PRETTY WOMEN, NO MORE BEAUTIES. PRETTY WOMEN.-NO MORE BEAUTIES. BY A PRETTY WOMAN. 369 could stand that banding back of the thick hair! how few forms would show well beneath the simple robe without stays or stiff petticoats! how few feet would be endurable in sandals! how few arms would bear the noon-day sun and the sharp winds, that would soon reduce them to the pattern and form of a washer-woman's! I have often wondered why there were no professed beauties now a days, while every past age can boast its Helens. Our generation may number many pretty faces, but it is the only Perhaps the Jewish costumes of Reone among the thousands already becca and Rachel may have been a counted, that produces no beauties shade better; but here was the same exwhose names shall descend imperish-posure of neck and arms, with the adably to the generations yet to come. ditional disadvantage of a robe_that We cannot open a page of history that does not record the fame of some beauty. The bible has its Rachael so lovely that twenty years of service was deemed a light fee for her affections; the world was lost for Cleopatra; the beautiful mistresses of the French kings ruled the world through the hearts of their imperial lovers; even down to the days of George the Fourth, there has always been some lady whose charms have been more powerful than monarchs and prime ministers. showed a leg encased in hideous boots and hose, and that refused to sweep with Grecian amplitude, round the limbs. of the fair wearers. Cleopatra, who is represented as being both dark and stout, could wear only the robes of white or purple, the heavy diadem, the strings of pearls that were allotted to the garb of Egyptian princesses. How dark and how uncomely must have been the majority of her country women, may be judged from the sensation she made. But I think the problem may be The Roman ladies were famed for solved; it is the difference of dress their stately carriage and somewhat custom does it all. Revive the robings large but noble features; and when to of by gone ages, and you will revive those charms are added those of reguall the beauty and ugliness of those larity and delicacy, and beautiful coldays; for there must have been a good oring, we do not doubt their simple deal of ugliness, otherwise beauty peu coquette style of dress was especialwould not have been so forcibly aply becoming to them; but without these preciated. Had there been more pretty latter qualifications how gaunt und girls in the days of Troy, Helen would coarse they must have appeared. have had few suitors, and Ilium might What can be more lovely than the have been standing yet. What I mean figure of Agrippina-bending that to say is this: in those times people stately head above the ashes of Gerdressed so unbecomingly, that unless manicus?-the robe falls in long sweeptheir features were perfect, they were ing folds; the bare arm naked to the literally nothing; all the minor graces shoulder, supports the urn; the hair which set off a mediocre person now, braided back, the smooth brow, the were totally unavailable under that system of costume. For instance, Helen must have worn a loose robe, a broad girdle, bare arms, sandals on her feet, and her hair bound back in those rich, magnificent braids, termed to this day, "Grecian Plaits." But imagine for a moment all your accquaintances dressed in this way! would not the majority be frightful? How few faces, how few complexions, magnificent eye, in its large and lofty chamber; not a ribbon, nor the gleaming of a jewel, breaks the calm outline, or disturbs the serene unity.--Perhaps among the circle of our acquaintances there are two or three women who appear to advantage so attired! but, oh, how well for the dumpy and the scraggy "nez retroussé," and the "nez snub," that they fall upon better days. As we descend the stream of time, the number of celebrated beauties de creases; this we may attribute to the in- bewailing only the too early extinction was so hideous, that no one could wear it without impunity-hence the high reputation for beauty of Pauline Bonaparte and Madame Recamier. The former is described as appearing at a party given by her mighty brother, Still we hear of some so strangely in a tunic of white muslin, reaching a lovely, as to be known to all the world little below the knees, and commencing by the fame of their eyes only; of far below the shoulders, the waist exthose, we may name Edith, of the swan ceedingly 'short, and bound with a neck; so called from the brilliant narrow girdle; sandals clothed the small whiteness of a skin capable of resisting feet, while a mantle of leopard skin the exposure to sun and wind, which hung round the form of Canova's fairtanned and freckled into frightfulness est model. the queens and lofty