The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-08-29
ABOUT PERFUMES.


among the ancients. In the country OF
the Pharaohs their use was carried to
excess. The bodies, clothing. tombs
and houses were impregnated with per-
fumes more or less agreeable. and on
feast days perfumed waters were
poured into the streams
Did not even the ~Shunamite plunge
her fingers into the precious myrrh be-
fore running to meet her spouse? The
Bible Is full Of illusions to spikenard
and myrrh.
The Greeks had a certain perfume
for each part of the body; marjoram
for the hair, apple for the hands. wild
thyme for the neck and knees. etc.
They highly esteemed the waters made
Of the leaves OF vines. Certainly this
mixture Of odors could not have been
very agreeable.
Leaders OF fashion In Athens con-
ceived the idea of freeing doves which
had been bathed In sweet-scented wa
tiers over the festal board. that the
guests might be sprinkled with per-
fumes from their wings.
In Rome the slaves filled their
mouths with perumed waters and blew
them in sprays on the hairs of the mis-
tress. In more modern times the per-
fume was sprayed through an atom
tzer. The Romans in particular car
ried the custom of pertaining and iiv-
ing In the midst Of strong odors to
such an extent that Plautns exciaim-
ed: by Pollux! The only woman
who smells delightful Is the one who
doesn't smell Of anything" Amber
and yervain were the faEorite per-
| fumes during the latter part Of the
Middle Ages. In the thirteenth century
| women laid away their garments with
| a certain kind OF apple which had q
delicious odor. The favorites OF Hen
ry III. reveled in neroli and frangi-
panni. La belle Gabrielle, who re-
preached her lover for eating garlic.
preferred orris and orange flower :.
Anne of Austria had all her creams
and cosmetics perfumed with vanilla.
La Pompadour affected the doors of
rose and jasmine.
From q hygienic standpoint, sweet
odors may be. approved on account of
their refreshing qualities. Both health
and good taste forbid that they should
ever be abused. They are not with
out influence on the temperature and
on beauty. especially lavender. lemon.
rose, violets and lilies. 1t Is asserted
that they also influence the moral ma
ture. The rose predisposes to delicacy
OF feeling: geranium to tenderness,
lilies to reverie, dark violets to piety,
while the white assist digestion. 1t
is said that the woman who loves YER
/ vain CultlFdIc ING cSbhcllCt LUZ
her artistic nature is revealed In this
| choice.
without carrying the use of per-
fumes to excess, 1t is well to select
some delicate and light odor. Every
woman should select her favorite and
remain true to 1t. All that belongs
to her. her books, her stationery, her
apartment, the cushions of her carriage
lin the eighteenth century they were
stuffed with odorous herbss-her cloth
ing, the least article which she han
dies should exhale the same perfume
A great lady once write. The devil
may smell of sulphur; smell of or.
ris."
Some people in love with the last
century select the peau d'Espagne.
Russian leather is sometimes con-
sidered perfume. There are womer
who are content with the delicate odori
communicated from their rosewood
wardrobes. Others perfume themselves
with flowers and herbs according t
the season. They begin with violet
rose, mignonette, etc, with which theI
NIL their bureau drawers, their pockets
(when their gowns are not in use)
sachets, etc. The odors from thes,
fresh flowers or herbs, which fade ant
die In the wardrobes, are perhaps
heeting, but extremely agreeable
These women prepare for winter us,
the flowers OF melusina, queen of tn,
meadows and asperules dried in tn,
shade. They simply inclose them IL
little muslin bags and put them int
every nook and corner. They sugges
the odOrs of the prairies in blossom
Our ancestors preferred a bouquet o
odors. They themselves prepared thei
sachets.