Year: 1875

How a French Woman Makes Her.
self RSautifdl-Passing for Thirty
at Fifty.


Metropolitan


l had the pleasure, yesterday, Of as.
sisting that is to say, looking on, not
helpiug-at the toilet of French wo-
man, a genuine Partisan. was good
deal surprised that | admit; and she
was good deal surprised at my sur
prise. She imagined that the extremes
of artifcialty arrived at in Paris-mak-
ing sort of dual woman as it were, out
Of one-were known 70 us; and she con-
siders us semi-barbarians since she dis
covered how much nearer the natural
state we are.


She began my Francaise by submit
ting herself to her maid, who on her part
began by subjecting her to a face fric-
ton Of alder flower water This accom-
plished the previously sallow face be
came of a clearer hue, an ivory yellow.
Every particle of impurity in the pores
had yielded to the Influence Of the alder
flower water, with which half goblet of
warm water had been mixed. The
throat, neck and hands partook of this
refreshing dew, adding luster to the
freshness given by tepid bath Of twenty
minutes, and shower bath of FIVE, gone
through with half hour before the be.
ging of the mysteries of dressing, or the
getting up"


Next came a rubbing Of scented iris
powder in the dark hair, which was
short-that is to say, not more than a
foot and half long--and rather thick
When the iris powder was brushed out
aud carefully removed at the temples
and the nape of the neck, a delicate
creme, similar to cold cream, but with
out lard-the juice OF lettuce being its
main ingredent--was laid over the whole
skin of the neck, face and hands, and
allowed to remain ten minutes. This, |
was informed, was intended to do away
with the contraction of the features aris
ing from want Of sleep, which want of
sleep had arisen from too much cafe
noir at dinner had not observed any
contraction des traits, and thought
within myself how much fancy. would
do. The Partisan informed me that
camphor and creme had a similar COM
posing effect upon the features, espe-
pecially after the fatigues of ball


The next thing done was the removal
of every trace of the creme with an ex-
tremely fine linen cloth. This was a
skillful operation, for while rubbing the
skin into satin like smoothness the
femme de chambre did not make it red
or in any way roughen its surface. She
seemed to polish and in polishing to
whiten her mistress complexion.


The next process was the application
of veloutine, compound of bismuth
and rice powder, having the 6xative
quality of the first and the delieacy OF
the last ingredient. But ah the care
with which the maid applied the prepare
ton. 1t was absolutely impossible, in
being thus laid on, to detect the pres
ence of any foreign aid, The skin had
the firm, clear whiteness o. alabaster
with suggestion Of sunny lustre and
creaminess TO subdue 1t.


Then came the grand affair OF the eye
brows. These were brushed with a
minute soft brush, with dark bristles and
handle inlaid with mother of pearl,
and the least possible tracing of fard
ndien, from a small stone jar, laid upon
them. ~
aUnder the eyes-very fine eyes, and
needing no aid from art-sn estampe of
leather, upon which the fard indien was
lightly rubbed, laid now q dusky shadow,
which increased the brillianey OF the
eyes to great, and to my mind, un.
pleasant degree What was to become
Of this appliance in case Of emotion l
cannot say. Perhaps French woman
only cries when she chooses.


The neck and hands now partook Of
the bismuth powder whitening, and after
that the hair was dressed very low on
the neck, lrizzed little over the fore
head, and with less addition of false
hair than has been customary for years
A small matte OF permanently crimped
black hair, looped with white ivory
comb cut in cameo medslions, made up
this part Of the toilet only one small
ringlet being suffered to play about the
neck.


But il was when the large peignoir was
removed, and the under toilet began,
that astonishmeut claimed me for its
own


First corset, Of course, you will say.
But, lot me remark, there are corsets and
eorsets. The one placed above the deli
cate garment Of Aesh.colored raw silk,
which takes the place Of linen with the
elegantes of Paris, and clings to the
form so as in no way to increase the size
by bulk Of folds around the waist, was a
corset Of gray silk, stitched with rose
color and edged with Valenciennes on
the hips aud about the shoulders. But
in the make Of this article Of female
wear there entered art that amounted
to genius. For, set in at the hips and
making tho hustle we're curved bones
that stood cut in sweH Of several