ladies of those And there are many who can rerude days; Rosamond the Fair-so fair member the appearance of Madame that it was said of her, "none but a Recamier in the parks of London, clad jealous and exasperated woman could in a robe as scanty and as simplehave harmed her;" Beatrice Cenci, her dark hair wreathed around her whose beauty made one shudder, so head, and fastened with a bodkin to the mysterious seems the light in those summit, and a scarlet mantle wrapped large untroubled eyes, soon about to around her. close beneath the pressure of so awful Now-a-days, the toilet of a lady is a fate; Lucretia Borgia, an angel in exactly conducted upon the principle face, a demon in heart; Mary, of Scot- most becoming to all; few figures look land, whom "no man ever beheld with-ill in the sweeping robes and lengthout love;" and some few others, until ened corsage-ample and stately withwe reach that famous trio recorded in out stiffness; ankles, however thick, the letters of Horace Walpole, as the are concealed by the long dresses, now Features, however coarse, loveliest women of their time, the the mode. can be softened or shaded into someMisses Gunning. thing like symmetry, by the judicious arrangement of locks, permitted to be worn in bands, or braids, or ringlets, just as best suits the face they surround. One of these, the Duchess of Hamilton, was so renowned for her charms, that her fame spread far and near; inasmuch, that, when travelling once from the North to the South, the mob in the places where she rested at nights, assembled round the hotels, nor would they depart until she had appeared on the balconies to display to them her world-famed face. And while no arbitrary fashion forces the exposure of a frightful profile, a clumsy arm, a ponderous ankle, no rule exists to prevent the reverse of these being shown. Every lady is at liberty to bring out her own "good And there is something strangely sad points" as she thinks best, and it is in the account of the death of another easy to do so, as well as to conceal of the sisters -Lady Coventry, who her weak ones, without departing from perished of consumption while in the the fashions that prevail. highest pride of youth and beauty. She is recorded as patiently awaiting the approach of death-her looking It is a Spanish maxim that he glass her constant companion-as that loseth wealth, loseth much; he scarcely ever removing her eyes from who loseth a friend, loseth more; but the reflection of her own face, and as he who loseth his spirits, loseth all. HABITS. sighs and bows himself to his burden again, and still goes onward. Ir is an irresistible law of habits, It may be deemed a matter of little that they continually grow stronger. consequence whether a young man enIt may seem a little thing whether the ter the door of the sanctuary on a young man speak kindly and respect- Sabbath morning, or whether he spend fully to his mother to-day, or chill her the day lazily sauntering abroad, with warm accents of affection with an air like-minded companions, to the field, of indifference, and sting her bosom the office, or the corner of the streets. with the answer of ingratitude. But But it is no slight matter to have felt each of these courses is the germ of a the influences, and to have gained the habit; and the one in the family and instruction of fifty years' regular sancin the community, shall open its bud tuary worship every Sabbath day. The into the blooming beauty of the rose; young man who has professed disciplethe other shall grow up into the hated ship to Christ may deem it of no little nettle. On the one, his parents shall consequence to be present at the weeklean in their old age as a staff of joy, ly prayer meeting or at the monthly blessing God with tears of gratitude concert; but he who attended regularthat they have such a son; on the oth- ly, and joined in their devotions from er they lean, feeling that their support is looked upon as a burden, and finding in that dependence a cup more bitter to drink than that of wormwood, mingled with gall. To the one, to speak kindly becomes as natural as to breathe; the other, as difficult as for the croaking raven to put on the loveliness of the cooing dove. It may seem but a little matter to shuffle cards a few minutes with a friend to-night where the stake is but a trifle; but it is the beginning of a habit, and it is no trivial matter at length to have become a gambler, bankrupt in property, in character, and in reputation, having made shipwreck of all together. It may seem a trivial thing to take a glass of wine at the wedding of a friend, or to mingle sparingly of the burning liquids in a lively company of associates, but it is no small tax upon the time, and the purse, and the brain, and the heart of any man, when