[The Queer Side of Things.]
THE BEAUTY-COLLEGE TOY.
"Mother! Have you seen this?" exclaimed Genevieve. "Do listen what the paper says:—
"'The latest American notion is the recently instituted College of Beauty in New York. The College course knows nothing of dyes, or cosmetics, or powders.... One branch of study deals with the features of the face. The most enchanting beauty of expression will result from the methods adopted in the College. The effect of music on the features receives great attention; the eyes are to be enlarged by Verdi's music; the air of intelligence heightened by Chopin's; and various other ameliorations brought about by other composers, and poets, and so forth.' Just fancy, mother!"
Genevieve was wrapped in silent musing for some minutes; then she arose and crossed over to the mirror and gazed critically into it.
"Of course, it's all nonsense, mother, eh?" she said.
"Most absurd nonsense, my love—most absurd!" replied Mother.
Then Genevieve opened the piano abstractedly and began passing her fingers mechanically over the keys, which, strange to say, gave forth an air by Verdi. The mirror was right opposite Genevieve as she sat at the piano, and she looked casually at it many times.