The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1885-01-28
Helps for Homeiy Women

St EVermOnu tells us tHdt WOudu ?
last signs are for her beauty. And why
not? For with the fading beauty of face
and figure 90 two of the most attractive
qualities of any woman, and two which
may never be restored There is GER
tain beauty Of old age, and way to grow
old gracefully, but these In no sense COM
pensate for the freshness and delight OF
youthful beauty Bnt since the fountain
of perpetual youth is undiscovered, we
must make up our minds to submit with
as good grace as possible to the lnevi-
table
Ruskin, who, in his younger days, and
many dsagreeable things about women 3
brains and the female sex in art, has
lived long enough to take most Of them
back, and thus gallantly comes to the
rescue of the sex, one Of whom has writ
ten him asking, What are plain girls to
do ?" He says:
Those girls who are we'll bred, kind
and modest. can never be Extensively
plain Whatever the shape of girls
mouth may be, she can refine 1t by cul-
ture and sweet, bright thoughts till 1t
ceases to be unattractIve. She cannot
make her ears smaller physically speak
ing, but any girl can make herself grace
ful and attractive if she give her head to
it. By genuine kindness and good tenn
per, by cultivating her intellect, by
studying what is best and brightest, act
ing on her woman's natural impulse to
please, she can come to have such win
ming ways that no one will think OF her
as unbeautiful.
Ruskin is right, but in this instance
- Ion,,)t To = ho ap1 nf 70 hlaot
| The woman who sees youth and beauty
fading away in the dim light of the past
must not be content with cultlvatlng all
the virtues and graces; she must have
all these, and, in addition. she must note
most carefully the ravages made by re-
| lentless Father Time, and take every
means to conceal or repair them | do
not mean by the use Of cosmetics, etc.,
etc., but to be more particular than ever
that her hair, which is growing scanty
and gray, is becomingly arranged, that her
wardrobe is selected and made with great
nicely and adjustment to her face, figure
and surroundings. There is no more
lamentable sight than "a sheep dressed
up laInb fashion" To go gradually from
the strong, bright colors, SO becoming to
youth to the graver tints, with only here
and there a bit Of color to give effect, is
difficult thing, and requires taste and
skill The complexion changes with the
hair, and it must be remembered to
change the color in dress at the same
time.
| One of the greatest attractions lady
of any age can possess is that of sweet,
pleasant voice. 1t is hard to get it and
keep it in the right tone; one must be
taught in early youth the value of it, and
be on the watch night and day and get
and keep a tone that shall, even to a
strangers ear, speak of a kind heart and
cultured nature. Those who pay especial
attention TO the matter declare that they
are able to detect bad qualities il per-
son through the voice sooner than IN any
other way. Those who endeavor to keep
good voice, as they would their besI
pies and cakes, for strangers, invariably
betray themselves TO an educated and
sensitive ear. We Americans are accused
of having very shrill, sharp voices. Th''
is attributable to two causes, VIZ, cllmat'
and the predomlnaDce OF the nervous
Temperament among us. ln spite o.
these, however, pleasant voice may bt
cultivated by any lady if she will but take
the trouble, and it is trouble but one
well worth the taking. A sweet voice
and pleasant manners may be carried or
to old age, even to the verge of the grave
A pleasing voice and agreeable manner
will charm the beholder long after the
bloom of youth has faded and the attrac,
tions Of middle age passed away
To learn to breathe properly is one o
the NEST important things, not only fol
| L L l. -,
eft of the beath. 1t should be firmly
impressed upon the mind of every chile
that the nostrils are the proper channel
through which to breathe, not tn,
mouth No only does physiology teac'
this, but the Bible as well, for are we no
told that God breathed into Adams nos
trils not mouth the breath of life
Continual inhalations through the moutl
soon produce an infianed and feverisl
condition of the mucus surfaces, coat tn
tongue and drie the lips, and not on
detract from the beauty of the person
but reduce the whole tone of the system
'apd leave her with tendency to contrac
bronchitis and other throat troubles
which may be serious in their conse
quences.
If the habit OF breathing through th
mouth has been contracted, strong an
determined efforts must be made to cor
rect it. First regular habit of pract
!. cling breathing exercises for fifteen mint
tes every morning must be established
This should be done at an open window
before the corset or heavy clothing is pl
on. Close the mouth-a strong effort c
will may be necessary to keep it closed
and take long, full, deep inspiration
: through the Dostrils, forcing the air int
! every unused lung CELL exhale in II
same manner. keeping the mouth firm
closed, Do this at first quietly ar
slowly; after five minutes make the moy
\ ment more rapid and forceful, increasir
: both rapidity and force the third f'
, minutes. Persons OF every nervous al
q sensitive organizations may become diz,
l. in the inhalations are too rapid al
: strong. This will pass away in lew /
stants, but care must be taken not
+ reach this point second time. A lit
: practice will soon teach one how far
: 90. 1t should be borne in mind
:, breathe through the nostrils during Il
i: day, especially in walking; and at nigh
upon going to sleep, it will no doubt r
. quire great eff yrt of will to keep Il
mouth closed and establish habit
, breathing through the nostrils, but it ~
be done-nay, must be done-it heal
and sweet, pleasant voice are desire
FANCHON.
Z Durh.m Pe0orfer. We ara olod