he becomes a slave to the demon of strong drink. Occasionally to inhale the fumes and sip the juices of a rotten weed, may be a tolerable medicine, if a man can find nothing better; but when it stains the lips and daubs the teeth, and renders foetid the breath, and unnerves the stomach, and gives the salivary glands more than they know how to give away, then it is that a man looks back and youth till gray hairs, is then a far different pillar in the Church, and light in the world, from him who stayed away. The same may be said of his daily reading the Bible; of his being prompt to meet his engagements; honest in his dealings; and diligent in his calling. The young man is strong, because he has the power to form his future habits. They are not his masters. He is now the sovereign, and he stands at a point where he can exercise control over them all. The acts he now does are the first links of a chain, that will surely follow after. This may be beautifully illustrated by the following story, told by Loch man: "A vizier, having offended his master, was compelled to perpetual captivity in a lofty tower. At night his wife came to weep below his window. "Cease your grief," said the sage; "go home for the present, and return hither when you have procured a live black beetle, together with a little ghee, (or buffalo's butter,) three clews-one of the finest silk, another of whip cord, and finally a stout coil of rope." When she again came to the foot of the tower, provided according to her hus band's command, he directed her to touch the head of the insect with a little ghee; to tie one end of the silken thread around him; and to place the reptile on the wall of the tower. Seduced by the smell of the ghee, hole; and as, gazing for several minwhich he conceived to be above him, the beetle continued to ascend till he reach ed the top; and thus put the vizier in possession of the roll of silk thread. He then drew up the pack thread by means of the silk; the small cord by means of the pack-thread; and by means of the cord a stout rope, capable of sustaining his own weight; and thus he escaped from the tower." utes at nothing but the blind man's back, we beheld one basket full of botherations after another brought to him, we could not-when we consider. ed that this badgering is mercilessly continued throughout every day, week, month, and year of his life, help wondering why the Society for the Preven tion of Cruelty to Animals has not yet come to his rescue. No one, however, As in this case the silken gossamer who has watched the facility with drew after it first the pack thread, then which every compositor in a printing the whip cord, then at length the rope, office can read bad writing, would be too strong to be broken; so do the much surprised at the ease with which trivial acts of the young man, to-day the blind man gets over that portion of as easily changed as the silken thread his troubles. And again, as almost can be broken, draw after them habits every person can readily learn to unstrengthening into the cord, and the derstand "broad" Yorkshire, broad cable. If they are good habits, they Devonshire, broad Scotch, or any othare as a cable let down from heaven er patois, so it is not, on reflection, to draw him upwards. If they are bad surprising that a gentleman of ready habits, they are like a cable fastened abilities should, in due time learn to to a millstone, sinking him with such decipher "broad writing"-such as a weight, that all his efforts to rise are "sromfredevi," for Sir Humphrey Dafutile as those of the chained eagle. | vy, "Near the Wises,' for near DeWise then is the young man who vizes; "Billy Rikey," for Billericay; chooses his habits with reference to "Steghlester Sussexes," for Chicester, his whole life time. THE "BLIND CLERK" OF THE LONDON POST OFFICE. Sussex; "Wardling-street Neher Londer Brutz Schibseed," for Watlinstreet, near London Bridge, Cheapside; "Wharan, Que, ner Ne Weasel Pin Tin," for Wareham Quay, near Newcastle upon Tyne, &c., &c. But THE duty of solving all the enigmas, where the direction is incorrect, or, as and of deciphering the astonishing in the generality of cases, (especially specimens of writing that are contin- in circular tracts addressed by religious uously afflicting the inland Post-Office, societies to our clergy at their parish, is imposed upon a gentleman selected "rectories," vicarages," &c.,) the post from all the sorting clerks, and who, towns are omitted, the difficulty is not from being gifted with extraordinary only clearly evident, but at first appears memory, very sharp wits and above all to be insuperable; nevertheless, in with what Mr. Samuel Weller termed attentively watching the blind man's "a pair of patent double-million- back, it is astonishing to observe