The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-07-28


mons ever preached on slovenliness and
untidiness. No woman living would
have the nerve to go about the house
in dirty wrapper and with halo of
curl papers about her brow, If she
had to see the hideous reflection of
herself on every hand 1t is simply
because she doesn't know how she looks
that she infiicts this dread apparition
on her husband and family.
A house plentifully supplied with big,
unacceptable mirrors would also be
silent, courteous reproof to our man.
ners that we could not gainsay or ar
que down. No persuasion may be able
to induce gum chewing school girl
to stop the pernicious habit, but If she
was forced to gaze upon her wagging
jaws and cow-like expression as she
masticated her cud, you may depend
upon it that she would at least seek
solitude in which to indulge On her
pastime.
The most scowling face insensibly
takes on a pleasanter expression as it
catches glimpse of itself in a mirror.
The most sprawling figure that OBJ
serves it's own lack of grace empha-
sized in a looking glass unconsciously
draws up into a more dignified pose.
Our faults as well as our virtues have
been reflected. We have seen ourselves
DIS OLU6TS see US, anu the picture HdS
hurt our vanity.
What a pity it is, too, that there are
no mental mirrors in which we might
now and then catch a view of those
faults and weaknesses that render us
so trying to our friends and neighbors!
Suppose those loving couples who art
lessiy conduct their courtship in pub
lie could see what figures of fun they
are? Wouldn't they 90 home and pull
av.1 Ir~ 1a hA
doors before they goo-goo-eyed at each
other any more? If only the self-im-
portant, who weary us to death with
long narratives about themselves and
their families, could see what bores
they are, wouldn't the stock of war
"reminiscences and smart child stories
be cut short? If those who are forever
Boosting of their own achievements,
of the splendors they have at home and
the lucrative positions they have de-
clined to fill could see what empty
braggarts they look to us, what peace
should fill the land. If young girls
could know how shocking it is to older
and world-wiSe people when they are
loud and noisy in public places, what
demure maids we should have at home!
What a sovereign balm it would be,
too, for all domestic troubles. We do
so many little disagreeable things that
their tastes, just because we are care
less of everybody's comfort beside our
own. Then we are so clever at giving
our faults aliases that almost make
them seem virtues.
There's the man, for instance, who
says he is determined to be master Of
his own house, and who makes that
perfectly proper theory (though for
my part 1 don't see why it is necessary
To mo fha
cloak for the most grinding tyranny.
His wife always sits up in shivering
silence, like a whipped dog, waiting
for his sneer on her opinion, and his
children drop their laughter and
sneak away when his key CRATES in the
front door. Do you suppose that he
would indulge himself in such conduct
if he could see himself for the coward
and brute and bully he is? Not once
in a thousand times.
On the other hand, there is the wo-
man who is always Dragging about be-
ing high spirited" and speaking her
mind" There's never any use in tell
ing her her faults, for she won't lis
ten, and 80 her husband learns to. find
his pleasure in his club, and her chill
dren play on the streets to get out of
reach of her eternal fault-fnding and
nagging. / have often thought, ooh,
if you could only see yourself for the
common schold you are; if you could
see how unlovely, unwomanly. ungen-
tie you are surely nothing on earth
could ever induce you to give away to
your tongue and temper again"
To see as others see us physically Is
the mission of the mirror. 1t is a mis-
sionary to teach us the gospel of MAX
ing the most of ourselves bodily by
getting clothes that fiatter us instead
of derlding us, by learning poses full
of grace instead of loutish awkward
ness, and by trying as the photograph
ers say, to look pleasant. Is it too
much to hope that we may carry the
lesson a little farther, and try to see
ourselves spiritually and mentally as
others see us? Be sure we should be
humble and chastened creatures If we
did, and far. far more agreeable to
live with.
The summer season, says the New
York Tribune. is the best possible for
improving ones complexion, although
many women are so foolish as to use it
solely for injury to the delicate skin.
The copious perspration tends to free
the pores ard cells of foreign particles,
and should be assisted in every way,
and powder should be used only when
social engagements make it necessary,
as 1t is likely to clog the pores of the
skin.
To prevent sunburn and freckles,
both of which may be Of permanent
injury to the complexion, one should
be careful not to walk in the open air
without a hat or parasol. Even when
the sun seems Swallowed there is dan
ger, and wind tanning" is quite as
serious as sunburn.
In the country II is much more COM
Portable to discard the hat as much as
may be, and make the parasol a con-
slant companion. Before going out
the face should be covered with a pure
cold cream. which is to be removed
with a soft linen cloth, but should be
used with reasonable economy. Pow
der is then applied freely, and the SUI
perfluous rubbed off. This Will do much
to prevent sunburn and freckles.
II is a good plan to take a package
of borax when going into the country,
as the water IL often hard" Either
borax or ammonia will soften It, Some
people seem to thing that 'if little
is good, a great deal is better" and
add ammonia to the water in such
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