or gold may be substituted for
pink: so also may red; but neither must be
placed in juXtapOsitiOn with the face. j small
proportion of orange in q green bonnet is to be
recOmmended.when the eyes of the wcarer are
blue. A few shades of red orange and yellow
green kduLulnildi tInLS), when uOV 700 Ns---s,
improve green bonnet. These shades may be
introduced in the form of leaves. Dark green
is not so favorable to the fair blonde as delicate
green; being so dark in comparison with the
complexion, it neutraliZeS its own influence
that is as a green it gives its complementary
color, red, and as a dark color it reduces the
complexion by decided contrast. All dark
colors have the latter effect fair compilations.
Blue is highly favorable to the fair blonde, as
rortS IipD hyy
bines with the delicate white and flesh tints of
the complexion. The fair blonde has naturally
traces OF orange color on the skin, and an in
tensifying of this natural tint is in most cases
very pleasing. The blue used must be light,
and not too positive. AS blue is the perfect
contrast of orange, it agrees well with golden
or orangc-brOwn hair. For this reason, q blue
head-dress is remarkably becoming on light
hair. To give proper value to blue by gaslight
a little white or very pale blue is required in
iuXtapOsitOn. The most suitable blue for the
headdress of ladies with very fair hair is sky
blue. L light blue bonnet. for the reasons given,
is very suitable TO the fair blonde. Ii may be
trimmed with white or black, and small pOr
tions of yellow, orange, straW-color, or stone
color, but must not be ornamented with purple
or pink flowers, for both form harmonies with
blue, and are unsuitable for fair compleXiOns
4 turquOiS-Jlue bonnet may be trimmed with
fawn, gray, drab or nankin. The cOlors par
ticularly to be avoided by the fair blonde are
yeiloC, orange, red and purple Tho latter may
be used iii its light shades Of GlGc but is even
then trying to the complexion, although not to
an important degree if separated from positive
iuxtapositiOn by an edging Of tullc, or similar
trimming.
"The injurious influence of lilac is much
lcssened when associated with its harmonizing
colors, such as cherry, scarlet, light crimson,
gold, or gold-color. On no account must green
be coupled with lilac, as it forms a positive dis
cord. A small proportion Of light purple is
agreeable in a head dress for light hair, but
must not be placed near the skin.
"NeutrGL coi0rs accord well with fair complex
ion; when not too dark, they, as rule, give
value to the natural complexion; when dark,
they reduce the tone by contrast. The best
neutrals for the fair blonde are grG faion, slate
draJ and some shades of GrOWH If black be as
sOCiatCd in trimmings (such as narrow ribbons
braided work. or Lace with any Of the above
cOloTs, it has a tendency to heighten their eff
feet, especially by gaslight. This is caused by
the power which black has to absorb light, par
ticularly artificial light. BiGcE is highly favor
able to a fair blonde who has Il considerable
amount Of healthful color, because it increases
the rose of the complexion. it has somewhat
disadvantageous effect on pale skins, bleaching
them by powerful contrast. No delicate color
can be associated with black without appearing
lighter in tone.
"To remove the gloomy or Gombrc effect OF
black, colors should be added in trimmings
such as the following: blue, cherry, drab, null
berry, or lilac. Cherry and lilac should be used
very sparngIy for fair complcXiOus. White is
suitable with black, but is cold and harsh I'M
less some color be added. Red used with black
gives il a rusty tinge.
"a black bonnet agrees well with fair COM
pleXiOn, and may be Ornamcntcd with white
and rose color, or with white alone Rose must
be kept well away from the skin. White feath-
crs are great Improvement to white bonnet
White is similar in its effects to black; it
heightens the natural rose of the face by con-
trast, and increases the palcnesS of Il pale skin
by powerful reflection. White is suitable to
every complexion which has an agreeable nat
uTal tone, but perhaps to none more so than to
the fair blonde with a healthful color. Small
quantities Of bright colors may be added to
white dress with pleasing effect, and they will
not injure the complexion if kept low down
and well grouped. White increases the palcness
of pale skin; this influence may be neutral
lied by the introduction Of green or blue.
"a white bonnet, when made Of scmi-trans-
parent material, such as tullc, Grape, or lcro-
phanc, is suitable to this type, and may be or
namcnted 10 advantage with white and blue
flowers
A MOTHERS DUTIES.
Henry Ward Beecher tells of mother who
took up alone the burden Of life when her hus-
band laid it down. There was but little prom
erty, yet out Of her pcnury, by her planning
and industry, night and day; by her willingness