The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-11
THE USE OF PERFUMES.
A Delightful Practice, II Not Over In
drlred INA PitIabIe Mistake.

In almost every way from those OF
modern age, except, perhaps, in some OF
The uses apperalning to the toilet and
the Scripturcs. as well as other records
of ancient customs. bear testimony that
baths and clean linen, perfumes and
sweet odors were regarded quite as much
of a luxury then MS now. Few are, per-
hans. aware that the origin of the use OF
manufactured perfumes had sacred
character. vet they were an invention OF
the priests who ofiiciated Mt the sacriiclal
affairs i'm the ollen temples, and, doubt
loss. great necessity must have been inc
mother Of invention, for from the
slaughtcred beasts must have arisen most
noxions carnations. which all the water
IN the land would not have washed clean
without the all Of the perfumes Of Ara
lila Moses leaves record Of the exact
perfumes and incense which were used
in the temples. although in biblical days
fine inter was termed frankincense. and
was. moreover. with myrrh and gold,
the most valued article of commerce.
The incense which contained myrrh
WI, especially reserved for the puriiica-
ton of the body after sacrifice and used
BIS both men and women, though, oi
course. the latter were only anoinied by
tie former Ii has q yrry aromatic
odor Tor other mrposcs irankircense
was mixed viih charcoal and llttie
salneier. The same burning Of Incense
conlinu,s 10 this day 10 BE- part "a the
celemoniou- rites in certain religions.
Moreover the sale of pasiI.cs l0r little
cone, or sticks Il inccnscf fer burning m
private houses is growing lar-ely. and
many If cur rich families .irr ID au IT.
mo,pherc rs heavily laden WITH swcCt,
subtle odors as Cardinal Eicheiu Of
Pompev. Moses is also sal 70 lagc IN
stluctcd the Egyptian priests In The
science Of extracting scents. anl they
grew most proficient in the art OF per
fumery and invented a most cxira0rdi-
nary variety. In fact b ihi, Gay las
descended the custom of declaring any
faint. sweet. strange odor To be Ike an
Egyptian perfume.
Opinions differ about the Use and abuse
of sweet scents. Certainly there j. m
incongl1Iitv in their use 10y men, but a
woman who leaves behind her a subtle
sense of redolence carries always double
charm. Strong, active, energetic natures
are apt to scorn an indulgence in what Is
so grateful to their oppostes-languid,
luxury loving people. Yet the natural
odor Of flowers about the house are CRATE
ful 10 all for their sweetness, rs well as
for their beauty. and to those flowers TO
which Mother Earth has refused fra
GRANGE we give but half the care which
is showered upon those that can crafty
q double sense. To some poor unfOrtu-
mates the scent Of certain odors, and even
OF flowers, is distastefu, and not always
from association. Even further than
that, the disliked odors render some per-
sons quite III.
With age the sense of smell Is affected,
and. like the ether SENSES, grows weak,
and some elderly ladies. especially those
who have been beautiful. worldly women,
much ilatlered and admired. absolutely
reek with the strong bouquet Of some
perfumerv. Their INCONSISTENCIES IS
pitiahle, their vanity deplorablc, for it
would wound them too greatly 10 sug-
gcst q lessenIng of their indulgence, and
they must be allowed to reek on The
oifactorv nerves are capricious things,
and the aroma which makes them iilate
with pleasure at one time is quite disa-
greeablc at another. They easily become
surfeited with an overdose.
Women generally have habit Of tuck
ing little bags Of sachet powder IN their
bureau drawers and pinning them in
their dresses, but they rs generally are
iudiscriminate in choosing the odOrs
sometimes buying heliotrope, sometimes
violet, and again rose. There Is much
more refinement and daintiness OF feel
ing, beside n quaint and certainly sweet,
coquetry, in keeping always Il perfume
Of ones own; il becomes then always n
part of ones being. If one is fond Of
the LAGRANGE Of the rose an Investment
in a few OF the long peculiar yials con-
tanning altar Of rose and keeping them IN
various places amid the possessions Is q
much more enduring way Of perfumirS
than using sachet powders. 5. l.
VI. in Chicago Herald