The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-11-06
IDEALS or BEAUTY.


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They Are widely Different and without
Possibility Sf Harmonixing.
There are few subjects that give rise
- more differences of opinion than the
beauty Of individuals. The artists have
standards OF beauty that serve we'll
enough for the ideal face on canvas or
for the marble statue, but these stand
ards have little application to the human
countefance as found in living mem rand
women. Some of the disagreements re-
speeding professional beauty arise from
the fact that some people regard the
artistic standards, while others care
little for regularity Of features but sec
beauty only in the mobile faces and ex-
pressive eyes. A woman may gain rep.
utation as a beauty because of her regu-
lar features and fine complexion, yet
disappoint thousands who go to see
her because her beauty Is that OF
tho marble statue and lacks ex-
preston On the other hand q WON.
an quite homely when her features
are in repose may by her vivacity and
charming expression when in animated
conversation earn the tributes paid TO
her beauty. Hamlet says that there
is nothing either good or bad but think.
ing makes it so" and this is particularly
true of beauty. Tho face Of stranger
that appears commonplace, or even
homely, may be transformed by the
power OF love into an object Of beauty.
1t is thinking makes 1t So When the
stranger becomes the friend or lover,
one looks below tho surface. The irreg-
ular features, .disfigured skin o.. other
physical faults having become familiar TO
sight pass unnoticed, but the changing
expression, the kindly smile, the loving
glance of the eye, revealing, as 1t seems,
something OF the soul--these are seen,
and give the impression of beauty,
especially to one who loves in return.
Astonishing differences of opinion re-
specting beauty are due to this condi-
ton, for opinions are based not merely
on the form, color, ETC., of the person
who is the subject of dispute, but upon
the feelings entertained for him or her.
The stranger can not see the express
sions that attract the lover to his mis-
tress. Love, instead OF being blind,
sees that which to other eyes is nom
existent. There is recipe for becom-
ing beautiful that can transform irreg-
ular features as we'll as improve the
com pie xion, and that is-be good. So
much depends upon expression that it
Is more to be regarded than any feeting
advantages of form or color. 1t lisa fact
too, that expression depends upon dis
nomy lays particular stress upon the
Importance of regarding both the form
Of the face in repose and its expression.
Many of the earlier writer's on this sub
ject attempted to judge characters by
the form of the. face, and of course.
failed because the shape, the proper
lions of features and similar character
istics depend mainly upon bony forma-
tions having little relations with the
mobile parts and the eyes are elements
controlled in large measure by the feel
ing or emotions. They give expression
by which character may be more or less
accurately judged, and hence are OF
more Importance than the forms and
proportions which the old physiognom-
lists chiefly considered. Good and kindly
men and women usually have their
amiable disposition reflected in their
countenances. As they grow in years
the lines become fixed. Their habitual
expression is one pleasant to look upon.
Whatever physical faults their faces
may present are counterbalanced by ex-
preston. One can not think of the
good as personified In any thing but the
beautiful, or of the bad as personified
by any Ching but that which is ugly.
But in living men and women this
beauty or ugliness is to be sought not
SO much in form or feature as in expires.
sion. If it be true, as some actors have
testified, that acquired expressions have
reflex action-that when the actors
look gay they feel happy; that when
they change expression to one of anger
their emotion also changes-then kindly
people unconsciously promote their own
happiness by the good deeds that find
expression in their faces. They pro-
mote, too, their own beauty in the best
sense, forathere is nothing more beauti-
full to one who is privileged to see it
than the light in loved one's-eye re-
veaiing pure and sAffectionate and
kindly soul. -Baltinfore Sun.