Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12
OUTDOOR EXERCISE AND
CORRECT GOWNlNG

|NNE distinctive feature of the Amer
IL lean girls personality stamps her
the world over
1t is not her fine complexion. her brisk
carriage. her dashing manner, her bril-
liant conversation or her liberality, all
of which she has in large portion
1t is her back that tells the world over
that she is daughter of Uncle Sam.
No less judge of feminine charm than
King Edward VII of England made this
discovery.
The incident in which he announced
1t to the world took place at Marienbad.
Among the guests at the famous health
resort was one especially dashing woman,
who attracted attention from every one.
the more so since she made no especial
effort to get it.
Her toilets We're the despair of every
woman at the hotel her beauty was the
admiration of every man.
Her appearance was ever the signal for
a craning of necks. and everywhere she
went she was followed by critical eyes
and chorus of "Ohs" and "Ahs," mixed
with many inquiries.
There was nothing in her appearance
to give any clue to her nationality. In
dressed according to the latest modes
favored by the best modiStes of the
worlds fashion capital
Yet her dark tresses and olive skin
suggested almost an Italian origin.
While the debate was still on King Ed
ward of England arrived for his usual
stay at the watering place and naturally
to him was pointed out the paragon of
fashion and charm that everybody pres
ent had been literally admiring.
King Edward VII needed only look
to decide the question. and it not a
look at the lady,s face, either that gave
him all the necessary information as to
her nationality.
1T Is the simplest thing I'm the world -
he said, very much after the manner of
Sherlock Holmes in the famous detective
stories That lady is an American
Il should not have thought So" replied
one of the kings companions How do
you arrive at the information
Her back tells replied the royal
connoisseur, with smile. There is 40
mistakins the American back. There is
none other to compare with it in point
of grace
Later during his stay his majesty was
presented to the beautiful woman and in
ONLY one minutes conversation he was
able to demonstrate the correctness of
his theory.
ries herself better than her sisters of any
other nationality.
The United States was the first coun-
try in which the fad for exercise gained
strong favor in the minds of the gentler
sex.
During the time that the bicycle craze
was at it's height more women in this
country rode the wheel than anywhere
elsa i'll the world.
American women have been from the
beginning of the golf craze enthusiasts
on the sport, and they have also been
devoted in their love for tennis
Lots of American girls pride themselves
on their skill in rowing boat padding
canoe or handling the tiller, and "A nat
ural feature of their commence in this
direction is their skill in swimming
Plenty of American society girls are bet
ter swimmers than most of the men, and
the conditions of social life i'll the United
States give them the chance to develop
this talent without being regarded as hav-
ing made themselves too masculine
Take a girl like Evelyn Sears, for ex-
ample. There are not many of the great
est masculine professionals who can beat
her at swimming.
The work of American girls at exercises
where the horse figures is a notable fea-
ture of the various shows devoted to the
equine kings.
Either at driving or riding she is a
dashing expert.
Here, then. in all these exercises is
the foundation for the beautiful and
much admired American back.
1t is the product of the proper laws
of health, it represents active athletic
work directed to a specific purpose,
and there Is nothing astonishing in the
results it has brought.
The modes of the last few years
as dictated by the fashion have SIN
gularly favored the display of good
lines, and the American girls square
shoulders, her straight back and waist
line, graceful. but not pulled in to
the point Of stranguation have repre-
sented a triumph of grace that fully
merits all the encomiums that King
Edward has seen fit to shower upon il.
Take Mrs. Robert Ogden GOelet, upon
whom the King of England has been
pleased to shower his most ardent