how magnifying-gas-microscopes-of-hextra- easily and fluently he does his work. power eyes," is gravely distinguish- For a considerable time he is to be ed throughout the department, as seen, evidently from memory, writing well as in its books, by the title of post-haste the omitted post towns on "The Blind Man." Accordingly, to each letter, as rapidly as he can han this little desk, five feet long, two dle them. Now and then as if his broad, modestly leaning against the wall of a small chamber close to the "foreign" room and adjoining the large double sorting hall, are brought all the letters which every sorter has in despair, chucked into his "blind" pigeon gas-lamp had without any apparent reason, half-fainted away, he holds a letter before him for a few moments, turning it a little on this side, and then on that, until he suddenly deciphers it. In extreme cases, he is occasionally obliged convulsively to scratch the Humbuggiana is wrong, aud unjust to side of his head, just above the right hard-laboring Southern Publishers. ear, for half a second, with the sharp Examine each of the fair towns in pointed black holder of his iron pen; our own State, and you will see the however, on he goes placing occasion- deplorable instances of this injustice. ally beside him, at the left extremity The way the thing is managed is deof his desk, those letters to which cidedly interesting-listen, O Earth!' reference to his little library, arranged The Northern Editor, seated in his before him, is necessary; and thus, sanctum, schemeth and deviseth thus with the help of half a dozen thick wise: "Well, we must start some 'rich well thumbed books, and of an intelli- humbug' in that pretty little town gent assistant who sits beside him, he in Alabama. 'Tis a goodly usually manages by the evening mail, place; wealthy men there; reading or, at all events by that of the follow- men; they pay well; we'll get up a ing day, to despatch the mass of mys- flaming prospectus, send it to some teries which have been so mercilessly poor devil of an editor there, make imposed upon him. him publish it and 'puff" us; if he is at all squeamish, why, stop the exchange; that will bring him up to his Quarterly Review. HOW SOUTHERN EDITORS ARE WRONGED. senses. So the prospectus is forwarded, placed in a conspicuous place in the post office; the Southern editor (shame FOR many years, hints have from be on him) publishes and puffs; kind time to time been thrown out by South- (?) friends solicit subscriptions, raise ern Editors, about Southern men a 'handsome club' and forward it to taking Northern papers, to the exclu- the Northern Humbugger. He smiles sion of their own-about 'clubs' being in infinite glee; he rubs his hands formed in sunny southern villages for with heart-felt satisfaction; he is sethe aiding and abetting of Northern cure; he is safe; the charm hath workPeriodicals. Only hints, we say; ed. Now, 'in the name of all the gods nothing strong, forcible, or definite, at once,' is this thing reasonable?-is has been uttered-and why? Simply this thing fair? Is it wonderful that because the Editor of a paper well Southern editors are lank, lean and knoweth that his prosperity is depend lengthy-that their visages are elonga ent upon the good-will of his subscri- ted--that their purses are diminished? bers, and if he perchance offend the The periodicals-medical, legal, polit taste of any of them by saying aught ical and literary, published in the against a favorite periodical-forth- South are equally good with those of with his subscription list will be minus the North. Only, they lack support; -one; this offended subscriber may they lack zealous. friends to aid and also induce his particular friends to abet them; to form subscription lists withdraw, and henceforward the Edi- and magnificent clubs. Divert the tor's pressman will have but little to stream of patronage now flowing northdo. Being blessed, however, by na- ward; ustain our own papers; atture, with some little 'assurance,' and tach the clubs to the subscription lists loving the quality called by honest of Southern publishers, and what men in days of yore, independence, would be the result? Literature would we intend to make a clean breast of become a thing not despicable, but it-we are determined to say something cultivated and worthy of cultivation. against the powers that be,' though Periodicals would become more numer that something doth in the end crush ous, better-printed, abler edited-infor and destroy us. In the first place, we mation would be spread abroad among say, and without fear, that the system the people; education would be beneof forming Clubs for the swelling of fitted; knowledge would flow in a the subscription list of some Northern glorious stream through our fair land. |