The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-15
Beautiful Girls.

oeAutlIul uIBs
Several English medical journals have re-
Gently called attention to fact. sustained
by common observation, that the young
women OF the present day are better
developed physically. taller. plumper.
stronger. and healthier than the young
women OF 80. 100. $50. or 200 years ago. and
that In this continuous and perceptible i'm.
provement OF condition and aspect there are
no steps backward.
One Journal has called attention to the
circumstance that whereas century or
two ago handsome woman inspired senti-
ments Of such adlniring curiosity that her
arrival or departure drew vast crowds and
rewarded the patient waiting Of hundreds.
b'auty Of the same sort Is SO general nova
days as to evoke no ripple Of excitement.
It is no longer SO rare that 1t COM
mands peculiar attention. Again. the
portraits OF women OF acknowledged
loveliness preserved in many houses and
galleries. or public buildings. aud won.
dered at for many years. cannot stand
comparison with many living countenances
whose good looks are 30 little beyond the
ordinary as to inspire neither poet, painter.
composer. nor sculptor with subject for
rhapsody in sonnet on canvas by lyric. or
In marble.
But the change. to which English writer's
on hygiene allude In scientific phrase and
without passion or emotion. Is not Imitedto
their field Of personal observation. The
tendency Of women to grow handsomsr.
and Of women no longer young to remain
beautiful. hns its manifestation here. too,
and In ample and indisguisable degree.
1t shows itself In many ways. but most
pronouncedly perhaps in photogr apis.
It Is not so many years since the
display OF beauty's portrait drew
crowds. and resulted in the sale Of thou
sands Of copies. Nowadays this industry
languishes. Photographers special favor
ties are at discount. In the windows. on the
shelves. or In the showcases the examples
OF beauty and loneliness are too numerous
to justify much discrimination. As many
portraits are sold as heretofore. but the
preference Of purchasers Is more diffused.
With the heightening Of the standard Of
oomeliness individual cases Of superior ex-
cellence Is no longer marked.
Another illustration OF the change to
which We refer is to DO found on any fash
ionable thoroughfare. Years ago. In New
York. Broadway was the focus OF admiring
sightseers. and o pretty woman was GER
tain to be gazed upon long and wonderingly
on the popular promenade. To-day nobody
thinks Of travelling any great distance In
New York to behold the spectacle Of pretty
women, or to give them more than pass
ing glance. They are to be seen everywhere,
up town and down. on side streets and on
thoroughfsres. In stores and public convey.
ances. In doors and out.
On the stage. too. 1t Is NO longer custom.
airy to advertise beauties in the fashion
once In vogue. The description Is super
fuous. Handsome and attractive women
are the rule and no longer the exception.
The absence Of talent rather than of beauty
ia the theme nowadays. the fact which con-
POUNDS discriminating patrons. critics, and
observers. Generally speaking. the proper
ton Of handsome women is larger than 1t
used to BIO. and uncomeliness Ia diminished
Tho true causes OF this
later effect are probably two:
!. Improved health. the result of Q more
scientific mode Of life. better hygienic con.
ditions. larger latitude In outdoor exercise,
better nutrition. better physical culture,
and soitening and equallzlng OF the climate;
and
2. Better taste In dress. the introduction
Of new and becoming methods OF attire.
improved style. a greater variety Of fabrics
and OF colors. and such chespening Of mate
rails for a girls wear as TO bring them
within the reach OF all.
Such, then. are the causes Of the changes,
and commented upon on both
sides Of the Atlantic. which mark distinct
advance In the average come!!uess Of wo-
men. They arc growing liandsoncr ~ tho
world grows older. 1t cannot be said that
this Is officially proved anywhere in
records and documents; but unless the
eye has been dazed and the taste