The evening times., 1897-03-11
HoWsTol Walk

The tall woman who takes little mincing
steps, trying to gain cat-like tread
makes mistakea She should stride out
boldly, planting her foot lightly but firmly,
immediately she holds the gaze directed
toward hei, and il her head and shoulders.
are held properly the result will be q
lueenly carriage.
The proper length OF ones steps cannot
be determined by SO maRy inches OF a rule.
for the length OF ones own foot is the
measure which must be followed TO ascer
tam the correct length OF space between
the strides. Mincing steps belong to in.
fants and children, indicating uncertainty
and inferiority. An actress vino walks in
q haltiDg, uncertain manner loses the at
tention of her audience, iInpressing them
rs a wcakling with her shrinking move
nlents. The panther-like step is the proper
one. especially in scenes requiring secrecy
and quiet. The step must Indicate con
trolled force, however and not trace of
Rambling in evidence.
Sarah Bernhardt is the best example of
the sinuoes, graceful step. No weakness is
expressed in her swift, ca tlike movements,
not even in Camille when, In the last
act, she makes the effort TO put on her
cloak to accompany Armand, her weakness
is expressed only by her arms and shouI
ders, her limbs remaining strong until she
swoons and falls into Armand's arms.
There is danger of making the walk too
decided, too broad
Such a walk belongs to the hind or in
toxicatcd, prompted by aninstinctive feel
ing to seek broad base One possessed OF
his full mental faculties must not be guilty
OF such a walk, as It belongs to the peasant
and the vulgar.
Strange as IL may seem, men and women
are the only animals that hop, shamble,
trudge, stride and halt. The neglect in
childhood causes faulty habits to become
a part Of ones self when grown Take the
majestic st. Bernard; see how he lifts his
leg and strides so gracefully. The thor
oUghbred horse is another example, with
all OF the vital force in the thigh, the lower
leg and hoof hangs limp, and the straight
ening or the knee plants the h0of
Ifeyery person would follow this example
and let the first impulse of the leg in
walking be felt in the thigh, assurance Of
a proper walk wolld he the result
Society women who wish to cultivate
graceful as well as perfect bearing and
walk should practice carrying heavy
book upon the head with movement de-
scribed. The woman who walks with
her head and shoulders and arms wobbbling
lacks the power of concentration. Happy
go-luckv might describe her character
She possesses a smattering OF all sorts OF
knowledge. hut would be failure when
a critical test was submitted. She loves
Ill
but with a sort of general devotion
There is the woman who walks with
chin out and sungen chest Usually a thin
sharp nose accompanies a protruding
chin and inquisitiveness is her dominant
trait.
In the New England States many people
with walk OF this description are found.
why? Because there are so many old
maids. We find the woman, with eyelids
dropped and with q minciDg step. Beware!
IL may mean shyness and OF retiring
disposition ana it may mean concealed
claws
Then there is the large woman with the
masculine stride, that shows who is the
boss IN the household, With her head held
high and shoulders firm, her steady tread
makes one tremble with fear al tie thought
of meeting this woman when angry She
carries herself well, but her stride is too
long, and 1t betrays the domineering qUali-
ties. Another type OF the large woman
is one whose flesh makes locomotion
burden. Universally good -natured, she
loves good things 10 eat and drink; yes,
and she loves to sleep, but she does hate so
much superflous flesh. Never fear a Scpid-
ing from this woman, whose step is heavy
and slow, for her ease1oving disposition
prohi bits any exertiOn. II this same
woman would lie flat upon her back on tie
hard floor and then raise herself TO sit
ting position without the aid of her arms.
she would find solid muscular tissue tax.
ing the place of adipose tissue. SO many
women, when they have passed tue middle
age, allow themselves 10 settle down in
their hips. thus causing the abdomen to be
come too prominent. little will power
will overcome this defect Direct your
mental energy upon the chest, letting
the moral division Of the body lead in
walking, rather than the vital or abdom-
inal portion.
Everywhere one m eets the little, slender
W oman, whose quick steps denote an abun-
dance of nerves, ready to be set tingling
by any slight disturbance. Such women
are apt to grow querulods, and develop an
acidity of temper which would surprise
those intimately associated with her. Cul-
tivation Of repose is to her an unknown
quantity Life with a woman of this sort
would I've a little narrowing.
The woman who walks with a slow,
graceful step and well-poised head is prone
to condescension. Her station in life
may not permit such an attitude, but she
has acquired perfect walk and the desire
to impress one with her superiority pre-
dominates.
The slouchy woman must he considered.
The one who ambles from one side to the
osher, and whose loose joints indicate
loose habits is always to be found. De
pend upon it, Ier gloves are never men led
nor her stockings darned, an her room
well. we'll let that pass
A college girl can readily he diseernPd,
her free, elastic tread, full chest, Indicative
of good breathing capacity, all go to show
that her whole walk is that of one with
a happy, loving disposition. Women who
worry lose elasticity of step. Abandon
trouble when out for constitutional. Even
when shopping, do not let. the matching
of certain shades rob you of the determine
tion to cultivate an elastic tread, united
with a well-poised head, firm shoulders,
and arms hanging limp at the sides.