Evening star., 1902-08-02
THE QUEST OF BEAUTY
The Health Giving Proper
ties of Perfume.
SOOTHE TIRED NERVES
COSMETIC VALUE OF CERTAIN
TOILET WATERS.
Recipes for Making Perfumery and
Aromatic Vinegar-Use-
full Hints.
SOOTHE TIRED NERVES
Written for The Evening Star.

deed, at on2 time they were recognized as
remedies for various diseases. Lavender,
lor example, soothes the nerves, and the
lavender scented sheets of our grandmothers
were not only delicously fragrant, but Were
capital sleep promoters. Jasmine, on the
other hand, induces nerve exhaustion and
depression
Pllny records over four score remedies de-
rived from odorous rue, half that number
whose base was mint; thirty-two balms
from roses, and as many or more from
lilies and violets
"A dlfference of opinion exists in regard to
the propfiety of using perfume upon the per-
SON We all protest, I think, against the
use OF musk and patchouli. Carbolic acid is
fragrant In comparison. A clean, sweet per-
fume, delicate and and subtle, is quite an
other tnlng Doctors even tell us tnat
handkerchief may be made antiseptic by it's
use The handkerchief may easily prove
source OF Infection. for it is the common
receptacle of secretions from the nose and
mouth, and the use of an antiseptic hand
kerchlef is perfectly consistent with the
dictates of common meteorological eyi-
oences. Germs may be destroyed partly by
the acton of the spirit of the scent, and
partly by the essential oils. Before, there
fore, we condemn the persons who use
scent upon their handkerchefs we should
remember that they may actually be doing
trlpution of infectious materials.
IN classic times one-twelfth of the bridal
uowly was set apart for the purchase of
perfumes, so necessary part of the trous-
seau were they considered. Without advo-
eating any such wholesale use of scents
ana toilet waters during the summer, at
least, a modest collection is rather necas-
sdry. ana no toilet table is complete with
out us bottles of perfume waters and aro-
matte vinesars to refresh worn nerves, to
give brilliancy to the skin and delightful.
subtle fragrance to the person
Iollet or aromatic vinegars are one of the
pest astrlngents for the skin inclined to be
locse and fiabby. After washing the face.
rinse with water say a pint to which two
teaspoonfuis of the toilet water has been
added. The luxury and effectiveness of any
oath Is increased by the use of orange
flower or. rose water, and the addition of
three or four ounces of glycera irApGrts to
the skin smoothneSs, satin finish and a
dehghtful sensation of softncss obtanablc
py no other means. The quantity of water
USED need not exceed two or three quarts if
Judlclously managed; where expense is an
object the body may be sponged with A
single quart or less placed in a basin, in
stead of using the Bath.
Sweet Flower Scents.
Lavender, rosemary, jasmine, elder flower,
orange flower, rose. lilac and Glove pink,
either fresh or dried. are digested as it is
called, in wine vinegar for a week. with
frequent agitation or stirring, and then
strained through thin muslin and afterward
filtered through blotting paper. One mini
oil OF vinegar requires four ounces of flowers
20 the inferred product add fifteen drops of
the particular essential oil; stir brisbly for
some time and again occasionally
Lavender water Is prepared in this wav
or as follows: Steep for one hour over
SLOW fire. in a covered double boiler. one
half pound of lavender flowers in two ei1Js
OF water. On removing from the fire add
one quart of alcohol, strain and keen in a
closely stoppered bottle for use Anotber
lavender water calls for one ounce of oil
OF lavender, two ounces of extract Of am
bergris and one pint of spirits of wine
Still another: After sleeping a handful of
lavender flowers in a little water for on
hour ana straining, add to the LIQUID two
drains oil of lavender. one-half dram oil of
bergamot and five drops Of benzoin OH of
lavender, it is well to remember, if SPRAYED
about a room, through an atomizer vii
Danish flies and give mosquitoes an rnaos,
feeling that they are not wanted that their
room is desired to their company.
Another delightfully."- refreshing scent is
made by thoroughly mixing the following:
Oil of lavender, 20 drops; oil of lemon 40
drops; oil of rose, 10 drops; essential oil Of
bitter almonds, 10 drops; spirits of wine.
ounces
Best for the Skin.
One of the best of skin cosmetics is Hum
gary water. 1t requires: Oil Of lavender. I
dram; Oil or rosemary, drains; orange
flower water, gills; alcohol, 1 pint. Mix
wen. Ihls Is fragrant and stimulating
Hungary water has from time immemoria1
had a great vogue, and most extraordinary
virtues were formerly attributed TO- il, ,i4even
renewal of youth.
,Mafsellles vinegar, which has an, agree
able and refreshing odor and is particularly
useful in purifying the air is made Of rose
mary flowers (drfed), - pound. saaa aoHI
ers (dried) u pound; lavender flowers
(drled), " pound; rue (fresh) 2 orncas.
cloves Cbruisedl drains; camphor dis
solVed In spirit, ounces; distilled wine vim
egar, . quarts. Digest for week with fre-
quent stirring; pour off the LIQUOR. press
out the remainder and then filter the
fqa1a h9ttIa through 70 g thin muslin rag. Keep in
gar was invented by four thieves of MAJ.
seilles. -Four thieves vinegar is the nanno
by which it is commonly known abroad
df ne dour tnleves used 1t during visitation
oI pestllence, and SO successfully that thew
escaped the disease. Garlic was ono of tha
original ingredients. VI 'ne
An aromatic vinegar, which is a refresb-
tn ing aaaitlon to the bath. calls for: Concen-
trated acettc acid. eight ounces. oil of ieY
ender, two drains; oil of rosemarv 49,.
dram; oil Of Cloves, one dram. cam,hnn
one ounce. First, dissolve the bruised pa
pnor f4o IN the the acet1c acid, then add the oils,
1t is strained and ready for use
perfume with a delightful fraeranos is
bouquet de la Refine. This is made Of. o;I
of bergmont, two drains: oil of laven5or or'
two drains; ailc of verbena, one-baIf 6ron,
essence of ambergris, two drams: essence
of jasmine. two drains; alcohol. two eil1s
Mix thoroughly - ei'-''
Rose and Violet.
A delightful rose perfume is made of. on
of rose one-ha1f dram; oil of rose geraniuy
one dram; essence Of, ambergris, one dras,:
neroli one-half dram; alcohol, one gill
The violet perfumeeof the shops is USUALLY
tincture or spirit ofsorris-root and is nre-
root in powder, foitf ounces; aIcnbo, orp,s. nne
pint. Macerats for "a fortnight. with fre1 e
Honey of viblets,5341used to perfume tho
breath, is made by taking expressed iuice
of violets, one ounce; clarified honey two
ounces. Mix well and keep in glass or NOV
celain.
Honey of roses requires dried red ros.
leaves, one ounce: boiling water. two .5iIs
Infuse for three hours then press ont us
strain the liquor. After a week, neur nts
into a glass that there may be no se,5i,nent
and add three ounces of clarified honey
Evaporate by the heat of water hath 70 a
proper consistency and put In a cool n,aca q
The following day pour off the clear ror.
tion Added TO water 1t ma kes a n q -