The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-01-27
HUNGARIAN WOMEN.

They Are the Vigorous Embodiment Of
Primeval WomanhoOd.
All the world loves beautiful wOm-
an. An English writer awards the
palm to the women Of Hungary. ''They
are not languishing, diaphanous crea-
lures, ccmposed of cobwebs and the
odor of musk, with sickly pallor or .
hectic flush in their cheeks. No! Erect
and straight as a candle, hearty and
vigorous TO the core, they are pictures
of good health and Astounding vitality.
They are gifted with small feet, full
arms, plump hands, with tapering
fingers, and they wear long braids
Tho sun has spread a reddish golden
tint or darker tone over the COM
plexion. The Hungarian woman, it is
true, is not q beauty of classical con-
tour, nor does she, perhaps, frequently
present q riddle to the psychologist,
and ethereal poets will scarcely. find q
theme in her hypersentimental reveries.
She is rather the vigorous embodiment
of primeval womanhood As her ex-
terror. so her whole character is en-
chantingly fresh and positive. She
likes to eat well. is fond of little
wine, takes naturally to swimming,
dancing, gymnastics, and has not the
least objection to being admired
This is pretty picture, but along
comes another traveller and spoils it.
He writes after years experience OF
life in Hungary. He describes the
peasants in general, gifted with
magnificent hair and grace inimit-
able, but the society ladies utterly
spoil themselves by two silly customs
that of tight lacing, carried to the
verge of criminal extravaganza, and
the use of paprika, q sort OF
red pepper. which is invariably
spread on all the dishes. But. !"
saws the writer, ''the friend was
staying with had given orders to the
cook to reserve certain portion OF
each course, which was brought to me
separately, as could not swallow the
food after it had been infamed with
red pepper. As for the other guests,
ladies and gentlemen, they used to
relish it thoroughly, and then open
their mouths and wag their tongues so
as to cool the place which they had
burnt with their beloved paprika- This,
of course, was not pretty; nor were the
little red tipped noses and the pimples,
which spoil the otherwise good com
plexion of the ladies. Then for the
tight lacing. / well remember the
agonies of my friend, Herrnine, bru-
nette with lovely black hair, large pale
eyes, shaded by long lashes, classical
nose, and, alasl few piihples after
meals, principally around her lips, and
a waist which a child could have en-
circled with its two small paws This
thing of beauty was certainly not q
| ioy forever, especially for herself; and
| / remember how, after parading walk
along the quays or in the public gar
den at Pesth, where her slight figure
made the cavaliers turn back and pull
their waxen mustaches in wonder and
admiration, she would come back home
and hasten to burst her stays open al
the beginning of an avenue OF chestnu'
trees leading to her house And sh'
was only one among many. Her tive
cousins were even worse, and all thu
girls have known in different part
| of the country used, when dressing, t.
put themselves fiat against the wal
and push with their two hands thei
waist inward during the time the mai'
exerted herself by pulling the string
with all her might. The dimensions o
the belt is the first thing quoted whel
speaking of professional beauty. ant
am afraid this is why their good look
are SO ephemeral, for in Hungary
woman of twenty-five is openly Gale
an old thing As for the swimmin
and dancin :, never saw women =
graceful and swift in these two a.
complishments. Modern Society.