The record-union., 1891-03-02
ATTRACTIVE. THOUGH AGED.
Some Women Who Remain Fascinat
ing in the Decline OF Life.

Ing in the Decline OF Life.
History is full of the accounts of the
faSclnatlOnS of women who were no long
er young. Helen, of Troy, was over 10
when she perpetrated the most famous
elopement on record, and as the siege of
Troy lasted decade, she could not have
been very Juvenile when the ill-fortune
OF Paris restored her to her husband
Strange as it may seem, the long-suifer-
ing spouse received the fair Helen, so says
report, with unquestioning love and graf
itude.
Pericles welded the courtesan Aspasia
when she was 36, and yet she afterwards
Tor thirty years or more welded an un-
diminished reputation for beauty.
The beautiful and fascinating serpent of
old Nile, Cleopatra, in whose history
every woman is interested, was over 30
when Antony fell under her spells, and
which never lessened until her death, ten
years afterwards. Livia was IS when she
won the heart of Augustus, over whom
she maintained her charm until the end.
turning TO more modern history, where
1t IS possible to verify dates more accu-
rately, there is the extraordinary De
PolctlerS, who WAS Sc when Henry IL
then Duke Of Orlcans-at that time lust
half her age, became attached to and tas-
cinated by her. She was held as the first
lady and most beautiful woman at court
ana the accession of Catharine of Medicis.
Ann, of Austria, was IS when she was
described as the handsoneSt Queen of
Europe, and when Buckingham and
Rlehelieu were her jealous admirers.
Nlnon, the most celebrated wit and
beauty OF her day, was the idol of three
generations of the golden youth of France.
and, behold, old ladies', take courage ye
who still cling to youth and emulate its
charms, Ninon was only Y when the
Able de Berais fell in love with her.
True it is in the case Of this lady Il rare
combination of culture, and talents and
personal attractiveneSs endowed the pos
SCISSOR seemingly with the gifts of eternal
youth.
Bianaca Capella was IS when the Grand
Duke Franciscan of Florence fell captive
to her charms and made her his wife
though he was five years her junior.
Louis NV. welded Nine de Manti-
non when she was IS years of age. Cath
arlne H., of Russia, was 33 when she
seized the empire of Russia and capti-
waited the dashing General Orlotf. Up to
the time of her death-67-she seemed to
have retained the same bewitching DOW
ers, for the lamentations were heartfelt
among all those who had known her per-
sonally.
Mile. Mars, the French tragedicnne.
only attained the zenith of her beauty
and power between 40 and 10. At that
period the loneliness Of her hands and
arms especially was celebrated through
out Europe. The famous Nine Reca-
mier was IS when Barras was ousted
from power, and she, without dispute,
was declared to be the most beautiful
woman in Europe, which rank she held
for fourteen years. Among all the exam
pies given there is no English woman.
They We're nearly all French women who
retained their beauty, probably from their
bright and lively dispositions and vivaci-
ty of manner.
a few years ago a solid but charming
Southern belle visited st. Louis and other
Eastern and Western cities. She seemed
disappointed at her reception. and said
that one thing struck her forcibly in the
society in Western cities. 1t was COM
posed mostly OF quite young girls and a
woman over p received little attention,
and was considered pdSSe. She had had
her day and must stand aside. Now, the
Southern belle referred to was quite 30,
and although it was known i'll New Or
leans and other cities where she had lived
and reigned a belle, it madeno difference,
so long as she was beautiful, fascinating
and youthful looking. Struggling her
StatUeSque shoulders one evening she
said: 81 am sick OF the discussions on age
that | hear in the West. 1t is the first
question that one hears as soon as n girls
name is mentioned, How old is she?' In
the South woman is as old as she feels
and looks, neither more nor less. There
to give place to others who viii point 1T
her with scorn as an odd girl one who
has seen several seasons. [ am glad to
live where women can enjoy their youth
before they settle TO the graVer duties OF
wife and mother"