CHARM

Evening Star, Issue 19891, 13 June 1928, Page 10

CHARM

When wo read of wonderful women who have inspired poems or altered the destinies of nations and men we nearly always find that they are credited not so much with superlative beauty as with an indefinable attraction or charm. Then the idea occurs to some of ns; flow docs one cultivate charm? To try to cultivate an intangible thing is manifestly a paradox. We either have charm or we have not. the only merciful thing being that those people who definitely have - not are so constituted as never to bo aware of their deficiency Eor the others, with whom we arc at the moment concerned, they possess attributes and characteristics upon which they have perhaps been complimented, and they know full well that while they personally may perhaps not be irresistible, they do count for something, and occasionally shine. These arc the people who arc in danger of trying to acquire charm Given ordinary good looks or a pleasant appearance only, it is up to every woman to make the most of these; and if by any mischance she is really plain, then it is equally lyi to her to make the most of that, for it is the onlv way to meet tbo disaster. Bv making tin: most of her plainness, 1 do not mean that she should accentuate any unfortunate features, but that she should accept the fact that she is plain, dress smartly and suitably, and not “prink ” herself up to look ridiculous. These plain women stand just as much chance of possessing charm as any of their more beautiful sisters. The secret of the whole thing is to be yourself—your own vital self. _ Never adopt gestures which you think are effective, or tricks with your eyes, however beautiful you may have been told they arc. Never spout other people’s opinions; if yon haven’t any of your own, then become a good listener—incidentally a great source of charm in some people. ■lf you are absolutely natural and develop' whatever you have iu you to the fullest extent, then you will have charm to whatever degree the gods have endowed you, and you will, iu any event, possess the charm of naturalness.