The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1901-11-29
COLOR VERSUS TEMPERAMENT
How Some Persons Are Influenced by
the Hues of heir Sur
lgD.

Much thought has of late been de-
voted to the subject of color a S affect
ing the environment of individuals,
and it is no doubt true that sensitive
temperaments are Influenced greatly
by color, especially in their immediate
surroundings. Much of the prejudice
which has arisen against the wearing
of deep mourning" as it is called, can
be easily traceable to this cause.
While somber black may harmonic
with the feelings of those recently be-
reaved, it's continued use is more than
likely to affect the general health, be-
cause depressing to the spirits; and
not only the wearers, but all who come
in contact with them, share in the
gloom such a garb radiates, says Eliza
beth Robbins Berry, in Boston Budget.
To nature herself we can go for in
struction in the meaning which color
conveysE>During our varying seasons
the entire gamut of color is drawn
upon to produce the effects which
mean so much to nature lovers. The
widest conceits of artists in color
are outdone by the coloring of our au-
tumn woods, and the painter sits in
despair in contemplation of the glory
of the sunset sky.
An artist would be deemed insane
who should attempt to produce the
wonderful play of prismatic coloring
in the mist at the foot of the great
falls of Montmorency in Canada, such
as was witnessed by party of travel
ers on one of the recent perfect au-
tumn days, yet the phenomenon will
70 of n
privileged to see it. Sleeping or walk
ing, their vision will be haunted by
that wonder of color.
Injudicious use of color is, however,
productive only of the grotesque and
cheap. Here, again, nature instructs
us. Her finest effects are always out
lined against a neutral background.
The flaming colors of the sunset which
enter our soul are intensified by the
masses of somber purple or soft gray
cloud against which they are thrown,
and the regal magnifcence of the au-
tumn foliage is best comprehended
among our northern noun tains, which
furnish wonderfully effective back
grounds of gray rock and the dense,
dark foliage of the conifers.
We should weary of the autumn
glow were it perpetual, but when it
is succeeded by the russets and gray,
and later by the mantle of pure white,
which changes the face of our Mother
Nature so compile tely, how we treasure
the feeting glimpses we had when the
autumn days were rarest.
Just as the varying seasons with
their complete color schemes affect US
temperamentally so are we Influenced
by color in dress and surroundings.
Nothing so expresses the individuality
of a person as the use of color. All
phases of character, from the extreme
ly vulgar to the ultra refined, find ex-
preston by this medium, and study
should be encouraged along this line.
We learn to associate certain colors
with the woman who has mastered her
own requirements in this respect.
1t is said that there are no old wom-
en- nowadays. 1t is true that wome n
who keep the heart and mind fresh
and attuned to the best influences do
not appear old or seem to be over
borne by the weight of years. Is it
not also true that the spirits of the
woman of middle age are no longer
depressed by the fact that she is 10 be
allowed for her use only the soberest
of colors. That all others must be
abandoned when the first flush Of
youth is past, was, within the memoir
of many, almost compulsory.
To-day the woman of refinement
consults her own taste and temporal
ment, and believes she can wear what
ever she looks best in, and which will
contribute most successfully to the
aura of cheerfulness and harmony
with which she endeavors to surround
herself. True, there is much bad taste
still in evidence, but the evolution is
steady, if gradual, and the homes and
the homekeepers of the future will
have great possibilities of beauty and
charm.