, 1888-11-15

stout women are done up in the sane gen.
eral style OF gowns. bonnets, and wraps;
and tall women and short are loaded with
drapery, il that happens to be the correct
thing" of the hour, regardless Of effect,
though one may look like queen and the
other like an ami mated dry goods box.
But fashion is supposed to level all differ
ences, and rise superior to mere conform
ity to what Is becoming.
Occasionally Worth, Felix, or Pin
Rnrt designs something expressly for
nliiady which considers her pecniarities
in detail, but oftener the woman is sacri.
6ced TO the fashion.
Leading actresses and stars are gener-
ally well dressed, because they make o
point OF studying effects and adaptations
from the most artistic and becoming
sources to be found; going to painting.
art and historic costumin9 for bit OF
drapery. a sleeve, bodice or fold which
their educated eyes Mt once indorse as
Just my style" and 1t may be added that
the stage has come TO be regarded az the
Legitimate field for showing of picturesque
and aesthetic effects. even the modistes
themselves admitting that mach that is
worn in private life would be intolerable
on the boards.
remember the very naive remark of q
celebrated gown.maker, one Of whose ere
ations for a poted actress had been wildly
applauded: "Yes. it was beautiful and
graceful and all that has been said of it.
but that is not what is wanted in the
parlor.
Was that not equal to admitting that
the ordinary costume is ugly, and not in
tended to embellish the wearerY
Fashion has been an imperial ruler, but
If women were to study identifying ac-
cordinR to certain great laws which many
of them know by in, ,tinct, but dare not
obey lest they should be thought odd, fash
ion would soon admit the secret logic.
My advice to women. young and old, IL
to study beauty as an art, TO understand
their own possibilities, physical no less
than mental, to devote intelligent care to
the adaptation of wearing apparel, 80 that
every good point may be accentuated, and
the bad ones hidden or changed by devel-
opment. 1t is not an evidence Of vanity
tor a woman to wish TO be
benutiful--I pity those who do not,
for they may be sure that in tho race
for place and position. the pretty face.
the graceful manner. the winsome air. and
the musical voice will outstrip plain good
ness and intellectually by far. Everybody
enjoys looking at beautiful face and
mestic value, and for one will not add
word or line to what has already been said
and written about woman's little vanities
except to advise her to cultivate them
more scientifically. Do not misunderstood
me, and suppose that | am advising
women to indulge in pettiness and shall
lowness-just the opposite, for real beauty
is impossible without an animating prin-
ciple. A face to be abidingly attractive
must be full of sparkling vital thoughts,
and ones manners to win must be cour-
teous, attractive. refined, and cultured.
The most absolutely successful woman
that ever knew, was developed out of
what was dubbed "a fright" in young
womanhood, yet at 30 she carried of the
honors of social position which WAS the
most exciting and exalted, not only grace
fully but in manner to render her last
inRly famous. How did she do itP |
have heard her tell the story to shy,
shrinking, conventional sweet l6 to point
a moral, and will tell the story as she
tells 1t.
III was absolutely commonplace; Every
thing that wore looked like caricature
of what other people were wearing. was
called awkward and uplv until | trem blsd
when saw privileged female relative
approaching oNe ia. I woke up TO the
fact that was ur,'ned o comparisons as
long as lived unless | could silence criti-
cisms by contrasts W ch would oe unique
and pleasing in themselves. had holy
horror of ecceptricities, nevertheless | set
myself resolutely to work o conquer defects
of bearing, manner and voice. First of all
devoted myself to the y0ice-lt WAS my
| determination 10 have voice which would
win friends before | was seen when heard
| from another room. II was long. hard
task, because / had to change noticeably
shrill and unmusical organ, but persisted
| and won-- and in winning voice |
had gained an unconscious force of
facial expression which was more or less
dramatic and pleasing. had also devel-
| oped my chest and acquired an upright
carriage. Ny next efforts w-.e pose and
repose. visited museums sxd art gal
leries and studied grace of carriage when
ever opportunity offered, and l practiced
/ these effects, too. | took TO dressing in
rather quaint styles which brought me
into contrast with no other women around
me. / studied the laws of complementary
colors and proportions. and applied them
with strict reference to my individual pc
culiarities, and to the astonishment of all
who had formerly found me ugly and rude,
was soon recognized as striking, orig
inal, artistic, and altogether charming;
and my belief is that nine ont of every ten
women could develop into something emf
nently attractive by thought and care for
individual possibilities.
Is it not worth trying forp