The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-02-10

| uOIn seen N TTomen. frequently III sc1-
diers. but could be had by all.
1t is almost impossible to give rules
| for graceful walking-indeed, with some
| this would be idle, as before obeying any
| rule it would be necessary TO pass
| through a regular course of "limbering
| up" for without suppleness and pliabili-
| ~ of limb it is impossible to swing nat
urally. 1t would be necessary also TO
make some important changes in attire.
| it may be possible for woman to as
! sume a certain grace for short time
| while wearing a corset and high heeled
shoes or laden with dry goods coun-
ter, but it is not easy. Yet the matter
Of correct street costume IS one of slow
evolution. 1t will right itself sooner or
later-we will not enter upon 1t here.
Meantime few practical hints.
When changing from an ungraceful
to different walk it is necessary first Of
all to concentrate upon the act. This at
first Will produce stiffness, but stiff cor
reCtness is better than slovenly thought
lessness. After correct position is taken
as described in last 1etter-step lightly
forward, resting first upon the ball of
the foot. A total alteration is made in
stead of the fat foot or heel, as Is the
common practice Gt is this thudding
down upon the heel which ''clanks the
glasses"). OF course this must not be
exaggerated, and it will not be after ii
has become natural, but in the change
this toeing forward Is absolutely neces-
sary. Try it-see-it changes the whole
makeup, the feelings even.
II ~. e %1af
makes the minuet the physical express
sion of refined mentality that it is, and
it's frequent practice would be Invaluable
to one who desired to walk well.
Leaning slightly forward, not stoop-
ing forward, but directing the mind in a
straight line in front of the body, is of
aid in making speed. Bending the knees
little apart Is also helpful. The swing
of the gait should come from a symme-
tried rhythm of the whole body, not
through the motion of any part of 1t.
The trunk should be motionless, which
will not mean "stiff" if the body Is III
control, but there must be no ''wob-
bling" launching" "ducking" or affect
ed mincing.
Both arms swinging by the side would
produce pedestrian appearancefe few wo-
men would care for in ordinary walking,
yet this could be made graceful and
would add greatly to speed. One arm
should not be made to look like wind
mill arm, neither should the triangular
shape be made by crossing both hands III
front. The length of step must be
thoughtfully regulated, not one short
step and one long one. Above all, the
mind must be made the engine of the
body, keeping in advance of every step,
but never breaking away from it-at
least not till after an unconscious con-
nection is established.
Think where you are going and mind
what you are about. Lookout for the
loose stone, the puddle of water, the
curb, the lamppost. the loose brick.
Lookout for your neighbors. No need
of colliding with people so. If one steps
on your dress or it is caught in store
door, have poise sufficient to maintain
the rhythm Of your grace. Turn cor
ners gracefully. What test Of a wom-
ans grace the way in which she turns a
corner! Leave space sufficient for your
friend to escape the iron grating, the
cellar door, the obstruction on the in
side. Go early rather than go off on a
tangent, trotting, ''jamming" and chang
ing through space like a clumsy pack
age. Assert your dignity, your grace
and spare our eyes the many assaults
to which they are now subject through
thoughtleSs, graceless walking.
FANNIE EDGAR THOMAS.