CHAPTER VIII.
“LADY BEAUTY.”
The following is quoted, verbatim, from an English novel entitled, “Lady Beauty; or, Charming to Her Latest Day.” As it bears upon this subject, and many may not have read the book, I copy some parts.
“You will find that your own enjoyment is heightened by the consciousness of power to please others.... Let this ever be in your mind: ‘I am a creature formed to give pleasure.’ Be courteous, be gentle, be refined, be sweet in all your dealings. Never lose your temper: it ruins the face; and it always leaves a disagreeable impression which nothing rubs out. Depend upon it, men may respect those creatures who are called women of character, which generally means women who perform awkwardly duties which with a little thought they might perform in a charming way: men may respect them, but when they want enjoyment they turn to women who study the art of pleasing. Now, what I want to teach you is, to be solid and pleasing too. Believe me a woman is seldom called upon to do anything which she may not do in an agreeable style if she will only take pains.... Never disarrange for an instant the drapery of pleasantness which a woman ought always to wear: keep it on you even for your husbands.... Be agreeable even when you are alone with your looking-glass. Please everybody as far as you can. Study morning, noon, and night to be agreeable.
“Don’t expect too much of men and women, and you will learn to be good-humored over their selfishness and hypocrisy.
“Learned talk is very affected. Be as well-educated as you please, but don’t seem so.
“She had a frank, spontaneous sympathy with life all around and in every part, such as I never met in any one beside herself. By reason of this virtue she was always interested in what was going on, and the very quality which subdued her individuality in one way made her character fresh and delightful in another. She resolved to charm others with happiness and goodness in view, not mere society conquests.... She used worldly methods for most unworldly means. The polish, the graces, the social attractions, the accomplishments, literature, and wit, which some despise, she used as the very material out of which her noble purpose must be woven.... In the secret interior of her intentions she was truly devoted, trying by the spell of a beautiful womanhood to make those with whom she lived better and happier.
“‘Tell me about it,’ she whispers, oh so low, so deliciously. She meant, ‘Anything you say will be sweet to hear.’
“Too womanly for coquetry or coyness, she gave her answer at once.
“Warmth, purity, tenderness, principle, all the finer parts of character were hers.... Her face was beautiful because it was the image of the soul.
“It is a good maxim: ‘Never really be angry.’